Brand New Patrol : 4.2TDi or 3.0TD for towing a 1600kg Boat?

Pay the extra $7000 and get the 4.2TDi without fail.

You will NEVER EVER regret it.

Gday John,

Mate, are you intending on doing trips etc or is it just soley for towing? If just for towing, you'd be better of getting the 4.8 petrol!

But by the sounds of things with all of those accessories, you will be travelling. Do you care too much about long term economy, resale value? The series III 3L seems to have overcome it's teething problems and is indeed quite a good performer.

The new TDI is a TD6 and although tough as nails, is about as quick as well. Very sluggish, and a bit of an underpeformer. You would be looking at around $1,500-2,000 to bring it up a good tow vehicle, especially if towing 1,600kgs.

The 3L is more computerised which means you can plug in a Ditronic and get 20% increase in 5 minutes. But the old donk being the near mechanical 4.2 is proven and will last a flamin long time!

Pros and cons, you just have to weigh up your needs. There are drivers of both on this forum so get as much info as you can then make your decision.

Good luck mate,

Chris.

Hi John,
Why would you want to pay $7000 more for less power and torque?
Why pay more for the privilege of higher registration and insurance fees?
Why would you want to pay more for higher maintenance and servicing?
And why pay more for higher fuel consumption?
Apart from the reliability issues with the early 3.0 liters, I see no reason to choose the 4.2 over the 3.0.
You'll hear strong opinions on both, but the 3.0l won the most economical large 4wd award last year, so if cost is an issue, there is no choice.
Just my opinion

Hi John,
I am on my second 4.2 GQ
First one hit 600,000 Kms without problems. Reason for selling it was I wanted a turbo for extra power up hills while towing my new trailer. Got excellent money for my old girl. Sorry i sold it actually. The one i have now is in mint condition and will stay that way for as long as i can keep it that way. 214,00 kms old now and tight as new. The way i see it, YES it is down on power on the 3ltr but if your not in a hurry to get to your destination then i cant see what the fuss is all about.

In short, go the 4.2. reliability to the max. And as some others stated, money back when you sell it.

Just my shillings worth.

Hi JohnZA,

I have a 2003 GU 3.0TD that I have had for nearly 12 months now after selling my 1HZ 4.2 diesel 80 series. I regularly tow a 1.6T offroad van and could not be happier with it.

There is a lot of debate on this forum about the 3.0TD engine and I am not going to get drawn in to it, however all I will say is that I am VERY happy with the 3.0 Theres a lot of armchair critics of the 3.0 but if you talk to OWNERS of the 3.0TD, all are very happy (but note that the series II (~2000 to mid 2001) did have issues ).

As for towing, there is simply no comparison between the GU 3.0TD (with Dtronic)and my old 80 series 4.2 diesel (non turbo but with extractors and 2 1/2 exhaust). While the 3.0 does not have the same torque at idle as a 4.2TD, as soon as revs are greater than ~900 rpm there is more torque availble and I do not have an issue with it. I am more concerned about the lack of low range gearing in the whole GU range compared to my cruiser (low ratio of 2.0 compared to cruiser 2.5).

At ~1200rpm there is 350Nm and max torque of 420Nm is at 2,000rpm. What was a 3rd gear hill in the cruiser is easily tackled in 5th with the 3.0TD, there is THAT much difference (272Nm cruiser vs 420Nm Dtronic GU). I have not driven the "new" 3.0TD, but max torque without Dtronic is up from 354Nm to 380Nm.

I have not towed with a GU4.2TD, but there is a very noticeable difference in power when driving and assume it would transalte to a similair difference when towing. However, the 4.2TD is a VERY competent tow vehicle and I am sure you would be very happy with it if you went down that track.

In short I am very happy with the 3.0TD. It makes a great tow vehicle, has great fuel economy (11.5 L/100 city and 15.7 L/100 towing 1.6T at 100km/hr - probably a lot better with a boat due to lower profile) and I would not hesitate to go the same way given the current vehicles and prices in the market.

Cheers

Captain

If you're planning on doing a lot of towing then the only real choice is the 4.2. Proven reliability, good resale, and economical. I drag just under a 2 tonne boat up and down the east coast without problems. Originally with a GQ 4.2 and now a GU 4.2 TDi. The only advantage of the 3.0 in this area is it's pull off the mark. It is definitely quicker than the 4.2 but then again who cares. Most people buy a diesel as a work horse not a race car. To satisfy your curiosity go to any of the trailer boat Game Fishing comps around Aust and see how many of the boys are towing big boats with 3.0 vs 4.2

Stick with the 4.2 bigger engine less stress and proven.
Bigger enginrs generaly have a more useable power and torque band at the revs use normally drive at, not up close to the red line
Ray

Manual or Auto?
The 3.0 in a manual is a bit hard on clutches due lack of low down torque.
I've had my 4.2 for fourteen years, and it is quite simply the most reliable car I've had in my whole life- and by a wide margain. NOTHING has broken apart from the clock.
I eventually got around to bolting on a turbo and now it goes like the clappers.
The newer 4.2's get much worse economy than my old girl, probably anti pollution gear eg: exhaust gas recirculation etc.

What would I buy in a new one tomorrow.......
Probably a 3.0
With oil heading for $55 a barrel and possibly not stopping for a long time yet I think it's no contest.
Everybody I know with later 3.0's love their vehicles without exception.

(For that matter I know a few owners of early 3.0's and no problems!)
Cheers

Mines a 4.2td not the cooled job, it has towed 1.8 tonne for three yrs and handles it with ease. Yes its heavier on fuel but thats the way it is at least with very little in the way of computer tech it can be fixed in the bush with very little no how however after 120 grand still waitin for trouble.

I have had both and towed with both.

The 3 litre wins hands down as a tow vehicle. It is better powered and more economical - especially when towing.

The 4.2 (current model) in my experience is not good tow vehicle by any measure.

Maybe check the 4.8 as said by others.

Sean

I have read a lot about both these vehicles and if you read the Nov 2004 4x4 Aust it tends to suggest that Nissan want to drop the 4.2 as it would cost too much to redevelop it for the Euro emission standards.

You will get plenty of debate from people who own the vehicles and the one eyed lovers of the 4.2. I would suggest you speak do a couple of things to settle the argument for yourself:

See if you can get some accurate power torque curves and gearbox / diff ratios to prove what is said about whether the 3.0 does actually work harder and/ or rev its guts out (plus take them both for a test drive). If the dealer is serious about selling you either of these vehicles that should be able to loan you the car for at least a couple of hours (you are making a $50k purchase here)

Speak to some independant people that service and maintain both vehicles and get their opinions.

Chris

Mine is a 3 litre turbo automatic and I tow over two tonnes. I get about 6K/L on tow and around 9K/L without the van. I love it, great car, bit rough to ride in, lousy tyre life with the originals but that's the tyres problem not Nissan. I am looking for a second hand Dtronic without much luck so far. (cant afford a new one)

Wow, thanks for all your replies everyone, much appreciated!!!!

I think i'll ask if I can test drive both vehicles for a couple of hours including towing the boat if they let me that is.

Another question I have is, by installing a dtronic on the 3.0TD, how much will this stress the engine more?

Took both for a test drive with the boat on the back. The 4.2TDi definately felt more comfortable on take off and definately had less revs when cruising at 80km. The 3.0td defiantely felt like it was being worked harder.