I am way late to this thread, but in case you're still on the fence...
Can't speak for the Surf, but...
The Paj is a great rig! Just to clarify, are you looking at the curvy one, or the boxy one? 99 was when they changed to the third generation, so you could get the 2nd gen body on frame, live rear axle model, OR the swoopy 3rd gen unibody, independent rear suspension model. (V4X versus V7X, X being replaced by a letter depending on which engine).
Both have their plusses. The second gen is definitely more rugged, the third gen more suited for road/occasional offroad.
Both share most parts with their North American counterparts, but the GDI 3.5 is not the engine we got in either version of the North American 3.5L Montero. Ours was non-direct injection. I've read of some reliability issues with the GDI version, but can't say for sure, since I've never owned a GDI version. The 3.5 engine as a base though, is a great engine, and variants appeared in lots of Mitsus, both truck based and transverse mounted. Looked after, and with timing belt changes, it is generally a long-lasting and trouble free power plant.
In a Pajero, if it isn't the 3.5 MIVEC (only in the Paj-Evo), I'd instead go for one of the two larger Mitsu diesels (2.8 or 3.2) . Dead simple/reliable, timing chain, more efficient, and in the case of the 3.2L DiD, huge torque. But I don't claim to be an expert. Just enthusiastic. 
Current: 1997 Pajero Evolution no.581, 2013 Lancer Sportback, 2003 Montero
Not forgotten: 93 Pajero, 91 Pajero, 96 Evo4, 91 Galant AWD, 89 Montero, 89 Raider, 88 Raider...
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