[zoobie]

hi all.

I need some serious advice from all the boffin out there

I have a 2004 Gen3 3.2 DiD SWB auto with 223000 on the clock. I use my car daily for business and do approx 30 000k's a year...and she is awesome onroad and even better offroad.

In lieu of the above, I need a car that is 100% reliable. ..yes I know the Gen3 is, but at this mileage I will probably need to spend money on it...possibly wheel bearings, cv's, 4 x new tyres, maybe some other stuff too..??

I am considering trading/downgrading/however we look at it for a Pajero sport 3.2 Did.

My real question is, how does the Pajero Sport compare to the Gen 3?..is it really a capable offroad machine?.

I know the sport does not have Traction control like the Gen3 but it does have a rear diff lock...

Will I still be able to do an offroad trial like Hennops, or any of the other ones without getting stuck and having someone in a Landy or a Toyota have to bail me out....that would be heartbreaking.

Apologies for all the questions, but I have to make an informed decision asap.

Many thanks in advance for your feedback.

Zoobie

[4ePikanini]

The sport is solid rear axle and the gen3 is IRS so on road manners the gen3 wins.

Off road they are pretty similar. If any difference the sport may be a bit better.

The sport also has the common rail engine but only 4 speed auto so it will take some time getting used to it if you used the 5 speed auto before.

[HBannink]

I had the oportunity to take it around the track at Donkerhoek and I had two wide eyed salesmen in the back that went very silent when I started to negotiate the obstacles. All I can say is in the off road sense this is one very capable vehicle. Being used to a petrol the torque was great and the diff lock made me look like a pro. As far as I am concerned if you encounter an obstacle that this baby can not negotiate it is time to turn around. My only negative was with 4 people on board the suspension was a bit pap and she banged on the heavy stuff if you were not carefull. To me this was a true Pajero not a glorified triton and I would buy one when the time comes.

[zoobie]

thanks for your quick responses Henk and Marius.
You have answered some of the doubts that I had.

Much appreciated.

[ecapes]

I purchased my PajeroSport in April 2010 and immediately joined this forum, but this is my first posting. I must state I have been very happy with the vehicle. While not an experienced 4X4 driver I have been impressed with the vehicle's capabilities especially when considering the road based tyres fitted.
The auto box makes it very easy to control in difficult situations but does limit engine braking on downhill. Again, for my use it is very suitable and one does feel able to conquer almost anything in your way. Ultimately it is limited to how much one protects the vehicle from scratches and minor dings....

The solid rear axle and diff lock is great and in my limited use I have not picked up any limitation of a soft rear end.

Consumption was a problem and I found it difficult to get under 11,5l/100km. The fist batch also had a very poor on-board computer display so one did not see the impact of a heavy foot on the consumption except for the plummeting readout. It really is all about your driving style. A gentle cruise down the Garden Route resulting in 9,5-10l/km.

I was so happy that the dealer and I struck a deal and I upgraded to the revised version now recently and with 2000km on the clock I must still do my first 4X4 excursion.

The new 17 inch wheels are still shod with road biased tyres but the auto box is still great. I suppose a 5th gear would be advantageous to the consumption but remember it is 2tons +…
The new onboar display has an instantaneous disply of consumption similar to that in the big Pajero and it helps to ensure more reasonable consumption.

While still bedding in consumption is easily better. I get 10-11l/100 km in Town and a short blast to Robertson resulted in8,9l/100km. So it is looking good…

Now only if they have a fix for the non-RDS radio (!) and no USB for my music.
No, not in a million years would I consider a Fortuner..

[zoobie]

hi all Pajero Sport owners.

I have found a replacement for the pathetic radio that comes standard. Today I fitted a Kenwood 5751SD system... ok, Rivonia auto sound in Woodmead fitted it for me.

And the best part is you still keep the controls on the steering wheel. Now I can use all my gadgets, Ipod, mp3 player, usb, sd card, cd...awesome.
Next upgrade will be the speakers...they too are pathetic.

Hope this helps.

regards

Zoobie

[MrDeeSA]

hi all.

I need some serious advice from all the boffin out there

I am considering trading/downgrading/however we look at it for a Pajero sport 3.2 Did.

My real question is, how does the Pajero Sport compare to the Gen 3?..is it really a capable offroad machine?.

I know the sport does not have Traction control like the Gen3 but it does have a rear diff lock...

Will I still be able to do an offroad trial like Hennops, or any of the other ones without getting stuck and having someone in a Landy or a Toyota have to bail me out....that would be heartbreaking.

Apologies for all the questions, but I have to make an informed decision asap.

Many thanks in advance for your feedback.

Zoobie

Hi Zoobie

I got my sport (2011 Model) in February. I took it to De Wild and was very impressed with the performance. Remember it has Central Diff-lock too. My previous Pajero (2010 new Spec) was maybe a bit more comfortable, but not more capable. I even reversed up the obstacles to really test it .. and no problem.

I then took it to Mabuasehube in Botswana .... Now the issues start.

Fuel consumtion 11km/L on tar, 120km/h on speedo. The car was loaded and it has an extended tank (39.5 L) Driving slow.. you only get 7km/L (Not 4x4) The Long range tank drops the Sparewheel. On level ground unloaded, it is not lower than the diff, but when loaded, the spare tyre touches on the sand on the middelmannetjie .. but only when you go through dips and get some bouncing.

After cleaning the air filter, my consumption however improved at slow speed.

In principle, excellent value for money, but a few irritations like the radio, the fan's noise etc.

Good luck in the decision. I am happy though.
D

[MrDeeSA]

hi all Pajero Sport owners.

I have found a replacement for the pathetic radio that comes standard. Today I fitted a Kenwood 5751SD system... ok, Rivonia auto sound in Woodmead fitted it for me.

And the best part is you still keep the controls on the steering wheel. Now I can use all my gadgets, Ipod, mp3 player, usb, sd card, cd...awesome.
Next upgrade will be the speakers...they too are pathetic.

Hope this helps.

regards

Zoobie

Many thanks ...... I was searching for something for quite a while

[ecapes]

I am on my second Pajero Sport (upgraded from the first model in 2011) and am still impressed. Comfortable ride, fuel consumption is good varying from 9,5l/100km (open road tour) to 12,5l in Town (very short stop/start). Off road, well I am no serious off-roader but with the road based tyres other harder 4X4ers were impressed with what it could do.

It is lighter than big brother so fuel should be lower while comfort is still great.
PS the radio has RC jacks fitted in the central arm rest cubby so external devices could be connected.