MG BGT vs Land Rover Series
Discussion
Hi there,
I am aware there is a fair amount of info on these forums about both of these cars as individuals but I havn't been able to find a direct comparison, and I'm after your advice on what car you think would be more suited to me.
So I'm mid twentys, no kids, just a girlfriend, and I work part time on a farm, and study agriculture part time. I've owned two austin minis, a series 3 land rover (only for 2 weeks), and I now have a 98 Discovery tdi.
I'm looking to change vehicle for a few reasons, 1. I don't enjoy driving the disco, 2. Covering the miles I do throughout the week, (Approx 100 - 150 miles), I'm not doing lengthy commutes so a classic would be do-able, 3. I don't need a 7 seater, 4. Insurance on the disco is about 1300 quid, but on a classic landy or MGB its about 550.
I've had experience of older land rovers before, and find them to be slow, noisy, bumpy, and harder to drive amongst normal traffic. The benefits are no complex electrics etc. cheap parts, they won't be upset by bumpy farm tracks, good for camping etc. and on the occasional B road drive, they can be somewhat enjoyable to drive.
With regard to MG's I've no real experience. I know about minis and did alot of work on mine myself, and it was the cheapest, and most enjoyable car I've ever owned. I would go back to one, but, I want something a little more grown up and have always thought that the MGB GT is one of the best looking cars ever.
The negatives, (I assume), being that they are only a 2 seater realistically, will be fragile going over potholed farm tracks, and are short on room, when taking kit with me. The benefits being that they should get almost as good fuel economy as I get from my disco (30+mpg) and they are fun to drive as well as looking good.
My lifestyle mainly consists of work and studying in agriculture, so the land rover be the obvious choice, but their thirsty engines, slow, noisy ride put me off. They look good, but living with one as a daily driver could be a bloody nightmare.
Equally an MGB surely isn't well suited, to carrying smelly overalls wellys and me down muddy lanes to farms and may demand a bit more attention, but it would be a better around town, and would be fantastic fun for dashing around the countryside in.
What's your opinion?
PS I've considered Triumphs, Land Rover defenders, Mazdas, Corsas, Focus's and all sorts, but these are the two that I ALWAYS come back to.
I am aware there is a fair amount of info on these forums about both of these cars as individuals but I havn't been able to find a direct comparison, and I'm after your advice on what car you think would be more suited to me.
So I'm mid twentys, no kids, just a girlfriend, and I work part time on a farm, and study agriculture part time. I've owned two austin minis, a series 3 land rover (only for 2 weeks), and I now have a 98 Discovery tdi.
I'm looking to change vehicle for a few reasons, 1. I don't enjoy driving the disco, 2. Covering the miles I do throughout the week, (Approx 100 - 150 miles), I'm not doing lengthy commutes so a classic would be do-able, 3. I don't need a 7 seater, 4. Insurance on the disco is about 1300 quid, but on a classic landy or MGB its about 550.
I've had experience of older land rovers before, and find them to be slow, noisy, bumpy, and harder to drive amongst normal traffic. The benefits are no complex electrics etc. cheap parts, they won't be upset by bumpy farm tracks, good for camping etc. and on the occasional B road drive, they can be somewhat enjoyable to drive.
With regard to MG's I've no real experience. I know about minis and did alot of work on mine myself, and it was the cheapest, and most enjoyable car I've ever owned. I would go back to one, but, I want something a little more grown up and have always thought that the MGB GT is one of the best looking cars ever.
The negatives, (I assume), being that they are only a 2 seater realistically, will be fragile going over potholed farm tracks, and are short on room, when taking kit with me. The benefits being that they should get almost as good fuel economy as I get from my disco (30+mpg) and they are fun to drive as well as looking good.
My lifestyle mainly consists of work and studying in agriculture, so the land rover be the obvious choice, but their thirsty engines, slow, noisy ride put me off. They look good, but living with one as a daily driver could be a bloody nightmare.
Equally an MGB surely isn't well suited, to carrying smelly overalls wellys and me down muddy lanes to farms and may demand a bit more attention, but it would be a better around town, and would be fantastic fun for dashing around the countryside in.
What's your opinion?
PS I've considered Triumphs, Land Rover defenders, Mazdas, Corsas, Focus's and all sorts, but these are the two that I ALWAYS come back to.
Two of the first cars I bought were an 80" series one and an MGB. The fact I still have the former (now fully restored) some 15 years later is telling as to which I ended up liking best.
However, insofar as daily use is concerned, I had the Landie first and only used it daily for a few weeks before becoming fed up with awful weather protection, heating and performance.
My gf favoured the MGB and would only drive that out of the two. Running costs and mechanicals for the MG were fine for a novice, and the only reason I got rid of it in the end was the spreading rust! Not sure it'd go too well down farm tracks though..... I can see your predicament!
Ps. I would have thought you could get cheaper insurance on a classic. Have you tried someone like Richardson Hosken. Their policies have always only set me back around £150-£200 each at most.
However, insofar as daily use is concerned, I had the Landie first and only used it daily for a few weeks before becoming fed up with awful weather protection, heating and performance.
My gf favoured the MGB and would only drive that out of the two. Running costs and mechanicals for the MG were fine for a novice, and the only reason I got rid of it in the end was the spreading rust! Not sure it'd go too well down farm tracks though..... I can see your predicament!
Ps. I would have thought you could get cheaper insurance on a classic. Have you tried someone like Richardson Hosken. Their policies have always only set me back around £150-£200 each at most.
I couldn't contemplate driving a leaf-sprung series landie every day. You might find a series with parabolic springs, tdi engine and range rover axles on it, I think that would be the starting point for a decent daily landie but it'll cost you.
Something like this perhaps?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/landrover-defender-serie...
A nice MGB GT would be very nice.
Something like this perhaps?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/landrover-defender-serie...
A nice MGB GT would be very nice.
varsas said:
Something like this perhaps?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/landrover-defender-serie...
Dare I say that may cost more than the disco to insure, if you're planning on declaring those modifications...http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/landrover-defender-serie...
I would also be cautious around a number of 'hybrids'. Although the one in question looks fairly tidy.
I assume the insurance costs reflect the fact that the car will be the only car rather than a second 'classic'.
What's your budget? How about an older Range Rover, which I appreciate is little different to a Discovery but could be argued has a little something extra?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1976-Range-Rover-Classic...
What's your budget? How about an older Range Rover, which I appreciate is little different to a Discovery but could be argued has a little something extra?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1976-Range-Rover-Classic...
Edited by soxboy on Wednesday 12th September 22:38
Cheers for your input fellas.
Great photo CY88, two beautiful cars there. I'm very jelous.
When I had the series 3 my girlfriend hated it, and said she wouldn't do any long journeys in it. I'm sure I could have changed her mind, but it did put the lid on my ideas of using it for camping trips to Scotland and Snowdonia.
I'll look into insurance. I'm from Herefordshire, and people round here often say that this is one of the cheapest areas for car insurance. I have found that some classic car company's won't touch me because I don't have a garage so the car would be kept outside the house on a road overnight.
I do like the look of series landys, and it's a romantic idea, owning one to chug around the countryside in, but the other 50% of the time, when I'm doing short trips to the shops or the gym I may well end up despising it. What attracts me to series landys (or any classic), is their originality. I've looked into a tdi engined one, but then they lose their appeal for me.
Interesting idea soxboy, I have thought about a RRC, my old man used to have one, and now has an L322. They are beginning to look like a classic, whereas I think up until fairly recently, they've fitted in with modern traffic quite well. I'm put off by the fact they're quite refined compared to similar cars of their day. I always liked driving my mini for the simplicity of the seats, the sparseness of the cockpit, the large steering wheel and no power steering. My disco is about the opposite to that, and I would expect a range rover classic, even an early 2 door model, to drive similarly.
At the moment, I'm leaning more towards the MG. For all it's disadvantages, and it's lack of country appeal, it's looks, and drive-ability should be what I'm after. I tend to think that I will enjoy looking at an old landy, but driving it day in day out, won't be worth it for the one time every now and again when I can get down a bumpy track, or go on a camping trip.
Great photo CY88, two beautiful cars there. I'm very jelous.
When I had the series 3 my girlfriend hated it, and said she wouldn't do any long journeys in it. I'm sure I could have changed her mind, but it did put the lid on my ideas of using it for camping trips to Scotland and Snowdonia.
I'll look into insurance. I'm from Herefordshire, and people round here often say that this is one of the cheapest areas for car insurance. I have found that some classic car company's won't touch me because I don't have a garage so the car would be kept outside the house on a road overnight.
I do like the look of series landys, and it's a romantic idea, owning one to chug around the countryside in, but the other 50% of the time, when I'm doing short trips to the shops or the gym I may well end up despising it. What attracts me to series landys (or any classic), is their originality. I've looked into a tdi engined one, but then they lose their appeal for me.
Interesting idea soxboy, I have thought about a RRC, my old man used to have one, and now has an L322. They are beginning to look like a classic, whereas I think up until fairly recently, they've fitted in with modern traffic quite well. I'm put off by the fact they're quite refined compared to similar cars of their day. I always liked driving my mini for the simplicity of the seats, the sparseness of the cockpit, the large steering wheel and no power steering. My disco is about the opposite to that, and I would expect a range rover classic, even an early 2 door model, to drive similarly.
At the moment, I'm leaning more towards the MG. For all it's disadvantages, and it's lack of country appeal, it's looks, and drive-ability should be what I'm after. I tend to think that I will enjoy looking at an old landy, but driving it day in day out, won't be worth it for the one time every now and again when I can get down a bumpy track, or go on a camping trip.
teload of sound insulation; it'll still drive like a tractor but at least you won't go deaf or ruin your back.1/ Keep the Disco....they are brilliant , ime on my second 300 TDi , they are very good value, loads of cheap spares , ideal for camping, room to sleep in the back , a good load carrier, very good Motorway economy if you keep below 60 etc etc.
2 / For a classic 4x4 then buy an Austin Gipsy Series 1V, " The Most Underated / Missunderstood 4x4 By Far " preferably a leaf spring version ( i know of a stunner for sale ) Far Superior in Almost Every way to Any Series Land Rover.....Superior off road , indestructible gearbox, Superb Chassis, wider track , superior off road , an unburstable 2.2 long stroke ( London Taxi ) engine, the Gipsy sold Very well in Iceland , they loved them out there ! However, , they are now like Hens teeth.
3 / I have had Lots of series Land Rovers and just before the first Gulf war I took my Marine blue 73 SWB hard top petrol ( newly restored ) down to the Pyrenees. What an adventure that was.
I did lots of miles in that Landy, rain / sun / snow you name it, but unless you are a bit of a masochist , you will Really miss that Discovery. They leak like a seive, the interior noise is unbearable ( Truck cab Or Hard Top ) the heater is abysmall and fuel consumption awfull ! The gear boxes in them are rubishThe ride can be improved with gas shocks ( Monro Gas Magnums are good ).
4 / An MGB..... Well, I shared 2 Roadsters with my sister in the early 80s and now look after a customers 72 GT and to be frank they are charming, quite pretty, an excellent spares back up.....But That Awfull engine.... Good greif what a horror.....Gutless, underpowered, poor fuel consumption, but I would Definately have one if I could repower it with a 1.8 MX 5 engine and 5 speed box.
2 / For a classic 4x4 then buy an Austin Gipsy Series 1V, " The Most Underated / Missunderstood 4x4 By Far " preferably a leaf spring version ( i know of a stunner for sale ) Far Superior in Almost Every way to Any Series Land Rover.....Superior off road , indestructible gearbox, Superb Chassis, wider track , superior off road , an unburstable 2.2 long stroke ( London Taxi ) engine, the Gipsy sold Very well in Iceland , they loved them out there ! However, , they are now like Hens teeth.
3 / I have had Lots of series Land Rovers and just before the first Gulf war I took my Marine blue 73 SWB hard top petrol ( newly restored ) down to the Pyrenees. What an adventure that was.
I did lots of miles in that Landy, rain / sun / snow you name it, but unless you are a bit of a masochist , you will Really miss that Discovery. They leak like a seive, the interior noise is unbearable ( Truck cab Or Hard Top ) the heater is abysmall and fuel consumption awfull ! The gear boxes in them are rubishThe ride can be improved with gas shocks ( Monro Gas Magnums are good ).
4 / An MGB..... Well, I shared 2 Roadsters with my sister in the early 80s and now look after a customers 72 GT and to be frank they are charming, quite pretty, an excellent spares back up.....But That Awfull engine.... Good greif what a horror.....Gutless, underpowered, poor fuel consumption, but I would Definately have one if I could repower it with a 1.8 MX 5 engine and 5 speed box.
I ran both for a year or two, and was living down a very muddy lane in Devon at the time... a 1967 SIIa SWB Land Rover and a 1974 MGB GT - I still have the MGB 15yrs later; farm tracks weren't a problem - I'll post a better update later, but having used the MGB to commute 30min each way up the M5 of a morning, there really was no contest against the old Landy, entertaining as it was 
My father bought and sold both Series Landrovers and MG BGT,s during the 70,s-80,s. Having being brought up around them i always found the MG,s to be a bit to claustrophobic.(And that was as a kid) i still think the same now and that being an ex TVR Cerbera owner.
My hankerings were always towards Landrovers. And from those early years it set a path for the rest of my life. I have had many over the years. Plenty of series 3,s. A smattering of 101,s and Defenders including a 50th Anniversary model. But the series 3 is the most robust out of the lot. A great engine in the 2 and a quarter and if they do go wrong they are a relative cheap fix. My latest aquistion is this LtWt........
My 5th LtWt to be precise. As as been mentioned fit one with parabolic springs and it transforms the ride. I also have the addition of having an overdrive on mine which means i can cruise at 65-70mph all day long. Great motors with bundles of character.
My hankerings were always towards Landrovers. And from those early years it set a path for the rest of my life. I have had many over the years. Plenty of series 3,s. A smattering of 101,s and Defenders including a 50th Anniversary model. But the series 3 is the most robust out of the lot. A great engine in the 2 and a quarter and if they do go wrong they are a relative cheap fix. My latest aquistion is this LtWt........
My 5th LtWt to be precise. As as been mentioned fit one with parabolic springs and it transforms the ride. I also have the addition of having an overdrive on mine which means i can cruise at 65-70mph all day long. Great motors with bundles of character.
An unmolested late series 3 88" station wagon is a reasonable daily driver. I subjected my wife to ours as a daily driver in central London for a while when I sold her car to a friend. She warmed to it after learning the 'characteristics' of a classic.
Ours doesn't leak (even though there are holes in the roof from a former life as a police car), the heater is fine if you get rid of the mechanical fan so that it has a chance to warm up in the winter, and fresh door and vent seals, new door trims and a bit of sound deadening make them perfectly acceptable sub 60mph.
Ours doesn't leak (even though there are holes in the roof from a former life as a police car), the heater is fine if you get rid of the mechanical fan so that it has a chance to warm up in the winter, and fresh door and vent seals, new door trims and a bit of sound deadening make them perfectly acceptable sub 60mph.
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