Hi AH,
My Clipper II is almost 5 years old and has just had a 100h inspection at 632.0 hobbs time. I am very financially tied to a large construction project at present so am financially unable to change it for a few years but despite the astronomical cost of avgas can afford to continue flying it for the forseeable future. It flies very nicely, everything works and has no technical issues so I have no real reason to want to change it, except for that new car type feeling. Eventually if it gets to 12 years old I may send it off to the US for a rebuild - it is unlikely that it will make 2200 hrs unless times get hard and I end up leasing it to a flying school for extra income.
As I understand it the R44 hull has a base value (lower than normal at present I would imagine - the value of used Robbos is dropping significantly and you are buying (from the UK) at a good time (bad time for buying from the US). I heard an immaculate 4 year old Raven I went for £79k the other day with no damage history and only 300h on the clock! That must have hurt the seller, that is a third hand R22 price tag!!).
Depending on how the aircraft has become timed out (hobbs time vs years) determines what needs replacing at rebuild. For example your main rotor blades may still be OK as may certain other components saving you significant money wrt the rebuild. Their a rules governing this that the factory will be able to appraise you with.
Historically, I have heard of people making significant profit by containering timed out machines back to the factory, having the rebuild done and then selling them on. Best to start with the R44 airframe derivative you plan to stay with IMHO, there are subtle differences between clipper and raven and also Raven I and II although one would imagine that the latter upgrade would be more achievable during a rebuild than say Raven to Clipper conversion. You basically get a new machine for less than the cost of a new machine if you see what I mean?
The dollar rate was probably more favourably inclined towards such a containerage scheme a few months back. The companies that offer rebuild in the UK may be becoming a bit more competitive now due to the weakening pound.
Food for thought,
SB