Marius, as this is a light-hearted thread. I am going OT and want to ask you a question. I'll start at the question.
Are you 100% happy with your Gen3? The question is in terms of the mechanical side of your Gen3. I am following what you have done eg. the timing chain/belt, the injestors you took out, etc.
Why I am asking. About 6 years ago I wanted to but a Gen2. I looked at both the diesel and petrol Pajeros, but the diesels were generally more expensve and higher kms. A colleague advised me to rather go for the petrol because of the high costs of repairing a diesel engine. I bought a 3.5 Gen2, but the fuel costs killed me as I was using the Paj as my daily runner. I eventually sold it again. Later on I bought the iO, with which I am very happy.
Would you advise someone like me to buy a diesel, considering I have zero knowledge/experience of engines. I can't take out the injectors and have them fixed like you do. Would the cost of ownership not be out of my reach because of my lack of knowledge of mechanical things and the ability to fix them?
Affiliate Member
Buy the vehicle you can afford.
I bought a (high mileage) gen3 which is actually waaaaay outside my income bracket but because I can do these types of things it allows me to buyer a nicer, albeit higher mileage, vehicle.
More than likely if I had done nothing to my car it would still be running but I'm anal that a car should be 100% so I'm always checking, fiddling and tinkering.
Some things I get wrong - I did all of these things (including the valve stem seals, timing chain guide, pump advance, CAT delete etc.) and in the end all I had to have done is clean the injectors.
For me it is not a waste as I learned a great deal and know those parts of the motor are right now anyway and I can service them in future much easier should the need arise. I also get to share my info here and when it pays off and I managed to successfully help someone, I'm on cloud number 9!
My sister's boyfriend (who happens to be my best mate) is on the hunt for a car and because he is not mechanically inclined my advice to him was to buy a car with the lowest mileage possible so he can make use of the service plans and warranties.
If I hadn't learned what I have (forced to learn as I didn't have money to have my cars fixed) I would probably be driving citi golf in all honesty.
To get back to the topic at hand.
The Gen3 diesel is one the most reliable cars on the road and chances are you will never have a major breakdown with it for a long long time provided you look after it.
The known weak points on them are
- oil pressure sensor
- upper cam chain guide
- 4x4 vacuum solenoids by the air filter
- vulnerable rear bumpers
- Auto : old autobox fluid giving shudders
- Manual : dual mass flywheel failure
All of these things combined (other than the DMF) can be fixed at the dealer for under R10k.
Look for a good one, get someone to give it a good once over. Fly me up and I'll have a look at it if you want. Then buy it with the knowledge that it will possibly need maintenance but the maintenance is most of the time less than the repayments on a new one!
I bought a (high mileage) gen3 which is actually waaaaay outside my income bracket but because I can do these types of things it allows me to buyer a nicer, albeit higher mileage, vehicle.
More than likely if I had done nothing to my car it would still be running but I'm anal that a car should be 100% so I'm always checking, fiddling and tinkering.
Some things I get wrong - I did all of these things (including the valve stem seals, timing chain guide, pump advance, CAT delete etc.) and in the end all I had to have done is clean the injectors.
For me it is not a waste as I learned a great deal and know those parts of the motor are right now anyway and I can service them in future much easier should the need arise. I also get to share my info here and when it pays off and I managed to successfully help someone, I'm on cloud number 9!
My sister's boyfriend (who happens to be my best mate) is on the hunt for a car and because he is not mechanically inclined my advice to him was to buy a car with the lowest mileage possible so he can make use of the service plans and warranties.
If I hadn't learned what I have (forced to learn as I didn't have money to have my cars fixed) I would probably be driving citi golf in all honesty.
To get back to the topic at hand.
The Gen3 diesel is one the most reliable cars on the road and chances are you will never have a major breakdown with it for a long long time provided you look after it.
The known weak points on them are
- oil pressure sensor
- upper cam chain guide
- 4x4 vacuum solenoids by the air filter
- vulnerable rear bumpers
- Auto : old autobox fluid giving shudders
- Manual : dual mass flywheel failure
All of these things combined (other than the DMF) can be fixed at the dealer for under R10k.
Look for a good one, get someone to give it a good once over. Fly me up and I'll have a look at it if you want. Then buy it with the knowledge that it will possibly need maintenance but the maintenance is most of the time less than the repayments on a new one!
"More than likely if I had done nothing to my car it would still be running but I'm anal that a car should be 100% so I'm always checking, fiddling and tinkering." This is the part I was wondering about. These were all "preventative maintenance" jobs rather than repairs.
Thanks for your answer. I am not currently in the market to buy a vehicle, but a Gen3 would definately top my list if I was and it would be a diesel this time.
Thanks for your answer. I am not currently in the market to buy a vehicle, but a Gen3 would definately top my list if I was and it would be a diesel this time.
Dammit, now I am fiddling on Autotrader, looking for excuses to drive down Kerkstreet (where all the dealers are) and cheking the newspaper... 
JonnyD,
You are fighting the unwinnable battle. Surrender and take that drive down Kerk Street.
Even better, tell us how much money you have and we will find you the right car to spend it on
You are fighting the unwinnable battle. Surrender and take that drive down Kerk Street.
Even better, tell us how much money you have and we will find you the right car to spend it on
Sorry mate. You’re buggered. Once you start looking on Autotrader the buying is not far off!
Ended up buying my Pajero when a mate asked me how much his is worth. Looked on Autotrader for values and bought this one! And now I’m too afraid to take it into the bush. Sad I know…
Ended up buying my Pajero when a mate asked me how much his is worth. Looked on Autotrader for values and bought this one! And now I’m too afraid to take it into the bush. Sad I know…
Attachments:
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
Sad, but true. If this bug bites you, you're a gonnerLock wrote:Sorry mate. You’re buggered. Once you start looking on Autotrader the buying is not far off!