Disco 2, will it all end in tears?
Discussion
Ours has been a bit of a money pit. However it has covered 20odd thousand miles since we bought it 18 months ago and is a 9 year old car so it's to be expected i suppose. Nothing major, just lots of little bits of maintenance that needed doing.
Excellent tow/family car though, doubles up as a van too
Are you joking about the Merc ML being better?
Excellent tow/family car though, doubles up as a van too
Are you joking about the Merc ML being better?
Edited by Adam205 on Saturday 4th September 20:55
Hi- 1st post so please be gentle with me!
With Land Rover products the buyer needs to be aware that they are purchasing an "enthusiasts vehicle"- that is to say they will require more maintenance than the japanese/korean equivalents. There are good and bad examples out there. Suggest you follow your gut feelings and inspect a few before you buy.
With Land Rover products the buyer needs to be aware that they are purchasing an "enthusiasts vehicle"- that is to say they will require more maintenance than the japanese/korean equivalents. There are good and bad examples out there. Suggest you follow your gut feelings and inspect a few before you buy.
I've used both and the Land Rover is miles better as a tow vehicle.
If you go for a LR, full service history IS A MUST. You should get a fairly late TD5 for that money, maybe even a D3?
I'm currently running a 2000 TD5 which I bought in 2003. It was absolutely great up to about a year ago, since when it's been quite problematical. Because I can work on it myself, I've mostly only had to pay for parts (although 2 weeks ago I had to give up and take it to an independent). I haven't added up all the parts bills, but it's certainly a couple of thousand.
If you go for a LR, full service history IS A MUST. You should get a fairly late TD5 for that money, maybe even a D3?
I'm currently running a 2000 TD5 which I bought in 2003. It was absolutely great up to about a year ago, since when it's been quite problematical. Because I can work on it myself, I've mostly only had to pay for parts (although 2 weeks ago I had to give up and take it to an independent). I haven't added up all the parts bills, but it's certainly a couple of thousand.
Adam205 said:
You'd never get a Disco 3 for that! You're looking at £12k for a high mileage 2004 model.
Our 2001 TD5 Auto GS with 38k miles cost £5k 18 months ago. It's pretty basic though, doesn't even have air conditioning.
Sorry! I was going on the basis that I've just been offered 2500 for mine in p-ex against a new Disco.Our 2001 TD5 Auto GS with 38k miles cost £5k 18 months ago. It's pretty basic though, doesn't even have air conditioning.
Ive had a TD5 for 2 and a half years. It's a year 2000 with 138K miles. I bought it with no history but it was cheap. I've had whole catalog of niggly things to fix but have done everything myself, except for the fuel pressure regulator.
There is always something outstanding to do. The sunroof still leaks and there is a leak into the footwells from the windscreen. It doesn't bother me as I took the carpets out over a year ago to dry them and never bothered putting them back.
The most major issue I have now is chassis rust at the rear. I waxoyled it two years ago and now there is sheets of waxoyl coated steel coming off. I may need some welding done here down the line.
Sometimes I wish I had honda or something that needs less maintenance but I'd really miss the Disco. Overall it's a supremely practical car and does everything that I need. Especially having so much towing capacity in reserve for towing my boat. The curry hook is also pretty handy as well.
There is always something outstanding to do. The sunroof still leaks and there is a leak into the footwells from the windscreen. It doesn't bother me as I took the carpets out over a year ago to dry them and never bothered putting them back.
The most major issue I have now is chassis rust at the rear. I waxoyled it two years ago and now there is sheets of waxoyl coated steel coming off. I may need some welding done here down the line.
Sometimes I wish I had honda or something that needs less maintenance but I'd really miss the Disco. Overall it's a supremely practical car and does everything that I need. Especially having so much towing capacity in reserve for towing my boat. The curry hook is also pretty handy as well.
A friend has an 03 Defender TD5 90 Pick-up on 114,000mi, about 80% are off-road miles, the body is scratched to hell, it's dented all over, the steering is pretty knackered, the door cards are falling off (needs replacement screws, but mechanically it's always been pretty strong, it's lived a hard life and the cosmetic issues can be easily and cheaply remedied, the engine has had a few faults, I think but overall it's been a great truck. His boss, on the other hand, has an 07 Transit-engined 90 pick-up which just seems to have problem after problem, just had a new fuel tank fitted and today we had to tow it home with the TD5 because it lost all power and could only manage to crawl along in Low-Range 1st gear...
Jesus H Christ there's some old cock written in this thread.
ML better than Disco
Disco 3 for £6k even bigger
You will have leaking sunroofs. Only 1 Disco in the UK came without them and that's mine, and I'm keeping it.
You will get 3 amigos and need a new shuttle valve....or worse.
You will have a very capable off roader that will mile munch along with the best of them
You will have seating for 7 without looking like a tit in a people carrier
You will have space to accomodate almost any size of luggage
You will be able to tow pretty much anything
and
if you buy a V8, petrol bills aside, you will have the "burble" to boot and lot's of creamy power.
ML better than Disco
Disco 3 for £6k even bigger
You will have leaking sunroofs. Only 1 Disco in the UK came without them and that's mine, and I'm keeping it.
You will get 3 amigos and need a new shuttle valve....or worse.
You will have a very capable off roader that will mile munch along with the best of them
You will have seating for 7 without looking like a tit in a people carrier
You will have space to accomodate almost any size of luggage
You will be able to tow pretty much anything
and
if you buy a V8, petrol bills aside, you will have the "burble" to boot and lot's of creamy power.
Edited by Denis O on Sunday 5th September 07:55
Hello
My daily driver is a 54 plate Disco 2 TD5 commercial, one of the last made. I've had it a couple of years now and have to say it's been one of the good ones. I have spent a couple of grand on it but purely out of choice, I had a stage 2 tune with stainless exhaust and all the gubbins done and it is now drivable! A standard TD5 under 1500 revs is a shocking thing. I put a new Ashcroft gearbox in a year ago, made a huge difference too.
In the last couple of weeks I decided to treat it to a few bits and pieces, new front brakes and pads cost £60, a set of 5 18" rims with really good tyres was £260 off ebay, service parts cost next to nothing. It's now done 125k miles and I can't fault it, you can drive all day and it's remarkably comfy, load it up with all sorts of crap in the back, air con, ipod connected stereo, cruise at 70+ and it's got plenty of poke if you need it.
I went to a dealer recently to look at a Sport or a D3 as a bit of a change but I'm still in it!
I'd say go for it, if you are anywhere near me then you're welcome to have a go in mine and see what a properly sorted one drives like.
Good luck!
Mat
My daily driver is a 54 plate Disco 2 TD5 commercial, one of the last made. I've had it a couple of years now and have to say it's been one of the good ones. I have spent a couple of grand on it but purely out of choice, I had a stage 2 tune with stainless exhaust and all the gubbins done and it is now drivable! A standard TD5 under 1500 revs is a shocking thing. I put a new Ashcroft gearbox in a year ago, made a huge difference too.
In the last couple of weeks I decided to treat it to a few bits and pieces, new front brakes and pads cost £60, a set of 5 18" rims with really good tyres was £260 off ebay, service parts cost next to nothing. It's now done 125k miles and I can't fault it, you can drive all day and it's remarkably comfy, load it up with all sorts of crap in the back, air con, ipod connected stereo, cruise at 70+ and it's got plenty of poke if you need it.
I went to a dealer recently to look at a Sport or a D3 as a bit of a change but I'm still in it!
I'd say go for it, if you are anywhere near me then you're welcome to have a go in mine and see what a properly sorted one drives like.
Good luck!
Mat
Antarctic Mat said:
Hello
My daily driver is a 54 plate Disco 2 TD5 commercial, one of the last made. I've had it a couple of years now and have to say it's been one of the good ones. I have spent a couple of grand on it but purely out of choice, I had a stage 2 tune with stainless exhaust and all the gubbins done and it is now drivable! A standard TD5 under 1500 revs is a shocking thing. I put a new Ashcroft gearbox in a year ago, made a huge difference too.
In the last couple of weeks I decided to treat it to a few bits and pieces, new front brakes and pads cost £60, a set of 5 18" rims with really good tyres was £260 off ebay, service parts cost next to nothing. It's now done 125k miles and I can't fault it, you can drive all day and it's remarkably comfy, load it up with all sorts of crap in the back, air con, ipod connected stereo, cruise at 70+ and it's got plenty of poke if you need it.
I went to a dealer recently to look at a Sport or a D3 as a bit of a change but I'm still in it!
I'd say go for it, if you are anywhere near me then you're welcome to have a go in mine and see what a properly sorted one drives like.
Good luck!
Mat
Pictures and/or videos please My daily driver is a 54 plate Disco 2 TD5 commercial, one of the last made. I've had it a couple of years now and have to say it's been one of the good ones. I have spent a couple of grand on it but purely out of choice, I had a stage 2 tune with stainless exhaust and all the gubbins done and it is now drivable! A standard TD5 under 1500 revs is a shocking thing. I put a new Ashcroft gearbox in a year ago, made a huge difference too.
In the last couple of weeks I decided to treat it to a few bits and pieces, new front brakes and pads cost £60, a set of 5 18" rims with really good tyres was £260 off ebay, service parts cost next to nothing. It's now done 125k miles and I can't fault it, you can drive all day and it's remarkably comfy, load it up with all sorts of crap in the back, air con, ipod connected stereo, cruise at 70+ and it's got plenty of poke if you need it.
I went to a dealer recently to look at a Sport or a D3 as a bit of a change but I'm still in it!
I'd say go for it, if you are anywhere near me then you're welcome to have a go in mine and see what a properly sorted one drives like.
Good luck!
Mat
agent006 said:
Denis O said:
Jesus H Christ there's some old cock written in this thread.
ML better than Disco
OK, instead of laughing, how about giving reasons why it's not. The original Clarkson review is not valid.ML better than Disco
Think about it. It's more powerful, more economical, seats 7, tows 3500kg, has low range box, has the same style open diff + traction control 4x4 as the disco, costs less to buy, doesn't have the cracked head problems of the TD5, fits in multistorey carparks, and doesn't have the dash out of an LDV van.
Pretty much the only downside for me is the looks of the ML.
agent006 said:
ManOpener said:
Didn't the old-style ML languish at the bottom of the JD Power survey for pretty much every year of its production?
From 2001 JD Power:99. Mercedes-Benz M-Class
...
136. Land Rover Discovery
-EDIT-
Wait, I'm thinking of the Disco 3. As you were.
-EDIT AGAIN-
JD Power 2003-
122. Land Rover Discovery
.
124. Mercedes M-Class
Edited by ManOpener on Sunday 5th September 16:12
Waugh-terfall said:
Antarctic Mat said:
Hello
My daily driver is a 54 plate Disco 2 TD5 commercial, one of the last made. I've had it a couple of years now and have to say it's been one of the good ones. I have spent a couple of grand on it but purely out of choice, I had a stage 2 tune with stainless exhaust and all the gubbins done and it is now drivable! A standard TD5 under 1500 revs is a shocking thing. I put a new Ashcroft gearbox in a year ago, made a huge difference too.
In the last couple of weeks I decided to treat it to a few bits and pieces, new front brakes and pads cost £60, a set of 5 18" rims with really good tyres was £260 off ebay, service parts cost next to nothing. It's now done 125k miles and I can't fault it, you can drive all day and it's remarkably comfy, load it up with all sorts of crap in the back, air con, ipod connected stereo, cruise at 70+ and it's got plenty of poke if you need it.
I went to a dealer recently to look at a Sport or a D3 as a bit of a change but I'm still in it!
I'd say go for it, if you are anywhere near me then you're welcome to have a go in mine and see what a properly sorted one drives like.
Good luck!
Mat
Pictures and/or videos please My daily driver is a 54 plate Disco 2 TD5 commercial, one of the last made. I've had it a couple of years now and have to say it's been one of the good ones. I have spent a couple of grand on it but purely out of choice, I had a stage 2 tune with stainless exhaust and all the gubbins done and it is now drivable! A standard TD5 under 1500 revs is a shocking thing. I put a new Ashcroft gearbox in a year ago, made a huge difference too.
In the last couple of weeks I decided to treat it to a few bits and pieces, new front brakes and pads cost £60, a set of 5 18" rims with really good tyres was £260 off ebay, service parts cost next to nothing. It's now done 125k miles and I can't fault it, you can drive all day and it's remarkably comfy, load it up with all sorts of crap in the back, air con, ipod connected stereo, cruise at 70+ and it's got plenty of poke if you need it.
I went to a dealer recently to look at a Sport or a D3 as a bit of a change but I'm still in it!
I'd say go for it, if you are anywhere near me then you're welcome to have a go in mine and see what a properly sorted one drives like.
Good luck!
Mat
Your comments above on the Defender are interesting, I bought a brand new 90 with the Transit engine, the engine was brilliant but gearbox was made of cheese, in the 8 months I had it, it was in the dealers for 6! I got rid and bought this Disco as a replacement, happy that I did!
As a case in point, I was up at 6, drove 150 miles to visit family, loaded it up with house rubbish and drove 150 miles back, it never misses a beat and the extra torque and bhp you get from a decent tune shouldn't be underestimated, transforms the drive, it pulls very well!
To the OP, go for it, hold some cash back for a tune and enjoy it!
Cheers
Mat
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