Member - Rick replied:

Harry 5
Go the deisel.
From an owner of 6 petrols....still driving one but wishing to change...........or should that read wishing for a non existent rich relative to die?Rick (S.A.) - dreaming & planning are half the fun.....doing isn't so bad either!

Mike replied:

Harry5, I too tow a 900kg trailer with a petrol V6, but have just ordered a 1300kg one. I bought petrol because the Jackaroo diesel wasn't available in auto when we bought. My next truck will definitely be a diesel. The petrol does the job well, but I have found it works a bit hard in places like the High country, and I believe the extra torque of the diesel would make a significant difference. While the petrol uses more fuel, the extra service costs of diesel rule out much difference in running costs and the diesels these days, will drive just like a petrol, so overall it really is just the extra ease of towing that would tip the scale diesels way.

Good luck with your choice.

Happy trails, Mike.

Greg replied:

Harry I am a petrol man through anf through and own a Pajero but now acknowledge that the new diesels are closing the gap. I would in the case of the Pajero go with the diesel but make sure you go with the tiptronic auto in either petrol or diesel. Autos are generally much better off road!!!! except on steep decents. If you are looking at petrol then I doubt you could go past the new Prado. Its only downside is no 5speed tiptronic auto.

Phil P replied:

Go the Diesel,

I went through this process a couple of months ago and after sifting through all the research, diesel was the only way to go.

In the case of the Pajero, service costs are the most reasonable of all the Japenese diesel's.

Toyota Service interval - 5000klm
Nissan Service Interval - 10,000Klm
Mitsubishi Service Interval - 15,000Klm

Phil P

Michael replied:

Hi there Harry, Iv'e got a 4.2 Patrol, i tow a trailer, around 1.5 ton laden and still find it economical, the same thing in petrol you need a petrol tanker to follow behind you. Also if you are doing a lot of K's weekly you will soon pay of the extra cost of the diesel engine in the fuel saving and after that its all saving from there on. Iv'e found that running around on tracks at low speed and even a bit of climbing, the diesel uses almost no fuel, petrol engines are quite the opposite. It's a lot safer to carry extra diesel in Jerry cans and every fuel stop has it, some places dont carry petrol now due to the problems associated with aboriginal kids sniffing it. If you can afford the diesel and prepared to have a slightly more sluggish vehicle then i would go for it. Michael

Phil P replied:

Hi Michael,

I have it in writing from Nissan Australia that the Service Interval is 10,000klm. You may want to check it yourself to save some $.

Phil P

Member - Cocka replied:

Harry5, I have just dug out a copy of Aust 4WD Monthly mag that makes reference to your Q. Issue #49 January 03. It has precisely the tech answers you are seeking. You can contact them at www.4wdmonthly.com.au for back issues.
They have actual comparisons on Pajero plus the other 4x4s.
Interesting stuff and recommended reading.
They give many pluses and minuses both ways but to quote their final line "Good luck - it's one hell of a tough decision! "

firey replied:

harry5,
I have two landcruisers and change the oil every 5000 klms, I dont know of any diesel oil that will last 15000 klms in a motor and still be doing the job that its in there for which is to lubricate the engine. If you test the oil on your fingers at 5000 klms you will see that it is already losing its oiliness and becoming watery. If there is an oil that protects for that long tell me the brand and viscosity of it and what additives are put in ..
Regards
Firey

brett replied:

If your looking at the Pajero go the diesel, I went the diesel and glad i did, I get 800ks out of a tank city driving and more than this country. Heaps of power and torque, I think it actually accelerates quicker than the petrol, put your foot down in top gear and pulls like a train. Service intervals are same as the Petrol 15K. These new direct injection diesels don't dirty the oil like the old ones. They are a little noisy when accelerating but quiet when cruising, I'm use to the noise now anyway, never driven a diesel before either.Overall great engine. I drove a few diesels , prado, jackeroo and wasn't too impressed, got in the Pajero and the difference was obvious in the first 30 seconds of driving.

brett replied:

My longest trip has only been about 3 or 4 hours and seats were ok, not much side support but they seem ok, wife hasn't comlained about them yet so they must be ok.

harry5 replied:

Thank you for your response this is my second Pajero i do around 35000
ks a year and do mostly beach fishing with the 4x4 i have found the petrol an excellent car but it does love its fuel so i will try diesel this time.
To the query regarding seats i can sit all day and no numb bum or sore back

chopper replied:

I've always been a diesel man.

I took a Pajero diesel on an extended test drive last year.

Man was i impressed, three of my friends have since bought Pajeros, 2 got diesel 1 got petrol but now wishes he hadn't (he's now had the chance to drive a diesel for a bit).

They are simply an amazing vehicle and that gearbox is SWWEEET

The Crow replied:

Go diesel you can not go wrong better toque for towing and better fuel useage to boot. I have had 3 diesel pajeros in the past and think they are great. I used all to tow a 18 ft boat on weekends and a 18ft caravan when we went on holidays.