Brand New Patrol : DEFINATELY 4.2TDi for towing a 1600kg Boat

that motor takes 100k to losen up too.

Said that many times about the 4.2 doing it snoozier.

Deals at the 4wd show? LOL... Walk out the door now and battle 3 dealers against each other. Get a price off them, I'm sure that the best you get from them will toast what you can get at the show. Then throw that at the dudes at the show to beat or match... they will cringe. Also do a tire swap before you drive out the door, the Bridgeys are not the best.

Only you know how much $ to blow on which model.

PS. BMW X5 won 4wd of the yr too...

John,

That was the standard version with the skinny tyres. On value for money out of the vehs tested it was the best. They did not test the TDI in the upper classes but did test the upper class in the petrol.
In my opinion the DX is probably the best buy if you dont really need the extra items that come in the ST or ST-S.
So long as you are happy with your purchase then that is really all that matters.

Happy driving

Bob

Gday mate,

Have you had a chance to look at the new model yet? Not a looker, that's for sure...and those tail lights...wow, they must be worth a packet.

Depending on your requirements, a DX "sweep out" model is sure to be easier on the pocket. And with Nissan have a run out on the 'old model', you'll be sure to have some luck regarding pricing.

You will get a DX 4.2TDI for less than 50k. That should include air con, wide wheel pack, all the plastic protection bits, snorkel, bullbar, towbar, lights and maybe even sand grabber mats depending on the salesman. If I was you, (which your not) but the underbody protection I reckon's worth it. Don't let them sting you $350.00 for tinting. If you were as keen as I, get the rust prevention, interior protection and paint protection. Don't pay full price for that either, they will cut a deal and will set you back around $900 instead of $1,400. You may even haggle that into the original price.

For the 7 or 8k you save, you can get those tyres, rims, suspension, sidesteps, locker, sheepskin seat covers, dual batteries etc.

But, if you like electric windows, leather bits, auto locking hubs etc, go for it! The DX even comes with cup holders. ;-)

I'm currently getting an average of 8.34 k's per litre since upgrading the donks power over nearly 7,000 k's. Top truck, super comfy compared to the GQ's with same motor and the 4.2's eventual resale value will be higher than the 3L due to lower sales. (IMHO)

Lastly, you can't tell the DX from the ST anymore as the only badge on the DX is the TD6 one on the rear barn door. With alloys, steps, tyres and lift, the only way is to check the hubs!

Cheers mate,

Chris.

agree with truckster,send a request for your 4.2 ,with all the fruit you want, to a fleet company and ask for a price. i saved $7000 this way, and i also had the great pleasure in knocking down a dealer $7000 off his price, and then told him to stick it.
ps dont sign ANYTHING until your happy with dealers,some of their docs are legally binding,make them squirm, good luck.
("fleetcare" was the company i used in w.a.)

All this talk of buying a 4.2 TDi and I can't afford one yet!!!! (either run out series III or the new, albeit a bit ugly, series IV)

Anyone care to donate funds to a worth cause ;-)

Hi John, I just took possession of my new 4.2 4 weeks ago, and I agree - the 4.2 does the same as the 3.0, but does it easier. I got my 4.2 fully optioned to my specs, and I love it. I drove a 2.8 for five years and the series 3 4.2 just feels so strong.

As far as deals go, you may have trouble finding a run out 4.2 series 3. I know the dealers that I was going thru had trouble locating them, they only have white (which suited me). I agree with truckster - I got 3 dealers competing for my business and saved thousands. Also if you're a member of the nissan 4wd club of victoria - ferntree gully nissan give you a HUGE discount - well worth the joining fee.

Please feel free to give me a call if you need any more info/help on 0421 851 316.

ps the nissan club will have a stand at Jeffs shed this weekend too - well worth a look.

John,

Did you try the 4.8 petrol? From all accounts it will pull the Queen Mary up a greasy ramp.

Sure, it's thirsty but if you fit LPG, cost around $2500 it will prove cheaper to run than a diesel. I believe Nissan are happy with fitting of LPG and it doesn't void your engine warranty.

Worth serious thought.

Good luck with whatever you get.

Jim.

John

You have missed the most relevant part of the comparison between the 3 and 4.2.

They have different diff ratios as you have noted BUT the 3 litre gearing is actually BETTER than the 4.2 gearing.

4.2 in fourth is the same as the 3 litre in fifth but the 3 litre is NOT over reving. When you come to a hill or want to overtake the 3 litre ratios are better matched to the motor. I tried overtaking in my 4.2 on the weekend and fourth would not pull away (this is the same as fifth in teh 3 litre). So I changed to third and the revs went into redline and the motor became a brake. So I just sat back and decided well 10 minutes later arrival wont really matter that much. I have found that I have had to rev my 4.2 to the max on many occasions where I rarely had that problem with the 3 litre. The same situation would have the 3 litre being able to go down to fourth and accelerate to 140 fairly rapidly.

Why do you think so many people are changing the exhaust or powering up thier 4.2's and it aint cheap, and it affects reliablity. Its becuae its gutless.

They are both good vehicles, but dont be put off by the higher revs becuase with the 3 its actually an advantage and it makes it a better tow vehicle. I have towed a van with both for over 20,000 each and believe me, there is NO COMPARISON. In my experience the 3 litre manual is a much better tow vehicle. Thats not to say that the 3 litre is better overall, just depends on what you want to do and were you want to drive.

Sean

Chris I agree entirely. We are talking about tow vehicles here and not outright reliability.

WIth regard to revs.

When I had my 3 litre I met a bloke who had a 4.2 and he towed everywhere in fourth to keep the revs up. At that time I went everywhre in fifth thinking this was better for my motor. I questioned his wisdom and he said that he had a 300hp tractor and the manual says that the motor must be operated at 2850rpm regardless of the gear, and he says that the motor has done thousands of hours, and for him, that was the only logically way to load up his 4.2 He also added that he had the MQ diesel that did over 300,000 kms before he sold it and he said he drove it everywhere at 3000rpm and it was good when he sold it.

So I simply cant see how the 3 litre motor can be working so much harder on the simple basis thats it doing more revs. Besides, my 4.2 ends up doing most of its life in fourth becuase it does not have sufficient power to pull the van in fifth. So either way, if you want lower revs for towing then maybe look at the petrol.

Sean

Wow!

This one thread highlights how good this forum is. So much shared information I'm overloaded.

I currently have 3.0l Jackaroo which I bought exclusively for towing and it has done a fantastic job. We travel 600km each way to our fishing shack so overtaking ability is very important to me and I've found the jackaroo to be excellent. (I assume it has very good power to weight ratio compared to Patrols)

But it's getting abit long in the tooth so I've been thinking about a 4.2TDI so I find the towing comparison between 3l and 4.2l very interesting.

It seems I may have to factor in a powerup on the 4.2 which would give good towing ability plus proven (?) longevity.

I must say I'm pleasantly surprised by the prices being quoted. Chris M mentions sub $50k with quite a few options. Is that onroad?

Thanks for all the info. Keep it up.

Andrew

Personally I like the idea of the 4.2, but two things turn me off, the lack of auto, and the extra price tag.
(not that I could buy one anyway!! LOL)
I'll still to my 1kz-te Surf!

PS. I can't change vehicles anyway, it's too much bloody hard work re fitting all the accessories! :->