Disco 300tdi or P38 Range rover?

[martin mrt]

I'm looking for something reliatively cheap (2k max) to replace my T5 Transporter short term and These are two I'm considering,

I need something with the ability to tow a car transporter trailer hence looking at 4x4s

Obviously I'm not expecting a minter but something that's reliable is a must

[bakerstreet]

martin mrt said:

something that's reliable is a must

Err have you done any reading on Land Rovers at all??

You will struggle to get a good diesel P38 for under £2k, especially as we are now in the depths of winter and 4x4 sellers are pushing up their prices.

You have to be quick when you are hunting for a disco in that price range. Good ones move from the classifieds very quickly.

I'd say that the BMW engine in the P38 is probably slightly better than the 300TDI engine. Lot less rot on the P38 too.

Overall, I'd say go for a Disco, as the suspension and heating system are a lot more straight forward than the complex P38. You'll have to more choice with Discos too. Try and get something with a full MOT, but that will be tough in your price range.

Go and find a decent disco buyers guide on the net. There are plenty about. Body rot is the main thing though.

[eltax91]

At that money, reliability is not going to exists in either the Disco or the P38. The Disco is less complex. I would though, in your situation, go for something Jeep or something Japanese. Much more reliable (yours, a happy LR owner!!)

[martin mrt]

Thanks for your responses, back to the drawing board then

[bakerstreet]

You could get a nice Pajero SWB 2.8TD for £2k. Not as economical as the Disco tghough. Average about 20mpg. Very tough trucks.

[pikeyboy]

Just bought a 300tdi auto for 1500 quid to smoke over the winter,been welded in the usual places has 12 months ticket loads of tax and bills with it. For 2K you'll get one if you look or also consider isuzu trooper/ vauxhall monterey. 2k will get a very nice one. Discovery interior seems very fragile in comparison to the isuzus I've had though. Shoguns are OK but thirsty and seem to have a few engine probs mainly head gaskets and front crank pulley - I know as my previous L200 almost ate its ways through the cam belt when the pulley came loose.

[mat13]

think about towing weights as well, a disco and a trooper can legally tow up to 3.5 tons, the mitsubishis can only tow up to 2.7 tons. 2k will see you into a relatively tidy disco 300tdi, ignore the p38, even the good ones are a nightmare and the bmw diesel was designed to be used in a car not a 4x4, its got nothing on the 300tdi when it comes to towing.