Discovery MkII - V8 or TD5??
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I am selling my 110 CSW 300Tdi(ghey mode on) as it's actually far too nice for my business and greenlaning -I've bought a rough 110 hardtop instead (ghey mode off) and getting into a Discocovery for daily jaunts and a family trip into the wilds once in a while (I think - my mind changes constantly!!)...
The thing is, I am torn between the V8 and the TD5 variants.
On the TD5 front I know they are very tunable and some cars also have some electronic issues...(can 'o' worms opened?). A mate has tuned his TD5 Def 90 and it goes like s
t off a shovel and sounds rather nice, too 
V8's are just, well, you know, superb! I don't do a great deal of greenlaning and when I do I don't look for deep water to wade in (are there special kits to protect the engine tho?). Oh, I'll also be looking at V8's with a decent LPG sysstem in.
So, what to do?? What do you, the pH Massive think?
TIA, all advice and abuse welcome
C.
I am selling my 110 CSW 300Tdi(ghey mode on) as it's actually far too nice for my business and greenlaning -I've bought a rough 110 hardtop instead (ghey mode off) and getting into a Discocovery for daily jaunts and a family trip into the wilds once in a while (I think - my mind changes constantly!!)...
The thing is, I am torn between the V8 and the TD5 variants.
On the TD5 front I know they are very tunable and some cars also have some electronic issues...(can 'o' worms opened?). A mate has tuned his TD5 Def 90 and it goes like s
t off a shovel and sounds rather nice, too V8's are just, well, you know, superb! I don't do a great deal of greenlaning and when I do I don't look for deep water to wade in (are there special kits to protect the engine tho?). Oh, I'll also be looking at V8's with a decent LPG sysstem in.
So, what to do?? What do you, the pH Massive think?
TIA, all advice and abuse welcome
C.
IMHO - I'd steer clear from chipped TD5s and V8s with LPG!
If you can't afford to run a V8, don't bother buying one. As for chipped TD5s (or any Diesels for that matter) is that if you get it wrong, you start to cook things... Hence the warped zorst manifolds.
Personally, I'd go for the TD5 but if you want a fast car... Buy a fast car.
M
If you can't afford to run a V8, don't bother buying one. As for chipped TD5s (or any Diesels for that matter) is that if you get it wrong, you start to cook things... Hence the warped zorst manifolds.
Personally, I'd go for the TD5 but if you want a fast car... Buy a fast car.
M
camel_landy said:
IMHO - I'd steer clear from chipped TD5s and V8s with LPG!
If you can't afford to run a V8, don't bother buying one. As for chipped TD5s (or any Diesels for that matter) is that if you get it wrong, you start to cook things... Hence the warped zorst manifolds.
Personally, I'd go for the TD5 but if you want a fast car... Buy a fast car.
M
Have fast cars (not hypercars, mind) - after a faster 4x4...and I can afford to run V8's, but I don't see why I shouldn't get better range between fills due to a good LPG system being fitted.If you can't afford to run a V8, don't bother buying one. As for chipped TD5s (or any Diesels for that matter) is that if you get it wrong, you start to cook things... Hence the warped zorst manifolds.
Personally, I'd go for the TD5 but if you want a fast car... Buy a fast car.
M
Caractacus said:
Have fast cars (not hypercars, mind) - after a faster 4x4...and I can afford to run V8's, but I don't see why I shouldn't get better range between fills due to a good LPG system being fitted.
Get a long range tank then... 
IMO - LPG on the Rover V8 is a false economy.
M
No... But LPG is very harsh on the HT system. Where you save at the pump, I've found you end up spending on replacing coil packs, HT leads & plugs. Then, that's assuming it's running reliably... Land Rover gave up trying to get LPG running reliably on that engine!
But... That's only my opinion.
M
But... That's only my opinion.
M
You haven't spoke of a budget for buying a car yet?
Imo, i would go for a ES spec disco TD5 and get it tuned by TD5 alive, you can get a decent 180bhp from them without serious work.
Just make sure the oil hasn't got up the ecu wiring loom into the ecu under the seats, thats a few £100 to sort out.
Imo, i would go for a ES spec disco TD5 and get it tuned by TD5 alive, you can get a decent 180bhp from them without serious work.
Just make sure the oil hasn't got up the ecu wiring loom into the ecu under the seats, thats a few £100 to sort out.
camel_landy said:
No... But LPG is very harsh on the HT system. Where you save at the pump, I've found you end up spending on replacing coil packs, HT leads & plugs. Then, that's assuming it's running reliably... Land Rover gave up trying to get LPG running reliably on that engine!
But... That's only my opinion.
M
Hi ya fella But... That's only my opinion.
M
Thanks for the info, I never knew that and have googled to find yet more possible probs! Eeek!
The V8 is great on LPG, just watch for slipped liners on later engines.
I am looking for another, low mileage tidy example and willing to pay decent £, I really want a manual though which means a pre facelift Disco 2.
My D1 has done 123k and has been on LPG virtually since new. The engine looks like new inside due to lack of carbon build up in the oil via burning petrol. Oil is always clean. Modern sequential multi point LPG injection systems are in different league to the old single point.
After years of nice V8 sports cars its great to have that same thrill of the noise, ( sport exhaust )everyone looks around thinking a TVR is on it way only to be greeted by a old knacker Disco. Its something I can have up kerbs, tow boats with and not worry when about when I park in ASDA car park. Not fast but a love it, a diesel version would just be a tool nothing more.
I am looking for another, low mileage tidy example and willing to pay decent £, I really want a manual though which means a pre facelift Disco 2.
My D1 has done 123k and has been on LPG virtually since new. The engine looks like new inside due to lack of carbon build up in the oil via burning petrol. Oil is always clean. Modern sequential multi point LPG injection systems are in different league to the old single point.
After years of nice V8 sports cars its great to have that same thrill of the noise, ( sport exhaust )everyone looks around thinking a TVR is on it way only to be greeted by a old knacker Disco. Its something I can have up kerbs, tow boats with and not worry when about when I park in ASDA car park. Not fast but a love it, a diesel version would just be a tool nothing more.
Edited by Rum Runner on Saturday 25th August 11:52
This is a turn up for the books!
I have a 2003 V8. The later high compression one. It does 15.8l/100km average on 95 ron petrol which equates to about 18mpg.
On a run it can get a fair bit better. probably as high as 22-23mpg.
It is a manual which is fairly unusual, the auto I would imagine would be slightly worse.
I have never had it miss when in water, and have done a few reasonable crossings in it. The later ones are far better as the coil packs are right on the back of the inlet manifold... well better until you need to change a HT lead.
I also run a 2003 TD5 D2 for a family member, also a manual. They both have their own 'issues' (I also have a td5 Defender so feel I can compare them fairly objectively)
The TD5 engine is IMO easier to work on than the V8. Get a good looked after one. A chipped TD5 will go better than the V8. The TD5 is a very strong engine, especially the bottom end, although the heads dont like being overheated. The V8 is likely to slip a liner if its overheated which is a fairly major drama. The V8's also have a habit of leaking headgaskets.. I have just changed mine and its only done 75k miles.
Make sure you get one with a complete and total history.
Rgds
Pete
I have a 2003 V8. The later high compression one. It does 15.8l/100km average on 95 ron petrol which equates to about 18mpg.
On a run it can get a fair bit better. probably as high as 22-23mpg.
It is a manual which is fairly unusual, the auto I would imagine would be slightly worse.
I have never had it miss when in water, and have done a few reasonable crossings in it. The later ones are far better as the coil packs are right on the back of the inlet manifold... well better until you need to change a HT lead.
I also run a 2003 TD5 D2 for a family member, also a manual. They both have their own 'issues' (I also have a td5 Defender so feel I can compare them fairly objectively)
The TD5 engine is IMO easier to work on than the V8. Get a good looked after one. A chipped TD5 will go better than the V8. The TD5 is a very strong engine, especially the bottom end, although the heads dont like being overheated. The V8 is likely to slip a liner if its overheated which is a fairly major drama. The V8's also have a habit of leaking headgaskets.. I have just changed mine and its only done 75k miles.
Make sure you get one with a complete and total history.
Rgds
Pete
Psimpson7 said:
Were the manual V8 facelift cars not sold in the UK? I have one over here in Australia.
I am have never seen a face lift D2 V8 manual for sale in U.K spec, I am fairly sure they where all autos. I could be wrong of course.The D1 3.9V8 is a good unit, I have had a good number of TVR's running the 3.9 Serpentine Lucas Hotwire engine (HC and 500), and they have been great and easy look after. The do have the advantage though of Top Hat liners as standard and the TVR.
Edited by Rum Runner on Monday 27th August 12:03
Well, I've decided to steer well clear of the TD5, for many reasons. One of which my mechanic saying "stay away from them!"
So the hunt is on for a V8 Oh, and I'm keeping my 110 CSW too, to great result all round...and soon four Landies in the garage (thankfully it's big enough at 11m x 11m!); 110 300tdi Hard Top, 110 300tdi CSW, MKI Disco 300tdi three door and then the V8 Disco yet to arrive
Thanks for the info, all.
Cheers,
C.
So the hunt is on for a V8
Oh, and I'm keeping my 110 CSW too, to great result all round...and soon four Landies in the garage (thankfully it's big enough at 11m x 11m!); 110 300tdi Hard Top, 110 300tdi CSW, MKI Disco 300tdi three door and then the V8 Disco yet to arrive Thanks for the info, all.
Cheers,
C.
martin mrt said:
camel_landy said:
Crossflow Kid said:
Caractacus said:
....my mechanic saying "stay away from them!"
Based on what, exactly?I've found the TD5 to be quite bomb-proof!
M
The problems are well documented and P Simpson, above, has written quite a good list, also (in a prior thread). He has also said that a great many of these issues/problems are Disco specific, not Defender, in which he is mainly correct. Seeing as I am looking @ a Disco, I will take the advice of my mechanic and that of Mr Simpson, thanks.
V8 all the way - f
k the fuel bill. Caractacus said:
martin mrt said:
camel_landy said:
Crossflow Kid said:
Caractacus said:
....my mechanic saying "stay away from them!"
Based on what, exactly?I've found the TD5 to be quite bomb-proof!
M
And the Army never really took to the TD5 so his view is probably more than a little jaundiced.
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