[4ePajero]

Those who claim that diesels are useless in the dunes could just be correct!

It's now just about a year ago that I watched the Race Touareg TDi battle in the sand during the Dakar!

There are diesels and there are diesels. The previous generation diesels (eg 2.4 Toyota) gave 4x4 diesels a (bad)reputation that lingers in some people's minds.

Modern TDs outperform petrol equivalents in just about all areas, bar outright top speed.

eg I drive a TD that develops Yank V8 (petrol) power at economy that rivals 2 litre (petrol engines).
Yesterday from Klerksdorp to East London:
Four adults with their luggage.
Ave driving speed: 99 km/h
Max speed (overtaking): 162 km/h
Trip Economy: 10.45 l/100km

PS. If monster dune driving makes up a major part of your driving, go petrol.

[4ePikanini]

agreed.

I did a longish dune once on Canca Fynbos trail and with us was a 2003 hilux 2.7.

we both went up in 4x4 low range.

If he didn't keep the revs close to redline he would stall out.

If I gave full throttle at 1500rpm it would spin up all 4 wheels and pull me through!

Modern day torque in diesels make up for the lack of revs in the dunes.

[SimonB]

No-one said that diesels can't do dunes. And to be fair Gerhard, no-one has access to race Touaregs.

And since the original topic is about the 2.8 vs the 3.5 so perhaps we should stick with that. No mention was made of the 3.2. I would buy the 3.5 over the 2.8 ANY day of the week.

The ONLY advantage the 2.8 has over the 3.5 is in LR downhill crawlability, and even fuel economy in the 2.8 isn't all that clever.

And if you want to buy a 2.8 bear in mind you will not be allowed on many of the namib trails.

[4ePikanini]

agreed. The 2.8 is no match for the 3.5 in the dunes.

[Davidvan]

Marius,

I agree that is a good thing on the diesel with the massive low down torque, but the Nam dunes need momentum and lots of revs and minimal gear changes. Some of the Nam dunes need to be approached at least at 60-80 Km/h petrol or diesel, else no chance of clearing, now on a different note, I have no idea how the Discovery 3 and 4 do the big dunes as their air suspension drops before these speeds are met with no override, now that must hurt, thinking your are the king and then suddenly end up hitting the dune as low as a plat kar..

I just uploaded a couple of youtube videos here is the link, excuse all the toyotas, that was before I got my Pajero....

This was my first dune trip I ever did in Namibia, only didn't make the 1 dune which was the wake up call, thereafter cleared them all first time, I was in the white branded cruiser pickup as idream Africa. Definately a must do.

http://youtu.be/tyDKCB6Jhtk

or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEehbf21 ... playnext=5

Some of the bigger dunes were only cleared in 3rd gear hi-range with foot flat and alot of momentum and super slick gear changes, smaller dunes were 2nd gear at around 4000rpm.

I have a problem, now talking about the dunes and watching all of these again makes we want to go SOON!

[4ePajero]

And if you want to buy a 2.8 bear in mind you will not be allowed on many of the namib trails.

I would choose the 3.5 petrol over the 2.8 TD as well.

My comment was "inspired" by the fact that there is such generalisation when it comes to diesels. For tour operators to prohibit ALL diesels (but allow ANY petrol) is plain stupid!

[SimonB]

Well I nned to qualify my statement...

Generally it has to be a minimum 2.7-3l petrol (the Colt V6 is a brilliant dune rider), but they are starting to allow some diesels on the trails.

But I'd still be loath to use one on long distance dune trips... remember your first rule of keeping EGT's under control... if you feel no increase in power when adding more gas? That concept is almost impossible to conciously apply in dunes.

[Davidvan]

Apologies gents, I started with the generalising. This was not specific to the 2.8 of which I have little experience with in the dunes and generalised what I had seen and experienced. Again driver is also very important, but those dunes are like no other place I have seen and are a treat to drive and experience, no matter what 4x4 you are driving.

Some of the points here however need to be taken into account. The cars are driven hard most of the day every day.

The Paj will be a great overland vehicle, so go and enjoy it as we know you would!

Happy new year to all and safe adventuring!

Cheers