Land Rover Discovery 2 - Do I want one?
Discussion
My mind is currently passing through the phase of wanting a Discovery. Like this one:
But I am cautious to believe it. I have always loved Land Rovers and always wanted to own one. But having one as a daily/family/main car, does it really make sense?
I have been browsing the classifieds and Autotrader and trying to decipher all the models and what they all mean. There's literally millions of them - Pursuit, GS, XS, S, Commercial, Metropolis the list goes on.
I know what I need and what I would like, pretty much the same as everyone really, the most amount of kit available for the least amount of money spent.
I like the idea of the 7 seats, especially as I have another nipper on its way (totalling 2) and having owned hatchbacks and a saloon, the idea of sitting high up on the road, having that off-roadability (which will be more than mounting the kerb at Tesco's) does attract me.
What is the PH viewpoint on Disco's, yay or nay? And why, for that matter. If I were to take the plunge, what recommendations would you make as to which model to choose from?
Cheers
Mikey
But I am cautious to believe it. I have always loved Land Rovers and always wanted to own one. But having one as a daily/family/main car, does it really make sense?
I have been browsing the classifieds and Autotrader and trying to decipher all the models and what they all mean. There's literally millions of them - Pursuit, GS, XS, S, Commercial, Metropolis the list goes on.
I know what I need and what I would like, pretty much the same as everyone really, the most amount of kit available for the least amount of money spent.
I like the idea of the 7 seats, especially as I have another nipper on its way (totalling 2) and having owned hatchbacks and a saloon, the idea of sitting high up on the road, having that off-roadability (which will be more than mounting the kerb at Tesco's) does attract me.
What is the PH viewpoint on Disco's, yay or nay? And why, for that matter. If I were to take the plunge, what recommendations would you make as to which model to choose from?
Cheers
Mikey
RZ1 said:
Have you driven one, if not might be worth trying it out and see how you feel. I drove an older one and they were a bit, well agricultural
I did drive my dads Disco 1 a few times. But that was the old 200tdi. I'va also driven my ex-girlfriends dads TD5, and loved it. Everything was very light and comfortable. I think a test drive is in order.
HowMuchLonger said:
I assume that a D3 is out of the question (financially).
Not entirely, I did see a lovely silver TDV6 within my budget. FLRSH, Four new tyres, quite a bit of kit. The only thing that put me off was the 216,000miles it had done!
In spite of this, it did look rather smart... I'm a much bigger fan of the earlier generation Disco if I'm honest. Never really taken a fancy to the D3's. Now if I could have that Deisel V6 in a D2 Facelift
Perfect!I have also been toying with the V8 and an LPG conversion. By my very rudimentary maths, the cost of fiel would break even:
Deisel - 32MPG
v8 - 17MPG
LPG = 1/2 price of deisel = roughly the same fuel runnign costs. (Don't argue with me as I am trying very hard to justify a V8
)Edited by Mikeyplum on Friday 4th November 16:49
Mikeyplum said:
I have also been toying with the V8 and an LPG conversion. By my very rudimentary maths, the cost of fiel would break even:
Deisel - 32MPG
v8 - 17MPG
LPG = 1/2 price of deisel = roughly the same fuel runnign costs. (Don't argue with me as I am trying very hard to justify a V8)
My old Disco 3.9 used to avarage between 10 & 14 to the gallon! 20 on the motorway. Deisel - 32MPG
v8 - 17MPG
LPG = 1/2 price of deisel = roughly the same fuel runnign costs. (Don't argue with me as I am trying very hard to justify a V8
)Edited by Mikeyplum on Friday 4th November 16:49
My mate has a silver top of the line one with all the toys including the air suspension.
It can be moved along surprisingly quick along a B-road, certainly the way he drives it
There are a lot of rust spots starting to appear, he has had the suspension fail and also the clutch has gone as well. There are quite a few other niggly things wrong with it as well. Certainly not a cheap car to run.
Despite it's size it is somewhat cramped in the inside and the driving position is far from ideal, I'd also suggest going for the automatic as the manual is on the heavy side and a bit of a pain when in stop-start traffic/around town.
I like the idea of one but baulk at the prices being asked, especially when coupled with the potential bills.
It can be moved along surprisingly quick along a B-road, certainly the way he drives it
There are a lot of rust spots starting to appear, he has had the suspension fail and also the clutch has gone as well. There are quite a few other niggly things wrong with it as well. Certainly not a cheap car to run.
Despite it's size it is somewhat cramped in the inside and the driving position is far from ideal, I'd also suggest going for the automatic as the manual is on the heavy side and a bit of a pain when in stop-start traffic/around town.
I like the idea of one but baulk at the prices being asked, especially when coupled with the potential bills.
Mikeyplum said:
I have also been toying with the V8 and an LPG conversion. By my very rudimentary maths, the cost of fiel would break even:
Deisel - 32MPG
v8 - 17MPG
LPG = 1/2 price of deisel = roughly the same fuel runnign costs. (Don't argue with me as I am trying very hard to justify a V8)
I struggle to get 32mpg out of my TD5 mid twenties is more realistic for me, but most of my journeys are either short or done on twisty back roads.Deisel - 32MPG
v8 - 17MPG
LPG = 1/2 price of deisel = roughly the same fuel runnign costs. (Don't argue with me as I am trying very hard to justify a V8
)Take a big box of brave pills!
Seriously though, the TD5 Disco is a very good machine. A full service history is very important - they don't like not being serviced. Cooling problems can arise. Head gaskets/heads can give problems.
My TD5 has 260,000km (I bought it at 130,000) and has always been serviced at regulat intervals. It's now getting to the age where it regularly wears stuff out.
Google "the three amigos" for stories about the abs/tc/hill descent control light problems and the associated costs.
I'm in the process of ripping out the ACE system (a brilliant hydraulic ant-roll system when it doesn't leak) and replacing it with classic anti-roll bars.
I wouldn't rely on a TD5 as my only car - I only kept mine because
a) I can't let go of cars (and I've got loads of space to store them)
b) I got offered a ridiculously low price when I bought a new one (less than the value of the tyres on it at the time).
c) It's always handy to have an extra 4wd about (one of my companies is in agricultural contracting)
My new one was a Toyota Landcruiser!
Seriously though, the TD5 Disco is a very good machine. A full service history is very important - they don't like not being serviced. Cooling problems can arise. Head gaskets/heads can give problems.
My TD5 has 260,000km (I bought it at 130,000) and has always been serviced at regulat intervals. It's now getting to the age where it regularly wears stuff out.
Google "the three amigos" for stories about the abs/tc/hill descent control light problems and the associated costs.
I'm in the process of ripping out the ACE system (a brilliant hydraulic ant-roll system when it doesn't leak) and replacing it with classic anti-roll bars.
I wouldn't rely on a TD5 as my only car - I only kept mine because
a) I can't let go of cars (and I've got loads of space to store them)
b) I got offered a ridiculously low price when I bought a new one (less than the value of the tyres on it at the time).
c) It's always handy to have an extra 4wd about (one of my companies is in agricultural contracting)
My new one was a Toyota Landcruiser!
I really enjoyed mine, they are fun cars to drive.
Try and find one with ACE (active cornering enhancement). If you look into the front offside wheel arch along the chassis, there will be 3 pipes running along it on a car with ACE.
It really does make a difference, it would out corner my bmw 330!
But after all that I should say that mine was still in factory warranty.
Try and find one with ACE (active cornering enhancement). If you look into the front offside wheel arch along the chassis, there will be 3 pipes running along it on a car with ACE.
It really does make a difference, it would out corner my bmw 330!
But after all that I should say that mine was still in factory warranty.
Edited by Major Fallout on Friday 4th November 17:30
Major Fallout said:
I really enjoyed mine, they are fun cars to drive.
Try and find one with ACE (active cornering enhancement). If you look into the front offside wheel arch along the chassis, there will be 3 pipes running along it on a car with ACE.
It really does make a difference, it would out corner my bmw 330!
Interested to see your comment. I'm just ripping mine out - £313 for classic anti-roll bars vs. £1200 for the repair of my ACE system. I agree that it corners brilliantly with ACE, I just couldn't face parting with so much money to fix it. Hope the ARB bars (from extreme 4x4) will be ok!Try and find one with ACE (active cornering enhancement). If you look into the front offside wheel arch along the chassis, there will be 3 pipes running along it on a car with ACE.
It really does make a difference, it would out corner my bmw 330!
sunbeam alpine said:
Major Fallout said:
I really enjoyed mine, they are fun cars to drive.
Try and find one with ACE (active cornering enhancement). If you look into the front offside wheel arch along the chassis, there will be 3 pipes running along it on a car with ACE.
It really does make a difference, it would out corner my bmw 330!
Interested to see your comment. I'm just ripping mine out - £313 for classic anti-roll bars vs. £1200 for the repair of my ACE system. I agree that it corners brilliantly with ACE, I just couldn't face parting with so much money to fix it. Hope the ARB bars (from extreme 4x4) will be ok!Try and find one with ACE (active cornering enhancement). If you look into the front offside wheel arch along the chassis, there will be 3 pipes running along it on a car with ACE.
It really does make a difference, it would out corner my bmw 330!
But when i had mine it was land rover's problem if it failed.
I didn't know it was a week point.
Some interesting comments here. I'm quite a sucker for gismo's and gadgets so the ACE does intrigue me somewhat.
With regards to the fuel consumption, I'm hoping to be getting a new job soon which will reduce my commute from 20 miles each way to 3 so not too bothered really. Hence trying to justify the V8. Although with the V8 I would be worries about driving it cold all the time.
Are there any particular models that people would suggest? There are so many available...
With regards to the fuel consumption, I'm hoping to be getting a new job soon which will reduce my commute from 20 miles each way to 3
so not too bothered really. Hence trying to justify the V8. Although with the V8 I would be worries about driving it cold all the time. Are there any particular models that people would suggest? There are so many available...
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