Piper Meridian vs Piper M350

The Piper M350, M500 and M600 are the modern PA-46 series — M350 is the pressurised piston turbocharged (~213 kt); M500 (formerly Meridian, ~262 kt) is the entry turboprop with PT6A-42A; M600 (~274 kt with PT6A-42A and longer wing) is the current flagship turboprop with Garmin G3000. The M500 and Meridian are the same aircraft — Piper renamed the Meridian to M500 in 2015.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Piper Meridian
For sale now
103
Median asking
$1,284,291
Range
$830,903–$2,305,000
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
29
Source marketplaces
15
Model years available
1985–2026
Piper M350
For sale now
36
Median asking
$1,347,500
Range
$914,900–$2,096,839
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
18
Source marketplaces
10
Model years available
2008–2026

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Piper Meridian Piper M350
Piper Meridian
View 97 listings →
Median $1,284,291
Piper M350
View 36 listings →
Median $1,347,500
Price Range $830,903 – $2,305,000 $914,900 – $2,096,839
Category Single Engine Turboprop Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 6 6
Horsepower 350 HP
Cruise Speed 241 kts (446 km/h) 200 kts (370 km/h)
Range 1,000 nm (1,852 km) 1,343 nm (2,487 km)
Service Ceiling 30,000 ft (9,144 m) 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Max Gross Weight 5,092 lbs (2,310 kg) 4,340 lbs (1,969 kg)
Useful Load 1,362 lbs (618 kg) 1,220 lbs (553 kg)
Fuel Capacity 170.0 gal (643 L) 120.0 gal (454 L)
Fuel Burn 35.0 GPH (132 L/h) 18.0 GPH (68 L/h)
TBO 3,500 hrs 2,000 hrs
Overhaul Cost $300,000 $35,000
Annual Fixed $100,000 $22,000
Hourly Variable $650 $200
Engines 1 x Turboprop 1 x Piston (Turbocharged)

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Piper Meridian

Fuel$192/hr
Variable$650/hr
Annual Fixed$100,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $230,000/yr

Piper M350

Fuel$99/hr
Variable$200/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $62,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Piper Meridian or Piper M350?

Bottom line: Choose the M350 for pressurised piston operations at the lowest M-series operating cost. Step up to the M500 (Meridian) for turboprop reliability and ~50 kt more cruise. Step up again to the M600 for the longest-range, modern Garmin G3000 and the most capable PA-46 — each step adds materially higher acquisition and per-hour cost.

Pick the Meridian if…

  • Budget matters — from $830,903 vs $914,900, you save ~$83,997.
  • Faster cruise — 241 kts vs 200 kts.
  • More inventory — 97 listings vs 36.

Pick the M350 if…

  • Lower operating cost — ~$200/hr vs $650/hr.
  • Longer range — 1343 nm vs 1000 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 2015 vs 2000.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Piper Meridian or Piper M350?
It depends on your mission and budget. The Meridian cruises at 241 kts with 1,000 nm range. The M350 cruises at 200 kts with 1,343 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Meridian: from $1,150,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Meridian and Piper M350?
Cruise: 241 vs 200 kts. Range: 1000 vs 1343 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Meridian: about $650/hr variable cost. M350: about $200/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
Meridian: 6 seats / 1,362 lb useful load. M350: 6 seats / 1,220 lb useful load. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
Meridian: 3,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$300,000. M350: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data