Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

I am in the process of buying a Gen 3 3.2 D-iD SWB. Any common problems any member experienced that I should know about? Although I've got a fair technical knowledge of vehicles, is there specifics I shoul look out for on a Pajero? I will appreciate some advice as this will be my first Pajero.

1) How many Kilo's on the clock. Me personaly wouldn't touch it if she has above 180000Km
2) Full service history?
3) What doe the tires look like. Alos 16 or 17"? 17" she's too expensive....
4) Modifications?

Herman,

First of all, welcome to the friendly forum!

The Di-D engine is becoming a legend, because of its reliability, performance and economy.
It is not class leading in the output stakes, but because of that it is under-stressed and seems to last indefinately!

Apart from all the advice regarding the upkeep of all TD engines (service, low revs, cool-down of the turbo, EGT control), there is only one recurring "issue" with the Di-D engine, ie the chain guide in the head wears on some engines (do a search).
It does not happen on all of them, but if it does, it is a cheap fix.

Apart from that, it is an amazing engine.

The rest of the Gen3 Pajero? It is a Mitsubishi, after all!

Do a forum search for "Di-D" and you will find a lot of useful info.

PS Make sure you want a SWB. I personally don't like the 3 door configuration (although they look damn nice!).
Nor do I like the lack of packing space.
You will have to evaluate your specific needs.

Herman,
You will battle to get bad vibes from Pajero owners. We really like our cars and often replace them with another Pajero.
- I think KaiV is a bit harsh, I know personally of two DiD that have doubled the k180km mark with absolutely NO problems.
- Heed e4Pajero's advice on the SWB. I recommend you spend quite a bit of time with the SWB before you buy one.
Here is my opinion on the SWB (my previous five Pajeros were all LWB):
Positive
1)It looks great.
2)It has a tiny turning circle.
3)It is increadibly nimble - it will climb and crawl over and through anything.
4)The 3.8V6MIVEC performs and behaves like a Golf Gti 16V
Negative
1)The obvious smaller load area. I removed the rear seats for my just completed Richterveld camping trip and that made a huge difference.
2)The doors are much longer than the LWB models, thus requires more room to open in parking areas and in the garage.
3)I was used to putting small bags on the floor behind my seat - not having to open and close the heavy boot door. Now I have to use the boot.
4)The fuel tank is more than 20l smaller. Not an issue, untill you overland.

It was quite a culture shock to go from a LWB DiD to the petrol SWB, but we felt like a change when the last kid moved out to university. We are still very happy with our SWB and have even looked at how we will do our next camping trip without the trailer.

I hope you find and enjoy the right Pajero for you.
Roelf

Just a note on the workmanship of mitsu.

I bought a gen2 that was clearly battered and not very well looked after. I bought it a bargain as the engine had a knock due to an obvious overheat.

I rebuilt the engine only and replaced a cv boot. Everything else works 100% after 260'000km even though the previous owners clearly didn't look after the vehicle.

I have yet to find a truly unhappy mitsu owner.

As mentioned above, choice has never been whether you should buy a mitsu, but the question is WHAT mitsu to buy....

I have a shorty, and apart from the obvious lack of packing space, we love her to bits.

She has more than impressed everyone at ever outing/trail we've ever been on with her. She will go where everything else goes and in some instances even further.

The only drawback I personally have is the small fuel tank, looking at options to add an extra tank, just not sure where to fit it.

Other than that ... what a caaaar what a caaaaar!!!

Andre,
Please keep us posted if you come across any extra tank solutions. We have tried 4x4 shops and fitters and all come up empty.
I dropped a 20l jerrycan in the trailer's nose cone for the Richtersveld.
I found that I didn't need it, so didn't take extra petrol when we travelled south from Port Nolloth.... BIG mistake. When locals at Hondeklipbaai told us of a 120km sand/dune track to Groenriviermond, I felt that I was underfueled as the last petrol was at Port Nolloth and the next would be at Bitterfontein.
In both the Richtersveld, as well as on the 4x4 route in the Cederberge (north through Wuppertal), was the consumption 5l/hour.
From now on will I use that figure to estimate range when planning offroad trips.
Roelf

Hi

Just got my very own pajero 3.8i SWB recently and all I can say is "What a Car Indeed" (except for the fuel consumption!!!). All is great except that I had to have the fuel tank recently repaired. The previous owner seemed over eager with the car and I found out the hard way when the fuel low indicator did not come on . Anyways I topped up the tank when it was completely dry and found that I could only put in 60L. Isn't it suppose to be a 71L tank??? Even after the fuel tank was repaired the capacity stayed the same; although the level indication works correctly now

What is the real full tank capacity on these SWB models?

Slaska wrote:..."What a Car Indeed" (except for the fuel consumption!!!)...

Compare it with it's opposition, and you will still be impressed.

Against a road car (platkar) it is certainly heavy.

Anton

Slaska wrote:... Anyways I topped up the tank when it was completely dry and found that I could only put in 60L. Isn't it suppose to be a 71L tank??? Even after the fuel tank was repaired the capacity stayed the same; although the level indication works correctly now

What is the real full tank capacity on these SWB models?

I also have it as 71l.

Specs here:http://www.um.co.za/specifications/mitsubishi.aspx

Anton