Looking at Purchasing a Mitsubishi Pajero SWB

[BarnacleBOY007]

Hey Guys,

So I'm new to this forum and new to the Mitsubishi way of life, but hoping to join you all soon.

I've been looking around at Mitsubishi's for quite some time now, and I'm struggling to make my mind up about a vehicle I have the opportunity to buy.

It's a White 2002 Mitsubishi 3.5 v6 with 283000km on the clock. It has a full service history, and all is working and in order. The owner wants R100k for the vehicle - unfortunately he cannot budge on the price any further.

I'm really concerned about the fuel consumption breaking the bank, is that a justifiable concern, or am I being silly?

Are there any hidden issues I can be instore for when purchasing this vehicle?

Should I rather look at the 3.2 DID? But I'm concerned about the diesel pump fault that I heard can come up...I'm at a bit of loss here.

Please help!

[Let's Play]

Go for a decent 3.2 DID

[Mr.G]

Well as from tomorrow fuel will be R2 cheaper than diesel.Thats R100+ per tank cheaper on the petrol motor..
If you get 6kml in town on the petrol you will get 8kml on diesel then it pretty much is equal.Take the fuel services might be a tad cheaper then in the long run assuming the fuel gap stays similar the ownership will be about the same in expense.
You also have less risk of big issues like diesel pumps problems or injector issues

[byaru1]

Well as from tomorrow fuel will be R2 cheaper than diesel.Thats R100+ per tank cheaper on the petrol motor..
If you get 6kml in town on the petrol you will get 8kml on diesel

The reality is that you will very unlikely get 6 km/l from a 3.8 v6 in city traffic with AC on.

It's going to be more like 3-4 km/l

For the DiD, yes 7-8km/l probably possible in city traffic.

[Karol]

My 2003 pajero IO ( 2liter engine) is less economical per km than my VW 4.2 V8 tdi

don't use the Pajero for long trips just driving to the mall and some off roading, and we lucky to get 350 km from a 50 liter tank of fuel

[PJ SA]

Well as from tomorrow fuel will be R2 cheaper than diesel.Thats R100+ per tank cheaper on the petrol motor..
If you get 6kml in town on the petrol you will get 8kml on diesel then it pretty much is equal.Take the fuel services might be a tad cheaper then in the long run assuming the fuel gap stays similar the ownership will be about the same in expense.
You also have less risk of big issues like diesel pumps problems or injector issues

Until June when the "petrol levy holiday" is over....I'd still take the petrol though

[pjf110]

The petrol would be a cheaper buy and be far less risky at high mileage.

You need to assess what you are willing to spend per month and then add up the costs of both diesel and petrol. The petrol will be cheaper to buy, insure, service but more expensive to fuel. Work out the distance you would need to drive after paying the premium for the diesel before you break even.

[BarnacleBOY007]

Thank you for the replies.

I understand that counting costs can be quite difficult. So, will need to try my best to see what I can do in that regard.

The fact that I want to drive the vehicle as little as possible is the goal - for example my wife and I have a car already, and my wife works from home. So when I need to go to work, I'll use the Etios, but when my wife needs to go out, she will use the Etios and I will take the Pajero to work.

[byaru1]

The petrol would be a cheaper buy and be far less risky at high mileage.

I see very many old DiDs running around all over Africa. Do they really have any serious high mileage maintenance issues of concern?

[ChasingSunsets]

I see very many old DiDs running around all over Africa. Do they really have any serious high mileage maintenance issues of concern?

Personally in my experience absolutely not. They are tough as nails. Those pump issues are still one of those weird ones. My dad's gen 3 with the zexel pump has over 400k km on it and still pulls like new (no 2stroke oil until about 350k km when 500ppm became scarce). I think too many pumps get damaged from running low/out of fuel, that seems a sure way to hurt that pump, but otherwise it's not nearly as problematic as some people make it out to be.

I think it's a hearsay thing, people automatically assume that when a Gen 3 diesel acts up it has to be the pump. My dad's gen 3 left him stranded for the 1st time in its life about 4 months ago. Immediately some local opinions were diesel pump, but the gen 3 relies on a lot of vacuum to open and close things. Turns out the diaphragm on the intake manifold had failed. Quick diagnosis, bypass the diaphragm spring that was stuck, and all good to go until the new part arrived.

Even if the pump fails what is a R25k repair on a car that can reliably last well over 500k km (I see plenty over that mileage on the Facebook group).

I think the petrol is cheaper to maintain, but then the gen 3 pump issue is not that big a deal if you are prepared for it. Unfortunately when buying an old 2nd hand gen 3 pajero you do run a risk that the seller is getting rid of it because time to recon the pump has come. I'd just fix it and carry on driving.

I like the petrol, great motor, reliable (only real known issue is the butterfly intake issue which can be modified easily to prevent), but personally I prefer the diesel. We have had 1 gen 2 petrol 3.5v6, 2 gen 3 3.2's, a Gen 4, and now a new generation sport. They have been excellent cars and all have been used heavily as touring vehicles bar the new sport whose time is still to come.

[BarnacleBOY007]

Personally in my experience absolutely not. They are tough as nails. Those pump issues are still one of those weird ones. My dad's gen 3 with the zexel pump has over 400k km on it and still pulls like new (no 2stroke oil until about 350k km when 500ppm became scarce). I think too many pumps get damaged from running low/out of fuel, that seems a sure way to hurt that pump, but otherwise it's not nearly as problematic as some people make it out to be.

I think it's a hearsay thing, people automatically assume that when a Gen 3 diesel acts up it has to be the pump. My dad's gen 3 left him stranded for the 1st time in its life about 4 months ago. Immediately some local opinions were diesel pump, but the gen 3 relies on a lot of vacuum to open and close things. Turns out the diaphragm on the intake manifold had failed. Quick diagnosis, bypass the diaphragm spring that was stuck, and all good to go until the new part arrived.

Even if the pump fails what is a R25k repair on a car that can reliably last well over 500k km (I see plenty over that mileage on the Facebook group).

I think the petrol is cheaper to maintain, but then the gen 3 pump issue is not that big a deal if you are prepared for it. Unfortunately when buying an old 2nd hand gen 3 pajero you do run a risk that the seller is getting rid of it because time to recon the pump has come. I'd just fix it and carry on driving.

I like the petrol, great motor, reliable (only real known issue is the butterfly intake issue which can be modified easily to prevent), but personally I prefer the diesel. We have had 1 gen 2 petrol 3.5v6, 2 gen 3 3.2's, a Gen 4, and now a new generation sport. They have been excellent cars and all have been used heavily as touring vehicles bar the new sport whose time is still to come.

Thank you for this message. It is just really concerning to pay R100+k for a 2000odd vehicle, to have to pay another R25-40k for the diesel pump.

You mentioned the butterfly intake, what issue is that? Is that on the older gen 1 models, or also on the fuel injected gen 3?

[pjf110]

I see very many old DiDs running around all over Africa. Do they really have any serious high mileage maintenance issues of concern?

In my case once bitten twice shy type of thing with diesel. The 3.2 did is documented as an amazing motor and I don’t doubt that.

Just pointing out the petrol is cheaper to buy and to fix.

My limited experience is that petrol engines take punishment better that diesels. Many exceptions to this but just my 2c.

PS I would love to have a post 2012 SWB DiD.

[Ubbo]

My 2c worth

Just sold my FJ CRUISER and bought a 2011 LWB 3.2

Both are awesome. But I sold the cruiser due to fuel consumption. Open road was giving 13 litres 100 on the V6 Cruiser

So far the 3.2 Di-D is giving 8 litres on 100km

Might not sound like a big difference but when you add up the actual cost it makes it bad.

To fill the cruiser at the pump was about R3600 and realistically I would get 1100km max.
The Di-D on the other hand shows a range of 1000km at a cost of R1700.

In real terms I was finding that doing any trip from home in Nelspruit to JHB or further to CT was just too much for the budget. Holidays and touring in a big V6 is really expensive.

Petrol is easy to maintain - but maintain you must, or you will risk failures. Diesel is the same, if you maintain it properly the chances of breakage are low.

BTW. Love the Gen 4 Di-D

[bruce78]

My 2c worth

Just sold my FJ CRUISER and bought a 2011 LWB 3.2

BTW. Love the Gen 4 Di-D

What do you love about your Gen 4 and how does the drive compare to the FJ?

[Ubbo]

What do you love about your Gen 4 and how does the drive compare to the FJ?

Gen 4 looks really plain in comparison, but drives much better. Seating position suits me better (I'm 6ft 2) and the towing power is waaaaay better.

Consumption on the Pajero is currently 10.2 average on this tank - mixed driving.

FJ could only dream of that.

Overall, the Pajero is more car like with independent suspension. It also rattles more than the FJ. The FJ is awesome, just too expensive to run.

It was a retirement decision taken aided by economics and towing.

[bruce78]

Consumption on the Pajero is currently 10.2 average on this tank - mixed driving.

FJ could only dream of that.

Overall, the Pajero is more car like with independent suspension. It also rattles more than the FJ.

Yeah, I think Pajero is going to be one of the best to drive... Certainty better than a Pajero Sport and the 2.8 Prado in my experience... I suspect the Pajero will be in the same ballpark as the Land Rover Discovery/Defender/Range Rover given that they are all unibody/monocoque but I've not driven them and for better or worse, their reputation preceeds them!

[byaru1]

Yeah, I think Pajero is going to be one of the best to drive... Certainty better than a Pajero Sport

Yes, PS just smaller inside but certainly i would pick it over the Paj.

and the 2.8 Prado in my experience!

Prado much better. The 2.8 is quieter and more powerful, and even somehow feels much better. Perhaps the modern cabin (compared to that of the paj) contributes to that feeling?