Pajero 2.5 vs 2.8

fat liar

Wana buy a pajero. Which engine is the most reliable? I know the 2.8 has a bit more poke. Is the 2.5 intercooled aswell?

colm_mcm

2.8 isn't as prone to overheating as the 2.5

Also as far as I know the 2.5 isn't intercooled (it doesn't have a bonnet scoop anyway)

how much were you thinking of spending? probably selling my 95 2.8 LWB in a few weeks time.

fat liar

Thats what i was thinking bout the bonnet vent. Would spend no more than 2500 on one. Thanks for the offer but im after a swb.

WestWicklow1

I had both. Performance wise they were like chalk and cheese. The 2.5 was dead. The 2.8 was superb.

MrFoxman360

The 2.5 is intercooled, well my 93 one is anyway, the air travels through the middle of the bonnet between the skins from just over the grill, into the inter cooler, so doesn't have a scoop. Mine is lwb, and the 2.5 is underpowered in it, poor accelleration and 125 kmph means the engine is spinning at 4000 rpm:eek: and only 145km flat out, but saying that it is still comfortable on motorway journeys, engine doesn't seem to be overworked despite the revs.


Surprisingly its actually quite good for towing though. 2.5 engine is a reliable lump, does have a bit of a reputation for overheating problems, and its not all that uncommon to see one with a cracked head, normal maintanance and driver awareness will reduce the likely hood of problems.

2.5 has a timing belt, where as the 2.8 has a chain as far as I know. Most mechanics that I know much prefer the 2.5 as it is much simpler than the 2.8.

fat liar

Thanks for the info fellas. Im going to buy a 2.8, Id prefer the extra bit a power.

colm_mcm

Good luck finding a decent 2.8 within budget. I had to go to the UK for a good one, and the VRT on a SWB is about E700 (one of the reasons I went LWB)

fat liar

Whats the VRT on a LWB?

colm_mcm

50 snots

broro22

imo 2.5s are dead under powered and thirsty. on the other hand swb 2.8s can be very giddy in the rear and have tendancy to try swap ends on wet roads:eek: if youre a bit heavy on right peg lwb are steady as you like if were in the market id be after 2.8 lwb (i have an l200 2.5 wouldnt buy an other 2.5)

vibe666

i have a mate with a 91 2.5 who convinced me to get a Paj, but after test driving his and doing some research i went for a 2.8 and i'm a lot happier with the performance than his 2.5 had. i was actually pretty convinced that the accelerator on a 2.5 is actually just an engine volume control cos it didn't seem to make any real difference to how fast I was going!

ditto on the timing chain instead of a belt on the 2.8 (a big plus, obviously) and the extra power. 2.8's seem to be more prone to the fuel pump seals leaking if you ever decide to put veggie oil or biodiesel in the tank and its a pain in the tits to get fixed, but other than that they are a very reliable old bus.

i got my 1996 2.8 exceed (top end model) on ebay from the uk for 3500 2 years ago with 60k on the clock and i couldn't be happier with her, i honestly don't see me ever selling her and i plan on keeping her on the road as long as i possibly can, she's a great old girl.

ebay can be a goldmine for good cars if yopu are willing to put some time into doing the research.

once you find one you know you like and are sure is a decent one, go to www.carcheckers.co.uk and get them to send someone round to do a full inspection. it'll cost you a couple of hundred quid to get done, but they give you a 16 page report of every single aspect of the car so you know whether its for real or not, but hopefully if you've done your research and have spoken with the seller, you'll know it is beforehand, it's just for peace of mind really.

fat liar

Thats some difference in the cost of the vrt!
Is they any difference between the jap imports and domestic pajeros besides the japs having air con and leccy windows as standard?

argosy2006

colm_mcm wrote: »

50 snots

really.. no money. kool

coolmoose

isn't the 50 VRT only applicable if its a commercial? OP hasn't stated he would convert to commercial.

how much is VRT on a 2.8 LWB otherwise? just curious, already own a 2.8 LWB that I converted to commercial, but it was already an Irish vehicle.

vibe666

depends on what year it is and what value the VRT people put on the car.

mine was about €1300-1500 afaik (it was a couple of years ago, so my brain's a little rusty).

colm_mcm

The 2.8 GLS Shoguns have this as standard (I think)

4 Electric windows
Central Locking
Electric aeriel
Electric Mirrors
Heated mirrors
Cruise control
Side steps
Front and rear Armrests
Headlamp washers
Wheelarch extensions
Super Select 4X4
Rear heater (7 seat models)
Opening rearmost windows (7 seat models)
Electric Sunroof


Diamond option pack:
Wood trim inlays
Adjustable shocks
ABS
Tinted windows
Rear diff lock
Optional leather heated seats
Rear heating controls

E39MSport

As MrFoxMan says, the heads on the 2.5 can crack even on well looked after ones.

vibe666

colm_mcm wrote: »

The 2.8 GLS Shoguns have this as standard (I think)

<SNIP!>

they're not going to care at all whats on a car that old, they never even came out to look at mine once i told them the year and value, they just looked it up on their computer and took the money off me.

if you're bringing in a 30k+ motor then they're going to be very keen, but i doubt they'll even bat an eyelid over an old Paj.

colm_mcm

That was in response to the OP's question on how the spec or European models compares to the Japanese ones.

I don't know about the Irish Pajero spec, that's just what my UK Shogun has.

vibe666

colm_mcm wrote: »

That was in response to the OP's question on how the spec or European models compares to the Japanese ones.

I don't know about the Irish Pajero spec, that's just what my UK Shogun has.

ah right, missed that bit.

see, i should be in my bed already dreaming of suspension and body lifts, bigger tyres and winches.

Snake_Doctor

Colm mcm, sent you a PM,
S'Doc

vibe666

well, if the OP is anywhere near Navan or Blanchardstown (my home and work, where i spend most of my time) he's welcome to come for a spin in my 2.8 to see if he thinks it's got enough poke for his needs.

most people are surprised though, it's pretty nippy for such a big old bus.

MB1380

Its only €50 VRT if it has a GVW of over 3 tonnes i think. I paid €350 for a 93 SWB 2.8 Commercial which i converted last week. They charge 13% of whatever they value it at.

colm_mcm

GVW has to be above 2520kg for 50 quid VRT.

The SWB doesn't qualify for the 50 VRT as the loadspace is too short. it needs to be 50 (or maybe 45) % of the wheelbase

MB1380

What weight was your LWB? got mine weighed before the DOE and it was 1980kg. I presume you dident get the €50 VRT either no?

colm_mcm

I got the 50 VRT, think it was around 2000kg

fat liar

vibe666 wrote: »

well, if the OP is anywhere near Navan or Blanchardstown (my home and work, where i spend most of my time) he's welcome to come for a spin in my 2.8 to see if he thinks it's got enough poke for his needs.

most people are surprised though, it's pretty nippy for such a big old bus.

Cheers! im currently livin in wexford but thanks for the offer!

vibe666

MB1380 wrote: »

What weight was your LWB? got mine weighed before the DOE and it was 1980kg. I presume you dident get the €50 VRT either no?

i got mine for the 7 seats as well as for the room, so i had to pay full whack.

bitemybanger

vibe666 wrote: »

i got mine for the 7 seats as well as for the room, so i had to pay full whack.

Hi vibe666, Im in the market for a 2.8 lwb pajero. do you know how much it would take to convert it to commercial?
im looking to buy an auto with 110000 miles which seems excellent and convert it to commercial to avoid the near 1300 tax bill. any things i should look out for when buying one?

MB1380

bitemybanger wrote: »

Hi vibe666, Im in the market for a 2.8 lwb pajero. do you know how much it would take to convert it to commercial?
im looking to buy an auto with 110000 miles which seems excellent and convert it to commercial to avoid the near 1300 tax bill. any things i should look out for when buying one?

Start it from cold and wait to see if it cuts out in the first few minutes. If it does there is a seal gone in the diesel pump.Its a very common problem on the 2.8's It runs fine for the rest of the day tho. The seal is only €20 but takes a few hours to fit apparently. Must tackle mine soon, got the seal last week.

bitemybanger

MB1380 wrote: »

Start it from cold and wait to see if it cuts out in the first few minutes. If it does there is a seal gone in the diesel pump.Its a very common problem on the 2.8's It runs fine for the rest of the day tho. The seal is only €20 but takes a few hours to fit apparently. Must tackle mine soon, got the seal last week.

Cheers MB, fairly bullet proof otherwise? are they very bad on the smelly stuff? any ideas of mpg?