Land rover newbie, discovery advice please!

[sidekickdmr]

Hi,

Selling the 370z and want a new weekend toy, I've always had sports cars and fancy a change, so what with it coming to winter I fancy one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-Land-Rover-Discover...

Budget of about 5k but as its only really a weekend toy I want a "pumped up" one like above. The more outrageous the better (but still being smart and comfortable)

What's the best engine to go for? Is the auto box ok?

Anything to look out for?

Thanks

[anonymous-user]

sidekickdmr said:

The more outrageous the better (but still being smart and comfortable)

Outrageous whilst being smart and comfortable.......nope, don't geddit.
Body lifts, big wheels and other naff rubbish is rarely done a) well and b) on a budget.

[miniman]

Engine choices are TD5 or V8. Obviously the V8 is nice but very thirsty, and to be fair the TD5 is hardly the roost frugal thing in the world - mine averages around 24 on a run, around 20 overall. Immediate TD5 tweaks are EGR valve delete, decat pipe, then chipping and bigger intercooler. Auto box will hurt economy.

Around 2002 the diff lock was removed in favour of traction control but was reintroduced later. It can be reconnected but its not a trivial job.

Mine has been pretty reliable over 18 months, other than servicing I can't have spent more than £100 on minor odds and ends.

[sidekickdmr]

Crossflow Kid said:

Outrageous whilst being smart and comfortable.......nope, don't geddit.
Body lifts, big wheels and other naff rubbish is rarely done a) well and b) on a budget.

I just meant there is no point suggesting anything like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170943115625

[pjdow]

Look for a Td5 over a V8. They can be chipped and afterwards have very similar performance. However, a Discovery is not a performance car.

Check the chassis for rust.

Some versions have ACE suspension. great when it works, less good when it doesn't.

Some people have swopped the Air springs for coils. the handling is compromised when this is done.

Sunroof. These generally leak! I have just purchased a 2001 td5 ES and they don't on mine.

Check all the electrical items work. Some problems like the rear window demist blowing fuses can be a 5 minute fix others are more complicated.

Dashboard lights:- if the 3 amigos are lit. ABD, TC and Hill descent it can be difficult to stop the fault and often needs new bearings and sensors at £180 per wheel plus fitting.

The drivers seat is likely to be tatty, new foam is available for reasonable money, the covers cost a fortune.


Etc..

Sign up to The D2 boys club. On the forum there is buying advise. They also have a cars for sale section may be good to look there for something suitable.

[anonymous-user]

pjdow said:

Look for a Td5 over a V8. They can be chipped and afterwards it'll overheat, blow the head and warp the exhaust manifold

Got that for you.

[pjdow]

Yes, My old TD5 did warp a manifold or 10

[sidekickdmr]

Liking this one



Just need to find a decent one for sale

An I best going manual? What's the auto like on these? (looking at 2003/4)

[eltax91]

sidekickdmr said:

What's the auto like on these?

Is there an echo in here?

[pjdow]

sidekickdmr said:

Liking this one



Just need to find a decent one for sale

An I best going manual? What's the auto like on these? (looking at 2003/4)

I do not think your budget will get that one, and if it did you would need to drive it home!

[sidekickdmr]

I know, that was just an example of the type of thing I'm after!

Better of buying one already done or buying a standard one and slowly doing te work myself?

I've registered with the D2 boys club but can't post or browse yet as waiting "approval"

[pjdow]

If you buy a standard vehicle and modify it yourself you know what has been done, the quality of work and the quality of the parts used.

Also a standard vehicle is less likely to have been used off road and may be in better overall condition.

If you buy a modified vehicle it is likely to have had more abuse and you do not necessarily know the quality of the work. However it will be cheaper as many of these modifications do not increase the value of the vehicle when coming to sell.

It may also be more difficult to sell a modified vehicle as the modifications may not be to all tastes!

[300bhp/ton]

sidekickdmr said:

I know, that was just an example of the type of thing I'm after!

Better of buying one already done or buying a standard one and slowly doing te work myself?

I've registered with the D2 boys club but can't post or browse yet as waiting "approval"

The auto is fine and quite strong, although likely will need a rebuild at some point. Almost all V8's are auto's and you'll find more manual TD5's than auto ones.

The auto will blunt the performance (only 4 gear) and offer up worse mpg. I drove an early auto Td5 and while impressed off road was very disappointed on road with it.

I'd also echo buying a standard one and modding, although this will likely cost more as modded ones aren't worth more because of the mods.

I'd also say take a look at some Jeeps, a sorted XJ Cherokee or Grand Cherokee is a good alternative.


Re: mods and lift. Make sure you know what you want from it. Many lifts will not improve suspension travel, they may even hinder it and stiffer springs can ruin the ride, while soft spring may introduce more body lean.

Bigger tyres will also blunt performance and use more fuel and may cause it to handle worse or differently at least.