Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Almost exactly a year ago I bought the car I had been dreaming would take to all the remote places I had planned on visiting. I became the chaffed owner of a 2005 3.8 v6 LWB for R180k with just on 100 000 on the clock. Being new to the 4x4 community I started off cautiously. Since then we have been to some great places,but the dream ones are still on the cards.
The problem is that the Pajero makes me nervous and I don't want to be stranded. I battled finding a service place I trusted but eventually settled for Steve's Auto Clinic in Durban. The first repair was changing the front & back bushes and shocks with a full-out service for R12k. Eight months later, the CV joint seals had to be replaced and a new steering rack. Another R12k. Two months ago the alternator popped. I struggled and struggled to get a replacement, and with a bush trip looming closer I was about to buy from Mits for R15k when I sourced one in Pretoria for R4k. Add a bit for labour. This week the car was floating all over the road. The problem- broken suspension, broken front and back bushes. Another R12k.
So, all in all, the Pajero has been a big disappointment, but the crux is whether, now that this work has been done and paid for, do I give up the fight, accept defeat and shop for a Prado! But to be honest, when I see the beautiful creature in the garage I wish it would spontaneously combust!

You guys' expert, long lived, brave experience is the advice I desperately need.
Any thoughts on my dilemma?

Trust me those type of issues can creep up on you with anny vehicle. The only way to combat that is to buy a new vehicle with maintenance plan. I prefer sorting out my vehicle and I know what's been replaced and what I need to look out for over buying someone else's problems with a Nasty surprise.

Heck I hear you load and clear. Is the parts of a Pajero more difficult to source than other similar ones?

Not really. Your basic service and maintenance stuff are equally available from midas and auto zone. The rest is agents unfortunately. If it was a Hilux mabe the picture would be different. But I will never change my Pajero for a Hilux.

The only plus point for parts on the Prado is that Goldwagen gas started doing Toyota and they keep a bigger range of parts compare to the other spare shops.

Insurance is alot cheaper on Mitsubishi compare Toyota. My wife can drive it without the fear of being hijacked around every corner. So mid first choice is still Mitsubishi and that is incl the fact that I own a Goldwagen and can get parts for Toyota!

I understand. Last night I was searching Prado's, and found a couple to see in Gauteng when I am there next week, but my wife is nervous of being high jacked especially when the 2 runts are with her.
My bud has a Fortuner and rather loads his bikes onto a BM when taking his runts for a cycle because the Toyota has been targeted so many times it's as it has a "take me free" sign stuck to it.
So I then upped the budget and looked at cruisers, beautiful, perfect for Mana Pools next, but maybe even more of a target? And if I thought the petrol costs for mine were high, I shudder at the thought of a 4.8 v8!

Maybe the mileage on my car has been fiddled with? And maybe I must search around for a good Indie in the Durban area?

Hello Wayne

Feeling your pain. Cant give you any advice but it is really sad when you have these types of continuous mishaps.

Gud luck


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Thanks for the commiseration. I have a sneaking suspicion that the mileage on the car could have been fiddled with?

@Wayneb1,

In response to your first post:

1. Were the bushes that you fitted OEM bought directly from Mitsu, or were they sourced through a 3rd party?
2. Were they rubber or polyurethane?
3. Were they the suspension bushes or the shock absorber bushes?
4. Which shocks did you fit?
edit - added
5. Who did the work - a local Mitsu workshop or an independent?

The reason that I ask is my 2002 LWB is on 254k km and I have never had the bushes replaced.

About 4 years ago I did upgrade the suspension to EFS (springs and shocks) and I also had some air helpers fitted at the rear. And my vehicle has been on some of the worst roads in South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

So something is not kosher with your setup / parts / installation for you to have experienced what you are describing.

Wayneb1,

Something is not right! My 2004 3.8 GLS has 1350000km on the clock and is still ticking like a dream. The only parts that were replaced were the normal service items - battery, brake pads, filters, wiper blades, oil, etc. Recently I serviced the gearbox and removed the gearbox sump - no solids or anything funny on it. Maybe your car had a serious "haircut" because at your indicated mileage it is still brand new.

My advice: Do not loose faith in Pajeros. They last for very long.

Cloyd

Definitely. It sounds like the problem is workshop related