Thread: It's over.

Originally Posted by Tins

Considered an OKA??

I found one just for you!!!

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/6309538939096019

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Weren't they fitted with VM, in Europe?

Yes, VMs were fitted in RRCs but not only for Europe. If I remember correctly, the VM was also the only factory diesel option that was offered in Australia and possibly due to how badly it flopped, being an underpowered marine engine never designed to move around 1900KGs of land mass, the TDI options were not even considered here.

Originally Posted by Tins

I hear what you are saying, but it’s worth remembering that the RRC was fitted, from factory, with two variants of the Italian VM, and 200 and 300 TDis, just not here. So a 300TDi would drive like a RRC.

The VM engines were junk when new and are still junk and the TDI engines that I was referring to are the 200/300 TDI and as you say, were not sold in Australia.




So it seems that I need to justify my opinion that 'a TDI will never make a Range Rover Classic, run and drive like a Range Rover Classic'.

Factory TDI (200/300) engines are noisy and slow, Range Rovers were never meant to appeal to people that liked noisy and slow things, that why Series and Defenders existed. Range Rovers were meant to be smooth riding with good performance and relatively high comfort.

The VM diesels were garbage when new and by the time that Land Rover had released the 200 TDI, the Range Rover was already being marketed and equipped as a luxury vehicle, the Discovery was released as the entry/mid level/family orientated Land Rover product and it was deserving of multiple engine choices including the frugal, underpowered and noisy diesel engines.

If a Range Rover is not a V8, it should at least be smooth and powerful, VMs and TDIs are neither, TD5s can be but unfortunately not many people have had the privilege of driving a TD5 equipped Range Rover Classic. If a Range Rover is not smooth or powerful, it is then the opposite of what the original Range Rover design was.



And by the way, Mercguy... There is no fire to fan, just because my opinion differs from yours or from anyone else's doesn't mean much if anything. I've sold my original V8 powered RRC and I will soon start to restore my LSE RRC, removing the original 3.9 and replacing it with... a diesel!

Originally Posted by Mercguy

I found one just for you!!!

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/6309538939096019

Thanks, just what I need, another OKA

Originally Posted by Chivalry

Yes, VMs were fitted in RRCs but not only for Europe. If I remember correctly, the VM was also the only factory diesel option that was offered in Australia and possibly due to how badly it flopped, being an underpowered marine engine never designed to move around 1900KGs of land mass, the TDI options were not even considered here.



The VM engines were junk when new and are still junk and the TDI engines that I was referring to are the 200/300 TDI and as you say, were not sold in Australia.




So it seems that I need to justify my opinion that 'a TDI will never make a Range Rover Classic, run and drive like a Range Rover Classic'.

Factory TDI (200/300) engines are noisy and slow, Range Rovers were never meant to appeal to people that liked noisy and slow things, that why Series and Defenders existed. Range Rovers were meant to be smooth riding with good performance and relatively high comfort.

The VM diesels were garbage when new and by the time that Land Rover had released the 200 TDI, the Range Rover was already being marketed and equipped as a luxury vehicle, the Discovery was released as the entry/mid level/family orientated Land Rover product and it was deserving of multiple engine choices including the frugal, underpowered and noisy diesel engines.

If a Range Rover is not a V8, it should at least be smooth and powerful, VMs and TDIs are neither, TD5s can be but unfortunately not many people have had the privilege of driving a TD5 equipped Range Rover Classic. If a Range Rover is not smooth or powerful, it is then the opposite of what the original Range Rover design was.



And by the way, Mercguy... There is no fire to fan, just because my opinion differs from yours or from anyone else's doesn't mean much if anything. I've sold my original V8 powered RRC and I will soon start to restore my LSE RRC, removing the original 3.9 and replacing it with... a diesel!

No need to justify anything. I agree 100% that all those engines do not suit what the RR was intended to be. I was merely pointing out that the RRC was offered with them and therefore they would "drive like a RRC", in the literal sense. I'm happy to put up with the 300 in my crude old D1, but only just.
I have experienced 2 RRCs fitted with TD5s, and would contend that, with the right tune, that they would make a brilliant choice, albeit a little odd sounding to the passer by.
On a different note, I got a ride in a P38a once, fitted with the LS3. THAT is what a RRC could be.

Originally Posted by Tins

No need to justify anything. I agree 100% that all those engines do not suit what the RR was intended to be. I was merely pointing out that the RRC was offered with them and therefore they would "drive like a RRC", in the literal sense. I'm happy to put up with the 300 in my crude old D1, but only just.
I have experienced 2 RRCs fitted with TD5s, and would contend that, with the right tune, that they would make a brilliant choice, albeit a little odd sounding to the passer by.
On a different note, I got a ride in a P38a once, fitted with the LS3. THAT is what a RRC could be.

Sorry mate, long days at work and not enough sleep... I didn't mean to specifically direct that 'justification' at you.

I don't want to hijack Mercguy's thread any more, we are all here to pay homage to one of the most timeless vehicles in automotive history, afterall. Even if some of them sound and ride like a 1970s John Deere tractor, without the power...

Originally Posted by Mercguy

Ahh.

All things come to an end.

After much deliberation, I've made the decision to retire the RRC to the role of Farm runabout.

A lot of things have happened in a short space of time, so it's difficult to explain. The bottom line is a number of failures and some impending ones are going to see this one retire gracefully while it has a chance and take up duty as paddock transport. That is to say, so long as it starts and runs, it has a place in the shed. Right now, that's a safe spot. It's not a complete basketcase.

Some interesting events on the horizon-

Contemplating what the replacement vehicle will be - it could be a Pajero, maybe a PooTroll.. who knows.

What it won't be is a Disco, Defender or a 75/6/8/9. I've seen nearly every single one locally in the last few months and what's on the tablelands / FNQ is at best "thoroughly well beyond used" and their owners still have their heads where the sun's not shining and price according to their lofty dream ideologies.

Watch this space. It may disappoint... (probably will haha). I promise to let you all down gently.

Really sorry to hear that you have come to that decision. I went through much the same thing with my (then) 1974 2-door. Could not bear the thought of having that great vehicle as a bush basher so I sold it to someone who would completely restore it. I bought a 91 Range Rover as my "daily" driver, also a NJ series REGISTERED Pajero for just $700. let the rego lapse on the latter and now use it around the property and for visiting the neighbours. In hindsight, I should have kept the rego, because it is an excellent vehicle. Driving between trees with a trailer full of firewood etc has remodeled the body panels it beyond reasonable repair, but the only expense in nearly 3 years has been a clutch rebuild.

Seriously recomment the Pajero - excellent bit of kit

side.JPG

Originally Posted by aussiebushman

Really sorry to hear that you have come to that decision. I went through much the same thing with my (then) 1974 2-door. Could not bear the thought of having that great vehicle as a bush basher so I sold it to someone who would completely restore it. I bought a 91 Range Rover as my "daily" driver, also a NJ series REGISTERED Pajero for just $700. let the rego lapse on the latter and now use it around the property and for visiting the neighbours. In hindsight, I should have kept the rego, because it is an excellent vehicle. Driving between trees with a trailer full of firewood etc has remodeled the body panels it beyond reasonable repair, but the only expense in nearly 3 years has been a clutch rebuild.

Seriously recomment the Pajero - excellent bit of kit

side.JPG

I had 3 pajeros (NM NL and an NP) on the radar for several months now - only thing that prevented a purchase was the fact that they all sold before I could get to see them. Good ones sell REALLY quickly up here.

Conversely, there are so many munted pootrolls and landbruisers up here with owners asking you to pay off their mortgage and their credit card debts before they hand over th ekeys. No thanks. Not for a rusty dogturd toyota.

It may very well be the case that a paj makes it here sooner or later, but for now, the RRC is parked up in the shed out of the elements.

Originally Posted by Mercguy

I had 3 pajeros (NM NL and an NP) on the radar for several months now - only thing that prevented a purchase was the fact that they all sold before I could get to see them. Good ones sell REALLY quickly up here.

Conversely, there are so many munted pootrolls and landbruisers up here with owners asking you to pay off their mortgage and their credit card debts before they hand over th ekeys. No thanks. Not for a rusty dogturd toyota.

It may very well be the case that a paj makes it here sooner or later, but for now, the RRC is parked up in the shed out of the elements.

My brother has a low milage pajero. He hasn't driven it since he got a ranger about 5 years ago. It just sits infront of his house.

The only known issues are:
-its battery goes flat if it sits for months
-it will pop one of the rear driveshafts out (snap rings) if used for heavy towing in 2wd. Either tow in 4wd or fit ugraded snap rings to the driveshaft.
-lpg converter has died while sitting.

I think its done less than 200,000kms. Its the last of the petrol V6's. Not sure of the model. It's white it that helps ( Yes, it interests me that much I don't know what year of model it is ). I can send you his contact details if your keen (he'd probably sell it, his wife doesn't drive, so its a 2nd registered car that is un-used). I think its had recent timing belts, tires, exhaust manifold etc.

seeya,
Shane L.