1998 SsangYong Korando 3.2 from Malaysia - Comments

The engine and automatic transmission was sluggish when I bought the car.

There seems to be an ECU programming error or maybe a defect at the engine electronic management cables/network.

The body wallows and rolls uncomfortably upon exiting a corner on heavily undulated asphalt surfaces.

This car sex appeal is tremendous, but unfortunately no matter what people profess the majority are racists. If not for the "Made in Korea" tag, I believe Ken Greenley's design would have taken the world by storm. A face lift would definitely be in order to satisfy the "taste of the masses".

However due to the Mercedes engine, the superb performance, rarity and the uniqueness of this design I believe it will be a prized collector's car in years to come.

This car is amazingly fast given the 3.2 normally aspirated petrol engine pushing 2,100 kgs of metal.

After some slight modification on the intake funnel which is just before the air filter unit and at the exhaust system my car could sprint 8.2 sec from 0 to 100 km/h.

It's a good car to learn on how to take corners fast because the body rolls dramatically and you sense the amplified handling dynamics cars go thru in racing environments.

However it is a very forgiving car, I could throw it at corners and despite the tyres screaming due to the sudden turn, after a slight fishtail (instantly corrected by the car), one could savour the corner in a rally like fashion. I have outdriven other more expensive 4wds and not to mention sprightly cars going up or going down winding roads and guess must have left them aghast.

This car needs to be treated like an exotic mistress, all the attention, care and love.

If you are having problems with body roll you may need to have

your car looked at. the korando is fitted torsion bar suspension at the front and independent springs at the rear and is also fitted with anti roll bars. there could be a problem with yours!

You are confused, its the 2.3 MB engine that produces 104 kw.

The 3.2 MB engine as used by Ssangyong does indeed make the 167 kw same as it did in the MB vehicles.

In a Korando it is quite a potent performer!

Please get your facts straight.

I am running a 3.2 Korando and cannot help, but feel the engine is slightly sluggish on the acceleration front. I there anything you can suggest I do to improve this? You mentioned some modification to the inlet to the Carb??? Other than that I am pleased with the beast. Does what is says on the can!!

Korando 3.2 slow? you have to be joking!are you sure you don't have the 2.3 litre 4 cyl in yours?

The 3.2 merc 6 is a storming great motor and pushes the Korando very very well. I have no trouble seeing off just about any other stock 4wds...only the Lexus V8s can be a problem,haha.

Hi guys,

I m writing all the way from Dubai.

I have 2.3lt 4cyl Korando.

Well I did some modifications to suspension manage to fit 33' BfGoodrich Tyres.

And I use it for extreme off roading... and this little beast can do if not better than just the same of any other American or Japanese 4x4 on the dunes. At time people don't believe that it is just 2.3lts.

Even after being lifted more than 6" it is stable on high speed.

More than anything I love the looks and the only reason I won't be parting with it.

Korando are very rare in this part of world and do get lot of attention on the streets.

I love this baby.

I have the Musso version that runs the Benz 3.2 motor, it is an all time 4x4 and when first brought took a bit of getting used to, I do not understand the comments about the 3.2 being sluggish, The Musso will out preform most of the competitor 4x4 in taking off,,, I do agree that it has a different driveing feel, however if you think that it should be like a car or smaller suv then you are not in the right 4x4... the Musso is a very underrated 4x4.

I own a 2.3lt 4cyl Korando. The car loses about 0.25 Liters water/coolent on each day of driving - all the tests have been done on the radiator, the head gasket, hoses etc by 3 different mechanics and no one can explain why this is happening. One of the mechanics is the service agent in my state.

Can anyone shed any light on this issue for me?

I like the car and would like to keep it.

Thanks.

I have a korando with a diesel engine and I can bet you, that my car can beat any 1.8 tuning car.