4.2 vs 3.0 litre Patrol

You sure know how to open a can of worms Hilly! lol

I have the 3.0ltTD and think it's great. Can't compare the drivability to the 4.2 because I haven't had one in the diesel. You will get plenty of info from this forum though i'm sure.

Unless they have changed the tyre size recently, I think your tyre sizes are incorrect. The 3.0 has 265/70/16's standard and I think the 4.2's are 265/75/16 (could be wrong)

I'm not guessing, but the general consensus is that a slightly bigger tyre will decrease consumption on highway runs but increase it around town. If you get a tyre which is too big, fuel usage will suffer all round.

From what I know and hear both are great cars.

cheers

Most people whinge about the 4.2 being more expensive, but IMHO its WELL WORTH IT... The 3.0 is VERY popular, for one reason.... $$. Thats about it IMO.

TD42 is a well proven motor, smooth as silk, honest as can be, and is good for over 500,000 (well I know of half dozen with over that klms on them), where the 3.0 is a 4cyl pushing a 2+ton car, then throw on a trailer... MAYDAY. One bloke was told he should be happy with 50,000klms out of his clutch on his first model GU 3.0 by Nissan dealer when his clutch died!! Thats NUTS. but he would probably have been told the same, if he had a 2.8, 4.2, 4.8, just the lets try to get the customer to pick up the tab bit they bung on sometimes.

The 3.0 ltr, just not for me. YMMV.

I think Victoria should be renamed TD42...... >8-)

Hilly,
cant beat grunt
get a 4.2 turbo.... you will not look back Richard

Hilly, read Post 1850.

Hilly,
THis is my own personal experience.
I have owned a 4.2TD GU since new 99 model.
I have done 145000kms trouble free (not a single problem)
I have several friends with the 3.0L, and the 3.0L drives different (somewhat more agile on the highway) however in the bush I would not swap my 4.2 for anything.
As truckster said, honest, reliable and simple.
Fuel economy is a consistent 12.5L/100kms compared to 11.8 to 12 for my friend's 3.0L
There are lots of roumors and not so roumours about the problems with 3.0L engines and CPUs etc, no problems associated with the 4.2 whatsoever.
If I had to update my Patrol now I would not hesitate to spend the extra 6 grand and get a 4.2....
Good luck and enjoy it!!
Will

Agree with the others.

If money isn't the major thing, a 4.2TD would be the go anyday.

The 3.0l are a fine vehicle, and any of the probs they have been having, look to be getting addressed, but sometimes pure reliability is a godsend.

If you want a manual I'd go 4.2. However if you are like the greatest proportion of the poulation and would prefer an auto there is only one choice.
Can anyone offer a valid explanation why Nissan doesn't offer a 4.2 auto? or a ti diesel? I think that a huge market share is being lost by offering such a limited range

Hilly,

If you buy a Nissan you can't really go wrong.(Thats got the stirring out of the way)
Serioulsy though, I own a 2001 4.2T which I love. Previously owned a GQ with 4.2diesel and safari turbo. I tow an off road camper about 1tonne loaded. The GU is heavier on fuel than the GQ was and that is my only complaint. It is also quicker particularly down low. The 3.0l is very cheap to run and I believe is the best value neew 4x4 on the market. I have two friends who own them and none have any complaints one is a 2002 model with about 50k on it and the other is a 2000 with about 120k. The older one has recerntly been fitted with a Dtronix chip which my mate reckons is the best thing he has ever done. A very cheap performance boost.

Out here in far west NSW the government dpts are running 3.0l and 4.2l and I have not heard of any problems with either. In fact the only place I have heard of probs is on this forum. But maybe I'm bit isolated.

Like I said at the start, I don't think you can go wrong.

Duncs

G-day Hillie Im going thru the same decision at the moment ,the head says 4.2 the back pocket says 3.0ltr as the drought out here has just about sucked us dry. After owning 5 patrols all 4.2 diesels & one current GU 2.8 which has been a great car. I think Im going to have to bite the bullet and pay the extra 6K. Its a case of better the devil you know then the one you don,t. The 3.0 is most likely OK our stock & station agent has a 3.0 & drives the bloody thing everywhere flatout 160+ and it seems to stand up to it, for how long I don,t know??The 4.2s hold their resale value well, the 3.0s are like #@*holes everyone has one. You cant beat a good Ol fashion plodder diesel that never lets you down. Thats my two bobs worth anyway.

Cheers Steve

Thank you all for your input. It looks like the 4.2 will be the go. I just hope that Nissan don't drop in a new hi-tech common rail, direct injected beast in the next 4 years. Campers will be hearing tales of a mournful creature howling away in the night..........

it'll be me crying into my bourbon out in the bush.

I have the 2000 3.0ltd 52,000 no trouble love it get auto for towing, the new 4 speed is great i hear , better value in 3.0ltd & goes better than 4.2. I put d,Tronic in mine & goes like a rocket cost $1500.Regards Bob
3 Weeks till Gulf trip

Hilly,

To answer your specific question. I have a 2002 GUIII 3.0Di Auto. I ditched the standard 265/70 and went 265/75 (not mentioning the brand becuse of the fire risk). There is a noticeable drop in perormance around town, but not to the extent it is annoying. Highway cruise is improved and speedo more correct with the upgrade. I do "suspect" that 285/75's without some form of performance upgrade would be getting sluggish in the urban cycle.

As for 4.2 vs 3.0. First question is Auto or Manual, if Auto then second question is not necessary!

I have obviously taken an interest in the reported 3.0Di problems, being an owner. Problems seem to be isolated to early build cars (a new model, surprise, surprise) and relate to under piston lubrication, ecu's and engine auxilliaries. Nissan have responded by making numerous detail changes to engine and ecu design etc and there are a whole bunch out there going strong. There is no getting away from the fact that the 3.0Di bristles with new technology which enables it to perform on a par with the 4.2 in power and torque although the motors differ in drivablility (horses for courses). So if technology scares you away then the 4.2 is for you. Both the 4.2 and 3.0Di shared a 5th gear problem which has been fixed with the GUIII.

I suspect that it's a little ingenuous to suggest that all the 3.0Di has going for it is the price, if that were the case Nissan as a whole would out sell Tojo 2:1, not the other way around. IMHO the 3.0Di is simply excellent vaule for money. Compared to the 4.2, you can upgrade the springs, shocks, tyres and CPU and still have change. Compared to the Tojo, you can throw in a new camper trailer as well!

Just my 2 cents.
Regds

Bill

Hilly,

From a tojo owner, go the six. The 3.0L might boogie well, but you can't beat a six.

Using a diesel analogy, we have a grader with a 4cyl T/diesel. It has same power as a similar machine with a n/a 6cyl diesel, yet the 6cyl will outpull the 4cyl. And they're both 4WD!!

hooroo...

Hilly,
I have owned 4 patrols,two 4.2 Diesels and one EFI petrol.
All were GQ except my latest which is the 3.0 Litre auto GU.
One of the GQ was turbo charged and went extremely well with good economy.But
Without doubt the current vehicle beats them all hands down.
It has the performance of the petrol,puts out more torque than the standard Diesels,and has the economy of a commodore.
It is not a new vehicle having done 10000 ks,with set of Marks low range gears fitted I cannot think of a better all round 4WD.
With the price of fuel and the capacity of the vehicle the need for extra tanks is negated,these trucks are ready for the big trip almost from the showroom.
As for the electronics,this is the future and provides the performance this model provides.
As such it should be welcomed and understood. One thing is for sure if its Nissan its well built,I work in a UD truck workshop and have some experience in this regard.
Good luck in your choice