4x4 Time - Mitsubishi Shogan Sport
Discussion
So, I had a notion to get into green laning and off-roading. I considered track days but they're not only fairly expensive, they're not exactly very family friendly.
I went on the hunt for something I fancied which would have enough room for two adults and three kids. I did initially consider an ML Merc, they have low range and Mercs are familiar, then I came across this. It's a 2003 Mitsubishi Shogan Sport with a 2.5 diesel engine, 116k and two owners.
The downside is that the second owner did all his own maintenance so the service stamps stop short after the first 5 years. Now this could be good or terrible, I'm hoping that going by the condition that it's been well cared for.
For a car that does 0-60 in about 16 seconds it doesn't feel particularly slow. You get into 5th by about 45mph and it tops out at 96mph but despite being a 5 speed it cruises fairly comfortably at 65-70mph. Took it on a 240 mile round trip today and it coped very well.
PH stickers were already on order....
Reasonable head unit has been fitted but may swap that out for something that I have sitting around. Can't seem to get the media adapter to do much but the CD players plays MP3s.
Let's see how the off-roading goes, when I get to it!
Sorry that was meant for the readers cars section.
I went on the hunt for something I fancied which would have enough room for two adults and three kids. I did initially consider an ML Merc, they have low range and Mercs are familiar, then I came across this. It's a 2003 Mitsubishi Shogan Sport with a 2.5 diesel engine, 116k and two owners.
The downside is that the second owner did all his own maintenance so the service stamps stop short after the first 5 years. Now this could be good or terrible, I'm hoping that going by the condition that it's been well cared for.
For a car that does 0-60 in about 16 seconds it doesn't feel particularly slow. You get into 5th by about 45mph and it tops out at 96mph but despite being a 5 speed it cruises fairly comfortably at 65-70mph. Took it on a 240 mile round trip today and it coped very well.
PH stickers were already on order....
Reasonable head unit has been fitted but may swap that out for something that I have sitting around. Can't seem to get the media adapter to do much but the CD players plays MP3s.
Let's see how the off-roading goes, when I get to it!
Sorry that was meant for the readers cars section.
Edited by Alex_225 on Thursday 3rd June 18:04
Greendubber said:
My dad ran one of these for a good few years and it appeared to be bomb proof!
Yours looks like a tidy example
Thank you mate, it certainly seems to be pretty clean for what it is. Only two things I want checked and one is the cambelt as I've no proof of when that was last changed. The second was a patch of oil in the engine bay, not sure if it's a leak or over spill from the service. I suspect the former haha. Yours looks like a tidy example
MightyBadger said:
I love these, looks like a very clean example. Are these pre-dpf filter?
I don’t know for sure but I’m guessing due to when it was made it likely doesn’t have a DPF. My old EClass had no DPF from 2003 but not sure what manufacturers added them when. In the process of booking in a cambelt change.
I have fond memories of the one I owned. Covered over 100.000 miles in it.
One thing to look out for - the fanbelt pulley is made in 2 pieces bonded together. The bond can breakdown resulting in the fan not turning.
If the weather isn't too warm this can go un-noticed as temperature stays normal.
I had this happen and it wasn't until I got stuck in a motorway queue that it did overheat and cost me a head skim and gasket.
If you're not already aware, Milner Offroad are great for service parts with an excellent mail order service
One thing to look out for - the fanbelt pulley is made in 2 pieces bonded together. The bond can breakdown resulting in the fan not turning.
If the weather isn't too warm this can go un-noticed as temperature stays normal.
I had this happen and it wasn't until I got stuck in a motorway queue that it did overheat and cost me a head skim and gasket.
If you're not already aware, Milner Offroad are great for service parts with an excellent mail order service
You'll be sad when you scratch that green laning!
I used to go quite often with some guys around the Peak District, it's a lot of fun, but walkers really hate you! We used to stop and turn off our engines if we met any and none would thank or even look at you.
The problem is there are some "extreme" groups of laners which deliberately wreck the lanes and get stuck and as a result a lot have now been closed. Even in the few years since I last went quite a few of the good ones have been closed.
There is a good one near our house but the boss won't let me take her L200 up it!
Cool truck by the way, I'd get some BFG AT's on it. Great tyre if a little slippy in the wet
I used to go quite often with some guys around the Peak District, it's a lot of fun, but walkers really hate you! We used to stop and turn off our engines if we met any and none would thank or even look at you.
The problem is there are some "extreme" groups of laners which deliberately wreck the lanes and get stuck and as a result a lot have now been closed. Even in the few years since I last went quite a few of the good ones have been closed.
There is a good one near our house but the boss won't let me take her L200 up it!
Cool truck by the way, I'd get some BFG AT's on it. Great tyre if a little slippy in the wet
Just thought of another foible which shouldn't be a problem if you are offroading regularly.
The transfer gearlever operates solenoids which if they are unused for a while won't engage 4wd or low range when required.
Usually sorts itself out with a few in and outs with the gearlever but worth keeping it exercised any way.
The transfer gearlever operates solenoids which if they are unused for a while won't engage 4wd or low range when required.
Usually sorts itself out with a few in and outs with the gearlever but worth keeping it exercised any way.
Thanks for all the info guys, I'm definitely learning plenty about these pretty quickly!!
One thing I have noticed is some oil in the engine bay, I did 240 miles in it yesterday and the oil level hasn't dropped so I'm guessing it's either old oil or a very minor leak somewhere. I've got a mechanic quoting me on a cambelt change so will get him to look at that and check the other belts over.
One thing I have noticed is some oil in the engine bay, I did 240 miles in it yesterday and the oil level hasn't dropped so I'm guessing it's either old oil or a very minor leak somewhere. I've got a mechanic quoting me on a cambelt change so will get him to look at that and check the other belts over.
Took the other half's ML out today so put the Shogun on the drive. Still shorter than the S.
Also couldn't resist sorting the stereo out. I tried a fold out DVD player that I'd used in a car about 9 years ago but despite connecting ok, the thing would not power up. Quick hunt on Amazon and picked this Blaupunkt unit. I rather like the old school, no frills style but two USB connections, CD, SD card and Bluetooth streaming.
Also couldn't resist sorting the stereo out. I tried a fold out DVD player that I'd used in a car about 9 years ago but despite connecting ok, the thing would not power up. Quick hunt on Amazon and picked this Blaupunkt unit. I rather like the old school, no frills style but two USB connections, CD, SD card and Bluetooth streaming.
Well it's been an interesting first few weeks with the Shogun. The minor oil leak I spotted when I bought the car (and acknowledged by the seller) turned into a rather large leak.
The two oil cooler pipes seem notorious for rusting and failing. My usual mobile mechanic did a temp kind of fix on it by cutting out the pipe and joining it. The joining hose, decided to split luckily only a few miles from home. It lost over 5 of it's 6.5 litres of oil but fortunately I pulled over sharpish!
Braided hose didn't work so they now have brass joins now which are dry and not a single drip! My mechanic who I've got to know more as a mate had some choice words for the car but said it looks like a good example which is something.
I've had the campbell and water pump replaced as had no record of those being done. Also had the two alternator belts and power steering belt replaced as they were definitely looking their age. Since things were apart for the cost of the belts it seemed silly not to do them.
So it's now behaving as it should, I'm trying not to be too precious and actually took it to the car wash!
And got a mascot for it. My kids love Spirited Away so though this was well suited.
The two oil cooler pipes seem notorious for rusting and failing. My usual mobile mechanic did a temp kind of fix on it by cutting out the pipe and joining it. The joining hose, decided to split luckily only a few miles from home. It lost over 5 of it's 6.5 litres of oil but fortunately I pulled over sharpish!
Braided hose didn't work so they now have brass joins now which are dry and not a single drip! My mechanic who I've got to know more as a mate had some choice words for the car but said it looks like a good example which is something.
I've had the campbell and water pump replaced as had no record of those being done. Also had the two alternator belts and power steering belt replaced as they were definitely looking their age. Since things were apart for the cost of the belts it seemed silly not to do them.
So it's now behaving as it should, I'm trying not to be too precious and actually took it to the car wash!
And got a mascot for it. My kids love Spirited Away so though this was well suited.
I did say I wouldn't get too precious over this car but if I eventually get the car dirty, at least it'll be my own dirt! haha
The carpets were a bit ropey, wasn't sure how well they'd come up.
Not perfect but for 18 years old pretty good.
Oddly the drivers side was the cleanest so came up really well.
Went round the interior trim with Chemical Guys Nonsense all purpose cleaner. Very good stuff this.
Came up nicely.
Seat's cleaned up nicely.
Bit of leather conditioner on the drivers seat bolsters.
Gave the outside a once over as well. Took it to a hand car wash which I never ever do with my other cars but despite their lack of sympathy to the paint, the actual job of washing the car was a bit crap.
Old school car and gets some old school polish but always works well.
Finished off with some Turtlewax sealant. Turtle have done well with detailing products this last couple of years.
The S Class got a clean too of course.
Got some new mats from Carmats4U.
Always pleased with the quality from these guys. Forgot I'd ordered them with the orange trim but matches the PH stickers on the outside.
The tail pipe is a bit scabby...
I don't think anyone has bought one of these since about 2005 but hey, it's no less fake than Audi or Mercedes exhaust fakery!
The carpets were a bit ropey, wasn't sure how well they'd come up.
Not perfect but for 18 years old pretty good.
Oddly the drivers side was the cleanest so came up really well.
Went round the interior trim with Chemical Guys Nonsense all purpose cleaner. Very good stuff this.
Came up nicely.
Seat's cleaned up nicely.
Bit of leather conditioner on the drivers seat bolsters.
Gave the outside a once over as well. Took it to a hand car wash which I never ever do with my other cars but despite their lack of sympathy to the paint, the actual job of washing the car was a bit crap.
Old school car and gets some old school polish but always works well.
Finished off with some Turtlewax sealant. Turtle have done well with detailing products this last couple of years.
The S Class got a clean too of course.
Got some new mats from Carmats4U.
Always pleased with the quality from these guys. Forgot I'd ordered them with the orange trim but matches the PH stickers on the outside.
The tail pipe is a bit scabby...
I don't think anyone has bought one of these since about 2005 but hey, it's no less fake than Audi or Mercedes exhaust fakery!
we had one for a few years, used as a third car, main problem was the gearing, I would find myself in 5th gear at 30 mph despite that a definite lack of overtaking oomph.
It was a hoot in the snow, It seems that as soon as the snow lands everyone who has a 4x4 is out driving "cos they can" I discovered that 4 wheel drive doesn't really make a difference if you have third world cheapo tyres with minimal tread. The damn thing kept passing mots so sort of had to keep it
Good points AC was brilliant, it could wade to a depth that the headlights were underwater. If you are going to greenlane it prepare for the traditional (add county as appropriate) devon pinstripes on the sides from brambles and other green stuff brushing against the sides
Shame really as the spec read really well I just couldn't get on with it
It was a hoot in the snow, It seems that as soon as the snow lands everyone who has a 4x4 is out driving "cos they can" I discovered that 4 wheel drive doesn't really make a difference if you have third world cheapo tyres with minimal tread. The damn thing kept passing mots so sort of had to keep it
Good points AC was brilliant, it could wade to a depth that the headlights were underwater. If you are going to greenlane it prepare for the traditional (add county as appropriate) devon pinstripes on the sides from brambles and other green stuff brushing against the sides
Shame really as the spec read really well I just couldn't get on with it
Rangeroverover said:
we had one for a few years, used as a third car, main problem was the gearing, I would find myself in 5th gear at 30 mph despite that a definite lack of overtaking oomph.
It was a hoot in the snow, It seems that as soon as the snow lands everyone who has a 4x4 is out driving "cos they can" I discovered that 4 wheel drive doesn't really make a difference if you have third world cheapo tyres with minimal tread. The damn thing kept passing mots so sort of had to keep it
Good points AC was brilliant, it could wade to a depth that the headlights were underwater. If you are going to greenlane it prepare for the traditional (add county as appropriate) devon pinstripes on the sides from brambles and other green stuff brushing against the sides
Shame really as the spec read really well I just couldn't get on with it
Fortunately it's not my only car and not really a daily car. Like you say the gearing is short, clearly made for pulling along and overtaking is a no go. I'm contemplating a re-map on it in 4-5 months, once I'm confident with how it's all running. I find myself between 3rd/4th most of the time just because it seems it's sweet spot is higher than other diesels. 5th by 40mph then stay in the same gear from then on. 70mph is 3k rpm and 1.5k rpm in my S Class hahaIt was a hoot in the snow, It seems that as soon as the snow lands everyone who has a 4x4 is out driving "cos they can" I discovered that 4 wheel drive doesn't really make a difference if you have third world cheapo tyres with minimal tread. The damn thing kept passing mots so sort of had to keep it
Good points AC was brilliant, it could wade to a depth that the headlights were underwater. If you are going to greenlane it prepare for the traditional (add county as appropriate) devon pinstripes on the sides from brambles and other green stuff brushing against the sides
Shame really as the spec read really well I just couldn't get on with it
As you say the AC is pretty good, definitely expecting a few marks on the paint. The real reason for applying a sealant is to help clean it each time. Helps repel the muck and water.
I can see it's positives and negatives. Certainly as a day to day car and an only car, it could get tiresome. Fun and engaging drive when you want that though.
I've rather fallen for how it looks too. Big yet doesn't look cumbersome!
The Shogun has mostly been behaving itself, I've taken it for a few long drives, used it as a bit of a runabout and actually really enjoying it. There's an art to driving it, you can't rely on the power and it's not forgiving so right gear for the right speed.
It's also brilliantly thirsty, even on a long steady run at 60mpg it does about 28mpg. I managed to eke out 26mpg from the 6.2 V8 in my CLS!
I want to get the 4WD checked as I think some sneaky little sausage has removed the bulb and I'm not sure if it's engaging 4WD or low range so friendly mechanic is going to get it on the diagnostic machine. That hasn't stopped me making some 'tasteful' changes although more for the 'Automotive Tat' thread I suspect.
Very boring knob (no sniggering at the back)...
Now an ugly know which my youngest daughter affectionately named Badger. Was only about £12 and can go back to OEM in two minutes but I rather like him.
I also don't know why I felt the need to have a magnetic hazard light but I did. This is what comes of mindlessly browsing eBay.
Another thing about the car is that I found the horn sounded a bit weedy. I looked into replacing it thinking it was faulty. Turns out actually from the outside, it's extremely loud but tucked away at the bottom of the bumper, someone has fitted two air horns!
Spot the blue trumpet, there's two of them tucked down there.
Lastly, the headlights had done what most seem to over the years and gone cloudy. Only product I had to hand was some Meguiars PlastX
Not the worst I've seen but was expecting to need to polish and coat them potentially.
Five minutes buffing on each light and not a bad result.
Keeping my S Class company!
It's also brilliantly thirsty, even on a long steady run at 60mpg it does about 28mpg. I managed to eke out 26mpg from the 6.2 V8 in my CLS!
I want to get the 4WD checked as I think some sneaky little sausage has removed the bulb and I'm not sure if it's engaging 4WD or low range so friendly mechanic is going to get it on the diagnostic machine. That hasn't stopped me making some 'tasteful' changes although more for the 'Automotive Tat' thread I suspect.
Very boring knob (no sniggering at the back)...
Now an ugly know which my youngest daughter affectionately named Badger. Was only about £12 and can go back to OEM in two minutes but I rather like him.
I also don't know why I felt the need to have a magnetic hazard light but I did. This is what comes of mindlessly browsing eBay.
Another thing about the car is that I found the horn sounded a bit weedy. I looked into replacing it thinking it was faulty. Turns out actually from the outside, it's extremely loud but tucked away at the bottom of the bumper, someone has fitted two air horns!
Spot the blue trumpet, there's two of them tucked down there.
Lastly, the headlights had done what most seem to over the years and gone cloudy. Only product I had to hand was some Meguiars PlastX
Not the worst I've seen but was expecting to need to polish and coat them potentially.
Five minutes buffing on each light and not a bad result.
Keeping my S Class company!
gman88667733 said:
That is unbelievably clean inside. Really like this! Those seats look pretty comfy too.
It's come up really well inside. I meant it wasn't awful by any means but the carpets long the passenger side were stained but some cleaning up and it's pretty good. Same went for the seats and plastics really, just a bit of APC and the wear and tear is quite low. The seats aren't actually too bad, they're not a patch on the S Class but for what it is, it's pretty good. It's biggest niggle when driving is no place to rest your left foot and I'm not one to rest on the clutch pedal.
Two main changes I'd like to make is a map as I think more low down torque would be handy and a smaller steering wheel as I think it would improve the feel of the ride. Wouldn't go silly small like the 300mm I had on a Lupo once but would make a difference.
Networkgeek said:
Alex_225 said:
Now an ugly know which my youngest daughter affectionately named Badger. Was only about £12 and can go back to OEM in two minutes but I rather like him.
I have to say mate, this is truly bloody awful 
My S Class is a wonderful thing but painfully serious. You couldn't really get away with doing much as it just detracts from what the car is about.
This is a big ugly brute and I just can't take it seriously! haha
Well, it was MOT time for my Shogun. To be honest I always find first MOT's a bit of a worry on a well used car. The previous MOT was completely clean, not even an advisory so I was suspicious.
What seems to kill these cars is not mechanical issues but rust. I expected perhaps the last MOT tester was a bit sympathetic. Actually I was gladly proven wrong, it failed on a weld that cost £40 to repair and re-tested with a completely clean MOT again. Not bad for 18 years old.
A recommendation from my mechanic was to have all the surface rust taken off and it the underside protected. So something to consider doing. Better to prevent rust rather than have to cure the issues.
What seems to kill these cars is not mechanical issues but rust. I expected perhaps the last MOT tester was a bit sympathetic. Actually I was gladly proven wrong, it failed on a weld that cost £40 to repair and re-tested with a completely clean MOT again. Not bad for 18 years old.
A recommendation from my mechanic was to have all the surface rust taken off and it the underside protected. So something to consider doing. Better to prevent rust rather than have to cure the issues.
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