Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

This is my first post and possibly my first Pajero so please be gentle, thanks

So, after a couple of years of not owning a 4x4, it got too much and feel the need to get dirty again.

I started looking at Petrol Gen 2.5 (Blister Fenders). Reason being that I only travel 6km to work and some of the time I use a motorbike anyway. My last 5 vehicles have been diesels and I love them but I realise an old Paj would have high milage and things like Turbos and injectors worry me.
Then I realised that all Gen 2.5's have rocketship milage that made me a bit nervous too.

I then spoke to a work coleauge with a Gen 3 Diesel and he let me look around his vehicle, very nice.
I then did some maths based on a fuel consumption spreadsheet from this forum and realised that every time I fill the tank on a 3.2D I would be saving approx R400 vs the 3.8P

So my current train of thought is to go Gen 3 with 3.2 Diesel and I need a LWB.
So here is where I need some input.
I would appreciate your comments and correct anything I have got wrong. I have scoured this forum, the 4x4 community forum and whatever I have deduced from Gumtree/Autotrader

Gen 3 LWB Diesels came in 2 versions GLS and GLX. Now this is confusing from the start because most auto brands use the GLX badging as the Up market version. With Pajero's it seems that its the down spec version.
GLS has all the bells and whistles
At the end of the Gen 3's life there was an Exceede or something like that which has some cosmetic enhancements but that seems to be all

GLX differs by the following:
Steel rims
No side plastics
No rear wind spoiler
Unpainted bumpers
No front fog lights
Cloth seats
Manual adjusted drivers seat
No cruise control
No trip/fuel computer
No running boards
No remote central locking
No cd shuttle
No sunroof
No rear a/c

I believe the Engine/gearbox/powertrain is the same in both but not sure about difflock. Am I right in saying that GLX has difflock and GLS has Traction Control ?
And which is better ? I know that may open a can of worms but my previous 4x4's only ever had difflock so I know no better.

Nearly all seem to be Auto. Was Manual ever available but very small volumes ?

Do all the LWB's have the 3 row of seats? I believe its a stow-in-the-floor unit but is easily removable ?

Now, it seems that owners happily do most servicing themselves but what big jobs need to be done by dealers/workshops ie cambelts ?
If I was to be buying a Paj with anything from 120k to 170k Km what in particular should I expect to have been done or need to be done ?
What faults/noises/problem areas should I be looking out for ?
I live in Durban and if I bought a local car, is there any area on the body that is prone to rust ?

Any constructive comments that would help me understand these much favoured vehicles would be appreciated.

Thanks and regards

Dirty Boy, my 2006 Gen 3 3.2DiD GLX has rear aircon. I believe this was standard on some LWB's depending on the model year. But for the rest you are right. Many GLX's, like mine, do have the Mitsu mag rims that came standard on the GLS, but they were fitted as an extra. Rear diff lock is standard on the GLX whereas traction control is standard on the GLS. Happy shopping for your next 4x4!

Thanks Superairborne

Glad to see that Im on the right track and have my facts right.
Now to find the 'right' one.

Just to throw a stick in the spokes.....I have a GLS with Diff Lock...

I do believe though that it was only the earlier GEN3's that had diff lock on the GLS......I drive the 2002 LWB GLS auto.

Manuals are available......so I heard....so it's only hear say......but they are very hard to find.

As far as I know, all LWB is 7 seaters.........but then the 3rd row seats end up in storage.

Some feedback:
GLX differs by the following:
Steel rims - Correct. As mentioned, mags possible added extra
No side plastics - Don't know
No rear wind spoiler - Believe so
Unpainted bumpers - True
No front fog lights - True
Cloth seats - True
Manual adjusted drivers seat - true
No cruise control - true
No trip/fuel computer - false...this is also not available on the GLS unless it's the never common rail engines.
No running boards - Not sure
No remote central locking - Serious??????
No cd shuttle - Bleh....replace with aftermarket MP3 radio
No sunroof - Believe this was maybe the Exceed? I don't have one on the GLS.
No rear a/c - This can be found on GLX as mentioned by superairborne.

I've been driving the pajero for a little over a year now. Awesome vehicle....in the last year and a bit...I've became a Mitsubishi snob. just because I really enjoy the vehicle.

I use the pajero for commuting...10km a day...one way....light traffic. I get about 8-9km/l (12-13l/100km).....with mud terrains....which apparently plays a big role on consumption. Will check the tablet for more precise figures....if needed.

On the services, I've only done oil changes so far, had the wheel bearings replaced in Dec, but the normal services I DIY....still learning all the nitty gritty stuf.

The Di-D has a timing chain, no cambelt...believe the petrol as well.
Not aware off any common rust problems.

Happy shopping, keep us posted. The right one will come along.

Fuel consumption computer may be found on older GLS petrol models. Sunroofs may also be found on some GLS's, but I don't know if it was ever standard equipment.

GLX came with central locking, but no remote, no alarm system and no immobiliser, something that's very easy and not too expensive to add.

Rust are prone more on GLX models than GLS models for some reason it seems on the Gen3 Pajeros. The area prone to rust is on top of the rear pasenger doors under the rubber seal.

Do check that out.

CATS

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk 2

In my humble opinion the following equipment that are fitted to the GLS and not in the GLX are necessities and expensive to retro-fit:

a. Speedo-cruise. I always use mine - even in town.
b. Climate control. It is permanently "ON".
c. Sunroof. It is a nice to have but we do use it.
d. Leather seats - the electrical adjustment is handy when both you and your wife drive the Pajero.
e. The side-steps - I have never removed mine before going on trips and have no intention of ever removing them. They did pick-up some damage but noting that I cannot repair myself (they were bent upwards by about 5 cm. I have been down Van Zuls pass with my Pajero fully laden with an extra 100 lit water, 100 lit fuel in the tank inthe third dow seats place and with about 70 lit on the roofrack plus all the liqued refreshment for about two weeks plus all the other goodies needed for 2 weeks camping in the desert.

Cloyd

Cloyd, climate control on my 2006 GLX was standard (as well as the second row aircon).

Thank you for all the feedback. I have been away since my last post and only getting back to the forum now.

I find the comment about rust most strange ie a GLX has rust where a GLS doesnt ?? Will keep a look out for that.

Yesterday I had a look at a 2007 Gen 4 GLS Petrol.

Couple of things I found strange, maybe members can confirm or add their thoughts.
Car only had 40k km yet the suspension was not OE
Shock were white Ironman
Coils were yellow (OME maybe?)
I find it strange that a car which supposedly has such a good ride requires expensive replacement shocks after only 40k km. Dont know what colour Ironman coils would be but it seems like there is a mix and match going on there.

Secondly, was the retractable tonneau cover in the boot standard and what colours was/is it available in. The reason I ask is that the seats are black leather. The pillar trim and roof lining is a light grey, I think (car was locked) yet the tonneau cover was a light biscuit colour. Looked wrong.

Apart from these items, the car was in good nick and I might be tempted. Am I right in saying this would have the Mivec 3.8 engine? I am a bit concerned about fuel consumption.

Thanks

Ok, I see that Ironman suspension also has yellow coils.