Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi All,
first post & noob to the club & forum.
Just recently decided to get a new hobby,'Photography', but then I would also need a vehicle so I can do the wildlife course in Chobe later this year, my current audi a3 sportback (2.0T, downpipe & Revo Stage 2 software) would not be suitable.

Hence the search started for a SUV. Pajero was the only way to go, I was keen on a 5 door GLS 3.2 DID, but they are scarce to find with min km and in my price range,(about R190k max).
I found a car from DBN, that seemed perfect, 2005 GLS LWB,leather, sun roof, AT etc, even still a GP car as the guy had bought from a bank repo for his wife, she found it to big for her, they had not even re-registered it yet. Pics look good, Schweeet!!!
Phone him, chat a bit,deposit eft, hop on a plane and shoot down.Hi Picks me up, uh oh!! it looks wondeful, BUT, its a 3.8 V6, I forgot to confirm that small detail with him
To late!! I've fallen for it already. What the H, this vehicle wont be used on a daily basis, only weekends with the odd longer outings.

The beast idles smoothly, only 122000km on the clock, only breaking the bank by R144k, Just do it, my inner voice tells me, worry about fuel later!!
Drove it back on Sunday, got average of 15.2l/100km (onboard tripmeter). Just chilling with cruise control 130-140km/h.

Put on a set of Goodyear Wrangler AT/SA today,(thanks to the advice on forum).
Popped into the local dealership to checkup on the service history,mmm, surprise, only official services by dealers up to 100K, but i wanted to know if cambelt had been done at 90k, they phone the dealer where that service took place, they say they only did the alternator belt, not the cambelt.
I guess this is where I need some advice on what I can do,I know the bank/ nor the seller cannot really be held responsible, but surely this is not right from the dealers side.

Otherwise I'm happy with my new little friend...
cheers
Steve

Sakush,

The 3.8V6 is a really cool motor. Make peace with the consumption and you will enjoy owning that car.

As far as the timing belt service is concerned:
Make sure the belt gets replaced ASAP, including the tensioner and associated pulleys. I think you could get away with R6000 for the job.

Who must pay for this:
I am no legal expert, but I believe in reasonability.

1)Was the 90k service carried out under the maintenance plan? If so, I think you have a reasonable case to push Mitsubishi to replace the timing belt. It was supposed to happen and was paid for when the car was bought by the original owner. Also, Mitsu could loose plenty face if word gets out that they send 3.8V6 motors out on the road after the 90k service, without replacing the timing belt.

2)If the seller spouted "full service history", then I suppose you could try to bully him with the CPA. Lawyers are pretty expensive, so personally I think if the seller doesn't scare, then you are better off writing the R6000 off as "school fees"

I had a long winded thread about the timing belt service on my 2006 SWB, but bottom line is that it MUST get done. My belt had little cracks in it and the tensioner was leaking a little oil and not functioning properly any more.

Finally, you paid R144k for the Pajero. My daughter just paid that for a Nissan Micra. So, the short answer to the question in your heading is: You made the right buy, now do the right thing and feed that 3.8V6 a new timing belt

To answer your question. I believe you made the right buy. For that money it seems good.

That Pajero looks to be in good condition and to boot it is one of the limited Extreme Editions, which came only in black and silver and had some extra goodies added like better bash plates, side steel rails, and that unique nudge bar. They came out as a last run just before the Gen4 was introduced.

Not having Mitsu service from 100k is not a biggy, as long as it was serviced. If the engine is still running smoothly, which it sounds like it does, I would get that timing belt done ASAP and start enjoying the vehicle.

On the fuel economy front dont worry too much. You will find a thread where 4EPikanini is currently fiddling on his diesel to get the consumption down. Both him, me and Nismo have older diesels and are currently experiencing horrendoes, for a diesel, figures of around 14l/100km. So your petrol consumption is not too bad. Start saving for an auxiliary tank to give you longer range and get a big limit on your garage card so you can just feel the bitter bit once a month.

Now get out there and take some photos of your Pajero in the sunset somewhere!

CATS

Sent from my GT-P7100 using Tapatalk 2

Hi Sakush420,

Welcome. I can say black is beautiful. I have a black 2004 3,8 GLS with 116 000km on the clock and all I can say it has been a pleasure to drive from the start and to tour with this car. The one aspect that I hate about my Pajero is cleaning it. You can be in a surgical room but if there is only one speck of dust, it will settle on a black Pajero. I have made peace with the colour and when we tour in a group, mine always looks the dirtiest.

It enjoys visiting fuel pumps, but the pleasure of not having to listen to the clattering of a diesel engine makes it worth wile. And something else, when you are in deep sand or difficult terrain, a little bit of "voet" and you are out whilst the other type will still be battling to get out.

If you are new to the 4x4 game and especially with Pajeros, I would like to suggest that you speak to other owners and listen objectively and with an open mind. Before I forget, get your cam belt and associate rollers/tensioner pulleys replaced as soon as possible.Depending where you life, I am sure some of the members will be able to point you to a non-dealer trustworthy servicing establishment. In the automatic gearbox use ONLY Mitsubishi Automatic gearbox oil - QUEEN something and NOT Dexron oil.

I have more pointers if you are interested. Give me a call and we can discuss them. Make piece with the thirst and enjoy the car.

Cloyd

Hi,

Welcome to the Pajero family!

I have your vehicles diesel brother! Also 2005, BLACK, Limited Edition, 3.2 DID LWB.

ENJOY!!!!!!

Hi Skillie and Sakush420,

Maybe we should start a Black Pajero Club and ignore all the other who are to in the unfortunate position of having clean looking cars.

Cloyd.

Thanx all,
looks like the cambelt was done, dealer invoice on system shows 'T-Belt', a bit of a relief, but I will redo 120K service, (dont trust the other service stamps) rather have peace of mind)
The dealer calmly pops up with that will be R8-R10K,

Has anyone have a recommnendation for the Randburg / JHB North area for a enthusiast Paj mechanic?
Hoping to have smash & grab done tomorrow

I like

cloyd wrote:
Maybe we should start a Black Pajero Club and ignore all the other who are to in the unfortunate position of having clean looking cars.

Cloyd.

another chapter, just like 'sons of Anarchy'

Black Pajero Club? I'm in! Just got mine back from a proper wash and engine clean

Freek from Mitspro Centurion has a good reputation. Take your pajero there for services/repairs.

I also drive a black Paj, 2005 GLS A/T LWB. Wouldn't swap my wheels for anything... Never lets us down, just gets on with it, incredibly reliable and an absolute pleasure to drive!!