Thinking of going to spend some money in the new year on a Nissan Patrol 3.0l turbo diesel. Will be looking at a low km's or demo. Anyone with any bad things to say about these? After a 4wd wagon that can tow a boat.
Slug in sand compared to it's older 4.2 counterpart but still a good option with price in mind. You will be ringing it's neck in highest load applications. The twin turbo v8 landcruiser as just as good fuel economy, loads more power and engine size plus it's only just over twice the price. That would be fun to lose to a high tide!!!
Summing up if your on the road the 3 should be ok. If you want to go proper 4x4 get the older 4.2 and spend a little coin on it. If your rich get the 4.7l twin turbo diesel v8 landcruiser. Prrrrr.
Mate I've got an older Cruiser but there is nothing wrong with the Patrol, strong driveline, solid axle front end and one of the best rear diff's standard. The older 3.0L were nicknamed the hand grenade but I'd say those problems have been sorted.
But honestly don't listen to us clowns, a near newie is going to cost a few bucks, so find a service center that does a lot of 4WD work (ask ya mates where) and bleed their brains 
My mechanic has a new Nissan Patrol diesel 3.0.
Uses it for beach driving, going fishing and towing his boat.
He likes it but he said it losing/using a bit of oil. Even though he is a mechanic and has his own workshop, he takes it to the Nissan shop to get it serviced. He said he does this so there are no warranty issues incase the engine is a lemon.
Some reading material wayneg
www.caradvice.com.au/5491/2000-nissan-patrol-warranty-complaint/
Once you get to this page scroll down and read 
^^^^^
and then there is this page vvvvvvv
tinyurl.com/2adsj87
and this VVVVVVV
www.patrol4x4.com/forum/nissan-patrol-gu-gr-10/
www.patrol4x4.com/forum/
exert from page:-
Re: Nissan patrol 3.0l TD vs 4.2
dazza,
i have a 3.0td. They both have similar power levels but drive very differently. If your doing a lot of towing get the 4.2, its got a great reputation for reliability and will do it easier. 4.2s are hard to find
As for the 3.0td, theres issues on their engine reliability early on ( 2001/2002 with a lot of motors blowing), 2003 onwards Nissan did a fix. On some general 4wd forums, scaremongers reckon its still a timebomb waiting to go off etc but on the specific nissan patrol forum you will get a lot of info/surveys etc....which shows the true picture, ie problem fixed ( considering how many 3.0tds running around now in Navaras/Patrols).
Also mind you there a plenty of 2001/2002 models still running around with high klms now, but like i said your best not to look at those.
Ive driven both, if you do mostly blacktop, some beach and off road then the 3.0td is fine, if your doing a lot of towing id go the 4.2. Both are great trucks. The 3.0td has a bad rep from its early problems and i suppose the jurys out for a few years until some trucks get into the 300/400 klms but can you wait that long?
cheers
mike
Link:- www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php?t=106338
Cheers Gyp's
the unfortunate part about the "hand grenade" saga of the 3.0 is that whether the problem is sorted or not, the resale is shocking.
And it'll be much worse when the new V6td comes out.
Been on the road three months now, if you can get a choice, go the 4.2
The 3 lt has the "Hand grenade "tag if used for towing, regardless of any that may not have suffered this fate or not, the tag is still there. Top class drive train in this vehicle, and you will struggle to bust it.
Oh I have a toejoe, for no other reason I got a deal on ex work vehicle
Be very carefull with the new Patrols,Parks Victoria have just put all their ones off the road. 93 of them are unroadworthy because of stress cracks in the frames,some of these cars have never gone off road. We have had fuel tanks and wheels fall off and clutches and diffs explode. Buy with caution. The older ones have been much better.
Thanks for the info
I'm confused now - I'm after a 4wd wagon and the landcruiser is a bit too much.
There doesn't seem to be any others on the market that I think are suitable.
Any ideas will be well accepted.
wayne
I've got a LC 100 GXL standard diesel (105) with an after market turbo, goes great. If you're not after a solid front axle, get the latest model factory turbo LC 100 series you can afford, great motor.
I've heard the Patrol 4.2 TD run hot towing but as I said, go talk to a diesel mechanic
Also don't discount a petrol cruiser, poop loads cheaper, cost more in fuel but less bank interest and you'll do plenty of K's on the purchase price saving
Patrol / Cruiser
Petrol / Diesel
Blond / Brunette
Boobs / Legs
Cheers Uncle Bob
What fb said above or
the 4.2 patrol in the lowest kms best condition possible. If it's older than say 10'years spend some dollars on it coz you've got it cheapish anyway. If you've maintained cooling system well (get it flushed properly) it won't cook. It willrun warmer as mentioned but in tolerance.
Same goes for old landcruiser but I know me old tonker poo troll better.
If you get the three litre, you can be happy coz you got it cheap, it's fuel economy can be ok, it will have all the creature comforts and smoothness of a modern car. And you won't get any speeding fines when towing. Alot of people have them and the guys on patrol forum are a wealth of knowledge and confusion not unlike here!!!!!
I have a 94 diesel patrol ute 4.2 no turbo just got to 260k
Paid 10k (it was in good condition and advertised for 14)
If I spent say 15k on it .. It would leave everything for dead I'm sure. Which is what you would pay for a good condition newish car.
Worth thinking about all the things you could do after you've bought it. Especially having driven it around a while looking at the other dudes and becoming friends with her!!! That way you can sell it and try again if you think she is a bit suss.
Try to get good service history is a real bonus.
Hi Wayne
I Love 4wd's I own a 94mod 4.2td 80 series, my mates own and have owned
4.2d gq patrol
4.2td gq patrol
4.2td gu patrol
4.8ti petrol gu patrol
60 series petrol landcrusier
70 series 4.2td landcruiser
Many many diesel and petrol surf's and 4 runners
And a few late model nissan navara's
Every vehicle has been excellent, all have issues and fuel consumption can range from 11lt/100kms(navara) to 28lt/100kms(4.8 petrol gu patrol) all of these vehicles tow decent weights the non turbo's all struggle up hills but will still get there.
The older turbo's 60-70 series and gq turbo(non factory) will overheat on long hills and those who wish to sit on 120kms towing will aslo have a high temp needle.4
All of the above vehicles where owned by a large racing team mechanic and a shop supervisor and I am also a aircraft engineer. We choose these vehicle's with many many hrs (sometimes weeks) of research.
We all have stayed away from the 3lt patrol due many reason as in above post and many more unlisted just on the engine. Gu patrols also can suffer from major rust as we have found out.
If you want long term reliability vehicle with good resale, minimal maitenance cost
go the navara or the 100 series 4.2td landcruiser you should get either of these vehicles for 25k-30k in top condition and hopefully with a few outback mods.
Time is your friend and enemy. We have found it takes 1day to 3months to get the car we want. I had to wait 5yrs due to finnancial issues.
Happy hunting and I hope this helps. happy to give detailed advice on any of the above vehicles if req.
Cheers
G`day Wayne, If your looking for a mid priced forby the patrols are a winner. The 4.2T`s that is!
I`d much rather a detuned turbo six with the pontential to pump out twice the power, (which the 4.2`s are) than a highly strung 4cyl with every last drop of power squeezed out of it.
A 4 cyl pushing 2.5 tonnes of car, load it up, tow your `3 tonnes` claimed towing capacity and youve got 6T GCM! Thats gotta kill a 3 litre motor.
I`ve got a Patrol 4.2T ute bog stock and it does run hot towing or in soft sand, but thats after having my foot flat for ages. A bigger exhaust will fix that prob, as the stock pipes are what cause em to run hot.
My mates got a tweeked up one and it fangs! It`ll drag off the new diesel landys.
You`ll get a good one for about 25k, spend 5k making it how you want, and it`ll last for ever, just remember they love fresh oil 5-8000ks.
Get the coils to, it`s a much nicer ride!
Happy fourbying
I'm sure you have all heard the term,
'INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION
But some may not know exactly what it means.
When one front wheel of a vehicle hits
a bump or pothole,
it will move up or down to compensate
while the other wheel remains steady.
Both wheels are independent of each other,
hence that expression.
Watch the TV commercial for the Nissan Pathfinder,
to find out exactly how this works.
Brilliantly explained
Hey wayneg, Got a mate who HaD the 3.0 turbo and er blew the turbo within 3000 k, had it fixed and is still going.
You stated you wanted a wagon , 3 cars ago i had a 100 series that did everything well even with a fully ladin trailer . was a bit of a slug if you want power, but a great vehicle . Since have had an 08 hilux diesel (slug as well) followed by the latest 140 kw navara, it blows nearly every 4 bee away.
where are you know?
where are you know?
