What to buy...

[sew]

Apologies, I'm sure this question has been done to death - but perhaps it hasn't been asked recently - so here I am asking!

I'm a Defender (1994) owner who is thinking about selling and buying a Disco 2 (or maybe a Disco 3)... my main motivation being I live in Canberra and I find driving the Defender a bit hard in winter (it's freezing). Yes I know there are things called coats, hats and gloves - but even so (I'm getting older and softer!). Also I'm changing jobs - the new one means I'll probably be driving to/from Sydney a fair bit - so a nice highway drive (where I can actually hear myself think) would be appreciated! I'd prefer a diesel given the distances I'll be doing. My budget: $10K to 20K.

What would folks recommend - a late Disco 2 or an early Disco 3? Any traps/gotcha's I should look out for?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Cheers, Simon

[Blknight.aus]

buy and install a wabesto diesel pre heater or an electric preheater to the block along with a small in cab heater

[d2dave]

Simon, the answer from my point of view depends on a few things.

Do you do your own maintenance? D2 td5 are easier to work on than a D3, although the D3 is probably more reliable and need less work.

If you can do your own and you get a Nanocom I would go for the D2 and with your budget you can get a really nice D2, or probably a very high mileage D3.

[DazzaTD5]

Dont know if this will help but...
My Dad had a 1994 Defender for 12 years as a work vehicle in the building industry. Before that a Series III, Series 2A, Series 2 which just about covers his vehicle owner driving life!!

His original thought was do a rebuild but liked the 300tdi and R380 box, but I figured this was going to cost me a lot of time so I suggested something that the base vehicle was ready to go and from there he could add all the bits he wants.

Ended up getting him a 2004 Defender TD5 130 twin cab trayback with 120K on the clock, bullbar, hydraulic winch, 165lt tank for $20,000. Its taken him a bit to get used to it (actually months) but all his bits such as the hydraulic crane are now fitted to it and the other day he commented "its the perfect work vehicle" (handy as he is retired now).

$5000 - $7000 aprox will get a Disco 2 TD5 auto that needs all the typical disco things needed doing. Expect to spend dollars on getting it to spec. Search this forum there will be a list. Avoid any TD5 that has been poorly maintained as it will cost you.

$10,000 n up aprox a Disco 2 TD5 auto in good condition.
$20,000 or just up? early Disco 3 with round 100k on the clock, V6 petrol. A poorly maintained Disco 3 will be a never ending expensive nightmare.
$35,000 n up a Disco 3 TD, RR Sport TD, 100K on the clock, again look for one thats had a good service record.

If it was my hard earned dollars (and I didnt repair Land Rovers for a living) I'd go for a Disco 2 TD5 auto in good condition or a Defender TD5 with as minimal battle scars on panels as I could find. Good service records are a key point to look for.

Hope that sort of helps.

Regards
Daz

[Disco Muppet]

for $20k you could either get a great disco, or one that needed a little bit of work and have it sorted for a long time with change :)
Chipped Td5 is what you want.... :cool:

[bsperka]

I think Tombie posted this a while ago - old style 4wd, more under the driver's control (levers etc) - up to D2a; 4wd via switches and more under electronic control - D3 onwards.
FYI - D3 is more complex eg D3 handbrake detail in the workshop manual is over 15 pages due to it being electric.

[Tombie]

I think Tombie posted this a while ago - old style 4wd, more under the driver's control (levers etc) - up to D2a; 4wd via switches and more under electronic control - D3 onwards.
FYI - D3 is more complex eg D3 handbrake detail in the workshop manual is over 15 pages due to it being electric.

Something similar I think :cool:

I'm a glutton for punishment....

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=75089&stc=1&d=1396393381

Easiest to work on is on the left :D

(Forgive the yard - one day it will get landscaped, at this stage its 'native')

[sew]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback - it's much appreciated.
Took the old girl out today to get photos of her before sale (that'll be the Defender, not the Mrs).... getting pangs of regret already but I think I'd get over that driving around in a nice Disco.... :p

[AndyG]

There are Electric heated Defender seats available ..............

[DazzaTD5]

Also keep in mind you will get reasonable dollars for the "old girl" (Defender). We got $3K for his old girl.

Picture link below, as a comparison to what yours might be worth, the second person to look bought it. The down side I guess was putting up with monkeys asking "whats the interior like?" to which I replied "if you are concerned about interiors, dont come and look at it"

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=587368401335979&set=a.399656256773862.94500.378441402228681&type=1&relevant_count=1

sell sell you wont regret it and do remember your Land Rover isnt actually a living entity and won't miss you for a second.

Regards
Daz

[schuy1]

"sell sell you wont regret it and do remember your Land Rover isnt actually a living entity and won't miss you for a second. "

:o What? Are you saying that Im delusional when I talk to it and it tells me all about its day and what is wrong? Its all a figment of my imagination? :o :D :D :D
Cheers Scott

[DazzaTD5]

No no not at all.......
I say to all my Land Rover clients.... "umm yes yes *nod* ah ha, mm ofcourse *nods*....

Regards
Daz

[Robmacca]

Gents,

Thought I would post here as this post sorta fits what I'm asking/looking for....

I've been researching on getting a Disco-1 as my cousins got one and I was pretty impressed with the ride, etc. He informed me that they are old technology and therefore pretty reliable w/o all the electronics of modern cars of today. The TDi engine if looked after goes on and on but is a bit of a slug if u do any towing or wanting to put larger tyres on, etc.....
Well, I went out wheeling with a mate in a D2 TD5, which was pretty much stock & I was suitably impressed with the ride, & its off-road ability (Traction control), etc and there lies my dilemma..... what to buy TDi or TD5?

Vehicle will mainly used for to/from work and then there the weekend or midweek exploring through the bush which I mainly do on my own... I'm looking for a vehicle that will be nice to drive to/from work, but when I go out bush (especially by myself), I want a vehicle that will get me through most obstacles that I come across and get me home again..... I'm not wanting to use it for any hardcore as I've got my little zook for that, but I want something that will cope offroad pretty well....

I've come across a TD5 with 275,000kms+ on it and was wondering if thats TOO HIGH for the TD5 and whether I'd be up for a engine rebuilt in the near future?

> What sort of kms do u get out of a well maintained TD5
> What are some of the "COMMON PROBLEMS" that I need to be aware of? (I know of the wiring loom and the 3 Amigos issues which I hope is not too expensive)

> I noticed that the TD5 (not sure about the TDi) has an exposed Rubber CV boot, is this prone to busting open via either age or objects hitting it?
> I'm assuming with the 3 Amigos that u will loose the ability to use TC, etc when off-roading
> Can most error codes be reset via using a nanocom or do u need to visit LR to have some certain types of errors reset?

The extra room in the cargo area will help with installing my fridge in a nth/sth direction and not across & also will give me a little more room with our family of 5.... TDI or TD5 Disco ??


Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated....


cheers
Rob

[DazzaTD5]

I'm sure if you spend time reading through numerous posts you will find all the info you need...

My own opinion is Id have a TD5 over a 300tdi, D3, D4, RRS anyday. Regular and preventative maintenance on any engine and you will get a good run. But doing some of what seems like minor items on a TD5 such a thermostat, waterpump, power steering pump, good quality coolant, hoses, injector seals WILL in most cases save you from ever having to do the cylinder head. I have client vehicles I have serviced from new with 400K on the clock and the head has not been off.

Plenty of good TD5 D2, Defenders with 400 plus on the clock and still pulling hard.

from memory....
1999 - 2001 are only missing the the cable/shift assembly to lock/unlock the centre diff.
Late 2001, 2002 models dont have the internals to lock the centre diff.
After that all the bit went back on.
Yes without a centre locking diff and a T/C fault you can be down to a one wheel drive Land Rover.
Any D2 model though all the bits can be put in.
An Engel will go front to back in a 300tdi but you need to remove the rear door pocket.

regards
Daz

[Robmacca]

Thanks for that Daz..... much appreciated

It's good to hear that u can get a good run out of the TD5's, but I guess another thing to consider is the added electrics that can add to the potential problems that u wouldn't have with the TDi's..... How common is any electrical problem (ie: Computer related &/or Sensor related) is there in the TD5's? I was told there is about 3 ECU's in the Autos, then add to that all the sensors + computer added injectors..... Is there many reported issues with these sort of things?

My concern is I don't want the vehicle to let me down in a remote location where u need someone with the knowledge to get it going again.... Reading a few of the posts in the TD5 section makes me nervous if I was to go down that path, but I also realise that it also could be related the owners lack or maintenance, etc.....

My history has been mainly with Toyotas & I know that Genuine parts (hoses, etc) can easily get 200>300+kms out of them...... I guess its a bit of a learning process too as what to do in maintaining these Discos :)