'Cheap' Discovery V8
Discussion
Evening all
Thought I'd put this on here, interesting to see how long it will take for this car to break me
Been looking for a Land Rover since I sold my Ninety in October last year (rotten as a maggot infested apple tree), and decided to put the money elsewhere. By chance, I found this Discovery for sale. It was just what I was after - Something a little more practical than the MINI, with some creature comforts for longer journeys, but still rugged and as simple as could be in the circumstances.
It's a 1994 Discovery V8 (debit card is now on fire through fuel use...) ES Auto in Aegean Blue, which I bought for.... £350! It has MOT until November, and was top of the range when it was new. Dual Zone Air Conditioning, Full Leather, Cruise Control, Twin Electric Sunroofs, 6CD Changer, and more.
It has had quite a lot of work done to it in the last year or so, it had about £400 worth of welding for the last MOT, and it has also had a new air mass sensor, £350 fitted! It has also been well looked after in the past at Land Rover dealers over the country (I believe it was registered new in Manchester, but it has also seen service in Knightsbridge).
Since I've bought it, the horn and cruise control have stopped working, I've blown a manifold gasket, and the rear electric windows won't go down from the front control panel. Looks like the seller has hit a self destruct button! But the manifold gasket is being sorted in the next few days, I'm sure the horn must be a fuse, and the cruise isn't the end of the world.
As I'm still only 20, I am going to be using it ocasionally, at the moment I'm insuring it one month at a time until I can get full time insurance at 21. Even though my job is about 150 yards down the road, it's still using the best part of £50 a week just ambling around
Well it's cheaper than depreciation on a new/nearly new car I was going to get to replace the MINI, so the fact I'm spending my own money is more secure (and that V8 rumble will never get boring)... Well, that's what I'm trying to tell myself!!
First weekend I had it I went off road with a friend's 101FC, and the Disco (even on the tyres it has now) went everywhere the 101 went (admittedly the difflock on the 101 was only working 70% of the time). Yes there was some points where I really had to nail it, but as someone who has been into off-roading for 7 years, I was simply stunned where the Disco went.
Some pics;
I've since removed the nasty side-steps, and I'm going to remove the tow-bar, rear step, and trim the front bumper to improve the approach angle. Then some all terrain tyres will be on the list, then some proper mud-plugging
Bet's on - How long is it going to take until it's going to break me!!
Thought I'd put this on here, interesting to see how long it will take for this car to break me
Been looking for a Land Rover since I sold my Ninety in October last year (rotten as a maggot infested apple tree), and decided to put the money elsewhere. By chance, I found this Discovery for sale. It was just what I was after - Something a little more practical than the MINI, with some creature comforts for longer journeys, but still rugged and as simple as could be in the circumstances.
It's a 1994 Discovery V8 (debit card is now on fire through fuel use...) ES Auto in Aegean Blue, which I bought for.... £350! It has MOT until November, and was top of the range when it was new. Dual Zone Air Conditioning, Full Leather, Cruise Control, Twin Electric Sunroofs, 6CD Changer, and more.
It has had quite a lot of work done to it in the last year or so, it had about £400 worth of welding for the last MOT, and it has also had a new air mass sensor, £350 fitted! It has also been well looked after in the past at Land Rover dealers over the country (I believe it was registered new in Manchester, but it has also seen service in Knightsbridge).
Since I've bought it, the horn and cruise control have stopped working, I've blown a manifold gasket, and the rear electric windows won't go down from the front control panel. Looks like the seller has hit a self destruct button! But the manifold gasket is being sorted in the next few days, I'm sure the horn must be a fuse, and the cruise isn't the end of the world.
As I'm still only 20, I am going to be using it ocasionally, at the moment I'm insuring it one month at a time until I can get full time insurance at 21. Even though my job is about 150 yards down the road, it's still using the best part of £50 a week just ambling around
Well it's cheaper than depreciation on a new/nearly new car I was going to get to replace the MINI, so the fact I'm spending my own money is more secure (and that V8 rumble will never get boring)... Well, that's what I'm trying to tell myself!!First weekend I had it I went off road with a friend's 101FC, and the Disco (even on the tyres it has now) went everywhere the 101 went (admittedly the difflock on the 101 was only working 70% of the time). Yes there was some points where I really had to nail it, but as someone who has been into off-roading for 7 years, I was simply stunned where the Disco went.
Some pics;
I've since removed the nasty side-steps, and I'm going to remove the tow-bar, rear step, and trim the front bumper to improve the approach angle. Then some all terrain tyres will be on the list, then some proper mud-plugging
Bet's on - How long is it going to take until it's going to break me!!
The Land Rover urge is almost hurting me at the moment and the other half doesn't help because she likes them too. I know for a fact it would let me down, empty my bank account and make me cry but I still want one badly. I also want it to be the V8 like yours, they just sound so damn good for a 4x4.
Good luck, you'll need it!
Good luck, you'll need it!
Nice - you got a bargain there as even if it goes pop tomorrow, it'll be worth that in scrap/spares.
As for tyres, I've just fitted a set of Insa Turbo Sahara to an L200 and they're ace - decent enough on road and brilliant off. At ~£60 a corner, they're exceptional value.
As for tyres, I've just fitted a set of Insa Turbo Sahara to an L200 and they're ace - decent enough on road and brilliant off. At ~£60 a corner, they're exceptional value.
£350 is a bargain!
MOT times will be tense!
I recommend the Maxxis Mudder tyres. I ad them on my Pajero and the were quiet enough on the road and great off road. You may need to add a lift kit to fit them though. If memory serves mine were 31s and I think a Disco wont fit those under the arches with out a lift kit.
MOT times will be tense!
I recommend the Maxxis Mudder tyres. I ad them on my Pajero and the were quiet enough on the road and great off road. You may need to add a lift kit to fit them though. If memory serves mine were 31s and I think a Disco wont fit those under the arches with out a lift kit.
Nice looking Disco
I'm using a 1998 V8 (LPG) Disco as my daily at the moment whilst I finish off building the CSK. I'm considering keeping it and using it for off road duties instead of my Series 3 when it's surplus.
Your rear electric window fault is the ECU underneath the nearside dash. They have a dry joint on them normally.
Has it had the "spider" done? If you start to get weird ignition faults then keep the "spider unit" in mind.
Enjoy
I'm using a 1998 V8 (LPG) Disco as my daily at the moment whilst I finish off building the CSK. I'm considering keeping it and using it for off road duties instead of my Series 3 when it's surplus.
Your rear electric window fault is the ECU underneath the nearside dash. They have a dry joint on them normally.
Has it had the "spider" done? If you start to get weird ignition faults then keep the "spider unit" in mind.
Enjoy
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