Newby

[BernardM]

1. Name: Bernard Meyer (BernardM)

2. Birthday and Age: 20 May /45

3. Town and Country of residence: Pretoria

4. Home Language: Afrikaans/German

5. Occupation/Business: Automation Commissioning Engineer / Self Employed

6. Family status: Married/ 1 daughter

7. Membership - Other 4X4 Clubs and Forums: 4x4 Community, Wegry Kampvuur, Wegsleep forum, Syncro SA, Aircooled VW SA

8. Current 4x4: VW Syncro Kombi, VW Syncro DC

9. Current Mods: Off-road shock & springs, long range tanks, dual spare wheels, roof rack, rack system for fridge & camp kitchen

10. Mods on wish list: Rear discs

11. Vehicle on wish list: Patrol

12. Previous 4x4's: None

13. Last 3 offroad or overland destinations: Botswana, Zimbabwe

14. Your favourite destination: Botswana

15. Other hobbies: Camping

16. GPSr and Map Data used: Garmin 760 with T4A, Tablet with Sygic Mapping

17. Rate your 4X4 and overlanding experience: 5/10

18. Online Photo Site:

19. Photos of you and your Vehicle:


Hello to everyone. Obviously I am new to the forum.

I have basically driven only VWs for most of my life, but I have always had a thing for Patrols and I think that it might be time to get one.
So now I need to decide which model to go for. My brother-in-law, who has had probably all the Nissans ever made, suggested a 4.8 liter.

What do you guys suggest SGL, 4.5, 4.8, diesel? Unfortunately I'm not Rockerfeller, so I'm looking at something that I can buy cash.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Etienne Gous]

Welcome Bernard

Also new on Forum, but I am sure you will get all the info you require from the members
Good luck with your search

[Tinus lotz]

Welcome man ....hope you find your patrol soon what is the buget then we can help you look? ??

[offroadbiker]

Welcome

[rvanrooyen]

Welcome!!!

[ricster]

Welcome Herr Bernard, Wow quite a few German speaking guys joining the forum, I'm feeling a little over-krauted.... .... just kidding !! We are neighbours, I have Austrian blood running in my veins.

But as for Patrol choice, it depends on what you are going to use it for. Are you looking at economy, or are you looking to do more sand dune driving.... etc etc

3.0 Diesel post 2004, is a VERY capable vehicle !!!! with plenty of oomph( Very economical on fuel)
3.0 Diesel pre 2004, is also VERY capable, but must be bought for a good price to be able to spend a few Rands on making sure the motor is 100% ( lots of info here and on Aussie forums about the 3.0 issues) ( Very economical on fuel)
4.2 Diesel, Without the turbo its a bit of a donkey, with the turbo, its a fairly fast donkey ( Reasonably economical on fuel, depending on how you drive, open road or stop start)
4.2 Petrol, Will be GQ shape Patrol. Not as powerful as the 4.5 / 4.8 Petrol, but reliable. (not economical)
4.5 Petrol, Will be GU shape Patrol. Reasonably powerful engine, but will give you, as the decal on the door says 4500....... 4.5Km/l
4.8 Petrol, Slightly more powerful than the 4.5. Slightly better power, but again you don't buy a petrol for fuel economy. This is probably the best towing vehicle out of MOST popular brands due to the ( I think) 3.5 ton towing rating !!!

Whatever you choose, you will not be sorry !!!

[IanT]

Hi Bernard and welcome here! I agree we are being invaded by Germans of late! Don't listen to Cedric on the Diesels he has just inhaled too many diesel fumes!! Only joking Patrols are incredible machines and will not let you down if looked after. I see you live in PTA why not try and join us for a beer tonight (under pub night on the forum) then you can pick all our brains (will have diesel, 4.5 and 4.8 owners there)

[BernardM]

Thanks for all the welcome messages and the info.

For now my budget is around R80k-R100k but I might be able to push that to R150k in the near future. I accept that I'll need to spend money on repairs if I'm shopping in that price range.
I am looking for something that is reliable with spares readily available as well as trust worthy people to work on the vehicle if needed. I can do a lot of things myself, but due to work, I don't always have the time to do it. I might want to tow a trailer or small caravan with it. Consumption is not the biggest issue as I will only use it for trips and weekend excursions and that would probably be only 4-5 times a year.
My main requirement is reliability. On my last 6 trips since April last year I have had something break on each of my vehicles despite spending literally tens of thousands rands on them for maintenance. It just puts a dampner on your holiday if you have vehicle problems.

@Ricster
Fortunately I'm not the German in the family but I'm surrounded by them.

[Marino4x4]

Hoop jy kry jou kar vinnig. Graham (PathMaker) sal vir jou deur die kar wat jy wil koop gaan sodat jy nie iets koop met probleme nie. Sy nommer is iewers op die forum. Hy is die makkie wat meeste van die manne se karre diens in Gauteng. Hy lewer die dien for free.

Die 4.5's wissel van R70k - R140K. Die 4.8's begin by R160k - die prys van n nuwe kar. Die eerste 4.8 is 2002 modelle. In 2005 was daar n face lift.

Sterkte met die soektog.

[IanT]

Hi Bernard, I disagree with that sort of money you should find something nice, remember patrols that have been well maintained do not break! I can think of two good ones for sale at the moment from this forum my green 2001 4.5 and Marks think it is a 1999 4.5 GRX both with lots of extras on and they are going for between R110 and R120, my one has been serviced and checked over by Graham already