Author Topic: Advise/opinion from current or previous Paj owners (Read 13069 times)

Heiny · « **on:** November 28, 2011, 09:14:19 PM »

On my way home today I noticed a new addition to the local car yard.

It's a 2002 Pajero GLS, 3.2 DiD, 5spd manual with 103,000kms on the clock for $19,990.

The better half came down and we took it for a drive, for it's age the interior is very good, the 3.2 diesel sounds very good, the trans sounds good, it drives as good as my MN Triton company car, there are no strange noises when driving and there are no sigs of any damage uderneath.
The Paj started life at this same dealership as a demo, then it was sold to an older guy who occasionally towed a CV and aways had it serviced at this same dealer.

It will come down to what they are willing to give us as a trade in on the wifes 2005 Astra.

Does any have any experience or advice on the 2002 3.2 DiD Pajero's

bubba

dno · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2011, 09:28:14 PM »

Heiny · « **Reply #2 on:** November 29, 2011, 07:05:44 PM »

Can anyone give their advise or opinion from their experience on the NM Pajero, its 4M41 DiD 3.2 litre engine, 5 sp manual gearbox or any other pro's and con's with this model

bubba

Crosslander · « **Reply #3 on:** November 29, 2011, 07:19:30 PM »

Hi. Can't help with the diesel side of things but had the same year model in the auto / petrol. Great vehicle, never let us down and after selling it regretted it so much bought another. Same deal with the 2nd (older model) - no problems at all.

Neither were/are modded but both were/are used on offroad tracks and beach with no dramas.

Estelle · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2011, 07:29:39 PM »

Have a quick browse through the Pajero 4WD club of Victoria. Great site.

http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/

They will have a lot of info on that model.

dazzler · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2011, 07:33:58 PM »

Quote from: 73bubba on November 29, 2011, 07:05:44 PM

Can anyone give their advise or opinion from their experience on the NM Pajero, its 4M41 DiD 3.2 litre engine, 5 sp manual gearbox or any other pro's and con's with this model

bubba

Brothers father had one and it was very good. Expect 10l per hundred k's or so on fuel.

The DID side of things make them pretty noisy off idle but thats fine.

Just check the inside of the rear tyres as they are independent rear and suffer from camber wear if not setup properly.

There was an issue with some of the early ones where they would pop the windscreen going over washouts/humps and the thing was crossed up. Check the windscreen is evenly set in the bondo.

Any way of checking the k's are genuine....thats pretty low for the age.

Fred Bear · « **Reply #6 on:** November 29, 2011, 07:37:27 PM »

Bubba

Cant speak on the NM but I do have an MP 2006 that has just ticked over 300k KLM's (ex company car lots of k's in a short time) and runs fine, until recently I had a Triton work vehicle but this has now gone so the Paj has become the camping truck. Used it towing the camper on the weekend 600 klm's averaged 11.2ltrs per 100 klm's so is better than the Triton was (averaged 12.5).

The only problems I have heard of in the NM's is the rear drive shaft and timing chain tensioner issues that are well documented, I believe the drive shaft problems were addressed in 2005 so this one may have been done and the timing chain tensioner is a simple matter of changing the guide at regular intervals, before purchasing mine I spoke to the service manager where I had the Triton serviced as I was concerned about the high K's he advised that in his opinion it was the best motor they had produced and should go to 500 k's without too many problems.

Manuals are rare and I would have prefered one simply for peace of mind outback (cant tow start an auto) but overall I think the Paj dollar for dollar is as good as anything going round the wife loves it as it is easy to drive and park good on fuel and will do most things the others will do, wouldn't be my first choice if I was into rock climbing etc. but does all the things I want it to do, I would certainly recommend them to anyone looking for a good reliable 4x4 at a good price.

Fred

Jon · « **Reply #7 on:** November 29, 2011, 09:01:28 PM »

Are the NM on a chassis or are they the monocoque at that model? If mono, make sure the body is rigid and does not flex or the back door drop when it opens- possible fatigue cracks at door hinges.

Look into SteveandViv who have an NM with the works.

I have a manual DID NS and I love it.

Heiny · « **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2011, 09:26:03 PM »

Quote from: Mark@Port on November 29, 2011, 07:19:30 PM

Hi. Can't help with the diesel side of things but had the same year model in the auto / petrol. Great vehicle, never let us down and after selling it regretted it so much bought another. Same deal with the 2nd (older model) - no problems at all.

Thanks Mark, that's good to know

Quote from: Estelle on November 29, 2011, 07:29:39 PM

Have a quick browse through the Pajero 4WD club of Victoria. Great site.

http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/

They will have a lot of info on that model.

Lots of info on there, thanks Estelle

Quote from: dazzler on November 29, 2011, 07:33:58 PM

Brothers father had one and it was very good. Expect 10l per hundred k's or so on fuel.

The DID side of things make them pretty noisy off idle but thats fine.

Just check the inside of the rear tyres as they are independent rear and suffer from camber wear if not setup properly.

There was an issue with some of the early ones where they would pop the windscreen going over washouts/humps and the thing was crossed up. Check the windscreen is evenly set in the bondo.

Any way of checking the k's are genuine....thats pretty low for the age.

Thanks for the info dazzler

This Paj started it's life in this same small country town dealership as a demo, the old guy that bought it is a local, he never went off road but towed caravan occasionally, he had the Paj regularly serviced at this same dealer (I have seen the records in the book and on their computer.

I have known the dealer for a long time and have no doubt that the km's are genuine

Quote from: Fred Bear on November 29, 2011, 07:37:27 PM

Bubba

Cant speak on the NM but I do have an MP 2006 that has just ticked over 300k KLM's (ex company car lots of k's in a short time) and runs fine, until recently I had a Triton work vehicle but this has now gone so the Paj has become the camping truck. Used it towing the camper on the weekend 600 klm's averaged 11.2ltrs per 100 klm's so is better than the Triton was (averaged 12.5).

The only problems I have heard of in the NM's is the rear drive shaft and timing chain tensioner issues that are well documented, I believe the drive shaft problems were addressed in 2005 so this one may have been done and the timing chain tensioner is a simple matter of changing the guide at regular intervals, before purchasing mine I spoke to the service manager where I had the Triton serviced as I was concerned about the high K's he advised that in his opinion it was the best motor they had produced and should go to 500 k's without too many problems.

Manuals are rare and I would have prefered one simply for peace of mind outback (cant tow start an auto) but overall I think the Paj dollar for dollar is as good as anything going round the wife loves it as it is easy to drive and park good on fuel and will do most things the others will do, wouldn't be my first choice if I was into rock climbing etc. but does all the things I want it to do, I would certainly recommend them to anyone looking for a good reliable 4x4 at a good price.

Fred

Thanks Fred

The timing chain tensioner and guide have bee recently changed

Quote from: Jon on November 29, 2011, 09:01:28 PM

Are the NM on a chassis or are they the monocoque at that model? If mono, make sure the body is rigid and does not flex or the back door drop when it opens- possible fatigue cracks at door hinges.

The NM is a mono chassis and I did check all the doors and they appear to be fine

bubba

db · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2011, 10:29:44 PM »

Hi Brett,

the NM are missing some of the bells and whistles that the NP have (later ones have traction control / stability control) but are otherwise pretty similar. I have a manual NP 2005 with the same motor. Gear boxes are pretty good, the dual mass flywheel can give up the ghost - mostly seems to be around 170 thou km, but I don't think there is a pattern. There are single mass flywheel conversion kits available. The rear drive shaft issue mentioned is the rear companion shafts - they sometimes 'pop out', loosing the diff oil. There is a hot fix for it, but it wasn't a recall. The fix costs around $600, and apparently can be done yourself if you are capable with the tools.

Basically they are pretty solid reliable vehicles, make a great tourer, and are good for everyday use (ours is the daily driver). They are good on fuel and handle well on road. Off road they are competent, they don't have the wheel articulation of the rigid axle cruisers or patrols, but its not really an issue unless you are into serious rock hopping.

We've done the Simpson (no trailer) and about 15 thou km with the trailer. I have no plans or desire to get another vehicle at the moment.

As Estelle said, get on the pajero forum, lots of info.

Richard

speewa158 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 30, 2011, 03:39:23 AM »

Bubba Sounds as though you have found your new rig . You got the history on it . Thats a good thing . I am in my 4th Pajero NB,NH, NL& now NS Manual Oiler . The NB was a beast on gear boxes but after that they just get better & better . Then l might be a bit 1 eyed though , I would ditch the Astra for the Paj in a heart beat

ralphedward · « **Reply #11 on:** November 30, 2011, 08:22:03 PM »

Bubba,

I've had two 3.2 DiD oilers (NP & NS). One thing I will tell you is if you don't buy this one today then please give me the address of the seller and I'll buy it. PM me if you want to know more about the Paj but the advice you've already been given about the Pajero forum will give you more than you will ever want to know!

Heiny · « **Reply #12 on:** December 02, 2011, 09:50:35 PM »

Thanks for the info everyone

Got a good trade in on the Astra, so we pick up the Paj next Tuesday or Wednesday

bubba

Dion · « **Reply #13 on:** December 03, 2011, 12:23:30 AM »

Quote from: 73bubba on December 02, 2011, 09:50:35 PM

Thanks for the info everyone

Got a good trade in on the Astra, so we pick up the Paj next Tuesday or Wednesday

bubba

Oooh ... probably too late to tell you that Pajeros are terrible then ....

Bird · « **Reply #14 on:** December 03, 2011, 08:03:16 AM »

Quote from: 73bubba

Got a good trade in on the Astra, so we pick up the Paj next Tuesday or Wednesday

They drive really nicely, the VRX I drove few mths ago did anyway

speewa158 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 03, 2011, 08:37:57 AM »

73 Bubba You know the drill

& lost of MMMM

JCOJ · « **Reply #16 on:** December 03, 2011, 10:25:09 AM »

Pajero's are awesome - you will love it!

Congrats on the purchase.

SteveandViv · « **Reply #17 on:** December 03, 2011, 01:28:09 PM »

Quote from: 73bubba on November 29, 2011, 07:05:44 PM

Can anyone give their advise or opinion from their experience on the NM Pajero, its 4M41 DiD 3.2 litre engine, 5 sp manual gearbox or any other pro's and con's with this model

bubba

Hi mate. Go here http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/

SteveandViv · « **Reply #18 on:** December 03, 2011, 01:29:57 PM »

Quote from: 73bubba on December 02, 2011, 09:50:35 PM

Thanks for the info everyone

Got a good trade in on the Astra, so we pick up the Paj next Tuesday or Wednesday

bubba

Sorry for the other post. Was just back for being away and didn't read the entire post. Anyway. You should join the Pajero forum anyway

great buy mate. I would have also bought it if I could. Well done

Heiny · « **Reply #19 on:** December 03, 2011, 04:49:25 PM »

Quote from: SteveandViv on December 03, 2011, 01:28:09 PM

Hi mate. Go here http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/

Steve

I just went and joined the Paj Club

bubba

rotare · « **Reply #20 on:** December 03, 2011, 05:00:32 PM »

Mate, you will love the Paj. I have a NP 2004 DiD Exceed. It's done nearly 150,000km now, and I can honestly say it's the most reliable car I've had, and one of the most comfortable too. Haven't had a single issue with it. It's a great tourer, not shabby off road and tows my 21 foot boat like it's not even there.

See you on the Pajero forum!