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?

MB1380

bitemybanger wrote: »

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

They seem to be, check out www.pocuk.com theres loads of info on it. It does like drinking, i havent worked out the mpg properly yet but id guesstimate 28mpg. Mine is an auto but if it was a manual i could see it bieng better.

bitemybanger

its hard to get a manual. i have my mind made up that im going to get a 2.8 pajero its just lwb auto or swb manual. would prefere to buy a private one and convert it to commercial myself as they are usualy better looked after and havnt pulled trailler through every field.

MB1380

bitemybanger wrote: »

its hard to get a manual. i have my mind made up that im going to get a 2.8 pajero its just lwb auto or swb manual. would prefere to buy a private one and convert it to commercial myself as they are usualy better looked after and havnt pulled trailler through every field.

Ya thats true, for the price of ragged irish ones i had seen i converted a jap passenger which has all the extras and only 130 000Kms!

bitemybanger

Yours anything like the one here (post 9)
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055602635

MB1380

bitemybanger wrote: »

Yours anything like the one here (post 9)
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055602635

Here it is in action at the weekend >>>

bitemybanger

Nice, i would prefere the swb myself but like the lwb too just a bit afraid that a lwb will be a bit heavy on and off road.

MB1380

bitemybanger wrote: »

Nice, i would prefere the swb myself but like the lwb too just a bit afraid that a lwb will be a bit heavy on and off road.

Theres only about 100kg in weight difference (http://www.pocuk.com/faq/specs.htm), the main issue is bottoming out, the shorter the wheelbase the better for off roading!

colm_mcm

bitemybanger wrote: »

its hard to get a manual. i have my mind made up that im going to get a 2.8 pajero its just lwb auto or swb manual. would prefere to buy a private one and convert it to commercial myself as they are usualy better looked after and havnt pulled trailler through every field.

I'll be selling my 95 2.8 LWB manual shortly, dunno for how much yet, but in or around 3k. It's in great condition - I imported it from the UK before xmas and don't really have the use for it that I thought I would.





now on Irish plates

MrFoxman360

bitemybanger wrote: »

Yours anything like the one here (post 9)
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055602635

Ha, yea thats my one, and the picture that casued all the controversy :rolleyes:. As I said before mine was a jap import passenger, I then converted it into a commercial, now I have something with all the toys (and being jananese it all still works 17 years later), all the nice trim both inside and out and something that was minded like a passanger jeep all its life, but have my commercial tax and big load space, sweet

vibe666

MB1380 wrote: »

They seem to be, check out www.pocuk.com theres loads of info on it. It does like drinking, i havent worked out the mpg properly yet but id guesstimate 28mpg. Mine is an auto but if it was a manual i could see it bieng better.

real world MPG wise I think you'll be pretty shocked.

if you drive it like an old lady you might just about touch 25mpg with a LWB 2.8L if the engine is in good condition, but expect 22-25mpg with normal driving on irish roads, although I've had mine down as low as 19mpg once.

I've been keeping an accurate log of my mileage since oct. 2008 and (over 40k miles) I've never had more than 24.32mpg out of a tankful, before or after getting pump seals done and have run on various combinations of diesel, biodiesel and even 10% kerosene (to clean out her pipes, which works VERY well incidentally).

from being on the pocuk and other Paj forums, there's not usually a lot of difference in fuel economy between the 2.5L and the 2.8L so there's very litte to recommend about the 2.5L tbh, other than that it doesn't have the same pump seal issues as the 2.8.

colm_mcm

Your figures stack up. I can get late 20s with the cruise control on at 50mph, but any bit of back road driving or going over 50 will have it in the early to mid 20s.

vibe666

colm_mcm wrote: »

Your figures stack up. I can get late 20s with the cruise control on at 50mph, but any bit of back road driving or going over 50 will have it in the early to mid 20s.

i know they do.

i have a spreadsheet that i made that works it all out to the nearest 100th of a mpg.

twas simple enough to make, but i'd be happy to post it up if anyone wants a copy.

i had to change it a while back when i had the kmh to mph conversion that it had gotten when it was imported from Japan to the UK removed before my first NCT.

mph is fine for them over there but I was pretty sure it needed to read kph over here so i had my mechanic remove the converter which sort of ruined my spreadsheet until it edited the formula to take account of it.

all I do is make sure i fill her up to the brim every time and reset the milometer (not sure if that's the right name) on the dash whenever i fill up and then dial the numbers into my phone for that fill and hit 'dial' to store it as a dialled number with the data and time attached, so 614771169 is: 614km driven, 77L of diesel @ 116.9c per litre, which is enough info to allow me to calculate how many gallons the fill was, my mpg from that, the total cost of the fill-up and how many cents it's cost me per mile or km.

even if i forget to update the spreadsheet (which i have saved in google docs for easy access from anywhere) for a while, I have my last few fills stored in my phone under dialled numbers, so i just have to remember where i filled up the last couple of times to add that to the spreadsheet so i can make sure the fuel quality is decent at a particular garage too.

bitemybanger

I collected my new... well my 98 pajero shogun 2.8 swb manual with only 103k on it. spotless condition in and out and its the newer model with the wide arches, cruise control and air con. Im like a kid at christmas. will stick a few pics up when i give it a wash.
Thanks to everyone for the advice. no doubt i will be a regular in this now:rolleyes:

vibe666

glad to hear you joined the club.

something i've found since getting a pajero is that Pajero drivers always seem to be checking each other out when they pass on the street.

i know i do it myself and usually catch other people doing it. it's not all that often in Ireland, especially in meath where theres a lot of farmers driving them, but you still get the odd one.

but driving in the UK, almost all the other paj owners will exchange glances, a little smile and a knowning nod as they pass each other on the street.

it's kind of funny and hard to describe and it's not something i think you get from just being a passanger in a pajero, but if you're a paj owner you'll soon grow to love her like no other car you've ever owned and there's something that comes with that knowledge that you know you share we other paj owners that other people on te road will never know.

its weird though, i never thought about owning a paj or was ever overly fond of them but i test drove one that belonged to a mate and fell in love, despite it being a gutless 2.5l.

al i'm saying is that there's definitely *something* about them that makes owning one very special.

colm_mcm

Just took mine out for a spin there, hadn't driven it in 2 weeks. forgot how jeepy it was!

bitemybanger

I see what you were saying about diesel consumption Vibe666, thier fairly thirsty, its due a service so it might improve slightly
My mate is a mechanic and we had it up on the ramp for a good inspection and he said hed never seen one of that year(98) so clean so im happy. needs a couple of front tyres and then shes ready for the muck.

vibe666

colm_mcm wrote: »

Just took mine out for a spin there, hadn't driven it in 2 weeks. forgot how jeepy it was!

they're famous for their jeepyness!

bitemybanger wrote: »

I see what you were saying about diesel consumption Vibe666, thier fairly thirsty, its due a service so it might improve slightly

not sure if this will help your situation or not, but i had quite a bit of trouble with economy and performance with mine for a while after i'd run some crappy biodiesel in it (aside from having to change the fuel pump seal) and what sorted it out was a double dose of injector cleaner in a tankful of fuel and then a double dose of fuel system cleaner in the next tankful, with the following advice from someone on a pajero forum: "drive it like you stole it!".

now i just put a double dose of fuel system cleaner into her every few tankfuls and she's grand.

either the redex or stp ones are fine, but see about getting them online, garages charge thru the nose for them.

there's plenty of other things to check as well, like the EGR valve or the intercooler getting clogged up, just have a look through the pajero forums for guides on fixing performance issues, there's plenty that can be done to improve it and generally fixing anything that improves performance will also help with economy.

bitemybanger

Im going to join that Paj forum. sounds like a gud un
There is so much i want to do to it like chrome mirrors and A bar with spots, the hard case for the spare wheel and first things first, those decals are coming off today:D
Maybee if the funds are good, a pair of leather seats.:pac:
Took a quick pic to stick up, so thats the "before" shot, watch this space for the "after".

101sean

You'll find the specialist forums really useful. There's also a Mitsubishi section on the Difflock.com forum. Looks like you've got a good basis for a fun 4x4 anyway.

Followed a tasty early 90's Landcruiser through Cashel the other day, plain colour, big wheels and arches but not overdone. I think removing the naff decals and bling off jap 4x4s (especially the grey imports) improves their appearance no end.

vibe666

bitemybanger wrote: »

Im going to join that Paj forum. sounds like a gud un
There is so much i want to do to it like chrome mirrors and A bar with spots, the hard case for the spare wheel and first things first, those decals are coming off today:D
Maybee if the funds are good, a pair of leather seats.:pac:
Took a quick pic to stick up, so thats the "before" shot, watch this space for the "after".

she's a beaut!

you DO need to get those decals off tho!

have a look at the traynors website for second hand parts like the A bar and chrome mirrors etc, they also have plenty of pics so you can pic and choose what you like.

also, you'll be amazed what you can pick up on ebay if you do a UK & Ireland or euro wide search for 'pajero' and narrow it down to car parts, you'll have no shortage of potential bling to choose from.