what next?

[savaloy]

Hi all Early next year I am going to change my mistral for, probably a T2, Ive read on here on some posts that the 3.0 Ltr is hard work to maintain? in what ways? cambelts? are they much better than a 2.7 or not worth the effort? my mistral has been awesome but getting on a bit now (96) and will need a good few quid spending on her next time round ( MOT ), also when towing my van i only get 16 MPG from what i can gather you guys get much better returns towing from your T2s. advice from the experienced will be greatly appreciated :thumb2

 

[solarman216]

Well I am a petrol fan and tow lots, even well overloaded never had less than 21 to the gallon and it pulls like a train, Rick

 

[lacroupade]

Even with a T2 you'll be lucky to get much over 20mpg towing anything heavy to be honest.

Theres no serious evidence that I'm aware of that makes the 3.0 any harder work than the 2.7 - and in return you get 32-33mpg combined (compared to 25-27mpg) and another 33bhp on top of the T2s output.

When it was in the Patrol, the 3.0 had a few issues but they were all ironed out before it was dropped into the T2.

Bit of a no-brainer really if you can find one at the right price that hasn't had a hard life.. :thumb2

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

well i had the bad experiences with a 3.0 troll

and gone back to what i started with a 2.7td t2

i am a bit once bitten twice shy of the 3.0 zd
but accept in the later trucks were better.

however, its worth remembering that any open
heart surgery on the zd is going to cost you more.

replacing head gasket on 2.7 is 7 hours on the zd
its 13 hours, so at x per hour you'll know about it
if it does fail.

that said i think the the 2.7 tdi at 125bhp is pretty
good, was a great improvement on the 100bhp
2.7 td non intercooler, obviously the 'tronics helped
the 25% boost not just the 'air rad'.

the mistral was never built for towing, the japs dont
tow like we do. so your mpg may well be down to
the slush box and gearing.

I can get about 22mpg with 1700kg twin axle, the
same as i got with the troll!

I'd try tdi then chip it if need be.

Do you need an auto, the 2.7tdi auto has gross
trailer weight 1800kg, the 3.0 tdi auto 2000kg
versus 2800 and 3000 kg for the manuals.

 

[savaloy]

thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated, next time i will defo be going for the manual whichever engine i get, like you say i will see whats the best deal around at the time, again many thanks.