3.0l or 4.2l Patrol

3ltr will do it but check forum as there have been a lot of motor problems & 4.2 is bullet proof but heavier on fuel & is not as responsive
I have had several 4.2 & they have all been great one did over 650,000klms when I sold it & the new owner still has not changed it as originally planned & tells me its still going strong
good luck
Vince

Biggest difference is one is a reliable old workhorse that never quits and the other is a Grenade LOL

One is known as a granade the other as reliable as houses,,,, hmmmmmm dunno be a hard choice for me

G'day Kime,

I have a 4.2, my mate has the 3 litre, he beats me up hills and around town but on the open road they both will do the job in a sim fashion. My 4.2 is old school technology where as the 3 litre has more electronics, you jus drive them differently.

At the end of the day it is a choice, what I can say though is they are great off road, they are great touring vehicles and they are comfortable with plenty of room.

Enjoy whatever you get

Cheers
Ev

The main diff is about 500000ks life diff.
Cheers Pete

Gee you've opened a can of worms with this post LOL...have a good read on the patrol web site...some interesting views from actual owners . Just a note of interest there is a towing limit on the auto patrol 3 litre & that is 2.5 tonne the manual version 3 ltr is 3.2 tonne....I think the 4.2 would be 3 tonne but cannot say for sure.....personally I would not buy either I am extremely happy wth my 3.2 T/Diesel auto Pajero, leaves the poor mans Toyota for dead in ride,comfort & performance IMHO. Good luck with what ever you decide....got to go now & duck under the desk to dodge return fire...LOL

the 4.2 is a better alrounder, no electonics, and has better low down tourge for slow off road use.

The 3 ltr is fine while its spinning above 2000rpm but below that has real problems.

Check out resale value, you are hard pressed now to find a good cheap 4.2, but plenty of 3ltrs going cheap.

I have a 92 4.2 super charged done 400,000ks and wouldnt change it for quids.

Cheers Col

They do not call the 3.0lt a "Grenade" for nothing..

Go the mighty (and thirstier, and slower 4.2)

Cheers
Bucky

Our 3litre CRD is towing a 3tonne van around OZ at the moment and we are very happy with it. It is the only 4wd we have owned, so have no comparison.
Ant

I might add both of my 3 lt. Patrols have returned an avewrage of 10.2 l/100km.(not towing of course)

I might add both of my 3 lt. Patrols have returned an avewrage of 10.2 l/100km.(not towing of course)

Have had two 3.0 Patrols, 2004 model with 160,000kms when sold. No problems apart from Maf sensor and belt tensioner, usual issues.

Now have 2008 CRD patrol. Possibly has a little more torque then previous model. Has 110000kms with a few issues. Starter, alternator and intercooler all replaced under warranty. Nil issues with Nissan warranty and not always serviced by them.

G'day I've got the 4.2TD Ute and a 3.0L TD Wagon, both manual. For sheer torque and pulling you cant beat the larger engine, but the 3.0L has plenty of go to tow our camper trailer (plus all that goes with 4 kids) everywhere we've wanted it to go so far, off road through the Flinders Ranges etc.
The 3.0L has more get up and go when you want to overtake on the road but the 4.2L has fantastic torque if you stay on the turbo (above 1800rpm).
The 4.2L tows a 6tonne windrower trailer during our grain harvesting season but I wouldn't do that with the 3.0L!

G/Day Kime, ... On this Forum the discussion about nissan 3.0ls a fews years ago was Horrendous!, Simple reason !, Engine failure!,.... But on saying that there seems to be a little bit more confidence in the later models as more Fixes so to speak have been found to make these engines a reliable unit,I don't own one , But have helped a close friend install a second motor into his, I'm not going to say anymore but have seen the frustration from a owner that loves the vehicle, but has been let down by a fragile engine..... Then again the 4.2l has the reputation of being the best engine out there, I know of three in the last six months with between 250-300 thousand ks up with failed injector pumps, and Man their not a cheap item to repair, But others have not had a issue. Look at everything and the one you wan't will jump out and stare you down!...LOL.

Cheers Axle.

This question gets done to death.

I had a 3.0Tdi Nissan series III. Excellent vehicle, great towing but a slug off the mark (manual) on hills. Once cruising..excellent. Even better with Dtronic fitted.

I sold it because I was worried it would one day blow up on me. And they do, plenty have. Usually sometime after 150,000k on them but I have heard of many yonger than that over the years. I work with a guy at present with a series II, his lasted 220,000 then BANG.

The 4.2 is a sought after dinosour but really lacks any get up and go. Especially towing.

I now have a TD 100 series. Awesome grunt down low but a real truck feeling to drive (heavy) but great car. If you could put the engine from TD 100 into a patrol, you would have the perfect car. And someone actually has.

Anyway, knowing what I know now...If I haven't got the $$$ to upgrade to a 200 series, it'll be a TD prado. They seem to be an exceptional all round vehicle, as does the Pajero depending on your preferences.

Don't buy a 3.0tdi Patrol....it's just a big risk, proven many times over.