Hi Marc;

I just bought a 1978 R182 in June. One of the things I did was run a Service Difficulty Report (SDR) list from the FAA web site on the R182 and TR182. My R182 was used in a Part 135 operation from the time it was new, and I bought it with 7900 hours. The plane did have one gear up due to a failed main gear actuator, and a cracked actuator was found on a 100 hour inspection.  My understanding is the 1979 and later all used stronger components (I think the 1978 used the same components as the 172RG).

I didn't see anything else in the report or the logbooks that were a concern.  It is a solid airplane.  Two people I know at Chino have the turbo, and I have rented a turbo at one local FBO. One guy has had his for 27 years and loves it. The other has had a problem with the turbo leaking oil, but said it is a minor problem and loves the plane otherwise.  I like my R182 but sometimes wish I had purchased the turbo.

Regarding the service manual, I purchased one from Cessna.  I think it was a little less than Essco, and you get all the revisions to the manual (there are several since the manual was originally published).

Jon