Isuzu 250 Dmax vs 1.9 Dmax

[WynandSteyn]

Hi All

Contemplating on trading my wives Corolla for a Isuzu Doublecab, she works from home but will make some weekend trips a lot easier when I dont have my bakkie available.

Williamshunt Isuzu has a special on new Doublecabs... R455k for a Gen6 250, or R470k for a 1.9 L Base Double cab.

I think both are good deals for a brand new vehicle. But how do I choose? On the one side I prefer the older Gen6 with the bulletproof 2.5liter engin, feels like I will be able to keep the bakkie forever and a day without any worries, but the 1.9 feels more refined, has the new looks and might hold value better(if for some reason I want to sell in the future?)

I would appreciate any opinions from the guys that has had both etc, both are manual and very basic...both will do the job, both will need some real Isuzu alloy wheels(to make it look less like a work bakkie) and both will probably eventually get a towbar, rubberizing and a canopy or something on the back....

Cant decide...

[mullerza]

We have a few Isuzu's in the fleet SC and Ecab, I do drive them now and then but these are workhorse so they take a beating in our fleet.

Gen 7 is a much nicer vehicle in terms of the interior, driving etc Gen 6 really feels its age
Gen 7 is softer than the Gen 6, we had two of them parked next to each other in a hail storm, Gen 6 spotless, Gen 7 roof had a few dimples
The 1.9 is a lot more fuel efficient than the 2.5
The 1.9 has a huge torque hole at the bottom, forget about just dropping back to second when you are crawling, it will either bog or stall. You have to go to first gear. Higher in the rev range there isn't much to choose, the 6th gear makes for much more relaxed cruising
The 2.5 is an old school donkey diesel, with tons of low down torque. Easy to to just drop it to 2nd when crawling and off you go. I usually just use 1st 3rd and 5th when driving it. Very reliable but we've had issues with MAF sensors, fuel pumps and injectors need attention at 300-400k km

If you are buying a manual and dont mind the interior buy the 2.5, if you are buying auto then the 1.9 is one to go for because the autobox sorts out the low down torque issue.

[A1ex]

We have a few Isuzu's in the fleet SC and Ecab, I do drive them now and then but these are workhorse so they take a beating in our fleet.

Gen 7 is a much nicer vehicle in terms of the interior, driving etc Gen 6 really feels its age
Gen 7 is softer than the Gen 6, we had two of them parked next to each other in a hail storm, Gen 6 spotless, Gen 7 roof had a few dimples
The 1.9 is a lot more fuel efficient than the 2.5
The 1.9 has a huge torque hole at the bottom, forget about just dropping back to second when you are crawling, it will either bog or stall. You have to go to first gear. Higher in the rev range there isn't much to choose, the 6th gear makes for much more relaxed cruising
The 2.5 is an old school donkey diesel, with tons of low down torque. Easy to to just drop it to 2nd when crawling and off you go. I usually just use 1st 3rd and 5th when driving it. Very reliable but we've had issues with MAF sensors, fuel pumps and injectors need attention at 300-400k km

If you are buying a manual and dont mind the interior buy the 2.5, if you are buying auto then the 1.9 is one to go for because the autobox sorts out the low down torque issue.

My dad and I have had both in the family and couldn't agree more with what Muller has to say!

[Redman]

We've had both 2.5 and 1.9's between me and my brothers and all have been very happy with both versions.

But if you are not in a hurry I would suggest just waiting it out a bit. Isuzu has confirmed a new 2.2 RZ4F engine (120kW 400Nm) which will most likely replace the current 1.9

[Dwayne P]

We have a few Isuzu's in the fleet SC and Ecab, I do drive them now and then but these are workhorse so they take a beating in our fleet.

Gen 7 is a much nicer vehicle in terms of the interior, driving etc Gen 6 really feels its age
Gen 7 is softer than the Gen 6, we had two of them parked next to each other in a hail storm, Gen 6 spotless, Gen 7 roof had a few dimples
The 1.9 is a lot more fuel efficient than the 2.5
The 1.9 has a huge torque hole at the bottom, forget about just dropping back to second when you are crawling, it will either bog or stall. You have to go to first gear. Higher in the rev range there isn't much to choose, the 6th gear makes for much more relaxed cruising
The 2.5 is an old school donkey diesel, with tons of low down torque. Easy to to just drop it to 2nd when crawling and off you go. I usually just use 1st 3rd and 5th when driving it. Very reliable but we've had issues with MAF sensors, fuel pumps and injectors need attention at 300-400k km

If you are buying a manual and dont mind the interior buy the 2.5, if you are buying auto then the 1.9 is one to go for because the autobox sorts out the low down torque issue.

I am sure Benson (custom tuning) can sort the low down torque lag with some software tuning...

[mullerza]

I am sure Benson (custom tuning) can sort the low down torque lag with some software tuning...

You are probably correct:
https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum...-Tuning/page22

As mine are all workhorse fleet vehicles its not a route I want to go down

[A1ex]

We've had both 2.5 and 1.9's between me and my brothers and all have been very happy with both versions.

But if you are not in a hurry I would suggest just waiting it out a bit. Isuzu has confirmed a new 2.2 RZ4F engine (120kW 400Nm) which will most likely replace the current 1.9

I agree, I think this 2.2 will be a huge addition to the Isuzu range and will definitely be a huge improvement on the 1.9. I think the 2.2 size is much better suited to the market.

[Battlestar]

Is the 2.2 not to replace the 3 Liter?

[Hennie84]

Is the 2.2 not to replace the 3 Liter?

No

https://www.drive.com.au/news/isuzu-...e-to-continue/

[ViperR]

Agree with Muller. I have the X-Rider with the 2.5, bought it from a no bells and whistles point of view.
I did the software and exhaust that made it alot more drivable. It's still the donkey as my wife calls it. Frustrates me at times because I like to go fast or rather get up to speed quickly.

But at the end of the day I bought it for it's longevity.
Swambo drove it predominately for the school run. She did get frustrated with the turbo lag and it's quite a lug to maneuver.
I eventually, last year gave in and bought her a mommy wagon because I got tired of the sharp pain in my ears

I've added the X-rider to my stable, it will become our overlanding vehicle

[A1ex]

Agree with Muller. I have the X-Rider with the 2.5, bought it from a no bells and whistles point of view.
I did the software and exhaust that made it alot more drivable. It's still the donkey as my wife calls it. Frustrates me at times because I like to go fast or rather get up to speed quickly.

But at the end of the day I bought it for it's longevity.
Swambo drove it predominately for the school run. She did get frustrated with the turbo lag and it's quite a lug to maneuver.
I eventually, last year gave in and bought her a mommy wagon because I got tired of the sharp pain in my ears

I've added the X-rider to my stable, it will become our overlanding vehicle

Out of interest who did your software and what sort of gains did you see?

[QuQ]

I am sure the arrival of new 2.2 is going to come with a price premium over the 1.9, which on a special, will offer a great deal vs the all-new 2.2 version. My approach would be to try and find a 1.9 Auto on the special that they are running and go for it. Much more drivable for your wife as well.

.

[ViperR]

Out of interest who did your software and what sort of gains did you see?

Sho not sure, was done by Custom Tuning, so just a remap with exhaust. Benson should have figures. I assume maybe 30kW

[A1ex]

Sho not sure, was done by Custom Tuning, so just a remap with exhaust. Benson should have figures. I assume maybe 30kW

And still Donkey-ish after that? Have you treid a throttle controller for the turbo lag? I heard they work wonders.

[NewLandy]

The 250D motor is indestructible. The problem I had with the 250D was that the gearbox was not as reliable as the motor.

I used it on the farm, hauling 750kg day in day out on rough roads with no problems with the motor, doing 5000km/month. Motor had 400k km on it when I sold it. New owner did another 300k km on the same motor.

I'd rather get a relativly inexpensive 250D than a 1.9l with fancy seats and interior. My wife was also happy to drive the 250D..

[ViperR]

And still Donkey-ish after that? Have you treid a throttle controller for the turbo lag? I heard they work wonders.

I dono, maybe I'm talking pooh that it's less. But I thought I could atleast give some bakkies a go at the robot or pull away from them on an incline. I'm not talking V6 bakkies here for context.
I would say the throttle response is there but speed eish not so much. I guess maybe I'm also expecting something that it's not.

Maybe a hybrid turbo would be the way to go. But then I would go against my first post about longevity.

I should just except that it's slow and was designed to lug stuff around