Pajero vs Discovery

Even though the brand name Mitsubishi is in some trouble there is nothing wrong with their Pajero. You don' mention what type of work the vehicle will be used for ?

regardless of that I would scrub the Discovery straight off the shopping list as it just can't compete with the Japanese built vehicles for build quality.

Check this link and see what vehicles are at the bottom of the class and which ones are at the top.

http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0411/09/b01-328882.htm

Problem is cost, I am comparing the GLX version of the Pajero to the Discovery GS, same price range, the Prado and Patrol is 20-40% more expensive so out of the question.

Just for the record the GLX version has just been released in SA:

Selling at about 20% cheaper than the GLS
No traction control
Cloth interior only
No runner boards
Rear difflock
DiD Diesel version only
etc etc

Hence the saving

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G'day dfe,

I have an NP 2004 3.2 L Di-D. Had an NM 3.5 L petrol for three years before that. Both fantastioc vehicles on road with the monoquoce construction and independent suspension. Car like performance. Test drove a used NL before I bought the NM. No comparison on the highway as far as ride and handling.
I use the Paj for day to day work but also do a lot of long trips which involve off-road work. I also tow a dirt road caravan. See profile pics.
I went diesel because of fuel consumption while towing. Not so much for cost but for range with a standard 90 litre tank - I didn't want to fit a long range tank.
The last trip involved central Qld, back to the coast and up to the tip of cape york via the Old Telegraph Track. Also did Frenchmans Track to and from Chille Beach. (left the van at Port Douglas for the trip up the cape). Came back to PD, picked up the van and headed out to the Gulf Country. Did Cobald Gorge, Karumba, Burketown, King Fisher Camp, Lawn Hill NP etc.
The NP with MAT was nothing less than fanatastic. Only criticism is ground clearance on the real rough stuff and lack of atriculation but only when on the rough stuff and traction control looked after this anyway.
I have to disagree with the suggestion that the current Prado TD is a better vehicle than the NP Pajero.
The 3.0 L engine in the current Prado is quite old technology and does not match the performance of the Mitso 3.2 L Di-D (for towing which is important for me - 373 Nm is important).
DAT is only available in the Grande where MAT is available across the range (although you suggest there is now a base model Paj wihout MAT)
The ground clearance of both vehicles is almost the same with the Paj actually having a little more, I think.
The Prado has 180 Litre fuel capacity while the Paj has only 90 L (dam it)
I seriuosly looked at the Prado 4.2 L petrol. Very smooth and a delight to drive. In the end went NP Pajero because of MAT and all the creature comforts of the Exceed. Couldn't afford the Prado
I keep my vehicles 3 to 4 years so I don't believe there is anything in the arguement about better fuel consumption - it's about the same cost when everything is considered. If you don't tow and need the extra low revs torque don't rule out the petrol versions of both vehicles. While the 3.2 L Di-D is just as quick if not a little better than the 3.2 L petrol it's definitely not as quiet.
If you want more infromation from Pajero devotees check out :-
www.pajeroclub.com.au and click the link to the forum.
Good luck with your analysis.
Regards,

Mitsubishi Pajeros Di-D are now with a 5 year/130,000 km manufacturers warranty!! Also there is a 10 Years/160000km warranty on power train(non transferable)- Wow!!!

The problem with the Prados is their engine is so out of date, (Where's my G'dads tractor/Cough!/Cough!)- and the front suspension is sus (Check it out- yuk!)+only 3 year manufacturers warranty. Prado service intervals is only 5k, with 2.5k if you drive it on the rough stuff! Pajero is a 10,000 km service interval.

Problem with the Pajeros is the internal noise on rough roads, courtesy the chassis, one fuel tank only, internal fit and finish looks cheap like a Ford or Holden (very poor effort here), the second battery is hard to place-(do you really need one?) but the warranty-I like that.

Remember common rail/electronic injection diesel engines are the way to go especially for the future as diesel fuel is going to change considerably in the next few years with regard to emission standards- this affects engine design.

So Toyota will have to come out with a Di-D type engine for their next model Prado whether they like it or not.

If you want a Discovery you'd be better off coming over and buying my Ford EF- it will give you an idea of the problems you will face if you buy a Disco.

My point- it pays to be patient.

Hi dfe, you don’t say how long you intend to keep the vehicle.

Land Rover has a 48% retention rate or to put it another way, even though they HAVE had major problems in the past with deferent models, 48% of all Land Rovers ever made are still running and that is more than double the next 4x4s retention rate.

Also, since Ford took over, there have been dramatic improvements in both reliability and support.
Being a Landy owner, I,m one eyed but the Pajero is a good vehicle for price. The best thing you could do is just keep on test driving both vehicle when ever you can and then make a decision on what you personally find and like.

Cheers.

dfe,
I have had two Pajeros and two Discoverys. The current Disco was new in Nov 2003. The Pajeros were extremely reliable and I took them both all over the country without a single glitch.
The first Disco had to have the immobiliser/alarm unit and radio replaced. The second one had a noisy fuel pump replaced. Both have been all over the country.

I wouldn't touch a Prado with a barge pole as they have a dog of an engine, look like a juke box, and a pitched at Mr Average (or more accurately - Mrs Average). I was following one in the wet two days ago and the driver braked on a slight bend approaching a roundabout, skidded sideways into the next lane of traffic hitting several cars. Excellent stability control system!

My experience with the current model Paj is a short drive only - very impressive all round.

You obviously have excellent taste and very fine judgement and I don't think you can go wrong with either truck. On the other hand if you feel the need to follow the flock maybe the Prado is worth another look ;-)

Come safety I think the Paj could be well ahead of the others. Apart from its good handling etc the heavy monocoque body should provide a safer shunt or roll over environment than a separate chassis.
Just have a look at how the others look after a fairly minor shunt. The chassis is bent beyond repair as most are not that stiff & become a write-off.
A mono body is usually only damaged near point of impact & section can be cut & replaced as in the average sedan.
Mono body must be stronger all round as there is extra meat is the whole structure & its not concentrated in a hidden ladder frame with a flimsy body on top.
Thats my observation but lets have a tradey comment?

dfe,

Sorry for contributing to the hijacking of your thread...

To discuss your original question..the features listed below are from discountnewcars.com.au
TD5
ABS Brakes
Adjustable tilt steering column
Alloy Wheels
CD Player
Climate Control Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
Dual Air Bags
Fog Driving Lights
Lumbar support-Drivers seat
Manual
Power side Mirrors-heated
Power Steering
Power Windows
Remote Central Locking
Traction Control
Vehicle Immobiliser

Paj
ABS Brakes
Adjustable Tilt steering column
Air Conditioning
Alloy Wheels
AM/FM Stereo radio
Cruise Control
Drivers Air Bag
Electrically Adjustable Side Mirrors
Power Steering
Power Windows
Remote Central Locking
Single CD Player
Traction Control
Vehicle Immobiliser

SO the Disco has Climate control, they both have ABS, Traction control and immobilisers. The Disco has a 4 speed auto (5 speed on the Paj) and an older tech engine with 20% less power than the Paj while weighing about the same.

The Paj has a much better reliability record than the Disco, better fuel economy, better touring range, better performance, better handling, 7 seats (5 in the Disco the extra two cost $7000 and come only with the Auto as an option) and a five year 130.000km (!0 year 160,000km drivetrain original owner) warranty versus a 3 year 100,000km warranty on the Disco. The Disco does come with 3 year 100,000km roadside assist.

Both have at times suffered from a poor/indifferent build quality.

The Disco has two live axles so if you are going to lift it and modify it for better wheel articulation then it is the better choice. If not then the suspension becomes a non issue.

The Disco is also rated to tow 3500kg, 1000kg more than the Paj (Although with the lower power towing 3500kg would be an exercise in extreme patience).

Oh, and the Disco is $3000 more (rrp).

Since you reckon the Paj you are looking at does not have Traction control (MATT/ATC/ASC) (Which I find hard to believe as I thoght that it became standard across the Diesel range in 2004) then it must be very old stock or second hand (2002/2003 model).

Hope this helps.

Peter

I have a NP O4. You can turn off the stability control but not the traction control. When driving on sand you turn off the stability control to stop the car from trying to correct itself {braking when you need momentum]. The traction control is in my opinion made for the sand. Someone said that the monocoque chassis is not as strong as the Prado. What a load of garbage.Get your facts right. I have never seen the Prado win multiple Dakars. The bottom line is how often do you go 4 wheel driving ?. Are you a driver or a loafer?If you like to drive then the PJ out handles any other 4x4 because it has independant suspension. Although the Prado is slightly quieter on road it drives like a 4x4 and leans around corners. The 3.2 deisel is a class leader. I have the 3.8 petrol because i dont like the DID noise. Although it sucks a bit of fuel it is very refined. For me the crap road handling of the Prado turned me to the PJ and i have been very happy with it. The Prado will go further off road but not by much. The PJ s on road handling was for me the big carrot.

I bought a new TD5 country classic in July. Now 14500 kl and loving it. No warranty issues. 1 recall, fixed and returned washed on the day. Great service.

My wife uses as daily car, We both go 4 wheeling and we tow a 17'6" tandem.

Tows well (Hayman Reece hitch) No SLS
Daily comutes well
4 WD's well.

It is proving to be be very economical and getting better all the time, Awsome forward vision. Torque is all in the right places for towing (I even bought an auto which I never thought I would) Off road it just keeps going

GO FOR A TEST DRIVE! I have to say I have yet to have reason to question quality

Hi dfe,
I believe since the td5 the disco is more reliable than earlier models which may have tarnished its reputation somewhat.I bought my disco second hand three years ago and love it for these reasons:
Very well eqipped with Luxury features
Very comfortable to drive on road and off especially touring.
Best driving position of any 4x4.
Very economical.
Excellent ability off road.
Brilliant towing ability.
A friend has re-chipped the td5 computer around (A$900) and it absolutely flies along now similar performance to pajero DID3.2.
I drove a mates new pajero v6 it was nice,very smooth and car like but a bit bland not like a disco to drive.
Have a good drive of bothto make up your mind but i believe both to be reliable.
cheers mark