Diesel v Petrol power

[Begbie]

Hi there, i am going to trade my petrol NL Essape against an NM and am in 2 minds about getting petrol or diesel.

I dont really go offroad (we go camping and fishing a fair bit, but not really 4x4ing).

The manual petrol powered NL is pretty powerful on the road it almost drives like a car. Are the turbo diesel NM the same do you think? Or do you ahve put your put down a lot more in the deisel to get the same result and therfore costing you more money?

If i ahve a turbo diesel and have a bit of a lead foot is this more expensive to run than a petrol wirth a lead foot?

[-Scott-]

The 2.8 diesel won't match the 3.5 performance without some significant work. I've heard that the 3.2 DiD will leave the 3.5 petrol behind, with economy in another league. If you can stretch to a DiD machine, that would be the best option.

If the 2.8 is the only diesel in the picture it becomes a tougher decision. How remote do you go on your camping and fishing trips? Driven with care you'll get greater range from the diesel, and in more remote areas petrol can be harder to find than diesel.

Personally, I'd take a diesel - either engine.

Cheers,

Scott

[neilyhead]

I don't think you can even compare the 3.5 petrol against the 2.8 diesel in terms of power. The 3.5 produces 140kW and the 2.8 produces a meagre 92 kW. I am happy with the performance of my 2.8, but I didn't buy it for the power!

The best fuel economy I have had was 10l/100km (sedate city driving) and the worst was 16l/100km (touring). The touring figure is so high because I was fully loaded with camping crap, sitting on 110km/hr and overtaking (120-140 km/hr) occasionally. The 2.8 diesel does not really like sitting on 110km/hr in terms of fuel economy.

[Bitsamissin]

If you can stretch it go for a NP 3.2DiD, absolutely awesome motor that is comparable to the 3.5V6 in power but craps all over it in economy.
If it's down to a NM petrol or the 2.8Tdi I'd go the petrol because the NM is about 200kg heavier than a NL so the economy probably won't be far off the petrol anyway.

[Begbie]

NP 3.2 are like 30k+ i am really 25k max.

So i will just stick with Petrol i think. Maybe next time i can get the Diesel :(

[DougH]

What is this 3.2 diesel???

I wish they offered a mid sized diesel here in the us. It is either tiny or huge, nothing in between.

[Bitsamissin]

http://www.webwombat.com/motoring/news_ ... diesel.htm

This motor was released in Oz last year in the Gen 3 and it is widely recognized as the best diesel motor in a Oz 4x4.
It's a 3.2ltr, straight 4, DOHC, 16V, direct injection diesel (DiD), turbocharged & intercooled with drive by wire and fully electronically controlled. Power is 121Kw and 373Nm of torque, because it's maximum torque is produced at only 2000rpm it has exceptional low down pulling ability. Many owners claim it will rival or if not better a 3.5 V6 in performance. The economy is also a highlight with this motor with figures of 10.5-11ltr per 100km for city driving and as low as 9ltr per 100km for country runs. This motor is also available with the tiptronic 5sp auto which by all accounts works extremely well.
The current 2005 model Gen 3 has whats called MATT (Mitsu All Terrain Technology) standard across the range. This incorporates ABS with traction control, hill descent assist and some other friggin thing I can't remember (the rear lsd is now deleted).
I drove a 5sp manual DiD last year and I couldn't believe the pick up, crap all over my 3.0 V6 5sp (even with 31's on) and I thought at the time it would give a 3.5 V6 a run for it's money.
Hard to think of a better tourer with that much power & economy with decent cargo space and reasonable offroad ability for the family bloke. There is now plenty of aftermarket stuff available for the Gen 3 as they are quite popular here so you can build up a decent truck.

[4ePajero]

What is this 3.2 diesel???

This is what it looks like (in a Gen2 engine bay):



Pictures of it in a NM will show only plastic covers!

I am currently fitting one to my 1989 Gen1 LWB Exceed (NG/NF).

If you want to read more about this project, look here:

http://4xforum.co.za/cgi-bin/YaBB/YaBB. ... 1110265157

[DougH]

Maybe in a couple of years I will get one from a wrecker. I can dream right.

[Rossco]

The 3.2 DiD was also in the later model NM's about '03 early '04. In my opinion the diesel's go harder than the 3.5 v6

[TONKA PAJ]

Would'nt go harder than my paj.....

3.5 dohc + 5 spd + light j top body = ShortyIQ quick 4x4!!

[6G74]

Many ppl have actually said the 3.2did goes harder then both 3.5sohc and dohc... lets clear this up a little bit.

Fact: both the auto and manual stock DID are not quicker off the mark then a manual 3.5dohc (up to 80kmh)
Fact: both the auto and manual stock DID are not quicker off the mark then a manual 3.5sohc (up to 80kmh although its very close)

The auto 3.5's? got not idea but i would imagine they would be side by side

The DID is no sloutch and coming from any petrol 4wd u will not be disapointed about the performance, you will though be very impressed by the torque, brilliant economy and towing ability!

On the other hand, u dont buy a 4wd for its off the mark performance, both will be quite capable off road. If the noise didnt bother me as much as it does, the DID is by far the winner!

[4ePajero]

I never thought I would see a direct comparison between a diesel and a 24V V-6 of similar displacements!

Just the fact that they compare, says a lot for the DiD.

If there was a "factor" that took the following into account, it would make for interesting comparisons:

kW
Nm
0-80
l/100km

Put priority on eg l/100km / kW, and very few engines would beat the DiD.

[TONKA PAJ]

Yep, i completly agree with the fact that it's a great oil burner, and by far the best in it's class.

2 be totally honest, i'd love to drop the DiD im my j top if funds permitted. Im sure stock, it would go just as hard, if not harder that the 3.5 thats in it now.

And with a big front mount intercooler, 3" exhaust, and a bit more boost, damn it'd fly!!!!