Hi All,
I'll start by saying that this a great forum, and even though I don't own a Pajero yet, I've been logging on 3 times a day for 6 weeks without fail, and have learned a great deal. I am looking at buying a '98 or '99 model Pajero SWB. It has however brought me to a junction where I need expert advice.
I have given myself a fairly strict budget of about R80000. I have been window shopping a bit, and have come across 2 potential vehicles that have caught my fancy. The first is a '98 blister fender 2800 TD with 180000 km on the clock, and the other a '99 model 3500 blister fender with 275000km on the ODO. This is where the debate starts. I know that the 3500 petrol will be a monster from a fuel-efficiency point of view, so the 2800 TD seems like the better deal. On the other hand, I understand that the 2800 needs to be serviced every 7500 km. The question thus is this: which is the better buy? I can mention that the petrol Pajero is being sold for about R15000 more than the TD. Which would you rather buy? Will the lower selling price of the TD be negated in the near future by the higher maintenance cost? Is the maintenance cost much higher if one takes the fuel economy of the 2 into account?
Please note that I am not asking for a debate between which engine type is better to drive, since there a millions of websites that try to argue which is better. I am asking from a real-world perspective as someone who likes to be informed before making a potentially costly mistake.
Advice from owners of these specific vehicles will be greatly appreciated!
Regards,
Phil
Hi Phil,
Welcome to the site - well should we say welcome to your first post?
Those two cars share the same gearbox and 4x4 system and accessories, so the only maintenance difference will be with the engine. The normal lubrication service is simple for both cars and a oil and filter job on the 2.8 is simple and easy and shouldn't hurt your bank if you do it yourself. If the kilos on both cars are genuine and if there is a similar service history for both, I think the 100 000km extra on the 3.5 could count against it.
You will know that the 2.8 head has a bit of a history in the Colts. I have seen enough posts on other forums to start believing that the real issue with those Colt invariably start with a cooling system hick-up, which almost always ends in a cracked head. Even so, if you save the money on the purchase price of the 2.8 (R15k), you can later buy a brand new head with that if the need arise.
I think your planned use for this vehicle should also be discussed:
Lots of town commuting isn't ideal for the 3.5, the fuel bill will hurt you.
Heavy towing isn't ideal for the 2.8, the EGT's go too high on those motors (they say).
Either way, if you budget 15L/100km for the 3.5 and 30% less for the 2.8, you should be pretty close to the truth.
Personally, I prefer the 3.5 motor, but the extra 100 000km on your current example makes me lean towards the 2.8.
In the end: you need to try and spend a bit of time with both vehicles and allow your heart a say in the matter as well.
Good luck,
Roelf
Welcome to the site - well should we say welcome to your first post?
Those two cars share the same gearbox and 4x4 system and accessories, so the only maintenance difference will be with the engine. The normal lubrication service is simple for both cars and a oil and filter job on the 2.8 is simple and easy and shouldn't hurt your bank if you do it yourself. If the kilos on both cars are genuine and if there is a similar service history for both, I think the 100 000km extra on the 3.5 could count against it.
You will know that the 2.8 head has a bit of a history in the Colts. I have seen enough posts on other forums to start believing that the real issue with those Colt invariably start with a cooling system hick-up, which almost always ends in a cracked head. Even so, if you save the money on the purchase price of the 2.8 (R15k), you can later buy a brand new head with that if the need arise.
I think your planned use for this vehicle should also be discussed:
Lots of town commuting isn't ideal for the 3.5, the fuel bill will hurt you.
Heavy towing isn't ideal for the 2.8, the EGT's go too high on those motors (they say).
Either way, if you budget 15L/100km for the 3.5 and 30% less for the 2.8, you should be pretty close to the truth.
Personally, I prefer the 3.5 motor, but the extra 100 000km on your current example makes me lean towards the 2.8.
In the end: you need to try and spend a bit of time with both vehicles and allow your heart a say in the matter as well.
Good luck,
Roelf
Site Admin
Phil
Welcome to the club.
Given your two options I would perhaps suggest - keep looking. In general I agree with Roelf, but your budget and the two vehicle options dont add up - especially the 3.5 Petrol. I would not pay more than 75k for either model with more than 200k on the clock.
Welcome to the club.
Given your two options I would perhaps suggest - keep looking. In general I agree with Roelf, but your budget and the two vehicle options dont add up - especially the 3.5 Petrol. I would not pay more than 75k for either model with more than 200k on the clock.
Simon Bloomer
Welcome,I was in the fortunate position of getting my friends Pajero 3.5 Lwb Auto for Rond 50.000 with only 165.000 on the clock with full history so the asking price for the petrol seems high,word of warning I am in the position of having company wheels so running the bus at the weekends is not a problem,but if it's going to be your daily runner make sure you have a supertanker hooked up behind you,Rond 800 plus is heavy to fill the tank up these days,but the grunt of that 3.5 is very addictive.Enjoy. 
Hi Phil,
Just a thought...
I have a 2005 Pajero LWB diesel (white with 105,000kms on the clock) which was in excellent condition until the 3rd-party wiring shorted and all the wiring underneath the vehicle burnt.
This has been repaired and the car is running again with the exception of a last little hiccup -the 4-wheel drive lights on the console keep flickering.
The car is currently at Mitspro Motors in Centurion who are doing the repairs. Mitspro is highly recommended by members of this forum and I have no doubt that, if they say the car is fine, it is.
It currently has a fitting for a 2nd battery (with a 50ah battery), Old Man Emu suspension, Firestone air springs, and a FrontRunner 40l extended tank
I'm going to be selling it for around R100,000 as soon as it is fixed
Regards
Dave
082 6080261
Just a thought...
I have a 2005 Pajero LWB diesel (white with 105,000kms on the clock) which was in excellent condition until the 3rd-party wiring shorted and all the wiring underneath the vehicle burnt.
This has been repaired and the car is running again with the exception of a last little hiccup -the 4-wheel drive lights on the console keep flickering.
The car is currently at Mitspro Motors in Centurion who are doing the repairs. Mitspro is highly recommended by members of this forum and I have no doubt that, if they say the car is fine, it is.
It currently has a fitting for a 2nd battery (with a 50ah battery), Old Man Emu suspension, Firestone air springs, and a FrontRunner 40l extended tank
I'm going to be selling it for around R100,000 as soon as it is fixed
Regards
Dave
082 6080261
Affiliate Member
If it's a diesel I may have a buyer.....Dave wrote:Hi Phil,
Just a thought...
I have a 2005 Pajero LWB diesel (white with 105,000kms on the clock) which was in excellent condition until the 3rd-party wiring shorted and all the wiring underneath the vehicle burnt.
This has been repaired and the car is running again with the exception of a last little hiccup -the 4-wheel drive lights on the console keep flickering.
The car is currently at Mitspro Motors in Centurion who are doing the repairs. Mitspro is highly recommended by members of this forum and I have no doubt that, if they say the car is fine, it is.
It currently has a fitting for a 2nd battery (with a 50ah battery), Old Man Emu suspension, Firestone air springs, and a FrontRunner 40l extended tank
I'm going to be selling it for around R100,000 as soon as it is fixed
Regards
Dave
082 6080261
It is a 2005 LWB diesel (3.2 Di-D) GLS with full service history. White with cream interior.
Dave
Dave
Hi Dave Had the same flickering problem on my 2001 model. Eventually traced it to a rubbing wire in the transmision housing. R 10 repair and R 440 labour! 
If you can feel the grass between your toe's, your flying too low!
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
Hi All, thank you for all the replies!
Perhaps I should clarify; while R80000 is my budget, the '98 2800TD blister fender is selling for only R70000. The tires on that Pajero is kaput, which means I will have to spend R8k almost the second I buy it. I have found a '99 3000 V6 (not a blister fender though), going for the same price, with new BF Goodrich tires, snorkel and roofrack. It has 225000km on the clock. I am still leaning towards the diesel, if not for fuel consumption, but the fact that the blister fender pajeros came with a rear diff-lock, and the others not (correct me if I'm wrong). Keep in mind that this will be my day-to-day wheels, with the occasional weekend of proper off-the-black-stuff fun, so as far as I am concerned a diff-lock is essential.
@ Dave: This sounds like a awesome deal, but the sceptic in me needs to ask, why are you selling for R80000 less than retail, not even taking into account the extras. Plus does the long wheel base not hamper proper off-roading? I am buying this after all to be able to go out with my friend and his Wrangler LWB on occasions.
Perhaps I should clarify; while R80000 is my budget, the '98 2800TD blister fender is selling for only R70000. The tires on that Pajero is kaput, which means I will have to spend R8k almost the second I buy it. I have found a '99 3000 V6 (not a blister fender though), going for the same price, with new BF Goodrich tires, snorkel and roofrack. It has 225000km on the clock. I am still leaning towards the diesel, if not for fuel consumption, but the fact that the blister fender pajeros came with a rear diff-lock, and the others not (correct me if I'm wrong). Keep in mind that this will be my day-to-day wheels, with the occasional weekend of proper off-the-black-stuff fun, so as far as I am concerned a diff-lock is essential.
@ Dave: This sounds like a awesome deal, but the sceptic in me needs to ask, why are you selling for R80000 less than retail, not even taking into account the extras. Plus does the long wheel base not hamper proper off-roading? I am buying this after all to be able to go out with my friend and his Wrangler LWB on occasions.
This could be helpful, thanksLock wrote:Hi Dave Had the same flickering problem on my 2001 model. Eventually traced it to a rubbing wire in the transmision housing. R 10 repair and R 440 labour!
Dave