Prado Engine: 1KZ, 1KD or 1GD

[solitaire]

Hi, After some advice please folks.

Looking at upgrading the family wagon.

I'm at a bit of a loss of engine choice. I can get what we want in the above three engine choices. Keen on your views, please mention if you look after these for a job.

As I see it:

1KZ:
Pros:
Old Reliable powerplant, just gotta keep the coolant and oil fresh.
Long engine life
Cons:
Ho Hum Fuel economy
Not a lot of get up and go above 80kmh (based on my experience with our old Surf)
Oil changes every 5000km's get a bit expensive

1KD:
Pros:
Efficient Engine
Being a diesel, it should be good for 500,000kms hopefully?
Cons:
I've read online that these are a tad unreliable/need a lot of expensive maintenance (can anyone confirm this?)
Oil changes every 5000km's get a bit expensive

1GD:
Pros:
Simple Petrol Engine, hopefully very reliable and relatively low maintenance as a result?
Cons:
I'll be lucky to get more than 300,000kms out of this engine?
High Fuel Cost


I'd be ok with the higher fuel cost of the petrol if I could expect 400,000km's out of it, unrealistic?

Also if you have any recomendations on alternatives to a prado (7 seat, big wagon) please sing out.

thanks guys and gals

[1I1]

The 1KZ has a bit of a history with cracking heads. Towed my Corolla to Taupo and back the other week with one and used SFA diesel to do so but was oh so slow and painful to pass.

[solitaire]

The 1KZ has a bit of a history with cracking heads. Towed my Corolla to Taupo and back the other week with one and used SFA diesel to do so but was oh so slow and painful to pass.

Cheers mate, i've read toyota NZ recommend changing fuel filter every 15,000km's and lot's of injector issues with the 1KD - heard any of that?

[1I1]

Fuel filters are 30k. Injector issues are mostly seen with the Hilux.

[glowee]

have seen some 1kd hiaces fo inexcess of 400,000 with out a issue, but later 1kd seem to be the way to earlier do have a couple of issues

[Dell'Orto]

1KD is good as long as you keep on top of injector maintenance

[solitaire]

1KD is good as long as you keep on top of injector maintenance

In terms of replacing every 40k's?

The wife wants a discovery 3.... i think it's a bad idea reliability wise - they are in the price range but that's probably for a good reason - any thoughts?

[Dell'Orto]

The washers, yup. Not the injectors themselves!
Touch a Disco at your own peril!

[solitaire]

The washers, yup. Not the injectors themselves!
Touch a Disco at your own peril!

Thanks, understood re washers.

So a disco 3 is as unreliable as the disco 2?

[matt dunn]

So a disco 3 is as unreliable as the disco 2?

Just as unreliable, but more expensive to fix.

[solitaire]

So a disco 3 is as unreliable as the disco 2?

Just as unreliable, but more expensive to fix.

Yuck, ok - cheers, heaps of internet research said they were better. But mind you those were land rover forums...

[Al]

You need a black Q7 for the school run Chalky.

[matt dunn]

But mind you those were land rover forums...

They are the type of people who see unreliability as a feature, not a fault.

[strx7]

sounds like you need a 7 seat 80 series cruiser.....

or 100 series if you have alot more money to spend