Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Limited Edition: Ownership Review

[A.G.]

^^ It is the K&N OE Replacement Air Filter (Part# 33-2951, Link). The vehicle application list however does not show Pajero Sport but L200 only both of which have the 2.5L Diesel engine (Link). I'll post more details about the filter soon .

 

[A.G.]

Additions Part 2 – Cruise Control Installation: (December 2014 + October 2015)
A couple of days after purchase, while searching for the service manual for the Pajero Sport, I came across the thread for installation of Cruise Control (Link). Somehow, I was unaware of the thread of Iron Rock and checked the wiring in the steering wheel as described . After seeing the wires planned on installing it. Researched further and found that the parts are common with Outlander and Lancer Evo both of which had been sold officially in India. This opened the possibility of a dealer install and it became a priority mod now. Communicated the part numbers to Excel Motors during the 1st service and got an absurd pricing. During the visit to Vivek Autolinks for the rear entertainment issue, the parts were ordered. They got the parts in first week of December 2014 and I got them installed at the first opportunity taking the print of the link along as this was the first install for them. The final total came to Rs. 8,273/-.

Over the time, I noticed that if clutch was pressed accidently with cruise engaged, the engine revs would rise and would then fall back to idle after disengaging the cruise. Referred the service manual and found that cruise control for manual transmission needs a clutch detection switch also. The part number could not be found and I dropped the idea. Recently while communicating with Iron Rock, the need for the clutch switch re-ignited. Tried all routes and finally found the part number in one of the picture showing all 3 parts. Immediately checked with Vivek Autolinks and all hopes were lost as the part came with the name Switch Stop. Still, took the plunge and asked them to get one as in pictures in the link above, it looked quite similar to the existing Clutch pedal stop nut. After delay, they finally got the part in October 2015.

The real trouble was in locating the connector to connect the switch. Before the switch came, I tried really hard even with a camera to locate the hidden connector but could not. The dealer tried and they too could not locate the connector. Once the part was in hand, all efforts were put down and the connector was located hiding on top of the beam supporting the dashboard. After that, it was a simple replacement with only and important care being taken to match the position of the stop bolt on the switch with that of the removed bolt to avoid the need for calibration. This third part completed the cruise control for the MT .

Completing the look on the steering

A close-up of the cruise controls

Image of all 3 cruise parts (Source link)

 

[Bevivek]

Looks stunning

Thanks AG

b. I did not check with the dealer to leave it as an open question

Good news. I checked with the Pune dealer and ASS folk and the warranty will not be voided if we change. The ASS engineer said we will keep the current filter and if the K&N does not work, then voila, the old one can go back.

I have ordered the filter from Amazon.in. Got it for Rs. 5616/- They deliver to my address. 'Same day' delivery which in the curious semantics of Amazon means delivery by 8 pm Monday 21st December cost me Rs. 100/- more.

Incidentally my 1K free service check is due next week and I have scheduled it for 22nd December. Looking forward to the K&N effect because seriously the low rev turbo lag is quite tiresome.

Went to Bombay and back today so the odometer says 950 now. Will reach 1000 by the time I get to the ASS centre.

 

[A.G.]

I checked with the Pune dealer and ASS folk and the warranty will not be voided if we change.

Great to know that the dealer is extending it's support. Looking forward to your experience with the K&N air filter.

 

[Bevivek]

Looking forward to your experience with the K&N air filter.

Replaced air filter with K&N today during 1K service. Will report soon on K&N vs Old air filter for Pajero Sports.

The After Sales Service provider in Pune is Pethkar Motors and their reception area lists the Mitsubishi models: Lancer, Cedia, Montero, Outlander, Evolution, Pajero, Pajero Sports. I was thrilled to notice Evolution in the list and asked the service engineer if an Evolution was in the garage. He smiled and said, "There is only 1 Evolution in Pune".

Evolution in its short life it seems to have already become legendary. Two engineers in the service center were raving about how it was a Lamborghini beater

All the vehicles in the service centre were either Cedia, SFX, Sports or Outlander.

 

[Chetak]

Evolution in its short life it seems to have already become legendary. Two engineers in the service center were raving about how it was a Lamborghini beater

Tell me about it. Bangalore has 4 EVOs and when out on the road, they garner more eyeballs than any Ferrari or Lamborghini does.

Mitsubishi Motors is an expert in killing brands and products with true legacy and fan following.

 

[Bevivek]

Mitsubishi Motors is an expert in killing brands and products with true legacy and fan following.

Amen.
I was talking to the engineers and they were all pointing to HM as THE culprit in this assassination of the Mitsu brand. I find this one half of a convincing argument. HM were established with a large market share, knew the market was opening and did NOTHING ABOUT IT. The other half are Mitsu themselves who seem to be willfully committing suicide, killing their iconic brands or taking them in unexpected directions (Pajero SFX -> Montero, Triton -> Pajero Sports).

A marriage between two self-destructive companies.

 

[A.G.]

Second Service Experience and issue in between:

The Second Service was done at Vivek Autolinks, Ghaziabad at 10,359 Kms in March 2015. The switch to synthetic engine oil was also made bringing the total bill amount to Rs. 14,033/-. The rain on the return journey after service ensured that all the efforts of cleaning & washing were going to be washed away.

The dirty pictures




Damaging the Rear Air Conditioner Switch:
During one of the use of the lighter by the co-passenger, it was accidently pushed onto the Rear Aircon switch instead of the lighter holder. The still hot lighter damaged the switch aesthetically.


Battery Issue:
Around Christmas of 2014, the Pajero Sport simply refused to start one evening. It was really a dampener having to get it push started. On checking, it was a relief that atleast the alternator was not at fault and was providing it’s designated output above 14V. I already had a plan to go to Delhi the next day and conveyed the message about the battery issue to the Regional Service Head. The next morning, it was again the same story but this time during push start, the front bug deflector got damaged which is visible in the first picture above.

At Vivek Autolinks, they reconfirmed that the alternator was fine. It was quickly diagnosed that one of the cell of the battery was dead. I was quite surprised that they directly checked the cell which had damage. Luckily, as there were no major electrical accessories and considering the low power consumption of the GPS tracker, the dealer extended their support and rushed their team to the Amaron dealer for a replacement battery as Amaron simply refused to provide their door-step service which is usually the norm they follow with other car makers.

The support from Amaron was pathetic. The team from Vivek Autolinks had a hard time coordinating with the service head of Amaron and the dealer of Amaron who would actually replace the battery. Only after a couple of hours of constant haggling the dead battery was accepted as dead and replacement was provided in another couple of hours. It seemed like an end of the ordeal but it was not.

Once the package was opened at the workshop, it was a shocker that the replaced battery had reversed location of poles. The Amaron dealer, who earlier confirmed the exact part number as being available, thought that the reverse poles battery would fit without issue. Finally, after waiting for nearly 5 hours for the replacement and getting the wrong one, a loaner battery was provided. It was only after days of constant efforts of the Regional Service Head and team from Vivek Autolinks that the correct fresh battery was provided directly from warehouse.

 

[Bevivek]

The switch to synthetic engine oil was also made bringing the total bill amount to Rs. 14,033/-.

I am also thinking of moving to Synthetics after first service. Do let me know how your experience is as you use it.

Amaron simply refused to provide their door-step service which is usually the norm they follow with other car makers.

Shocking behaviour from Amaron because among battery suppliers they are supposed to be the most customer friendly. This is not good news.

AG, Chetak, IR: I am facing a problem. Even though there is a step to get into the Sports, the step itself is very high as all of you know. My father who has arthritis is not able to raise his feet so high. One solution could be to build a small stool or wooden step which can then be used and that might be the cheapest option. But was also wondering if there was an accessory that would allow me to add a step to the Sports.

 

[A.G.]

Do let me know how your experience is as you use it.

The experience is good as overall the noise is less and the consistency of the oil in changing weather conditions is similar. I can comment about the latter part as earlier in last December with the original oil and ambient temperature less around 5 deg C, the oil pressure light used to flash once right after an overnight cold engine start but no such phenomenon since I switched to synthetic oil.

But was also wondering if there was an accessory that would allow me to add a step to the Sports.

There is no such accessory that I know of but instead of adding another step, would lowering the existing steps help? It would be by far the simplest solution involving change to longer bolts with spacers in between for mounting the existing steps.

 

[Bevivek]

The experience is good as overall the noise is less and the consistency of the oil in changing weather conditions is similar.

That's very good to hear. I read similar even in Daebis review in a sister forum so first oil change, I'll move to synthetics.

There is no such accessory that I know of but instead of adding another step, would lowering the existing steps help?

This is an excellent suggestion. My only concern here is that would this reduce ground clearance and the steps get a battering when I off road.

 

[A.G.]

My only concern here is that would this reduce ground clearance and the steps get a battering when I off road.

Not only that, if you lower it too much you might have issues when lifting the vehicle on the 2-post lift at the service center as the lowered foot steps could require spacers to be placed on the lifting pads too. Still, this could be a safe solution as an accessory / removable solution (apart from the step stool) might not offer the rigidity required for weight handling capabilities.

 

[Chetak]

But was also wondering if there was an accessory that would allow me to add a step to the Sports.

You can have a foldable, MS pipe based step/ladder fabricated onto one of the OE step rails which can be used but it is too much of a hassle and will not gel with the symmetry of the vehicle overall. A small plastic stool is the best option in my opinion.

 

[Sharpshooter]

Second Service Experience and issue in between:

The Second Service was done at Vivek Autolinks, Ghaziabad at 10,359 Kms in March 2015. The switch to synthetic engine oil was also made bringing the total bill amount to Rs. 14,033/-.

Hi AG - the service advisor is proposing to charge me Rs14,000 only for Motul X-Cess 8100 5w40, @Rs1700/litre inclusive of taxes. This is the only permitted oil so that warranty stays. Also, warranty stays only if I buy it from him. I would have thought that I would get to buy 2 cans of 5 litres each, and keep the unused part to be used in the next service. But this seems to be a purchase of exact 8 litres.

If I buy from outside, I get to buy 10 litres for Rs11,000, so quite a bit cheaper, but I will lose the warranty. This I dont want to happen, so will buy from the service center only.

Question is - is this a standard deal at the service centers?

 

[A.G.]

the service advisor is proposing to charge me Rs14,000 only for Motul X-Cess 8100 5w40, @Rs1700/litre inclusive of taxes.

The charge for the oil is simply unbelievable. I was charged Rs. 1,226/- inclusive of all taxes for the same Motul 5w40 Synthetic Oil.

This is the only permitted oil so that warranty stays.

As per my understanding, this should not be a compulsion for the warranty.

But this seems to be a purchase of exact 8 litres.

The total quantity of oil required (including the volume of oil inside engine oil filter and engine oil cooler) for the 4D5 engine of the Pajero Sport is 6.4 Liters. 8 Liters for the engine oil is way over the specified value.