Thread: need help looking for a disco 1 (noob)

hi guys im looking to buy a disco 1 and am new to the hole 4wd and disco thing. i know a little about cars (doing all the work on my skyline) but im looking 4 a second car to be used as a 4x4 and a daily driver when my skyline is off the road.
well i have done some research on disco 1's and im struggling to find the info i want.
well im looking at old discos with high km (thats all i can afford)
now im thinking diesel is the way to go because in my experience diesel will last longer than petrol. correct ?
and then should i be looking for a 200 or a 300. i need a engine that is easy to work on and very reliable.
next auto or manual personally im stuck in the middle so i would like to here what u guys think is better (in reliability and 4wd performance)
and lastly is there anything that i should look 4 that could be a deal breaker?

thx and

Originally Posted by 08yannch

hi guys im looking to buy a disco 1 and am new to the hole 4wd and disco thing. i know a little about cars (doing all the work on my skyline) but im looking 4 a second car to be used as a 4x4 and a daily driver when my skyline is off the road.
well i have done some research on disco 1's and im struggling to find the info i want.
well im looking at old discos with high km (thats all i can afford)
now im thinking diesel is the way to go because in my experience diesel will last longer than petrol. correct ?
and then should i be looking for a 200 or a 300. i need a engine that is easy to work on and very reliable.
next auto or manual personally im stuck in the middle so i would like to here what u guys think is better (in reliability and 4wd performance)
and lastly is there anything that i should look 4 that could be a deal breaker?

thx and

Hi,

Diesel v's Petrol thing is a difficult one to answer, both motors will let you down (like anything I suppose) if not properly looked after, hence the need to have the prospective purchase checked by a noted LR guy if possible. Also, a vehicle with a full documented service history is going to be a better bet.

Comes down to preference, if you feel that after jumping out of the Skyline you are going to have your boot into it all time then maybe the V8 is the go, or if your happy to cruise along then maybe the diesel would be more suitable if fuel consumption is going to be a worry?

The 200tdi is in the pre 94 update models with the 300 filling the gap until early 99 when the TD5 come out in the D2. Both motors pretty similar but I'm led to believe that the 200 is the simpler of the 2, as to weather that means it's easier to work with at home or more reliable I don't know? I own a 300 and have found it reasonably simple enough to suss out, but as I'm hard up telling one end of a screwdriver from the other sometimes I do farm out a fair bit, if I can't get the answer on AULRO that is.

Can't speak for manuals but the auto in mine has been fine, and has never let me down or stopped me from getting anywhere I was brave enough to attempt off road, again down to preference and driving style.

Good luck with it.