Discovery 2 General Purpose Runabout
Discussion
Hi all,
Well, I've ditched the Defender idea and spent a lot of time this week driving around looking at Disco 2's for circa £5k.
All except one proved to be tatty examples. However the one I like is a 2001 car, 97000 miles, excellent interior - really, no marks at all, the bodywork is excellent with no major scratches and no dents - paintwork still shines nicely, waxoiled underneath, engine bay clean and goes well enough apart from a slight shudder attributed to the UJ's.
The seller - Indy garage - is replacing the UJ's and doing some other work to it that his LR tech said wasn't urgent but should be done at some point in the next year or so, has a new MOT and nearly new All-Season tyres.
I'm sorely tempted...it has no stability control as it is only an S model but creature comforts weren't my priority and the XS newer models within my budget were awful.
It's only for winter use, a bi-annual France trip and taking the dog out for a walk somewhere different to our usual haunts.
Sooooo, any advice? Will I need the stability control models for the long trips?
Well, I've ditched the Defender idea and spent a lot of time this week driving around looking at Disco 2's for circa £5k.
All except one proved to be tatty examples. However the one I like is a 2001 car, 97000 miles, excellent interior - really, no marks at all, the bodywork is excellent with no major scratches and no dents - paintwork still shines nicely, waxoiled underneath, engine bay clean and goes well enough apart from a slight shudder attributed to the UJ's.
The seller - Indy garage - is replacing the UJ's and doing some other work to it that his LR tech said wasn't urgent but should be done at some point in the next year or so, has a new MOT and nearly new All-Season tyres.
I'm sorely tempted...it has no stability control as it is only an S model but creature comforts weren't my priority and the XS newer models within my budget were awful.
It's only for winter use, a bi-annual France trip and taking the dog out for a walk somewhere different to our usual haunts.
Sooooo, any advice? Will I need the stability control models for the long trips?
I have a Disco II which used to have ASC, but replaced it with traditional ARB's when the pipework failed (€1250 for the parts to repair the ASC against a couple of hundred for ARB's).
The drive (especially when towing) is completely different (by this I mean much worse!). It rolls like a boat whereas with ASC it was much more stable. It's not dangerous however, just completely different - you don't realise how good it is until it's gone!
If you've never had it however...
The drive (especially when towing) is completely different (by this I mean much worse!). It rolls like a boat whereas with ASC it was much more stable. It's not dangerous however, just completely different - you don't realise how good it is until it's gone!
If you've never had it however...
sunbeam alpine said:
I have a Disco II which used to have ASC, but replaced it with traditional ARB's when the pipework failed (€1250 for the parts to repair the ASC against a couple of hundred for ARB's).
The drive (especially when towing) is completely different (by this I mean much worse!). It rolls like a boat whereas with ASC it was much more stable. It's not dangerous however, just completely different - you don't realise how good it is until it's gone!
If you've never had it however...
You're talking about ACE - active cornering enhancement. ETA which might on re-reading it be what the OP's talking about and is, as you say, ace. The drive (especially when towing) is completely different (by this I mean much worse!). It rolls like a boat whereas with ASC it was much more stable. It's not dangerous however, just completely different - you don't realise how good it is until it's gone!
If you've never had it however...
Edited by Bill on Thursday 10th October 11:45
Coolbanana said:
Hi all,
Well, I've ditched the Defender idea and spent a lot of time this week driving around looking at Disco 2's for circa £5k.
All except one proved to be tatty examples. However the one I like is a 2001 car, 97000 miles, excellent interior - really, no marks at all, the bodywork is excellent with no major scratches and no dents - paintwork still shines nicely, waxoiled underneath, engine bay clean and goes well enough apart from a slight shudder attributed to the UJ's.
The seller - Indy garage - is replacing the UJ's and doing some other work to it that his LR tech said wasn't urgent but should be done at some point in the next year or so, has a new MOT and nearly new All-Season tyres.
I'm sorely tempted...it has no stability control as it is only an S model but creature comforts weren't my priority and the XS newer models within my budget were awful.
It's only for winter use, a bi-annual France trip and taking the dog out for a walk somewhere different to our usual haunts.
Sooooo, any advice? Will I need the stability control models for the long trips?
I would have thought £5k should get you plenty of choice in the D2 market. Buy on condition, not age, so even early ones should be considered.Well, I've ditched the Defender idea and spent a lot of time this week driving around looking at Disco 2's for circa £5k.
All except one proved to be tatty examples. However the one I like is a 2001 car, 97000 miles, excellent interior - really, no marks at all, the bodywork is excellent with no major scratches and no dents - paintwork still shines nicely, waxoiled underneath, engine bay clean and goes well enough apart from a slight shudder attributed to the UJ's.
The seller - Indy garage - is replacing the UJ's and doing some other work to it that his LR tech said wasn't urgent but should be done at some point in the next year or so, has a new MOT and nearly new All-Season tyres.
I'm sorely tempted...it has no stability control as it is only an S model but creature comforts weren't my priority and the XS newer models within my budget were awful.
It's only for winter use, a bi-annual France trip and taking the dog out for a walk somewhere different to our usual haunts.
Sooooo, any advice? Will I need the stability control models for the long trips?
My brothers girlfriend picked up a Y plate D2 for £1000 the other week. It's really rather tidy, very solid and was a complete bargain.
With regards to stability, I assume you are meaning ACE? Active Cornering Enhancement. It's basically an active anti rollbar that auto adjust via hydraulics to minimise body roll.
It's quite clever and works well, but it's not needed at all. Many models didn't have it and older D1 and RRC's didn't always even anti roll bars at all. You will get more body roll, but they were/are perfectly fine on the road.
Thanks for the replies.
I like the D2 I've seen - it is a very tidy example for a 12 yr old car. No toys as it is an S model so no sunroof to leak, no air suspension to break, no electric seats or seat heating to fail - just the basic gubbins you need for a 3rd vehicle for taking the dog out, taking the family out to the Pub, running kids about in sorta thing.
I have my Porsche for speedy fun and my wife has her Mini Cooper S.
I saw a Jeep Grand Cherokee today - a 3rd of the mileage, so very low but it looked its age, circa 10 years old, whereas the D2 I like could be mistaken for a 3 yr old car by someone who doesn't know the models, it is that clean. That said, the Jeep feels the better long-haul cruiser and still looked ok.
I like the D2 I've seen - it is a very tidy example for a 12 yr old car. No toys as it is an S model so no sunroof to leak, no air suspension to break, no electric seats or seat heating to fail - just the basic gubbins you need for a 3rd vehicle for taking the dog out, taking the family out to the Pub, running kids about in sorta thing.
I have my Porsche for speedy fun and my wife has her Mini Cooper S.
I saw a Jeep Grand Cherokee today - a 3rd of the mileage, so very low but it looked its age, circa 10 years old, whereas the D2 I like could be mistaken for a 3 yr old car by someone who doesn't know the models, it is that clean. That said, the Jeep feels the better long-haul cruiser and still looked ok.
Edited by Coolbanana on Thursday 10th October 16:46
Check out the d2 boys club. Useful stuff on there. 5k must be near top dollar for these. Look for something that has been remapped by a reputable company such as alive - they are woeful in std tune. If auto then an heavy duty torque converter is a nice mod. chassis rot is a problem so be careful when looking and poke about/tap with a wee hammer... a fresh coat of waxoil could be hiding a lot of probs
I've had one for the last few years and have been running about with failed ace and the handling is fine.. not as good but not bad either. This failure was the final straw though and
I'm trading it for a 335d xdrive touring msport due mid dec.
I've had one for the last few years and have been running about with failed ace and the handling is fine.. not as good but not bad either. This failure was the final straw though and
I'm trading it for a 335d xdrive touring msport due mid dec.
Edited by wacbas on Friday 11th October 19:33
I have a D2 (and a D3). The D2 is a 99 manual with 118K but with most extras (not leather). Bought from someone I know. I paid top dollar (3k - a year ago). Unfortunately the engine let go and so I bought an 88K TD5. Cost me about £2.5K all in to buy the engine and get it fitted (there are always a few more parts than you think need replacing).
New engine is a peach.
Overall its a good car and been very reliable (bar the engine and the height sensors).
Its actually quite nice to drive and am looking foward to the snow. I have AT2s on it (on spare D3 XS 18 inch wheels).
I would recommend them.
New engine is a peach.
Overall its a good car and been very reliable (bar the engine and the height sensors).
Its actually quite nice to drive and am looking foward to the snow. I have AT2s on it (on spare D3 XS 18 inch wheels).
I would recommend them.
We have a D2 Auto TD5, and have had it for 6 years or so. We've been literally everywhere in it, and love it, which sounds odd, given its for sale. Ours is the ES model, has double electric sunroof, electric heated beige leather etc etc and I am religious at keeping it clean and tidy and in epsom green looks bloody stunning.
But, they are a labour of love. I dont want to put you off, but you do need to be prepared for some expense - even just keeping on top of maintenance. Items such as propshaft UJ's, oil and filter changed, ace filters etc etc all need maintenance. If you are handy with the spanners, the purchase of a nanocom is a wise investment too - also very handy for setting ride heights if the air suspension needs work.
If you want more info on the work we've carried out, feel free to get in touch. Also, www.discovery2.co.uk is a great resource for d2 owners.
OH - why are we selling? - because I really fancy a L322 range rover.
But, they are a labour of love. I dont want to put you off, but you do need to be prepared for some expense - even just keeping on top of maintenance. Items such as propshaft UJ's, oil and filter changed, ace filters etc etc all need maintenance. If you are handy with the spanners, the purchase of a nanocom is a wise investment too - also very handy for setting ride heights if the air suspension needs work.
If you want more info on the work we've carried out, feel free to get in touch. Also, www.discovery2.co.uk is a great resource for d2 owners.
OH - why are we selling? - because I really fancy a L322 range rover.
Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff