What to look for. Getting a Disco.

[subasurf]

Hi guys, long story short, after a few years out of Land Rovers (had a simple 109 Series III) I am looking at getting back in. I'm getting rid of my 80 Series turbo diesel cruiser (probably best 4WD I've ever driven...but has to go due to it not being mine) and I've got a 2001 Subaru Forester which I'm hoping to trade for a D1 Disco.

Now, chances are I wont be able to get a diesel so will be stuck with getting a V8. Having no experience with Landys past a 1970s Series III, I don't want to end up trading a perfectly good Subaru for a piece of **** Land Rover if I can avoid it. so, I am asking for your advice.

If I go to look at a V8 Discovery, what should I really be looking out for, other than ensuring it has a decent service history? What are the common issues that I can look for? Are there certain years that just had way more problems than others? Headgasket issues? etc etc.

Some may be thinking "just keep the Subaru" but at the end of the day it's just not capable enough for my surfing trips. If I could keep the toyota I would but I can't. I still love the Land Rover prestige and there seams to be a lot of kit out their available for Discoveries. They look good, they're great offroad but I just don't want to end up with a bucket of crap.

I'd really appreciate all the advice I can get. I am doing my own research too, so I'm not being lazy. this is just part of it. Many thanks guys!

EDIT: Probably worth mentioning that I am quite capable with a wrench and have a few engine rebuilds and car overhauls under my belt so I am not afraid to do work on the car.

[pistolpete]

why cant you get a TDI?

[subasurf]

Because no one in their right mind would trade one for a Subaru forester :p

If they do, then I'd be all over it like a rash from Indonesia.

[Matplat]

Mate, I am almost 100% certain you would be able to get a tdi, it just depends on how many kms you are willing to accept.

I bought my 96 disco 1 auto tdi almost a year ago for $8k from a dealer, then I met a bloke who had a 95 manual tdi that he had got off a guy for $3k :( although he was clearly in the right place at the right time!

My vehicle had 275k on it when I got it, apart from a few electrical gremlins and having to recondition the injector pump it has been awsome.

If you sell the forester in a private sale, I would be blown away if you couldn't find a reasonable tdi with the money you get.

If you go down the V8 route you are gonna be spending all your money on fuel and worse then that your range will be less than your hair can grow in a year!

[Tdi Nico]

Some may be thinking "just keep the Subaru" but at the end of the day it's just not capable enough for my surfing trips.

Don't think anyone was thinking that!!! I wasn't. Lol

I bought a TDI Disco for $2k with a spun big end bearing. $1800 for full rebuild and new clutch, Im in the process of bolting it all together myself suspension, wheels and tyres and I have a pretty good little truck i think and 4cylinder rego

[finallyrangie]

picked up a 1998 tdi manual for $5500 last month, body a bit shabby, mechanicals better than original, no expense spared and with dual batteries winch locker the works, they are out there if you go looking, had a V8 Classic before, will not be going back

[Blknight.aus]

I've scored a dual batteries hd suspension tdi 200 with a truetrack in it for $2k they're out the but not easy to find.

[markd2]

Hi guys I picked up a 94 auto v8 for $1350 on fleebay and got back $360.00 on the rego from Vic . Have spent around $4000 on it now but it has bullbar ,winch, 3'' lift ,rancho shocks ,new wheels and tyres ,new stereo ,draws in the back ,flared guards , and it needed some new hoses in the engine bay , suspension bushes all general wear and tear stuff . had 260000 kms on the clock and hadn't been offroad .If you can't pick up a TDI I would try and pick up an early model D1 94 etc that doesn't have abs or air bags less to go wrong and check for rust around the alpine windows or maybe a D2 if the budget stretches that far. cheers mark

[UncleHo]

We picked up a 98 D1 3.9ltr Auto on gas from the markets section a fortnight ago for $5.5K with 12 mths rego,(198,000klms) very clean,for our Daughter, and last week drove back from Sydney a 95 D1 3.9ltr manual on gas (309,000klms) for $4K plus fuel home to Qld for the Son-in-Law with lots of goodies,off carsales website ;) so they are out there,the duel fuelies work out as cheap to run as a TDI but rego is a slug, but I would recommend a 200/300TDI Diesel as they are pre computer,and have the same basic engine block as the Series motors,I.E. mechanical lift pump,just have belts instead of timing chains,etc but still a simple motor and very repairable, our 300TDI auto has 340,00klms on it,I would recommend an Auto as the turbo does not go off spin when changing gears ;)

[pezman]

I just brought a 1996 disco v8 for 4 k brill car just waiting for a roof rack to fit the board onto.

[pop058]

Mate, I am almost 100% certain you would be able to get a tdi, it just depends on how many kms you are willing to accept.

I bought my 96 disco 1 auto tdi almost a year ago for $8k from a dealer, then I met a bloke who had a 95 manual tdi that he had got off a guy for $3k :( although he was clearly in the right place at the right time!

My vehicle had 275k on it when I got it, apart from a few electrical gremlins and having to recondition the injector pump it has been awsome.

If you sell the forester in a private sale, I would be blown away if you couldn't find a reasonable tdi with the money you get.

If you go down the V8 route you are gonna be spending all your money on fuel and worse then that your range will be less than your hair can grow in a year!

If I have said it once, I have said it a trillion times, Don't exaggerate.

The V8 is not that bad if you are sensible about things (as with everything). Yeah they use more fuel that a TDi, but there are a heap of them around relatively cheap (to purchase) and I reckon repair costs are better. You try and find a cheap TDi200 head :(

I use mine (88 RRC with same motor) mainly for work to tow a 2.8 tonne dual axle builders trailer. I think a TDi would work real hard doing the same job with fuel economy suffering as a result. Fuel costs should only be a part of your buying decision process.

Oh! and the best thing about the Alloy V8............The exhaust note :D

[dirtdawg]

I with you pop it costs me about $120 to fill the disco and on the highway I get about 500 k's so it's not too bad especially if you consider that a petrol 80 series is no better on fuel and it's 5 times as slow

[bussy1963]

I have a 3.9 V8 Disco 1 1994 model Dual Fuel. Bought it at auction 4 years ago for $2400.00. So far it has cost me 1 x set of tyres, and regular servicing. All up about $3000 over 4 years for maintenance.

Fuel econ isn't real bad on petrol getting about 15/100 But on gas it goes up to 20/100.

Servicing isn't that expensive. Running the V8 will cost you. The disco are as aerodynamically designed as a house brick.

[superquag]

I had a Senior's Moment a few years ago and bought my dream car... softdash Classic V8. Got EAS, ABS, - and ABP ... Automatic bowser parking. Apart from the co$t of filling an undersized/inefficient engine, there's the criminally tiny fuel tank. And I don't care how well the rangie went on Top-Gear's South American trip... they had lots of fuel following them !!! Incidently, does anyone know what the support & filming crews were driving ? :eek:

Sure, if you can find a gas-converted V8 your fuel bill will be on a par with diesel, - but your range will be limited to the LPG tank. - Using petrol to increase distance will decrease your wallet exponentially, sort of defeating the purpose of LPG.
The rear cubby-hole on a Disco 1/2 is pretty limited, so fitting a larger tank kills that idea if you don't travel light...

Don't stress about the lack of aerodynamics, drag only kicks in above 80 or so km/h. Your surfboard(s) and roof racks will stuff it up on ANY modern slippery car...

Really boils down to how far you need to go...and how well you'll cope with the (usually) exorbitant price of LPG out in the boonies... Remember, all fuels go up with distance. Especially LPG

I'm looking for a D1 diesel, pref. a 300 for my son. Slow off the mark, gutless (?) cheaper to run... minimal electronics... Perfect for a P-plater.

[lane]

I'm looking for a D1 diesel, pref. a 300 for my son. Slow off the mark, gutless (?) cheaper to run... minimal electronics... Perfect for a P-plater.Mate, I've just bought another Disco for myself this morning and need to sell my old one. It's a 3dr 300tdi D1 that I've done a fair bit of work to, including a head and turbo replacment. Has a few niggly problems but hey, its a landrover.:wasntme: I was going to wack it up for sale it this arvo. Send me a Pm if interested.

Lane