Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Limited Edition: Ownership Review

[A.G.]

Yes sir, current odo stands around 29,600 Kms after 14months and a couple of days . The hectic schedule and addictive drive of the Pajero Sport ensured that 1st, 2nd and 3rd service were completed in 22 days, 5th month and 9th month of ownership. Another 800 Kms drive already lined-up right after service .

 

[Iron Rock]

Thats phenomenal!

Did you change the brake pads yet or still on original ones ?

 

[A.G.]

The brake pads were changed at 3rd service. One of the brake wear indicator of the front pad had somehow broken on my way to service center. Luckily, it did not damage the disc. They could have lasted for another 4000 Kms but had to go ahead with the replacement.

 

[Sharpshooter]

Hi A.G. Congratulations on a nice review and great pics and your experience so far. All the best for the future. The K&N Filter was not a warranty issue?

 

[A.G.]

Thank you Sharpshooter.

Can't comment on the warranty aspect of K&N filter and it would be a similar debate whether warranty would be valid or not after Cruise Control installation or after using service parts from outside like Brake pads, air filter, cabin air filter, etc. I hope I never have to encounter warranty for anything related to engine and even if I have to, I have well documented the state of the filter and air box after nearly every 5000 Kms since the install and would hope for a logical conclusion.

Till then, simply enjoying the benefits of K&N .

 

[Bevivek]

AG, thanks for a crisp and informative review and for the snaps of the yellow and white beast.

I was particularly happy with your comparisons of the 2 Pajeros since it is one of the questions I have had for a while.

K&N air filter has solved the turbo lag issue to quite an extent.

I have a new bought Pajero (Blue colour) and am still in the glow of finding myself driving such a great machine. Will probably open a thread to discuss that. But great as the experience is, agree with you, Chetak, IR (and perhaps every PS owner) that the turbo lag at low revs is an irritant (particularly on slopes and where I live is full of ups and downs). Happy to hear that the KN solved the problem. Can you share which was the specific KN model you have purchased and where you bought it?

Thanks

 

[A.G.]

Thank you Bevivek. Blue was the other colour I had my heart on - congratulations on your new truck.

Can you share which was the specific KN model you have purchased and where you bought it?

The K&N air filter part number for Pajero Sport is 33-2951. You will also need their cleaning kit having part number 99-5050. Both are available at a better price on amazon.in. Unfortunately, amazon could not deliver it to my place and I got it directly from Moto Adda (now Rising Moto) Bangalore as recommended by K&N India.

 

[Bevivek]

Thank you Bevivek. Blue was the other colour I had my heart on - congratulations on your new truck.

Yes, it is a stunning colour and don't understand why hardly anyone goes in for it (or so the dealer said).

Don't want to hijack your thread but a snap of my own machine. I had the Pajero Sports decal removed.

The K&N air filter part number for Pajero Sport is 33-2951. You will also need their cleaning kit having part number 99-5050. Both are available at a better price on amazon.in. Unfortunately, amazon could not deliver it to my place and I got it directly from Moto Adda (now Rising Moto) Bangalore as recommended by K&N India.

Thanks. Two questions.

a) Is the difference in low rev torque palpable with the K&N and over all gears? Will be great if you can expand a bit on the post K&N experience.

b) The K&N site says that its usage does not void warranty. Did you check with the dealer on this or is it a kind of gentleman's agreement that they will look the other way?

 

[A.G.]

Looks stunning

Thanks. Two questions.

a. Indeed, the difference is evident over all the gears. Earlier accelerating from 30 Kmph in 3rd gear or from 60 Kmph in 5th gear, the response was quite sluggish it felt that the engine is lugging. With the K&N, the hesitation is gone and it accelerates quite smoothly from even these speeds.
b. I did not check with the dealer to leave it as an open question .

 

[A.G.]

First Service Experience:


The First Service was done at Excel Motors, New Delhi at 1,042 Kms after 22 days. The basic service went smoothly and I even got the anti-rust package.

The main issue, which had been communicated in advance, was the demonstration of Rear Entertainment package. The pre-sales documents shared with me showed that all the 3 screens i.e. the front screen of the music system and 2 headrest mounted screens could show the same video. However, I was unable to replicate the same and asked for a demo.

After the service, I was asked to make the payment. On enquiring about the demo I was shocked at their reply that this is an after market install and they cannot help. Asked them to check with the sales team after which the service team informed that they did not know when this was provided by the company. They tried all combinations in the settings but could not succeed. They simply asked to pay, leave and check with showroom directly. Went to their showroom and they had no clue of what I was asking even after looking at the pictures. They checked with Nippon as they are the suppliers for both the music system and the kit for the rear entertainment system. The response from Nippon too was that they don’t know of any such feature.

In the mean time, I got to know that Vivek Autolinks people had seen this feature working. I got in touch with the company and they promptly helped by arranging a visit with a team from Nippon at Vivek Autolinks. During the visit, Nippon people again denied that such a thing was possible. Based on their response, I failed to understand why they had called me and themselves come for the visit.

Finally, after half a day, it was concluded that the cable harness had some wires missing. Nippon people even went to the extent of blaming the selling dealer for having removed some of the wires from the sealed harness they provided to the company as part of the kit. Agreed that the fitment was not as per the instructions as the wiring was not tapped with scotch locks but still their reply was simply ridiculous.

As this team from Nippon did not try the system in their lab, they did not bring the solution (new harness) with them. I clearly communicated that the fix has to be done today. The cable harness was not in Nippon’s office either and finally they procured some cables and connectors from the local market and by the end of the day, they are able to fix the issue.

In the end, I was happy with the support of the company who got Nippon to do what they were supposed to do.

 

[A.G.]

Additions Part 1 - 3D mats, GPS tracker, Dashcam Installation: (November 2014)

3D Mats
The original mats provided by the company were small especially for the 2nd row. Found only one source selling 3D mats for the Pajero Sport in November 2014. They are made by a company named Digifit. They are okay for the price but quality could have been better. The driver’s mat has hard plastic in the middle on which the foot slips. The 3rd row mats were not 3D from day one and some of the other mats have started losing their shape. Getting the 2nd and 3rd row mats cleaned daily was an issue as they are one piece and removing them for cleaning usually threw the dirt around. Using the original mats inside the 3D mats to save cleaning time.

For the boot, I am using a custom mat cut out from thin flooring carpet. It also has a slit in the middle to allow the 3rd row seats to fold-unfold individually without hassle.


Front Mat

Middle Row Mat

Middle Row Mat with Original Mat placed inside it

Boot Mat

GPS Tracker
The service manual showed that there are many customization features available in the Pajero Sport. However, the security feature could not be activated. Looked for alternatives and found only one company having free for life GPS tracker. Got their MV1C model (Link: GPS Tracker | MV1C) for Rs. 2,500/-. The setup was fairly easy. Only problem is that my expectations exceeded their support capabilities. One particular feature (Engine Hours) used to never work earlier and now counts hours even with Engine Off. Overall, I am happy with the product. For testing, I had installed it near the rear door and finally moved it to inside of the dashboard. Once it had to be removed because of FM reception issue which Nippon engineers, sitting in their office, claimed to be because of the wireless interference from the GPS tracker. Finally, after the real fault was found, it was again placed inside the dashboard hidden from view.

Dashcam
For one of my projects involving high speed air, I had got the SJ4000Wifi to record videos. After serving it’s duty, it was lying idle with me when in end November I mounted it in the Pajero Sport. The quality of the video is quite good even during the night and the wide angle lens is really a boon. On a 32GB memory card, it captures 10 hours of video at 720p before looping it over. There have been instances where the camera has come-in handy.

Dashcam installation front view

Dashcam installation from side - planning to buy a longer power cable to conceal the wiring

 

[kinshuk.arya]

Hey AG,

Can you post some pics of the dashcam in action during night and day? i am also looking for a dashcam for my Optimus.

Regards,
Kinshuk

 

[TSIVipul]

Caution: Long post!!

@A.G. Aji sunte ho ji
Sirji congratulations for the acquisition and wishing you many happy miles. Residing in Roorkee; I hope you may have crushed enough of the hilly roads of Uttarakhand in the Pajero, if not, then it is injustice to the R&D teams of Mitsubishi. Let me start my wastage of time now (Yaa, I believe in saving water (By not bathing and washing my vehicles) and wasting time).

Brought in June 2011, it turned out to be a lemon vehicle replacing another lemon vehicle (Scorpio Vlx AT 2WD).

it's because of the lemon vehicles only that we recognize the value of reliability and durability. Have lived with one lemon in past and quickly (within months) changed to something reliable.

B. Hyundai Santa Fe 4WD Auto: Somehow, I was not ready to put down 30+ Lakh on a Hyundai.

Exactly same feeling.

C. Audi A4 / Q3: Dropped the idea in the dilemma.

I was in similar dilemma a few months back and then IR came to my rescue. His advise did nothing but made me jump the budget!
The car is there and it's pics and review will come up only after IR drives it once, till then nothing.

D. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: I wanted to have another test drive but some how got convinced to try a Toyota.

Awesome vehicle and have driven one a bit. No offense but I can't digest one in my garage as I am unable to find it's design suited to my taste (Listening IR?). SFX is my choice any day else it will be T-Fort.

E. Toyota Fortuner: Finally, I concluded booking was the only way forward as the ‘Tatkaal’ amount on the Toyota Fortuner (which I got to know from another source), was a cool 10% of ex-showroom price (that too for white colour) which would be charged in form of accessories. On the last Navratri, I was about to book a Blue 4WD when came a shocking reply from the dealer that a committed delivery date can be given only for white colour and for ‘odd’ colours (which included all other colour excluding white), there would be no commitment. They will ‘try’ to get the vehicle delivered in 6-8 months. The answer was a firm NO. The Dealer and Toyota jointly ensured that I do not buy a Toyota Fortuner after wasting nearly 15 days.

Similar was my story way back in May. I was interesting in having a Fortuner 4*4 A/T in blue color and was quoted a good waiting period. Finally everything settled for a good 'tatkal' amount that was somewhere around 16.66% of the OTR price of the vehicle (No dealer was willing to give the vehicle before 4-5 months, 3 was minimum I got). I nearly got ready with 'tatkal' amount (No accessories for me, only cash payment on the basis of goodwill, no receipts too) when I came to know that they can supply only the white color car even after all this and that also around 30-45 days.
I cracked a joke and rejected the offer right there. Actually I haven't found it sensible to buy in September or October; better will be to same some more moolah and get a new generation Fortuner in 2016 or the new gen Innova (I am driving my second Innova now). Rest now I will be back to student life and hence back to my true love; the powerful and fast hatchbacks. Got a Polo TDi which I will be modding once every quarter (that makes 8 mods in 2 years).

I had tried so hard with all available approaches to get the Toyota Fortuner but couldn’t succeed and a casual call one day yielded fruitful result with the Pajero Sport. In all probability, it was destiny itself that ensured I do not buy a vehicle which meant compromising on the short requirement list.

Sirji mark my word, I envy Pajero owners at times. They are an extremely proud lot and they always consider Fortuner a segment lower (especially the SFX owners). Recently I was searching for a used SFX for a friend when I came to know of some grim realities.

• No matter what, an SFX owner will always ask insane money for even 10 year old well maintained SFX of his.
• Just tell them that how you found Fortuner or Pajero sport better and maybe he will decide not to sell his SFX to you (This nearly happened to me)
• Don't negotiate. When SFX owners say price is negotiable; they simply mean that they will get you a cup of tea or at max the worn out tyres replacement funding which will be 5000 rupees for 5 tyres.
• Had been to a dealer friend and told him the requirement of my friend (less than 5 years old, less than 60k kms, no accidents, well maintained, service record preserved and for 6 lac); the dealer laughed for half an hour and told me "Bhai, I myself will keep that vehicle, why willI sell it?)
• One thing for sure, the price SFX has seen a bump in used car market since it is discontinued and sports came. Many experienced dealers had to say the same thing that "people come asking for SFX just because they didn't liked the new one".

Exterior and Design: The Pajero Sport design is in-line with modern times but the way the design of Pajero SFX defined and made a bold statement about it’s purpose is lacking in the character of Pajero Sport. The design of the Pajero SFX is a timeless classic.

Indeed, had Mitsubishi retained some of those design cues; maybe the Sport would have been a bigger hit.

Interiors and Features: The Pajero SFX is old school with interiors having the same feel.

Saarji that classic looking speedo console is just awesome. <3

Engine and Performance: The Pajero SFX with no turbo lag and short gearing still has the best driveability in city and off-road. The Pajero Sport has a hint of turbo lag but once overcome, it has the more entertaining drive. The Pajero SFX had quite a roar in the cabin on the highway due to it’s short gearing but nothing like that in the Pajero Sport. The braking response is linear and the stopping power provided is reassuring. The overall performance of the Pajero Sport is more than satisfying. It is equally competent off-road as it is in munching up miles all day long.

Completely agree. I have a bit lesser experience with Pajero Sport, longest I have driven the Sport is on the route from Meerut - Srinagar Garhwal and back (The road between Muzaffarnagar and Haridwar is less than existent). The pace with which I covered the entire route in the Pajero sport was phenomenal. The points where people were moving at snail pace; I was simply rallying and overtaking everyone (The girl sitting besides me started vomiting though). The engine is just required to be kept above 1500 (Boost starts building at 1400 itself I guess and around 1600-1700 it starts showing full effect) and below 3000, maintaining the same is a very fun filled affair; especially on dual carriageways.

Super Select 4WD: The under-development road infrastructure offers stretches which provides some Heart-in-Mouth moments. Again & again, the Pajero Sport proves it’s mantel with it’s composed and reassuring drive. A simple change from 2H to 4H makes the best even better. Immediately, the agility level changes to an entirely different level with the leech like grip proving useful while traversing the broken mountain roads or muddy under-construction roads. The confidence level is so high that even on the muddy patches extending for kilometres altogether, it is easy to traverse these stretches with decent speed.

Never in my life got a chance/need to shift to 4H (Not even on the way to Ladakh) under regular driving conditions. Would love to test the same some day though. Car of choice? The PS of IR

B1 – The low set front passenger seat.

Never an issue. IMO it is more of a psychological issue saarji. For anyone coming from sedans like Corolla, Laura etc which have a high set dash, this is absolutely normal. For the drivers coming from the likes of Aria, Safari, Scorpio, SFX etc, this will be an issue for sure.

B3 – The clutch becomes heavier in stop & go traffic.

Sprung action. Just try to release the last 10% of clutch slowly and let the other 90% throw itself around, maybe this will help. Actually the half clutch driving is an issue not just with the sport, many turbo diesels (especially the torquey ones) suffer with this issue.

 

[A.G.]

Can you post some pics of the dashcam in action during night and day?

Hello Kinshuk, don't have any recent videos but sharing screenshot from some old ones.

Day Time

Night Time with lights solely from Pajero Sport on Highway

Night Time in city

Caution: Long post!!

Thanks for your in-depth reading TSIVipul. Haven't crushed much of hills except a couple of trips to Dehradun and Nainital. But have got plenty of opportunity to do justice to the R&D of Mitsubishi.

it's because of the lemon vehicles only that we recognize the value of reliability and durability.

So true and you have great luck that you got rid of the lemon within months.

The car is there and it's pics and review will come up only after IR drives it once, till then nothing.

I hope IR drives it soon.

SFX is my choice any day else it will be T-Fort.

Atleast SFX is always a clear winner .

Finally everything settled for a good 'tatkal' amount that was somewhere around 16.66% of the OTR price of the vehicle

16.66% of OTR and I thought I was being robbed with 10% of ex-showroom for the 'tatkaal'.

They are an extremely proud lot and they always consider Fortuner a segment lower (especially the SFX owners). Recently I was searching for a used SFX for a friend when I came to know of some grim realities.

Being a SFX owner myself, I can't help but agree with you. It just seems you have read my mind.

Never in my life got a chance/need to shift to 4H (Not even on the way to Ladakh) under regular driving conditions.

I shift to 4H at the slightest hint of bad surface following the proverb prevention is better than cure. But yes, the conditions I have encountered, most of them didn't actually require 4H but playing it oversafe, I used it.

Sprung action. Just try to release the last 10% of clutch slowly and let the other 90% throw itself around, maybe this will help.

I will definitely give it a try.

 

[Chetak]

a. Indeed, the difference is evident over all the gears. Earlier accelerating from 30 Kmph in 3rd gear or from 60 Kmph in 5th gear, the response was quite sluggish it felt that the engine is lugging. With the K&N, the hesitation is gone and it accelerates quite smoothly from even these speeds.

Did you install the K&N cylindrical filter or the OE replacement filter that fits into the original air filter casing?