Thursday, Apr 10, 2008 at 21:38
Hi Major,
I have been very happy with my Nissan, but not with Nissan Australia support. My dealer was OK, nothing special but they certainly didn't go out of their way for me. And Nissan Australia is just woeful IMHO and that certainly seems to be the consensus on this
forum.
From what I have read about the common rail, it is essentially the same block but different (improved) injection and EGR plumbing (willing to be corrected if wrong). Also, the ZD30 bottom end is actually very strong and the main thing that let it down was the electronics (MAF, EGR etc...). This is supposedly rectfied now (they have had 8 years now to get it right!) and hence the reliability that now seems to be achieved.
While the there are the odd reports of ZD30 series III+ problems, the reality is there are just as many problems with other makes for the number of vehicles on the road, regardless of what the knockers say. But I know what you mean about the thoughts at the back of your mind, but thats what happens once an engine gets a reputation - the perception is actually greater than the reality.
My novated lease is up in a few months hence my looking around. I have narrowed my search down to 3 vehicles, the D4D Prado, another 3.0TD GU and the Hummer. I would buy the Hummer in an instant if it had a diesel, but it doesn't until 2009 and thats too late for me (lease wise). I have discounted the Pajero for various reasons (mainly 4WD ability - great on-road) so that leaves the Prado or another Patrol.
The 200 cruiser is just too many $$$ for what it is and what I want to do with it - great for towing a large van around AUS, but not a real offroader anymore, its targeted at a different market - if only the 76 series 4 door had ABS & airbags, I would get one!
My main reason against the Patrol is Nissan Australia's customer attitude, the 4 sp auto and because the new V6 3.0 diesel is out early 2009 (550 Nm torque!!!). But it is still a real possibility as transferring all my gear across would be easy (and I like the real off-road ability, last large live axle vehicle around).
So that leaves me with the Prado. On a technical apprasial it is by far the best (great engine, 5sp auto, 180L tanks, dual zone air, best resale bar none, etc...) but there are just SO many of them around that are used as shopping trolleys plus it simply doesn't have any "wow" factor at all for me. Bit like getting a new washing machine, does a great job but who cares!!!
And that is the real reason i still have my GU - there isn't anything that I would rather have and what I will likely buy just doesn't inspire me (hard to spend $60K and not have a burning desire for it) so I keep thinking, thinking, thinking what I will do (tough decisons, but someone has to do it!).
Cheers
Captain
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