Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi all,

This is a repeat of a post on 4x4comunity for the benefit of members who do not frequent the other side ..

As I've posted elsewhere, this time my annual itch resulted in a dent in the bank balance as I decided to replace my trusty 2001 Gen 3 V6 Manual with a 2009 Gen 4 DiD Auto. While both cars are parked at home and with fresh memories of both, I thought I'd post some comparative impressions ...

- While more powerful, the auto diesel is no match for manual petrol in terms of the immediacy of power delivery, e.g. when under acceleration for overtaking.
- I simply hate the sound (noise! ) of a diesel under acceleration, and the 3.2 DiD's agricultural tones accentuate this undesirable trait. Fortunately the Rockford Fosgate sound system is brilliant and capable of drowning out all noise short of a jack hammer.
- Ride on the Gen 4 felt unacceptable choppy, but after dropping the air helper pressure from 1 Bar to 0.3 Bar it is very plush, almost on par with Disco 3 / 4.
- Gen 4 brakes much better
- Gen 4 interior materials feel "cheaper". E.g. harder plastics used, leather seats on the Gen 3 shows less wear and tear after 14 years than the Gen 4 after 6 years. etc.
- Gen 4 ergonomics is a step backwards, with both the center console and wider door panels encroaching on what was always a very roomy driver's seat.
- The kids have a perception that the center row seats are narrower than before.
- Entry to third row seats from the back door (which we use for the little one) is compromised by the Rockford subwoofer.
- The Gen 4 had the dashboard brackets installed but it is still less stable than the Gen 3 dashboard with visible movement when driving on uneven surfaces.
- No rear difflock on the Gen 4 (only ATC), but given decent rubber (Coopers fitted) and a 40mm lift off road capability should be much of a muchness.
- Unlike the Gen 3 where everything still works, the Gen 4's compass is dreadfully inaccurate ( a common complaint I believe). I guess it also shows the age of the basic Gen 4 concept if it cannot match the performance of a R 1000 smartphone in this area.
- Almost forgot this one, but it's quite nice to see 300km range left at the point where I would normally refuel.

So there you have my first impressions. Is the Gen 4 diesel a better car than the Gen 3 petrol? Different? Yes. More features? Yes. Nicer to drive? Definitely. Better? I don't think so.

I have in the recent past test driven a number of Gen4s to replace my Gen3. (Yes Roelf and Cloyd, even a 3.8V6 Gas Guzzler )

Thing is, every time I get back in the Gen3 I have serious reservations. Dunno - just doesn't feel like the same car.

Thanks Johan. That's exactly what I tried to point out!

The Gen 4 is a great car in many ways. But is not better (in my opinion) than the Gen 3.

And no, I don't have buyer's remorse as I was accused of on the other forum. I love my "new" car already and can see us having many thousands of trouble-free adventurous kilometers in years to come.

I'm with you. My Gen3 (WHEN SHE RUNS) is a much better drive than the Gen4 The Gen4 has more bells but seems far less frisky than the Gen3.

Hi

The rear door strut is a flaw on the Gen 4.

The Gen 3 is way better with the design.

Hope you enjoy it,and the V6 will put an end to the agricultural racket ,never too late to trade!

Cas, what is the difference between the struts. I am not aware of a problem with mine, maybe I'm just lucky.

Sent from my GT-I9305

Scuba

Your sentiments are very much the same as mine between the Gen3(2001) and Gen4(2008) which I had. The Gen 4 is newer yes but in the end when my Gen3 was still a few years younger in 2009 I just could not justify the newer Gen4, with associated monthly repayment attached to it, against my then still running well Gen3, which was paid up, and in the end I sold the Gen4 again after one years ownership and bought a platkar for the daily slog. In hindsight I should have maybe kept it and sold the older vehicle as nothing lasts forever, only diamonds they say. But hindsight is a, you know what

I came from a manual diesel to the auto diesel and I must admit that at that stage the newer car felt a bit more sluggish than the older manual. Not sure if it was only due to the gearbox? I can't imagine what you must feel like coming from a manual petrol!!

By the way something I also remember as a big difference between the two was the weight of the bonnet. The gen4 has an aluminium bonnet as opposed to the old Gen3 with steel in the aim to save weight. When I opened up my Gen4 bonnet for the first time I almost threw it over the roof of the vehicle with the might with which I picked it up, being used to the heavier Gen3 bonnet

Anyway - Enjoy your Gen4, you will grow to love that agricultural rattle of the diesel over years. Mark my words.

CATS

Hi Roelf

The Gen3 has a metal bracket,and the Gen4 has a type of gas shock with a plastic piece to hook in open position.

The newer door strut is just not as sturdy as the older Paj. The new one is just more fragile,take a peek at the Gen3 and you'll immediately notice the difference.

Cheers
Cas

Thanks Cas, you stirred my memory sufficiently to recall the difference. I think the engineers got into trouble for all those pinched fingers in the Gen3 one

Sent from my GT-I9305

Scuba,

Thanks for taking the time to post your findings. The Gen4 can't really be better/worse than the Gen3 - they are just too similar on the mechinical side. I think you are just so used to the Gen3, that ergonomic differences feel like a step backward. I actually took a tapemeasure to the interior of my Gen4 and my buddies Gen3 and found no real differences. You do need to get John's cableties strapped into your dash.

Changing from a petrol V6 manual to a diesel four pod automatic is a huge shift. Believe me (and every other Pajero owner) when I say they work really well and you will get to LOVE that combination.

Sent from my GT-I9305