Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi Zeek

I have just joined the Club but have been the proud owner of a 1998 Paj 2800 lwb. I've had Hulix's, Landy def V8 (crap), Susuki and Isuzu. I've had this one since 1999 and is the second owner. Would not swap this car for anything. You wil enjoy every moment of your Pajero no matter which one you buy. I have done lots of mods on mine and it dit not even cost a lot. I am a serious overlander and do at least 2 trips per year to different Southern African countries as far as Tanzania. It has had some breakdowns but has always brought us home.

zeek wrote:Is there a major service or parts that need replacing when you get close to 200000km on the diesel 3.2 LWB?

Zeek, it sounds like you are asking about routine maintenance rather than abnormal things that could go wrong. There is no especially massive service looming around the 200000 km mark. The axle, transmission and transfer case oils should have been replaced at 180000 km, the valve clearance adjusted and the timing chain/tensioner checked, if the vehicle was serviced properly . The next couple of services for a DiD auto on 7500 km service intervals looks roughly as follows:

• 187500 km: Minor (A) service (some checks, engine oil/filter change, check/change air cleaner element as needed)
• 195000 km: Medium (B) service (A service + more checks, check axle/transfer/transmission oils)
• 202500 km: Minor (A) service
• 210000 km: Medium (B) service
• 217500 km: Minor (C) service (A service + fuel filter element replacement)
• 225000 km: Medium (D) service (B service + adjust valve clearances, also a good time to check upper timing chain guide)
• 232500 km: Minor (A) service
• 240000 km: Major (E) service (B service + change axle/transfer oils)
• 247500 km: Minor (A) service
• 255000 km: Major (F) service (B service + change automatic transmission fluid)

As you can see, there are no big hidden costs just waiting to bite you in terms of scheduled maintenance.

In terms of things that can go wrong, I agree with Marius's list in broad terms, but have added comments:

• oil pressure sensor (can start leaking, in some cases spectacularly so)
• egr (agree with CATS, mine is also still original and functional at 240000 km)
• 4x4 system (some have issues, some don't. mine has no problems, but gets regular exercise
• top cam chain guide (later ones seem fine, but check)

The companion shaft unclipping issue that CATS mentions is something that seems to afflict older Gen 3s more than newer ones. I had it on my car, but only after the rear suspension was disturbed when installing suspension components. It was clipped back in and has been fine for tens of thousands of km.

I would also add that the timing chain and tensioner should be checked every 90000 km.

Thanks for all the input. If all goes well will be drivign some pAjeros next week. There is a whole bunch for sale, not many LWB's though but still a few. In Pretoria mainly....
Will let know how it went.
Thanks

Zeek,

I just had my 3.2DID serviced at Mitspro in Pretoria last week owned by Freek and son. It was for the 180,000km service. I supplied the engine oil - they replaced all diff oils and filters, checked the timing chain and tensioners (as mentioned by Gerrit above), adjusted my headlights, washed the car and engine etc. It cost me R1650-00 VAT Incl. Freek Snr is a ex-Mitsu mechanic and knows his stuff.

Search the forum - they come highly recommended and I will vouch for it too.

macjohnw wrote:Zeek,

I just had my 3.2DID serviced at Mitspro in Pretoria last week owned by Freek and son. It was for the 180,000km service. I supplied the engine oil - they replaced all diff oils and filters, checked the timing chain and tensioners (as mentioned by Gerrit above), adjusted my headlights, washed the car and engine etc. It cost me R1650-00 VAT Incl. Freek Snr is a ex-Mitsu mechanic and knows his stuff.

Search the forum - they come highly recommended and I will vouch for it too.

Nice thank you. Good to know as the service centres are few and far apart. And the price sounds very good, not going to be much more of a shock as what the harbody services are currently.
Thanks

Gemaskerde Tuinvurk wrote:Thats a lot! Near 200k mark I would say that would be around R120-150k at most!

Hello,

Got it from a source at one of the banks that provide vehicle finance
3.2 GLX 2005 150000km = retail R172000 and trade R146000

Good measure to work from

Hi . I also have same model. Paid R175 k but with few extras and needed tyres. SO far, nothing broke but coming up for 165 k service.

There is one for sale near me in Pretoria for R170. Really good condition and less kilo's.

zeek wrote:

Gemaskerde Tuinvurk wrote:Thats a lot! Near 200k mark I would say that would be around R120-150k at most!

Hello,

Got it from a source at one of the banks that provide vehicle finance
3.2 GLX 2005 150000km = retail R172000 and trade R146000

Good measure to work from

you should also factor in vehicle condition - a good proxy is mileage. 200k in 6 years is over 33 000km per year. number of km = time spent on road = wear and tear. thus I would expect a bit of a price difference between a 150000km car and a 200000km car.

I paid less than half way between retail and trade for mine... just stay away from the stealers!

Hi Zeek Glad to hear you have seen the light! I’m on my third Pajero and still in awe of the 4x4 ability and build quality. My current one is on 330 000 kms and only one mayor problem in all that time. I recommend that you watch Autotrader on the net. The best buys seem to be private sales as the dealers offer next to nothing on trade-in’s, and then go over the top when selling them. More money for them…. If you’re lucky, you will find one selling for just above the trade- in the dealer offered. Might have to be patient though.