A'K

Any1 owned the above? I'm after one for the misses probably be spending about 2-3k so would be the older model.

Hope I get good feed back cos if I get one for the misses (she really likes them) that gives me the green light to get a Skyline

Comper100

Yeah the older ones are good tools, intreriors are a bit funky but there ok. I've been working on one this week. Done 113000 and the front seals needed doing, and the shox needed replacing. Theres no major corrosion on it either. The 200TDI is a good engine really as long as there looked after, and the V8 is more powerfull but will use juice like mad, and they need servicing regularly to stop them getting all gunky and nasty. Easy to service too.

Do it!

He's selling it in spring and im well tempted, for some off road fun and to pull my racer

davegtt

ohh yes, what another good excuse to get 1 ads, it can pull a trailer and take the skyline down to santa pod when you cant afford the juice anymore lol

A'K

Thanks bud that fills me with a bit more confidence

and yeah good idea about the trailer

Franx

A Range Rover's nicer for that money, and the interior's not quite so sudden, but if that what the lady wants.....

The Tdi's generally quite a good engine, but perhaps also consider the V8 converted to LPG also? That way, it's faster, nicer to drive etc, you get the V8 noise, and realistically, 24-28 mpg equivalent on gas. Gas stations are certainly no restriction, as you can get it everywhere these days

Comper100

Yeah my mate ran his on LPG for a really good price, worked out slightly cheaper than a diesel, especially with the high cost of Derv now.

fatscoobyfella

Ermmm..My old fella had a 200TDi a few years back..From what i remember these are the things that went **** up with it..
Camshaft bearings..These spun in the engine block causing low oil pressure
Transfer box gear..tremendous "clunk" when you took up drive
Reverse gear selector linkage twice
"Hockey stick" bushes on the rear
Power steering box bellowing out PSF.
Drivers door latch..very costly job in labour.
window regulator on drivers side.

This was over a 2 year period and car in total had covered about 70k when he sold it.Thinks repairs totted up around the 3k mark...

He know has had a 2.8 shogun for the last 5 years and only replaced tyres and pads in that time,as well as services of course..

Be very wary about buying an old Landrover,take someone who knows about them..They can be a money pit..

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Got to admit there are better alternatives out there - the Disco is only something I'd reccomend if you live up a muddy track. And even then I'd push you for a 3.0td Toyota Hilux truck or Surf. For road use you really can't beat a Land Crusier or Shogun.

To maintain, really you need to be a DIY mechanic as non genuine OE spec parts are relatively competetive and plentiful on the essentials, which can make it quite cheap to keep on the road. Otherwise they can cost alot (dealers don't help).

A'K

Thanks for the tips guys... I'll try and track some1 down how knows about them, cos I can't be doing with fixing that plus running a Skyline

My mates bro bought the V8 with LPG and he loads of trouble with it, think the head blow on it

A'K

Been through most 4X4 and she dosn't like the Shogun/Pejaro (my choice) she's got a thing about the Discovery. Even the Rav4 would be a good buy but again she dosen't like them

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Get her to test drive the disco tdi (prefrably a very well worn one)- she might not like it then

Then get her to test drive a 3.0 Hilux Surf afterwards - that should convince her

Flatcapdriver

Traitor.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

<cough>I'm more of a realist




I broke my mpg record of 4mpg on my Landy 2 weeks back (running slightly too rich )...and it's still not 4wd, door tops are ready to drop off, there's a hole in the rear of the chassis (again), the transfer box makes a god awful cluck when I change gear. Overdrive won't disengage and gets stuck in neutral. And one of the 16 tappets is sticking

A'K

lol... cheers Ali-B sounds like a nightmare As long as I get a good runner she can get what she wants, then she can't say owt when I'm looking for my skyline (cos she hates them)

Flatcapdriver

Don't forget he's talking about a Series Landy, not the Disco so if you need more information about that have a look on Mud Club or a similar site. Series Landys are for the privileged few who are generally a step above the rest of the motoring hoi polloi.

Franx

That said, I did have to replace two pistons on the V8, as it had overheated in the past, and I was getting next to no compression on 2 cylinders, and about 11mpg on petrol....

On the bright side however, nothing lasts forever, and at least with Landies, parts are relatively cheap compared with the Jap stuff, and there are plenty of specialists around

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Not as bad as it sounds...just takes time to fix, as flatcap say it is a series not a disco, but the beauty of Landies is they are good to work on (mostly) from a DIY aspect, and parts are relatively cheap (from the right sources) and plentiful. But start dragging your disco to the dealers or even a independent garage everytime something goes wrong and costs can start racking up if your not careful.

Parts for Jap 4x4s are pricey, but they usually go wrong less too.

By that I'm not saying Discos are bad as such, but just bear in mind they are not bullet proof

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

I know how your wife feels A'K, I'm currently looking for a 300Tdi Disco and have been looking for a while. I've looked at other nicer/newer/better made marques but despite their (plentiful) faults I still like Discos best. I had a 3 door 200 series in the nineties and loved it to bits although having said that I also used to drive my dad's old 300 series too which was a much better car to drive.

I've been looking for a while now and I've seen loads but they've all been piles of poo. The 'best' one was advertised as a T reg with aircon and in excellent condition. We drove a round trip of 100 miles to look at it and it turned out to be a P reg without aircon and in absolute crap condition. I'm also considering an LPG convo although it would have to be the injection type not vapour and carry the LPGA approval certificate for insurance purposes.

My dad currently runs an M reg 300 series Disco V8i with LPG (LPGA approved) as a second car/workhorse, it's the top of the range ES version with everything on it - aircon, full leather etc etc - and he paid £3,250 for it privately earlier this year! It's in fantastic condition for the year and is much better than all of the newer cars I've looked at. Bargains are out there but they're hard to find.

Discos are well known for their leaks, check all the window/sunroof/alpine seals for cracks and signs of leakage (look at the upholstery and plastic trim). My old 200 leaked like a sieve from the twin sunroofs and also the windscreen. The headlamps on the 200 are crap, I put 80/100w bulbs in mine which helped a bit I believe the 200 series didn't have anti-roll bars on it which would explain why the newer 300 handled much better, still it was fun leaning into corners and roundabouts and excellent for scaring passengers Check inside the rear doors at the top of the wheel arch, they are notorious for rusting there.

Make sure the vehicle you buy has had it's timing belt changed at the correct intervals. I have a service schedule here for the 300 series and the belt should be changed at 72,000 miles/72 months for normal use or every 36,000 miles/36 months for severe use ie. regular towing etc.

There are plenty of Landrover forums about, I use:

http://www.landrovernet.com/forum/
http://www.lrenthusiastforum.com/
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/

If you like a bit of car DIY then Landrover is the way forward...

Sal

A'K

Thanks Sal.. some good tips there I haven't been out to buy a second hand motor in ages so I'll have to wise up again quick... DIY isn't my thing but I know a few mates that are I stopped doing DIY when I managed to cross thread a spark plug

I'll check them forums out..

Thanks again...

Ads..

speedy1

Go only for a 300 tdi, 5 door. 200's are crap and who really wants a 3 door?. I found with my one, rust is the main problem. Also watch out for crunching gearboxes, when you take one for a drive have a go in all the ratios. My "belts" used to squeel when it had been raining, apart from that loved it. Didnt like the £62 fill ups though!!!. Put a filter in my one and a farmer friend did something to the fuel pump, went like a train for a disco

Pauleds2

In my opinion, and i am entitled to my opinion, they are rubbish.

Slow, poorly built, unreliable, crap bodywork and very very thirsty.
I test drove all sorts of 4 x 4's before buying mine and borrowed an older Disco for a week. I couldnt wait to give it back.

Went for a Toyota Hilux Surf in the end. The 3.0 auto is the best. Reliable, capable, great to drive too.


http://www.yotasurf.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25

Loads on here for sale, cheap too. Hi spec and huge too.And parts are disgracefully cheap.
How about £10 for a full filter kit?

www.milneroffroad.com



Don't buy a Disco till you've driven a Surf.......please.


Paul.