Is it time to get a Pajero?

Actually while I have driven a number of 4.4 V8's I have never owned one, but driving them was emjoyable enough that it made me want a 5.0 V8 D4, so we bought one about 18 months ago. We still own a TDV6 D3 as well though so I do know what the running costs of both are in comparison.

Apart from the driving pleasure of a V8 Disco the other bonus is the more I compared running and maintenance costs of a V8 petrol and a diesel Disco as they get older and out of warranty to me the more a petrol Disco made sense as being the more cost effective vehicle and with the added bonus of potentially less down time for maintenance. Much of this was originally based on reading Aulro members own personal experiences, but now our own experience backs that up.

There is a caveat though, as I have said previously, we live in the country, so we do lots of highway kilometres and very little Rush hour traffic light stop start driving and our experience is if driven sensibly then the fuel consumption with a petrol Disco is very good.

But I accept that someone who mainly drives in rush hour Sydney traffic might find the fuel bill scary especially if they like to drive energetically. ... :angel: Equally so if you intend to do lots of heavy towing then maybe a petrol Disco is not for you. For us it is not a issue as I'm happy to pay any extra fuel costs to have the V8.

Anyway our ongoing experience with our petrol Disco just keeps reinforcing my opinions and preference on buying out of warranty late model petrol Discoverys.

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Originally Posted by Russrobe

Cheers Disco, thanks for also being the only one to reply to the intro thread lol. Just gave myself second thoughts after reading this one.

I found a nice 4.4 with 150 000 km on it. Will grab it if its still there next week when i have the cash.

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No worries!

I found a nice 4.0 V6 and a 4.4V8 with 150000km each. I ended up going the V6 as its transmission had been serviced at 116k km, whereas the V8's hadnt been serviced until 140k km. Its commonly recommended they're serviced at 100k km or less, so i went with my head on this one and got the V6 - otherwise i had to budget an extra $7k for a possible transmission rebuild later on :eek:

Its the main thing i asked about on each car i looked at.

Cheers

Dan

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Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

I crawled under it and it had spat one of the driveshafts which took the seal with it. So we pushed the seal back in and tapped the driveshaft back in. "tow with it in 4wd to spread the load over both axles" ..... He has investigated since getting home and they are known for spitting rear driveshafts when towing. You need to upgrade the snap rings that hold them in.

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Unfortunately a known issue in older pajeros. Subaxels revised in 2006 to accommodate larger snap rings. I was quoted $800 to fit the revised axles to my 2005 Paj Diesel. Not an issue so far with either boat or van, but neither weigh over 2Tonne.

As the owner of a 2005 Pajero (283000km so far) and a 2010 Disco 4 (171000km) I feel qualified to comment. Pajero has had the altenator changed ($400 for reco) and is due for new front shocks and rear diff bushes (mechanic estimates cirxa $1000). Still on original disc rotors. A minor service is generally <$200, a major <$500.

The Disco has had a number of repairs under warranty including replacement rocker covers, and most recently had the front control arms and rhs front wheel bearing changed at a cost just over $5000.

From a total cost of ownership perspective the pajero wins hands down.

But... the disco is quieter, more comfortable, handles better, stops better, easier to park, uses less fuel and tows so much better its chalk and cheese. The disco is a far better car to live with.

To answer the OPs question, if $$$$ is the only consideration, go the Pajero. If comfort and driving are key, Disco every time.

Cheers,
Scott

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Originally Posted by ghoti

The Disco has had a number of repairs under warranty including replacement rocker covers, and most recently had the front control arms and rhs front wheel bearing changed at a cost just over $5000.

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That can't be right surely? Lower control arms and a wheel bearing $2k max...

On reflection, with the low petrol prices a 4.4 would have been fine for us.

I've actually owned the same transmission in my last car Disco, so know exactly what you mean. It was at the top of my inspection list on my BF Xr6turbo. I ended up getting one with under 100k kms and servicing it myself.

Great transmission, in fact I found it so good it was one of the main reasons I brought it.

Just sent off a question to see if this ones been serviced.

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Originally Posted by Disco-tastic

No worries!

I found a nice 4.0 V6 and a 4.4V8 with 150000km each. I ended up going the V6 as its transmission had been serviced at 116k km, whereas the V8's hadnt been serviced until 140k km. Its commonly recommended they're serviced at 100k km or less, so i went with my head on this one and got the V6 - otherwise i had to budget an extra $7k for a possible transmission rebuild later on :eek:

Its the main thing i asked about on each car i looked at.

Cheers

Dan

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stuart02

That can't be right surely? Lower control arms and a wheel bearing $2k max...

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It seems it was a warranty job so I'm guessing it's double what a reasonable indy would charge. Only my speculation tho!

Cheers

Dan

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Originally Posted by Stuart02

That can't be right surely? Lower control arms and a wheel bearing $2k max...

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I don't have the invoice to hand, and have slightly mis-represented as I got a service done at the same time as I was only ~2000km off. The lower control arms were around $800 each parts only. From memory the rhs wheel bearing parts (not just the bearing) was around $500. having just bought my son a GQ patrol for $5000 I did tell the dealer I could buy a whole car cheaper than the repair! And it was paid for as it was a few months out of the extended warranty.

At the risk of being a heretic, with the Disco approaching 200K I am questioning whether it might be time to look at turning it over...