Nervous First Timer Amid a Lemon Mine field...

[footprint]

G'day Landy Community! This is my first post on this forum-what a resource!! Although i have put in the yards sifting through the last 132 pages to try and settle my mind, i still have great uncertainty about moving forward and buying a diesel Discovery. I need to sit at the feet of some wise owls to help steer me in the right direction.

I want to get into 4WD touring. No rock crawling or extreme stuff. Just find a capable, ECONOMICAL and comfortable mid-sized vehicle that will safely take me around the VIC High Country and beyond to that ideal camping spot.

My search has taken me from SWB GQ's, Isuzu MU's to Nissan Terrano II's, Jackaroos, Pajero NJ's and the almost perfect- the 300tdi Disco's.

So my forum question lies somewhere in between the potential problems of buying a late model 300tdi and crossing my fingers each weekend, or spend a bit more and purchase a td5 and possibly save in the long term. Is there such thing as a "least" risk option?

Could anyone out there with 300tdi and td5 experience offer some advice as to what is better to buy as a first time truck? The disco's look great but i want to buy with my head and not with my heart so the only other alternative is look into the IFS world of Terrano II's and Pajero diesels for reliability and longevity.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post and any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[rangieman]

well i have a 300tdi defender the best move ever , and i came out of a rangie petrol gas

no probs as yet not that i expect any all i can say is what probs the 300tdi had well very few any way are well and truly sorted now

thats my piece of wisdom ps there is nothing wrong with going with ya heart think of ya missus that was with the heart and it mighht hurt at times but you get over it pretty quick https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[crump]

Welcome, hang around here and ask the questions, you cant go wrong, you've got access to some of the smartest people in the country, they must be they drive Landrovers. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ You sure you dont want a Defender??

[FenianEel]

Originally posted by footprint

Could anyone out there with 300tdi and td5 experience offer some advice as to what is better to buy as a first time truck? The disco's look great but i want to buy with my head and not with my heart so the only other alternative is look into the IFS world of Terrano II's and Pajero diesels for reliability and longevity.


MMM if you're buying with your head, go get a bog standard volvo sedan!
Terrano / Pajero reliability and longevity is a myth. Check out how many recalls they've had. You see a lot more Tdi's running around still than old Paj's.

PS Pajero is actually spanish for waanker (serious) which is why they're called Shogun or Montero elsewhere!!!!

Terrano is english for spanish built, overweight, underpowered, small, drum braked rear!, terribly uneconomical 16l/100k, hard handling dog

(but thats just my opinion!) https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

I went from a V8i Disco to a Td5 and love it, I'd never go back. (And I drove V8's all my life).
In terms of tdi v Td5 - it's a matter of cost, and what you want to pay. With service history and maintained well (if unable to tell or check - walk awayor get someone to go over it), you can find a tdi that'll go forever and won't cost you the earth. They are a little simpler and less expensive than the td5. The td5 is an awesome motor and the Disco with one will have a few more nick knacks and creature comforts.

If it's a daily driver and you plan to keep for a while, and have the dollars, go the extra and get a td5. You won't be dissapointed.
Mine is a daily driver, but also I give it everything it is capable of off-road and I haven't been dissapointed yet - on or off road. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Good Luck, you'll find plenty of advice and friends here too!

[Ace]

How are you mate, go for it. I bought a TDi Disco in Sept 04 with 160000km on the clock and love it, the only real issue is an oil leak somewhere on the transfer case but its not to bad i just undo the plug and top it up when i change the oil, then the box finally comes out for a new clutch i will do the work then.

If you are going to get one and are worried about the so-called issues you hear on the other forums dont be. A well serviced disco is just as reliable as the next make of 4wd. And remember if there were any issues with it there were 3yrs of warranty and a few other years for previous owners to sort them out, you just need to make sure they were fixed.

For a complete run down visit my website (the link is in my signature below just click on it) and click on the "Buying a Used Land Rover" link the the menu on the left. The info on there was compiled with the help of the knowledgable individuals on here. But in summary this is what you need to keep in mind-

1) Buy the best one you can afford with the lowest km and best recorded service history- no service history?- walk away unless you are confident the owner is honest and has serviced it himself like i do and hasnt recorded it.

2) from 98 onward they had Bosch electrics so electrical problems arent and issue like they are on the lucas equipped earlier models.

3) The timing belt needs to be changed every 60-80000km or so, if there is no record of it having been done assume it hasnt and either look else where or knock a grand of the price to cover the fitting (its not that high but with any luck they wont know that) if you do it yourself it will cost you an afternoon and a 300 odd bucks for the kit.

4) buy one with the least modifications, one that hasnt been flogged off road is a great starting point for a great and extrememly capable off roader. If you want accessories and see the value in them then thats up to you.

5) Last but not least if you are uncertain about something or the owner doesnt appear to be trustworthy get it checked out or walk away, there are plenty of good ones around. Matt

[Lindsay]

no (well almost) risk buying an almost perfect vehicle. Their reputaiion precedes them unfairly especially in non landy circles-a little knowledge (available here), a car with a good service history and it will pay off. I bought a 98 auto300tdi a year ago. All in all, no significant issues and 20000 km of trouble free, economical touring and 4wding in the vic alps. Parts are not that dear, they are available and extras are a breeze---find a good landy mechanic and let this site steer you with any probs and you're laughing.

good luck

Lindsay

[Tikirocker]

[quote=footprint]
PS Pajero is actually spanish for waanker (serious) which is why they're called Shogun or Montero elsewhere!!!!

Actually that's incorrect ... the Spanish word for Wa*ker is "pandejo" but people have confused this with "pajero" and the myth has continued thus. Still, the Pajero is a wa*kers shopping cart, no argument there. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[crump]

I'm still worried about these new exploding lemons, which terrorist organisation is responsible? Osama Bin Citrus needs the juice squeezed out of him IMO. :evil: What next, KILLER TOMATOES?? shiver.

[footprint]

Strewth that was quick- i was expecting a response back in a few days.

Gentlemen, I thank you for the input.

Crump- i've always been a fan of asking as many questions as i can so it is a luxury to have forum people that are genuinely interested in helping out. As for not looking at a defender, for what i need they just seem too big for suburban driving and don't seem to be as comfortable inside- bit more agricultural. No arguments with their toughness tho

Rangie Man- 100% of the heart and 50% of the head is saying buy the disco because they have an ideal wheelbase, two live axles and have that timeless look. The danger with forums is that you only get to hear the negative when people need help so i had hoped there would be lots of success stories with the 300tdi engines

FenianEel- like the call regarding the volvo......i guess if i were so worried about things breaking, then i wouldn't buy a 4WD at all. I like the sound of a more simple setup and i would be stretching the funds to get to a td5. Do you lose fuel efficiency with constant 4WD in the td5? Are they more or less fuel efficient?

Ace- only had a quick flick at the site but i'll certainly get back there for a full read up. The buyers list is a ripper and thanks for your response.......i guess i'll need to find a trustworthy landy specialist in melbourne sometime soon.

Lindsay- did you go with a manual or an auto? by all reports, the auto is pretty reliable and seems to get more out of the engine by keeping the turbo spooled up. Much quicker getting to the Vic alps via Wang than Melbourne.

A few more Q's....Has anyone heard of disco owners running biodiesel? Do i assume that 2" lifts on a disco are not too much hassle? Thanks again.

[Lucy]

Owned a 300Tdi Disco, no problems over 3 years, wish I hadn't sold it. Upgraded to a Td5, great car, no problems in the last 3.5 years. Reason I bought it - tax purposes, not because I was unhappy with its predecessor.

Maintenance is the key, both with a history and after you have bought it.

As for the rest, toyota has been claiming better build quality since the days of the snowy project, it has become an urban myth about Landrovers and poor build quality. Like any vehicle, you will get lemons, but in the second hand market they should have been weeded out already.

As for Discos and 2" lift, easily done in an afternoon, no issues with mine so far, and I haven't adjusted castor or anything. Steering felt a little twitchy initially, now I don't notice it. Yes, thats why I wish I hadn't sold the 300Tdi, I ended up buying a second Disco a few years later https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[hiline]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>.......i guess i'll need to find a trustworthy landy specialist in melbourne sometime soon.
[/quote][/b]

i know just the place for you https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

where are you in Melb ???

[crump]

[quote="footprint"]Strewth that was quick- i was expecting a response back in a few days.

You will generally find that doesnt happen here, too many of us have the net at work. :twisted:

[one_iota]

The tests for me are:

1. Would I part with my Disco?....only reluctantly.

2. Would I buy another Disco?...Yes subject to me being technically diligent as described above.

3. If Land Rovers were banned?...I'd rather walk than buy anything else :wink:

[footprint]

Does there seem to be any specific brands of suspension that work well with the disco setup? I have a friend who just fitted Tough Dog gear to his GQ and, so far, he couldn't be happier so that would be the first place i'd look. I have heard a lot of rumblings about Bilsteins on the threads too.

Lucy- will the steering twitching cause a long term problem? Or is it just plain different from stock?

Hiline- I'm in the Blackburn area but, funny as this sounds, would happily drive to Sydney if i knew i'd be getting the best service (and best results)available. I'd want to get a specialist landy person under the bonnet before i bought it (would only look to buy in SA, VIC, NSW and QLD)

onei_ota- have you had to do much to your 95 tdi since you bought it? suspension?

Servicing seems to be the crux point- don't mind getting the hands dirty on simple stuff. Would be paranoid for any of the technical mods like timing belts etc

[noddy]

Welcome

I have had two Defenders, one was a '95 TDi300 and the current Defender is a '02 TD5.

From what you have said, I would be going for a later model 300 (ZF auto preferable to manual). 300 gives better economy than the TD5, theoretically more reliable as it is mechanical versus electronic.

OK, it is not as powerful as the TD5, but you can get more out of them and at the end of the day you are not about racing around the countryside.

Service history is the key to any Landy (and any other car).

Good luck!

[one_iota]

Originally posted by footprint


onei_ota- have you had to do much to your 95 tdi since you bought it? suspension?

The fun bits include:

Snorkel (Safari)
Lovell's Springs (nominal 2" Lift) and Bilstein Shocks (a transformation)
Polyair bags.
Front diff protector (Graeme Cooper)
Sill protection (Rangie Spares)
Steering protection (Graeme Cooper)
Headlight wiring upgrade (c/o Traxide)
Spotties (Lightforce 170's)
Cargo Barrier (Milford)
BFG all terrain tyres (Muddies next?)
the wish list is longer :wink:

The downside includes:

Cooked an engine :x :cry:
Numerous pulley bearings.
A couple of water pumps
A power steering pump
Front drive shaft and a universal
Rear pinion seal
Vacuum pump
Alternator
Timing Belt modification kit
Brass plug replacements for the plastic ones in the cooling system
and the usual maintenance items: belts and hoses.

Am I unhappy?... no except for cooking the engine, but that was ages ago so the pain has faded. And bearing in mind that it does get driven in some inhospitable places pretty much par for the course.

How do I measure the pleasure and the experience?: priceless

An anecdote:

I once met a bloke in his disco who took it for a drive on fire trails for the first time since he had owned it. He was in the company of toyomitsunissan drivers. The conversation went something like this:

He asked me on the quiet: "Do you do this often?"

I Reply: "Yes"

he responds: "You're game!"

I reply: "Why?"

he responds: "They are unreliable"

I reply: "How so?"

he responds: "Well.....that's what my mates tell me and I have a whine in the gearbox"

:roll:

Conclusion: not a vehicle for the gullible or the neurotic.

[Lucy]

Originally posted by footprint
Lucy- will the steering twitching cause a long term problem? Or is it just plain different from stock?

No idea, I guess I'll find out eventually. I don't actually notice it anymore, but did immediately after fitting the springs. I'm not going to worry until the springs settle in, then I'll look at castor angles, wheel alignment etc. I don't believe it will cause any problems mechanically.

If you are concerned, there are castor correction bushes available for small lifts, and other fixes for larger lifts.

[one_iota]

Originally posted by Lucy+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lucy)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-footprint
Lucy- will the steering twitching cause a long term problem? Or is it just plain different from stock?

No idea, I guess I'll find out eventually. I don't actually notice it anymore, but did immediately after fitting the springs. I'm not going to worry until the springs settle in, then I'll look at castor angles, wheel alignment etc. I don't believe it will cause any problems mechanically.

If you are concerned, there are castor correction bushes available for small lifts, and other fixes for larger lifts.[/b][/quote]

and I will add

A true 2" lift will reduce the castor angle and the consequence is vague straight ahead steering.

Generally you will get used to it. It annoys me so I fitted a return to centre steering damper that counteracts this....but that topic will bring on a whole other debate :roll:

[Pavo]

I bought my 1998 Discovery 300Tdi manual in 2001 when it was 3 years old and had 52,000kms on it.

It has been great and I have only had a couple of issues.

1. Heater matrix leak - this was with the first month of ownership and hasn't leaked since.
2. Welch plug leak, resulting in some coolant leak.
3. Fuel lift pump leak last month. Cost me $99 to replace it, and took 1.5 hours - easy.

Nothing major and I would say in 4.5 years that's pretty good.

It came with a snorkel, and I have since fitted:
ARB Bullbar and Side Steps
Dual Batteries
Old Man Emu suspension (done 4 months ago). This is claimed to be 40mm lift and transforms the car handling wise (and load carrying ability). As mentioned earlier, Bilsteins are very popular too. Everyone I rang told me there is no need for castor kits and unlike Lucy, I didn't notice any twitchiness - but it does feel different. But not in a bad way.

I've never had the intention to make it a (more) serious 4WD, it was because I wanted to go camping and explore.

As an example of price for a very major service (from a mechanical workshop in Wollongong - not dealer, not genuine parts) I had done:
All oils changed - diffs, transfer, gearbox, engine.
Coolant replaced.
2 wiper blades.
Fuel filter, oil filter, air filter.
2 new front rotors and pads.
Air Con belt.
Timing belt replaced.
Total: $1086.52 (15/3/2002)

Front rotors and pads had to be done because when I got back from Fraser Island, my front left caliper wasn't releasing the pad completely and it wore right down and ground the rotor...not the cars fault, Fraser Island, sand and salty water, I suppose.

Anyway, sorry to make it so detailed, but I thought I would give you some detail on my ownership experience.

Pete

[Lindsay]

Yep went for the auto for exactly that reason- turbo lag is a non issue. Persoanlly didnt like the manuals for that reason-but that can be remedied in other ways too.

I paid top dollar for mine (18000 ouch!) to get the best base vehicle I could afford. It is a 98 model and now has 115k on the clock and is in great order every where and was always serviced by Landrover specialists. Main issue for me is that I run larger than std tyres and this affects highway performance. Through this forum I have found out about a landy mechanic not far from me who adjusts the injector pump for better top end output-this will be a cheap and simple fix for this-(thanks Jase)

You can tell landy owners are enthusiastic about their cars hey!

[George130]

Bud know what you are going through. I bought mine in march last year. First 4WD I ever owned. Was about to sign on the line for a courier when I decided I should look through the second hand yards and found my Defender. I love it. I'm doing 45,000km a year in it and think its better to drive than the 97 fairlane I had before. Even with my heavily modified 130 I still average 11.4 l/100km. Better than most cars.
Buy a good one and you are set.
If you do your own work get the workshop manual on cd and you just need to make friends with the local parts supplier for an easy to maintain beast.

[George130]

Bud know what you are going through. I bought mine in march last year. First 4WD I ever owned. Was about to sign on the line for a courier when I decided I should look through the second hand yards and found my Defender. I love it. I'm doing 45,000km a year in it and think its better to drive than the 97 fairlane I had before. Even with my heavily modified 130 I still average 11.4 l/100km. Better than most cars.
Buy a good one and you are set.
If you do your own work get the workshop manual on cd and you just need to make friends with the local parts supplier for an easy to maintain beast.

[CraigE]

Service History!
Service History!
Service History!
Service History!
Service History!
Service History!
Does not have to be dealer servicing, but try and get one that has had 5,000km oil changes and reg servicing of all items, all recalls done and fixed. The tdi is a great option and very economical. The TD5 is also great, better power. I would go an auto.
Most of it depends on your budget. A good tdi can be picked up for around $10k or a TD5 for about $20k. The TD5 is a more technical electronic motor, but have not had any huge failures in mine yet. Check for oil in the ecu and if you get a TD5 have a spare injector harness on standby or seal the one in it quickly. Also make sure the oil pump bolt has been checked and if not get it checked and loctited before pick up.
Best of luck and welcome to the world of Land Rovers.

[wardy1]

G'day and welcome!
I bought a D2 with the TD5 last march (05) had 48k on the clock. it now has 108k!
Lots of trips incl Qld twice and all over the high country and here is my list:
Needs new brake rotors now
Leaking power steering seal
minor oil leak

Now if that makes it a LEMON I want a crate full just like it!!!

Best 4x4 I've owned by a long way and I should add that I've had pretty much all of them over the years and what I haven't owned, I've driven.

Comfort and ability....... best 4x4xfar

[tombraider]

Originally posted by wardy!
Best 4x4 I've owned by a long way and I should add that I've had pretty much all of them over the years and what I haven't owned, I've driven.

Comfort and ability....... best 4x4xfar

Here, here!!!!

In the time I've had mine 2001MY - 106,000km with worked 190kw motor (Diesel TD5)

I've had 1 problem, thats it... And it was *my* fault.

I noticed the serpentine belt was tatty after a few muddy trips and figured I'd wait till next service....

Well that was my mistake! The belt let go at 110km/h 4kms from Pt Augusta at 8pm one night.

I missed my meeting, couldnt find my spare belt and had it flat towed home to Whyalla (72kms away) cost me $550.00 for the tow.

Took 20 minutes to clear the remnants of the belt and fit the replacement when I found it next morning :roll: :oops:

Other than that she's been a dream to own, great fun to drive, and I've met wonderful people since I got a Rover...

And modifying them is addictive

Cheers
Mike

[rick130]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>so I fitted a return to centre steering damper that counteracts this....but that topic will bring on a whole other debate :roll: ________________[/b][/quote]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ that generated a few posts, didn't it. I think in the end I conceded that the RTC damper would help....yet it's not the right fix https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[tombraider]

But performing the right fix and then fitting the RTC is even better :wink:

BTDT

Cheers
Mike

[rick130]

here's my take. A Terrano and a Pajero really aren't in the same (off road) class as a Landy, either Disco, RRC or Defender, although I'm guessing they are more car like on road. The closest real competitors are a GQ/GU Patrol, or an 80/100 Series 'cruiser, and both of these are in a size category above a Disco.

Since Mrs Rick and I have been together, she's had (from new) a succession of Nissans, an MQ shorty (petrol) GQ Ti wagon (petrol) and now a GU 4.2 turbo ute (diesel), so I reckon I'm qualified to comment on the pro's and cons of a Nissan vs a Landy (at least a Defender 300Tdi)
Straight up, even though the Patrols have an LSD (and a very good one) stock, the Defender, even with the huge anti-roll bars fitted to crew cabs, was more capable, and far more comfortable, off road in stock condition. Obviously both are easily modified in the suspension department, as, at least at the front, they are very, very similar. All the Nissans have been very reliable, and so has the Defender. I've clocked up close to 110,000km on the Landy so far (total 180,000km) and these are the bits that have needed replacing.
1. Brake discs all round (fairly soft iron) replaced with DBA/Brembo discs. much better wear and performance over stock, and a set of pads all round. The GU is still on its original discs and front pads.
2. fuel lift pump. It was working fine, just starting to leak a bit.
3. timing belt. twice. normal maintenance.
4. fan and a/c belts. they started to develop a few micro cracks, so replaced. normal maintenance.
5. valve stem caps. two broke up on me. very unexpected, found through checking why I had a noisy tappet. Apparently it isn't uncommon, so that's something to look out for in 300Tdi's.
6. engine mount. scheduled for this weekend. LHS tears in any vehicle, just depends on how hard it's been used/abused. I consider it normal maintenance.
7. front and rear suspension bushes. most of the rear ones were swapped out at @ 110,000km. All the front ones are being replaced this week end (flogged out) Our GU is still ok in this department, yet I saw the front hockey sticks out of another local GU in my mates workshop yesterday which needed all the front bushes replaced, they were falling apart, and I think its only just passed 100,000km.
8. Shocks and steering damper, at various times. As would any vehicle with these km's. For most purposes, I like Bilstein and Koni.
9. rear axles/drive flanges, but that's a Defender thing. This is not a problem in a Disco or RRC.
10. engine oil cooler hoses. Bad crimps from the factory. Took them to Pirtek and had new hoses fitted.
11. Door strikes. Again, I think this is just a Defender thing.
12. For the external size of a GQ, they sure are small inside
13. bearings in the various belt tensioners. haven't had to do any in the Patrol...yet.
14. a couple of batteries. normal maintenance for any vehicle.
15. sump gasket when I bought the vehicle 4 years ago. These have a habit of leaking on 300Tdi's. They are RTV silicon, and if both faces aren't perfectly clean/dry before sealing, they let go. Mines starting to weep a tiny bit again, and I believe that a few of the specialist Landy places have a reinforced cork gasket that fixes this problem.
16. replaced the useless/dangerous plastic plugs in the radiator and t/stat housing with 1/2" BSP brass ones. just for safeties sake.
17. t/stat, top radiator hose, coolant, etc. just for peace of mind. normal mantenance.
18. Welch plug in the rear of the head. A very small pin hole of corrosion, (the rest of the plug was bright and shiny) yet my coolant was always in the correct ratio... :?
19. Coolant tank. the original black ones are a known problem as they split and dunp all your coolant. Replace with a later version (white/opaque)
20. tie rod end boots. These don't last, at least for me.
21. drag link and tie rod. these are really undersized for serious off road work, and you will bend them. Replace with some heavy duty aftermarket ones, eg Maxi Drive. Nissan has upgraded theirs. Compare the rods and tie rod ends from an early and a late GU, there is a massive difference in size/beef and the smaller early GU ones are still bigger than Land Rover ones.

The only time/s I've ever been 'stuck up' by it , it has been corrosion on the spade terminal of the stop solenoid on the injection pump. Usually just a jiggle on the terminal will get you going again until it can be cleaned properly.
Other than those coupler of small 'issues' above, my (fully loaded with work gear, and very heavy and heavily worked) 300Tdi has been a model of reliabilty, and with a 3" exhaust and a few pump tweaks, its quicker than a stock 4.2TD Patrol :twisted: with better fuel economy and, at least for me, more fun and more comfortable to drive both on and off road. (although the quietness and better a/c of the GU is nice sometimes.. :oops: )

[footprint]

Just from the amount of enthusiastic feedback from this forum, it is becoming increasingly obvious that these Landy's can become addictive. I haven't even bought one yet but i'd be lying if i said i hadn't been looking up the local websites for aftermarket additions....

Firstly, my sincere thank you to all who have provided their 300tdi/td5 experiences and technical insight- it has helped immensely and, if others out there have similar experiences/advice to share, i would really appreciate to read more!! Rick130, my hand started to cramp up listing down all the points to keep an eye on :wink: but this kind of info is what i soak up. From One_Iota's history to Pavo's service list costing, it has all helped.

Does anyone know whether a checklist has been compiled when inspecting a 300tdi engine/Disco 1 vehicle? I've jotted down a few things but if someone has developed a trouble shooting list, it would be great to have a read so i can spot the issues i need to sort out....water pumps, valve stem caps, welch plugs, heat matrixs???

I will aim to do most of the basic maintenance stuff myself but i certainly will consult the landy pro's for any intricate projects...... but here lies the invaluable nature of this forum. People seem so willing to help out when things go wrong and part with their wisdom and experience- so a lot of time and money can be saved just because people are willing to help others.

Without wanting to sound like something from Oprah, you should all be proud of what you have created here!!! https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Tikirocker]

Have you considered a Series 2 - 3 Land Rover? 8)

[Bytemrk]

G'day Footprint,

As you no doubt have worked out by now - the real key is make sure the vehicle you buy has been serviced regularly ( preferably by a Land specialist).

I can't help much with the deisel as mine is a V8... but rest assured that the "reputation" that Landrovers have among non Landrover drivers is definitely not deserved.

I would say they will be un reliable and tons of trouble IF YOU DON"T LOOK AFTER THEM.

If you service them regularly - they are the most capable standard off road vehicle you will find.

You are right it can get rather addictive - but that is because they are vehicles with character.

I use mine as a daily driver as well as regular off road work.

It has taken me all over the place in Victoria including plenty of off road work in the high country. It's taken me into and around central australia, parts of NSW and Tasmania as well as playing on the beaches at Robe.

... AND mine is very nearly dead standard!... ( still running the michelins :oops: )

Where are you located?... maybe someone here could recommend a good Landrover specialist Mechanic near you to check out what you are thinking of buying?? may help settle those first time nerves... but trust me you will not regret it!

Mark

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Welcome Footprint!

if a mechanical item can have character, then Landrovers have it, it spades! (queue response from One Iota here--)

But its more than that, the owners on here are all people that you'd want to meet, most actually have more character than their cars!

Our technical help is The Best outside solihull, no matter what you want, break, buy, sell, or fit, someone here has done it already, and posted PICS on it!!!

C'mon Footprint,, theres a 300tdi out there with your name on it, just buy it,

you know you want to--- 8)

[Maggot4x4]

Check for rust around the skylight glass.

[harryw]

As per other thread I am now a "real" Landy owner in that I have my first oil leak.

That apart we are absolutely delighted with our choice of the TD5, it is economical and comfortable the only problem is that it is the daily driver for my wife so I don't get to drive as often as I would like. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

We bought it primarily as a towing vehicle for our caravan and it has proven more than adequate for that purpose.

[one_iota]

Originally posted by Pedro_The_Swift


if a mechanical item can have character, then Landrovers have it, it spades! (queue response from One Iota here--)



Strapped to the cargo barrier

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

a spade for shovelling

and

an axe for grinding

and not shown

(in the little compartment in the dash put there by the thoughtful people from Landrover)

a dummy for spitting (it's true)

[barryj]

[quote=Pedro_The_Swift]

a spade for shovelling

and

an axe for grinding

and not shown

(in the little compartment in the dash put there by the thoughtful people from Landrover)

a dummy for spitting (it's true)

That's what I need .... a dummy to spit!

[one_iota]

Originally posted by barryj


That's what I need .... a dummy to spit!

http://www.aulro.com/albums/album26/IMG_0455.sized.jpg

An essential piece of recovery gear.

Useful for most occasions:

-When picking up the LR after a "routine" service,

-Losing a spot in the supermarket parking area,

-Pacifying the passenger before, during and after a steep slippery descent that you both know you shouldn't have committed to.


http://www.aulro.com/albums/album26/IMG_0457.sized.jpg

[norto]

G/day Footprint
ive owned 12 4wds over the last 25 years. the last 4 have been land rovers, a 1985 range rover, a 1993 range rover vogue plus that i bought as a burnt write off and rebuilt (beautiful car), a 1999 discovery td5, and now a tdv6 s discovery 3
for my mind theres no other car on the road like a land rover.
they have personality.
they are a bit like your kids, they dont always do what theyre told but theyre part of the family
cheers

[footprint]

G'day Team Landy- just got back from my first Rodeo experience out at Heathcote (north west Victoria) and it was a surprisingly enjoyable time. I kept spotting disco's on the way there and back so the enthusiasm is starting to settle in.

Just by the response to this thread, Pedro was right in regards to the best help outside solihull. Honestly it's pretty reassuring having this resource nearby for when things go pear shaped. When i posted the question, i never thought i'd get this kinda feedback- still very much appreciated.

I was doing the car research thing on carsales.com.au last night and came across some spec info on the 300tdi 97 onwards..........the profile said that it was a constant 4WD vehicle. Is this true? I thought the 300tdi was 2WD with lockable front end and the td5 was the constant 4WD vehicle. Have i got my wires crossed? I thought the less moving parts the better and would prefer 2WD on the black top....could anyone clarify?? :?

One_iota- your beast certainly looks like it gets a work out!! I like the rear cargo setup. Very practical and thoughtful with the dummy aparatus too.

Norto- 12 4WD's is an impressive list and your preference speaks volumes to the calibre of the landy product- thanks for the post

Bytemrk- i'm in the blackburn area and i know of a few names like Ritter and Les Richmond etc. Any other places?? Personally i'd drive to Sydney if it meant i got genuine HONEST service.

[rick130]

all Landy's since '83 have been constant 4WD, Disco's, Rangies Defenders, 110's and even the Stage I, before the 110 came along had a Range Rover gearbox/t/case. The ccentre diff in the t/case is lockable, except for a couple of Rangies and a one years worth of DII's.

Splitting the torque on road lessens the load on the axles/diffs, (thank your deity of choice, the rear Rover diff isn't the strongest in the world) and also makes the driving experience that little bit nicer, particularly when it gets wet or ordinary.
If you want a part time 4WD, you'll need to get a Patrol or bottom end 80 Series TLC.

[one_iota]

Footprint,

Landies have been constant 4wd since before just about anyone else thought of it. It's down to the centre differential and its lockable facility (CDL).

I can't imagine having to get out of the car to lock the hubs on the front axle to get the front and rear axles coupled. (Apologies to the early series owners).

No wear, and no tear.

You should go for a drive.... surely someone here can take you for a ride 8O

Come on you southerners https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[rick130]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>That's what I need .... a dummy to spit![/b][/quote]

a long looong time ago, back when tdi-rick was a touch more, er, volatile than now and still living with Mum and Dad, he was sitting having lunch with them and the then girlfriend and one of his best mates, Chris. After a minor spray over something, Chris quietly and calmly pushed his chair back and started to comb the floor as if looking for something. Everyone went dead quiet, and Karen, the gf asked what he was doing...."I'm looking for the dummy Rick just spat...." :oops: farn mates..... https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[igould]

Originally posted by one_iota

You should go for a drive.... surely someone here can take you for a ride
G'day Footprint,
I'm just over at Glen Waverley.
Can offer you a drive of a 2000 Td5 auto and a 1997 v8 on gas, to help with your pending addiction. :twisted:
PM me if you're interested and we'll set something up.

Ian

[ATH]

You really started something there footprint!
I'll add my little bit for what it's worth.

1st LR 1996 300Tdi Auto Disco. - Good reliable vehicle and the biggest pain in the butt was the heater matrix leaking and getting it fixed was expensive.
The job was also stuffed up by so called expert mechanics who'd rather bolt on new accessories to Telstra Tojos and who hate LRs.
On reflection I'd already bypassed it until it was fixed and I should have just left it like that as we don't really need heaters in Perth.

Economical and comfortable vehicle with plenty of pulling power to tow our van which weighed around 1.5t.
Changed front timing belt and had mods. done so it wouldn't wear so much in the future. Also changed water pump and tensioner for accessory belt.
Had a couple of oil leaks the worst of which was the rocker cover.
I did all servicing myself and even replaced the front axle oil seals ..... they looked as if some turkey had put them in the wrong way round when it was built.
The transmission has 1 sump bolt which is a pig to remove but unless the filter needs changing it doesn't matter. Should change it about every 80000k I believe.

We now have a Defender 110 Td5 and it has a stronger engine which tows even better. It also feels more comfortable in the rough stuff probably because of it's longer wheel base.
No real problems with this vehicle except for the clutch master cylinder being changed under warranty by the main stealer whose mechanics couldn't be bothered to adjust the clutch properly afterwards!
I'm now going to do all servicing myself as then I'll know the oils have been changed and I won't have to take out a mortgage to pay the bills.

In conclusion, there must be a lot of LR owners out there who are either self employed or dole bludgers or like me are not doing what they're paid for!
Good luck with the hunt for a good well serviced Disco.
Alan.

[footprint]

I never thought when i first signed up for this forum experience that i would learn so much and be offered so much helpful insight into LR ownership.

I certainly have had a lot of myths de-bugged and had the chance to contructively evaluate both my existing opinions and those of others. Even the simple thought of AWD versus part-time 4WD had never been an issue until i needed to think about a preference. Thanks Rick130 and One_iota. As for being offered test drives, the generous I_gould certainly took me by surprise.

Alan, my mechanical background only stretches as far as cleaning the floor at a workshop for 3 1/2 years when i was in high school. However, i learnt to tinker and i know i'd rather do the basics myself and save my cash to spend on the harder stuff. The 300tdi seems like an easily servicible engine and i think i'll try and resist the td5 for now- if i can.

To date, i now have a 9 page Word document table that lists all the things to listen and look out for in a 300tdi vehicle, where the problem is, how to fix it and where to get the parts cheaply. This forum is a gold mine of info and when i make the document more respectable, i'll have to let a few wise ol' owls cast an eye over it to see if i'm on the right track and to see if it might help other people.

Addiction...........i know more about them than my first car (1975 Audi Fox) and i haven't even got one yet!!!

[igould]

I've got a copy of "Used Disco Buyer's Guide" and "Inside the Tdi" articles from one of the Pommy LR magazines.
I'll try to dig it up & email it to you if you give me your email address.
Both articles tell you what to look for, and a guide to how much to knock off the price for any serious problems you may detect. Prices are in £, so you need to do the conversion.

Ian

[one_iota]

Originally posted by igould
I've got a copy of "Used Disco Buyer's Guide" and "Inside the Tdi" articles from one of the Pommy LR magazines.
I'll try to dig it up & email it to you if you give me your email address.
Both articles tell you what to look for, and a guide to how much to knock off the price for any serious problems you may detect. Prices are in £, so you need to do the conversion.

Ian

Ian,

Any chance of emailing that to me as well and I'll see if we can't have it posted somewhere here for others to reference.(copyright permitting that is)

[one_iota]

Originally posted by footprint


To date, i now have a 9 page Word document table that lists all the things to listen and look out for in a 300tdi vehicle, where the problem is, how to fix it and where to get the parts cheaply. This forum is a gold mine of info and when i make the document more respectable, i'll have to let a few wise ol' owls cast an eye over it to see if i'm on the right track and to see if it might help other people.



And good sir we would be happy to find a place here for that document should you wish. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[B92 8NW]

Footprint

You mentioned that on forums people only tell you the bad things and not the good things. Let me help out there.

290,000 kms, daily driver and reliable as the day it was born. Never uses oil, coolant level never drops. Goes like the clappers (using BP Diesel) and returns 25-35 MPG. Not a single complaint. But then I have only done 15,000 kms in it https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[DiscoDan]

My two cents worth...

now on my second Land Rover after 3 ota's

The key is service history, even if the car has been used off road (not abused off road) or is fully loaded check the service history,

I had a 85 Rangie for two years with nil problems that went self inflicted, although I did snap an axle whilst doing a chicken track (so I avoid chicken tracks) however I was still able to drive out where a ota Hi-lux had to lock his rear axle (leaf springs nil travel).

I have now had my 97 Disco 300 Tdi auto for 5 years and am about to do some major work to it, more because I haven't kept the services up to it.

How ever a few things to look at.

Serpintine belt tensioner $240 and lasts approx 100k. Belt squeals as being pushed sideways on pulleys.

Fuel lift pump >$100<$200, an easy fix however I is lazy, both times the pumps have cracked in Vic High Country (I live in Brisbane)

Timing Belts THINK NIKE Just do it

Cooling system make sure is has coolent and on that point the overflow or header tank goes off like a basket ball popping

Diffs both ends on mine have ARB air lockers but I waited for the centres to fail first before replaceing them. (my fault)

Head lining becomes a hat. It hangs down that far.

bought the car as a work vehicle in 01 with 73k on clock now pushing 200k and due for service (tomorrow) as a vehicle working in the CBD of Brisbane (hence auto)I could still get 10.4 litres per 100kms.

Servicing cost on a par with the jap vehicles however take it to some one that knows Rovers

Would I sell it......Yes but only to buy a 04 HSE TD5

My wife liked the look of a 110 on he last trip we did, then sat in it, as I use to drive one in the Army I knew. The wife also prefers the look of the Range Rover, but I don't want to go that early and she doesn't like the series two RR,,, maybe I can con her into a Rangie sport as she won't touch a Disco 3

We can only but dream:rolleyes:

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I never thought when i first signed up for this forum experience that i would learn so much and be offered so much helpful insight into LR ownership.


Inc must be walking on air after that Footprint,,,

and the rest of us are feeling pretty chuffed as well.

Let us know how you get on---:D

[footprint]

G'day Gents- it's been a while. For some reason i couldn't login for quite some time however the online help team threw me a new password so i'm giving it a road test.

Thanks for the input Disco Dan. The more i read these kinda posts, the more i learn that the issue is never about the initial purchase price but rather how much it costs to keep a disco on the road. Service info is very helpful and hopefully when it comes time for mechanical work, i'll be well informed to keep the servicing costs honest.

Pedro- as for the update on my search, i report bittersweet news in that i have had to put the car search on hold because i've just moved out of home. I am trying to keep the savings in tact as i try and set up the cottage i'm renting but it's certainly hard. So i've put on hold my online car search and long list of Disco Tips i have pulled off the forum. It's amazing how things like fridges and furniture can so quickly occupy the mind rather than suspension lifts, bash plates and big tyres. I'm also planning to make quite a bit of my furniture too out of recycled timber.

I certainly have not given up on the Disco and to keep me enthused i have started to help my mate make BIODIESEL. We are in the final stages of testing and have already run a batch through my mates Patrol. We want to develop a proper system but it's all starting to come together- i even have my first test batch sample sitting on my coffee table.

Anyway, it's all happening at the moment but i still appreciate the posts and wished to again say thanks for people's 2 cents worth. I'll try not to open up a biodiesel conversation here but it's certainly a refreshing topic. Once i've set up the new pad, i'll be back on the disco train!!

Large Portions of Cheers

Footprint