2.0 L vs 1.8 L Pajero IO
Hi Guys,
I am about to buy my 1st 4x4, I need something to drive around in Zambia for the next two years. I have found two vehicles here that I am interested in.
Vehicle Number 1:
148 000 km total
2.0 litre GDI
Very good condition, I dont think it has ever been offroad.
Vehicle Number 2:
110 000 km total
1.8 litre GDI
Also in a good condition, I think it has been offroad a few times before.
Both are 5 door, I am not planning to tow anything or load it full of kids and family. I will mostly use it for myself to do some camping and off roading.
They are exacly the same price.
Which one would be the best to go for? Does total kilometres make a big difference in these vehicles? Will I see a major difference in fuel consumption between the two?
Thanks for the input,
Thank you for the reply
Thank you for the reply FORDEM,
I had my information incorrect, it seems both of the models I am looking at are MPI models after checking with the sellers. I assumed they were GDI models by the year they were produced, I thought the older models were MPI and newer models GDI.
I will look into the timing belt and pulleys.
One last question, I know it has been discussed before and I did read up on some of the other threads. What is the biggest tyre size that will fit, without having to lift the vehicle? I am planning on buying some BF Goodrich AT 225/75/16 tyres once I get the vehicle. Will this size be good enough?
tyre size
yes - as long as they have the new type front strut.
measure with a tape from the bottom of the strut to the underneath where the spring plate welds to the strut.
245mm = old style and tyres will not fit, 265mm = new and the tyres will fit.
225/75-16, 205/80-16, 235/70-16 are all popular
You can't differentiate MPI/GDI by year
Depending on the market you're in, everything may by MPI - or - everything may be GDI - or - there may be a mix, especially if there are used JDM imports available.
Where I am, Mitsubishi only supplied MPI to the dealer, but GDI were imported by the used JDM resellers, so we have both - as I mentioned, I think MPI are preferrable, especially from a reliability point of view, GDI are supposed to have more power and better economy, but, at least in my experience, the economy is nothing to get excited over - it's fantastic on a long run, but miserable in the city - and the city is where most of us spend most of our time.
MPI
Depending on the market you're in, everything may by MPI - or - everything may be GDI - or - there may be a mix, especially if there are used JDM imports available.
Where I am, Mitsubishi only supplied MPI to the dealer, but GDI were imported by the used JDM resellers, so we have both - as I mentioned, I think MPI are preferrable, especially from a reliability point of view, GDI are supposed to have more power and better economy, but, at least in my experience, the economy is nothing to get excited over - it's fantastic on a long run, but miserable in the city - and the city is where most of us spend most of our time.
Thank you FORDEM, I understand. I don't know much about these vehicles yet, I will definitly be following your advice and rather go for the MPI. How do you determine the difference between GDI and MPI models? Will it be the added GDI badge on the grill? And also the engine cover? The person I want to buy from says nowhere can he see anything with the writing GDI, this includes the engine, data plates etc. So I am assuming (again) it is the MPI. I will go check it out when I go look at it this weekend.
GDI is usually clearly marked.
Look for badges on the grille and on the tail gate, look for a large plastic cover over the engine, again marked GDI and a GDI ECO light on the dash. If all the markings have been removed you can tell from the intake manifold - it attaches to the top of the cylinder head and not the side.
Tyres
yes - as long as they have the new type front strut.
measure with a tape from the bottom of the strut to the underneath where the spring plate welds to the strut.
245mm = old style and tyres will not fit, 265mm = new and the tyres will fit.
225/75-16, 205/80-16, 235/70-16 are all popular
Thank you BOB_OZ,
I will measure the struts before I look at some tyres. 
Why the 2.0
If at all possible I would suggest you avoid the GDI engined vehicles - they are known to have issues "coking up" the intake manifolds and the back of the intake valves, also if the high pressure fuel pump fails, it's pretty much going to be the end of that vehicle, as a replacement will probably cost you more than the vehicle is worth.
Having said that - I have a five door 1.8 GDI which I thoroughly enjoy - if/when the high pressure pump fails (I know it can happen, I just don't know how common it is), I'll probably find another engine & transmission from a conventional fuel injected vehicle and attempt a swap. In the mean time I'm keeping my eyes open for a 1.8 MPI Pajero iO with collision damage.
Given the choices you've offered, I'd take the 2.0 and I would make replacement of the timing belt, along with the idler & tensioner pulleys a NUMBER ONE priority, unless you know it was done at 100,000 km.
Hi FORDEM,
Getting back to the 2.0 vs 1.8,
Why would you go for the 2.0? Would I see any major difference in consumption between the two? I am leaning more towards the 1.8 Litre because of the amount of total kilometers and also a bit less fuel burn potential. But then I am thinking the 2.0 might be better in the long run.
I have determined now both are MPI, the 2,0 has colour coded bumpers (which I like), fog lights etc but more total Kilometers...
The 1.8 looks pretty standard, but it has less kilometers. Tricky decision, especially for the first time buying a Pajero 
Thanks again.
Syndicate
Can you find an MPI engined one?
If at all possible I would suggest you avoid the GDI engined vehicles - they are known to have issues "coking up" the intake manifolds and the back of the intake valves, also if the high pressure fuel pump fails, it's pretty much going to be the end of that vehicle, as a replacement will probably cost you more than the vehicle is worth.
Having said that - I have a five door 1.8 GDI which I thoroughly enjoy - if/when the high pressure pump fails (I know it can happen, I just don't know how common it is), I'll probably find another engine & transmission from a conventional fuel injected vehicle and attempt a swap. In the mean time I'm keeping my eyes open for a 1.8 MPI Pajero iO with collision damage.
Given the choices you've offered, I'd take the 2.0 and I would make replacement of the timing belt, along with the idler & tensioner pulleys a NUMBER ONE priority, unless you know it was done at 100,000 km.