Disco 2 - Good or Bad Idea?
Discussion
Hopefully in the next few months I'll be in the market to buy another Land Rover. As I'm looking for a day-to-day machine that is capable of comfortable long distance as well as forays off road, it rules out a Defender unfortunately. I was going to go and buy another P38 Range Rover, but I've noticed D2 prices are now well within reach - around £2k - £2.5k is the budget.
As much as I liked my old P38, I'm starting to think that a D2 would be a better all-rounder - bigger/taller load bay, TD5 engine (having driven a 2.5 TD BMW P38 I found that it just didn't feel right - the only engine I'd accept in a P38 is a V8 on LPG), and I wouldn't be so concerned about damaging it off-road. I don't really want another 200/300Tdi - both were great cars but I used to lie awake at night, listening to the rampant tinworms munching away.
So, what do I need to know? I'm fairly handy with spanners and owning a P38 doesn't scare me in the slightest - so does a D2 make better sense as an all-round machine in the real world?
Over to you....
As much as I liked my old P38, I'm starting to think that a D2 would be a better all-rounder - bigger/taller load bay, TD5 engine (having driven a 2.5 TD BMW P38 I found that it just didn't feel right - the only engine I'd accept in a P38 is a V8 on LPG), and I wouldn't be so concerned about damaging it off-road. I don't really want another 200/300Tdi - both were great cars but I used to lie awake at night, listening to the rampant tinworms munching away.
So, what do I need to know? I'm fairly handy with spanners and owning a P38 doesn't scare me in the slightest - so does a D2 make better sense as an all-round machine in the real world?
Over to you....
I bought a 2001 td5 manual Discovery 2 late last year, with a plan to sell it in March/April.
It cost £2700.
It is a great car, now with 150,000 miles, and has clearly been looked after, despite a gap in the service history.
My recommendations:--
Join the D2 boys club forum.
The have a buying guide.
Most parts are replaceable at a reasonable cost.
However the chassis can have terminal rot. New ones are available but are similar in price to your budget.
So, find one with a great chassis as a priority. Defects such as interior problems and body panels are all available second hand.
My has been great. The radiator developed a leak a couple of months ago, and the steering box is a bit drippy.
It cost £2700.
It is a great car, now with 150,000 miles, and has clearly been looked after, despite a gap in the service history.
My recommendations:--
Join the D2 boys club forum.
The have a buying guide.
Most parts are replaceable at a reasonable cost.
However the chassis can have terminal rot. New ones are available but are similar in price to your budget.
So, find one with a great chassis as a priority. Defects such as interior problems and body panels are all available second hand.
My has been great. The radiator developed a leak a couple of months ago, and the steering box is a bit drippy.
A disco 1 is a much better ownership proposition.
Simple TDi engine, simple coil suspension, simple vacuum gearbox on autos, more space, easy to fix, hundreds of options for secondhand spares, cheaper insurance,just as nice to drive.
The D2 is a nice car, but at that budget you will get a tatty one, an abused one or a rusty one, or a V8 with a porous block.
The same money gets you a D1 in great nick, probably with a full history, costs peanuts to maintain.
Simple TDi engine, simple coil suspension, simple vacuum gearbox on autos, more space, easy to fix, hundreds of options for secondhand spares, cheaper insurance,just as nice to drive.
The D2 is a nice car, but at that budget you will get a tatty one, an abused one or a rusty one, or a V8 with a porous block.
The same money gets you a D1 in great nick, probably with a full history, costs peanuts to maintain.
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