discovery1 versus defender tdi

[landyadrian]

Hey I have a discovery1 and like it because its old and can repair it my self. Im thinking of up grading to a defender tdi as i feel the discovery is not real stable on the dirt roads and the ability to climb steep rutted hills would not be as good. also thinking the towing on the defender would be more capable.

does any one have any thoughts

[Blknight.aus]

think of it as moving out of the living room and into the shed.

as I keep telling the wife, the main advantage of a defender is that its easier to pack things into a square box.

if you go for a TDI deefer the tech level is the same.

the extra 10 inches in the wheel base gives you a little better climability and depending on how you load it and spring it theres very little difference in straight ahead towing and road handling. What will get you is the change in turning circle.

[steveG]

Does your D1 have a lift? If so, unless you've done some castor correction (slotted swivels etc) then its likely to be a bit twitchy. My D1 was like that, and my 110 to a slightly lesser degree, but sorting out the castor on the 110 made a huge difference to its stability and I wished I'd done it to the D1.

Making some assumptions here that you're thinking about an older Defender rather than a late model one.

Apart from what Blknight has already said, the key differences for me were:
- D1 is quieter and the aircon works well
- D1 carpets getting wet was a PITA - with the 110 I just throw the mats out on the driveway.
- more room inside the 110 (so you end up taking more crap away with you)
- easier to fit larger tyres on a 110, but you need them to make up for the larger/stronger rear diff (which is a good thing)
- Defenders are the original meccano car so any part can be replaced.
- I didn't really notice much difference between the D1 300tdi and the 110 200tdi when it came to towing.

A well set up D1 is damn good offroad and I'd think most people (including myself) would struggle to pick any major difference between a D1 and Defender with everything else the same (engine/tyres etc).

You need to weigh up whats most important to you. I know people who could never have a defender as their partner just wouldn't put up with the noise and lack of decent aircon.

Steve

[mools]

think of it as moving out of the living room and into the shed.

:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:

LMFAO

[slug_burner]

The deefer is geared a little lower in the transfer case but also has bigger tyres, I am pretty certain that over all you will get a lower gearing and therefore slightly easier towing. The extra wheelbase makes for a slightly less choppier ride as the vehicle doesn't pitch as much.

All the statements about noise and air conditioning are also true.

[2stroke]

think of it as moving out of the living room and into the shed.
And the move costs you about 8 grand. :p Apart from the tyre size and potential for body damage, I can't see a Defender being much better offroad... unladen at least.

[Reads90]

Have have both a 200tdi Disco and 2 Defender 300tdi a 110 and a 90

The Disco without argument is more comfortable a drive and a more refined.

But when it comes to off roading the Defender does not have so many over hanging bits like the Disco or Rangie. So don't tend to damage too much stuff when off roading on the defender compared to the disco
As for length and driving on tracks the disco and 110 are not a lot different for bucking but the 90 well that's another story :-)

But the defender is great for beach and wet work as you get it home park on a slope and hose it out can't do that with the disco.

Price is also a major factor. The disco's are getting very cheap these days. My 92 Disco 200tdi with twin battles and twins fuel tanks was only $1900. Could not find a Defender for anywhere near that.

Also depends how many you are taking in the car. The rear seats in the back of the disco are more comfortable and more room than 110

As for fixing they share a lot of parts. So as the same of the land rovers of that age they are just one step up from a Lawn Mover to fix.

[jx2mad]

Defenders are good to sleep in whereas I can't fit into a disco to sleep. Jim

[justinc]

I came from a leather and timber clad Range Rover Classic to a 110 County Diesel. Totally opposite in virtually every way but the County is by far better suited to my needs.

Incidentally the ride quality with decent dampers and factory spring rates (I have Defender suspension under it) and the extra 10 inches in WB seems to be very good. Only ergonomics and NVH (:p) are wayyy different....

So, Defender;

Towing = better

Climbing steep rutted tracks = better

Simplicity = the same as Disco but better in some areas.


JC

[Didge]

The car that goes farthest off road is the one with the owner prepared to:
1. risk more damage;
2. pay more for repairs; and/ or
3. pay for performance accessories such as lockers

BTW, Dave's "move into the shed" is a top analogy but I think it should include a metal roof with no insulation in a heavy downpour

[landyadrian]

I did have a lift on it till yesterday. I had some second hand pedders on it. Ive replaced them with standard heavy duty now. Im heading out to kintore, Great sandy blight road, docker river, olgas and back to alice springs. When I get back ill let you know how i went. thats if the weather from the west doesnt get me.

Adrian

[justinc]

mmmm, docker river....:( I was last there in 1988, that's wild country out there:o. beautiful scenery though.


jc

[landyadrian]

Hey thanks for the info. Ive just completed 1650 kms driving from wet dirt tracks to corrugated dusty roads and did not see a car for most of the trip. the discovery 1 handled the road with standard height springs with ease. not twitchy at all.

Adrian

[TerryO]

For the large difference in purchase price between a old Defender and a D1 you can make massive improvements and upgrades to your D1.

Personally I'd stick with the D1 and have the best of both worlds after you spend a couple of dollars on upgrades.

Plus who really wants to suffer from industrial deafness from driving a rattly old leaky Defender. ...;)

[Didge]

bit hard to argue with that logic Terry :)

[87County]

...... as i feel the discovery is not real stable on the dirt roads ............



have you tried engaging the centre diff lock on loose surfaces ?

you may find that doing so really tightens the handling feel - but remember to disengage it for hard surfaces

a deefer will have a similar feel to a D1 subject to suspension alterations I reckon