In a dilemma! Prado diesel or not?

[McAbouts]

We are contemplating updating our Prado and tossing up the usual problem of petrol or diesel. We have heard some bad reports on the D4D diesels involving injector failures and worse case scenario complete motor breakdown. Therefore big dollars to repair. Our mechanic currently owns a D4D Prado and is seriously considering selling it for a petrol as he is starting to experience problems.

So! Has anybody out there had any of these issues. Any feedback, advice, etc would be greatly appreciated before we lay out our hard earned dollars.

Cheers
Louise

[achjimmy]

You looking at new or second-hand. Second-hand Petrol fourbies are like Leprosy. if your buying second-hand you will get a good deal, if new buy the diesel . Or buy a Pajero a much better diesel engine/transmission IMO.

[D4D]

Buy an '08 or later and you should be ok

There is a lot in this thread but remember TMCA have sold thousands of D4D Prados and you're only seeing the faulty ones not all the happy owners like me
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?12443-diesel-rattle-in-D4D-Prado

[McAbouts]

You looking at new or second-hand. Second-hand Petrol fourbies are like Leprosy. if your buying second-hand you will get a good deal, if new buy the diesel . Or buy a Pajero a much better diesel engine/transmission IMO.

Leaning towards second hand but new isn't totally out of the question.

Cheers
Louise

[chester ver2.0]

If diesel foget second hand the price difference between second hand 150 series with low k and new is very small

[dazzler]

Are you talking 150 series?

If so either will be fine. Swings and roundabouts.

[BigJules]

New diesel. As there is such a small premium for diesel this would be my choice. The D4D pulls like a ... And uses so much less fuel that it makes economic sense too. Plus resale will be much better.

[JCAT]

Go the diesel, after 2008, the fuel economy is far superior to my 04 petrol, around 4 litres per 100 k's better, equating to $6 per 100 k's. This adds up when you are doing 25000 k's a year.

[Nomad]

on my fourth diesel prado....the D4D is a gem..........would love them with a V6 but.........resale is awesome.

[Wazza2]

I converted from 04 petrol to current model diesel in feb this year. Very happy with the change.

Power- i don't notice the difference around town. Gave up dragging at the lights years ago and the diesel has plenty of punch in the low gears anyway. Over 80kmh then yeah, it's not as quick to accelerate. The positive in that is I give more consideration about when/where I overtake.

Torque- if you're towing the d4d is great. I have done only 2000kms with the trailer on but, it's just effortless. Hills, what hills? I averaged 12lt/100km while towing the trailer with little in it (1000kg?) and sitting on highway speedlimit. Reckon that would have been 17lt/100 in the old petrol and it would have been working pretty hard in the hills.

If you really like the acceleration then go with the 200+ killer wasps in the petrol. For everything else, go with diesel.

[McAbouts]

Are you talking 150 series?

If so either will be fine. Swings and roundabouts.

Yes 150 series is what we are looking at.

Thanks everyone for your quick responses. Appreciate it. Big decisions for us to work through. Want to purchase soon but need to be sure we go down the right path. Hubby is pondering all your responses.

Cheers
Louise

[Nomad]

What year are you contemplating and what sort of ish price range if its not to rude to ask?
Cheers Nomad

[McAbouts]

Hey Nomad
Looking at 2008 or newer and around $45,000ish or thereabouts. That probably means a 120 series rather than a 150 series or so I'm told by the other half.

Cheers
Louise

[nbd73]

Here's a unrelated response: I have had 3 petrol 4wd's, and grown up with them. Always swore by them, especially for sand use. But recently I acquired a diesel cruiser. Game over, why would any one ever get petrol ever again. Just get the diesel and save yourself the anguish. I have family friends who got a new 150 diesel last year and it us wicked too

[DaveCQ]

Have 120 series V6. Has been An awesome car. 170000ks with not a single issue. Both highway and offroad touring. But, when I change over I will most likely buy the Diesel. Single reason being the tow factor. In saying this, if I find a petrol for a good price, who knows.
Test drive both and buy what feels right. Both are great motors and ride the same.
Good luck.

[Nomad]

Hey Nomad
Looking at 2008 or newer and around $45,000ish or thereabouts. That probably means a 120 series rather than a 150 series or so I'm told by the other half.

Cheers
Louise

Sounds about right. I have an 09 150 and have been quoted around 53ish as a trade. I bought mine sight unseen early on so would probably be one of the earlier ones on trade............if you can get wait a bit I reckon by mid next year you'll see the 150's coming on as the first leases run out.

I would stump up and do a lease and pay the 60k for a new one if you can. You wont lose money.
Cheers Nomad

[Jasman]

Looking at 2008 or newer and around $45,000ish or thereabouts. That probably means a 120 series rather than a 150 series or so I'm told by the other half.

Hey McAbouts, I know you haven't asked for any other options but I can't help myself so I have to ask.  Have you considered a Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD?  Retail around $50k and with 180kw and 550nm, it'll pull the a** out of the earth!

[Nomad]

hehehehe

Is that the same as sucking a golf ball through a hose or a sheet through your arse.......

Cheers Nomad

[Mallory Black]

I gues it comes down to the use,
we have a petrol V6 (bought 2nd hand) and while it guzzles when towing, we only do about 11,000 k per year so if I consider the lower buying cost (like... thousands), lower servicing costs against the distance travelled, I think we are OK

If i was doing high mileage I'd have to at least consider the diesel for sure as the economy and resale would offset the purchasing and servicing costs

[BigJules]

when I change over I will most likely buy the Diesel. Single reason being the tow factor.

This is the biggie. I found that a D4D HiLux towed easier than my 4.7L V8 petrol Cruiser, at 2/3 of the fuel usage.

[Bird]

Any new (common rail) diesel will cost you large if it gets a bad dose of fuel. Depending on how bad obviously, but thats "progress"
 
From memory bloke on patrol forum was handed $8000 bill after he copped a bad tank on a holiday.

[D4D]

If you can prove bad fuel via a sample analysis then you should be able to claim on your insurance.

[Bird]

If you can prove bad fuel via a sample analysis then you should be able to claim on your insurance.

I believe thats where he was at, but it was also proving where he got the fuel from, which was the hard part.

[D4D]

That's why I keep every receipt

[prodigyrf]

I know a bloke in Adelaide with an 09 diesel Pajero (platinum if that means anything?) with 35k on the clock he wants $46k in order to upgrade. Uses it to to tow his boat away fishing a few times a year and knowing Al it would be in like a shot to the dealer if there was so much as a squeak out of it. I doubt it's been off the bitumen except for boat ramps over the peninsula.

Update: I was chatting to the bloke yesterday and it's apparently a VRX July 09 model (the good model or some such) with all the bells and whistles, ally bullbar, towbar, etc but now it has done nearly 41k apparently. Is that around the mark for one of those in really schmick condition?