Unrealistic Expectations

[TerryO]

Owning three older Disco's myself I can personally empathise with a number of people on here about the on going costs of owning older model Land Rovers, but I can't help feeling many people have totally unrealistic expectations and then end up feeling sorry for themselves when they end up having to do what could often be expected as age related maintainance.

The way I see it most Discovery's and Rangies over the years have been market leaders in technology and on and off road ability and that technology comes at a cost especially as vehicles get older and need regular maintainance.

It would seem that many people expect to buy often ten plus year old Disco's often with big miles on the clock and then get frustrated and shocked when they cost more than the average famlly sedan to maintain.

High on going costs is the main reason why especially top end Euro cars and 4x4 depreciate so quickly once they exit the factory warranty period, yet many individuals fail to do their homework before buying.

The way I see it if you want to have a older top end 4x4 that did things often better then its rivals when it was new then one needs to accept that there will be costs involved, often very high ongoing costs. It's either that or buy a new vehicle that costs a massive amount more but has new vehicle warranty.

To expect anything else from an older 4x4 is unrealistic and more than likely will only end in tears as I often read on here when people give up and walk away.

I often wonder what will be the next vehicle the people who give up on Landys because of the above reasons then go off and buy and if what they buy then meets their expectations or do they just lower the bar so they don't get disappointed?

cheers,
Terry

[MR LR]

I completely agree, though i do all my own work on my 98 tdi auto Discovery it would be cheaper to have an old Falcon, but i like the Disco and it does what i want it to so i pay for it, nothing costs very much if you do some research and spend wisely and do your own work, if capable. If the auto ever karks it i will put a manual in it, i've already rebuilt the motor and fixed any body or electrical niggles, driveline has been bullet proof so far, but i'm more than capable of doing that up if need be. If people choose to won these cars then they shouldn't bitch about them, we are priviledged to own these vehicle IMO, just treat them right and don't neglect them.
Cheers
Will

[ramblingboy42]

I tend to agree, I was initially shocked as I stated in another thread, the number of failures I had in the first 6 months of owning grumble. For the last 4 years all I've had have been regular servicings, a front prop shaft, a frozen brake piston and cooling system overhaul. Grumble is 12 years old now and considering what I ask him to do for me at times the maintenance is negligible by comparison. I'm handing him over to the Land Rover people in Rockhampton in two weeks to thoroughly prepare him for a south/north Simpson Desert crossing last two weeks in August. I'm sure regular servicing and preventative maintenance as in this instance make for enjoyable trips without the worry of breakdowns or failures. I will be the only LR on this trip so will be interesting to see how others perform.

[SimonM]

Totally agree. I intend on owning these cars for quite a while so know that the work I do now will pay off in the long run, hopefully ;). Most of the work I do is preventative maintenance anyway.

[Tote]

The other thing that people forget when buying their dream 4wd is that they cost more to mantain than the average falcadore to maintain regardless of make.

Falcadore
Oil change every 10 000km
Brake pads every 100000km
Fix the bits that fail
Tyres $100.00 each for cheapies

4wd
Oil change every 10,000 K but probably 50% more oil
Brake pads every 100000 K
Diff Gearbox oil maybe every 20,000 KM
Tyres $200 each for cheapies
Greater potential to brake things due to rugged terrain / abuse
Batteries bigger and more expensive (and possibly a deep cycle as well)
Higher mechanical standard of repair needed if you really are going offroad as opposed to driving to the shops
Purchase of accessories to complete the dream, CB, Bullbar, roof racks etc, this is often forgotten as a reason that your 4wd has more money spent on it ie I've broken the diff and I just spent $2000 on a lift.

Regards,
Tote

[PAT303]

I've been harping on about maintenance for years,funny thing about Land Rovers is people don't use LR specailists and buy parts locally which just leads to pain,whats also funny is people will buy a 15 year old cruiser or Patrol and spend $$$$ getting rust cut out yet complain about replacing rear air bags or a fan belt tensioner you can get from O/S for bugger all,or worst of all spending big money buying a new cruiser and then needing to spend more $$$$ replacing all the suspension. Pat

[ade]

people could save alot of heartache by knowing what they are buying and especially buying with a full service hisdtory

[Homestar]

...and especially buying with a full service hisdtory

Yes, but that is no guarantee. Mine had a full service history, and I did a LOT of homework, but still got bitten on the bum. Having said that, I did know what I was potentially getting into, buying a 9 year old Euro 4x4 with the warranty long gone...

Still, I fixed it and I drive it, and will do the same again if it does the same again...:D I still love driving it and owning it, so what happens along the way is just part of ownership.

[Disco Muppet]

I bought my Disco with 212000 kms on the clock, with all faults known and unknown. Sure, big service costs and the niggles can be a PITA, but honestly...what do you expect when you buy a landrover? :D
Loved every minute of owning my disco, except for 30 when the ignition had a hissy fit :D
Cheers
Muppet

[Hoges]

I do get frustrated at times when it seems that self-maintaining an aged LR/RR takes on the characteristics of a part-time job!:angel::wasntme: The sense of satisfaction however when it's "all sorted" tends to balance it out:eek:...I think... I'd much rather be doing this however than watching $$$$ flow out through depreciation on a new vehicle and spending hours in a dealership waiting room for stuff to be put right.

I have an idea: perhaps a new approach would be for the dealership to allow genuine DIYers access to their workshop for a modest fee and do own regular servicing... save them on labour costs!!!

[gusthedog]

I have to admit to thinking of leaving the fold and getting a newer dual cab ute. Perhaps a triton with some warranty - which my disco doesn't have. Im concerned with a new bub on the way about reliability and safety. Ancap ratings are important too - its either a 3 star disco or 4 star triton. Triton will cost me close to $30 grand to get something with warranty. Everytime I get close though, I take the disco for a spin and realise why I love it. SWMBO thinks I spend way to much time fixing it up and completing preventative maintenance. But they all think that dont they?? :wasntme:

[460cixy]

Last time I went to the local dealer also our friendly Nissan dealer they were saying landrover owners will always attempt to fix something them selves big or small yet the owners of the other brands they sell junk like vw and lesser junk like nissans don't attempt to fix things them selves I think this says something about us good and bad

[wrinklearthur]

Buy a D1 diesel for $6K keep it for five years. Replace anything that needs fixing, keep the inside, outside clean and tidy. Do regular oil changes and keep a record of them as they are done.
Then sell it for $6K. No depreciation! that pays for a lot of repairs. :D

I also keep parts on hand for a quick change over if required.
.

[superquag]

I WISH !
(finding a D1 that'll last x years before major $urgery...):p

[PhilipA]

A 97 V8 with about 116 K for sale at present in the Central Coast NSW local paper at the moment.
Should be lots of life in that .

Regards Philip A

[TerryO]

I WISH !
(finding a D1 that'll last x years before major $urgery...):p


Come on SuperQ after all your comments saying how good your 'old Pajero' is and on the opposite side of the fence your many never ending comments bagging just about every LR ever made how can anyone take you seriously that you would now go out and buy a LR?

cheers,
Terry

[tomtba]

I have an idea: perhaps a new approach would be for the dealership to allow genuine DIYers access to their workshop for a modest fee and do own regular servicing... save them on labour costs!!!


I'd hate to see the public liability insurance for that to happen :eek:

[superquag]

Come on SuperQ after all your comments saying how good your 'old Pajero' is and on the opposite side of the fence your many never ending comments bagging just about every LR ever made how can anyone take you seriously that you would now go out and buy a LR?
cheers,
Terry

because the infection may be terminal..:( - but don't hold your breath...:p


Seriously, the only thing that keeps LR going...is the loyal, mechanically-inclined (masochistic) and generous (Forums like this) owners.
- Owners who've been short-changed by LR for way too long... like 25 years of building the RR Classic, and they still came with pre-loaded rust in the top-tailgate.- In a car priced at over $100K. In 1995...

Cheers,
James (still with a sense of humour...)

PS, The '89 'Old Paj' comes with a headlight dip-switch that's more than adequate for the job. Since 1982... ;->

[superquag]

" I wish"... because #3 son is taking driving lessons...and therefore will be in need of a car, soon-ish. And since he's headed for Automotive Mechanics... he'll need a car to practise on !

- What other car can justify so much attention ? :Rolling:

[PAT303]

I never ''tinker'' with my LR's,I fix them once ''properly'' and never have a problem. Pat

[Blknight.aus]

Im not sure about your costings per KM.... so far all my landies have been cheaper to maintain and repair than any other vehicle I've owned or been associated with and remember this is all parts only as I do my own mechanicing. If the cost for the swear jar was included... dearest vehicles Ive ever owned are landies. (cheapest too) my discos routinely return around the 10k/l mark compared to some modern cars that dont even make that from new.

tyres $300 a pop but they last more than 70K Km compared to $120-200 a pop for any sedan car thats got any hope of being able to tow or carry my tools easily and the sedan tyres last from 20-30K km.

A complete consumable suspension replacement (including the bushes) costs about $1k The last astra I did cost me (ok the owner) $700 for the front struts alone without the bushes for the arms and without touching the rear end. The bush kit was $200

Timing belt kit for a tdi300 costs me around $300 (you can get them cheaper from ebay) and takes about 4 hours the last subaru (flat 4 style) cost the owner about $800 and was met with "thanks for the offer but no, I've done one before" when I was asked if I'd do it.

The disclaimery bit... All my prices landrover related prices are ballparked off of prices I've paid with places I have dealings with and may not be the best price available or may include other parts I do routinely as part of the job. For landrover parts thats MR Automotive for parts prices on non landrover jobs where parts and prices were not supplied by the owner parts are sourced on an expedient quality then cost basis (think no more than 20 minutes of ringing around and speed of delivery on a quality product is more important than saving $20 for delivery next month)

Remember a Landrover Proper is NOT a Gen Y(ine) friendly product

[Bradtot]

Owning a landrover is not like owning any other car..
Its a lifestyle once you understand that then nothing matters as its just a part of everyday life.
Brad (driving landies since 1984) and enjoying my Life.
:):):)

[olbod]

Not counting the complete engine rebuild a couple of years ago ( my fault ), nor rego and insurance, on average it has cost me about $1200 per year for service and maintenance since I bought it. 92 Disco V8i. I cant complain.
That figure also does not include after market mods added which were made entirely independent of mechanical failures. Except Bee-yuties bosch mod, that replaced repeated failures.
Cant thank him enough.

Cheers.

Robert.

PS: Every day before I start the vehicle I check under the bonnet, re; belts, hoses, fluids and generally run my eye over everything, all the time giving it a pat and a greeting. Ever seen a Disco wink ?
If I could keep the dear old thing inside instead of the shed, I would.
My little Bird had her very own electric blanket !!!

[TerryO]

My D1 has to date been the most reliable and cost effective of the three Disco's I own. Followed by the D2a and then the D3.

So if anything as the Disco's get newer the cost of maintainance in my experience increases, I can now see why people buy brand new models and then get the extended warranty which gives them 5 years/ 200,000 k's of basically factory warranty.

Having said that a new D4 HSE with all the expensive factory extra's my D3 HSE has would be well over 100k new now so I'm happy to have bought ours for well less than half a new one and then shell out a bit extra to keep the old girl going near its best.

Plus at that cost I don't get upset when it gets the odd bit of bush pinstriping.

cheers,
Terry

[Bigbjorn]

I had unrealistic expectations when I was young and naive. I thought an Italian thoroughbred sports car would be a reliable daily driver. A 1952-53 Ferrari 212 Export. It was a daily worker and a one day a week driver. Cured me of Italian exotica for ever. Traded it on a '59 Corvette. A breath of fresh air. Service it every now and then only if one remembered, and at minimal cost. Easy starter and went like hell. Never broke down. Neither car had brakes to write home about. The fazazz was a real hoot when all the stars and moons were in alignment but the Chev. was quicker at everything and a sight more comfortable.