Thread: Noob with no time needs help.

I don't know about you, but I would be hesitant to take a 'new' car on a big trip like that.

Stick with what you know & trust - take the 300Tdi RR.

The engine number prefix is different for autos & manuals.
Don't ask me what it is though, it's been too long since I looked at 300Tdis.

Originally Posted by Scouse

I don't know about you, but I would be hesitant to take a 'new' car on a big trip like that.

Stick with what you know & trust - take the 300Tdi RR.

The engine number prefix is different for autos & manuals.
Don't ask me what it is though, it's been too long since I looked at 300Tdis.

Agreed. My Disco 1 is almost at the point where I'd be ready for a big trip, but when I first got it, going on a big trip would have been a bad idea. It's taken a while to learn the vehicle and what stage of maintenance everything is at... In saying that, I'm also new to owning a 4wd and learning a lot about mechanics that maybe you already know.

Assuming you were looking at a D1 and a D2 in similar condition, major differences I see are:

D1 - simple, no electronics.
D2 early - may not have centre diff lock (CDL) mechanism.
D2 - ABS, SLS, ACE are all electronics that can go wrong. SLS is probably not as reliable as springs.

Yes I'd say D1 is a little simpler, but I would say a TD5 engine is better than a 300TDI. (Again, assuming both in OK condition to start with).

You could try find a late D2 (with CDL) TD5 with springs and less electronics? They do exist, but perhaps rare.


Lastly, I'm interested to see if everyone else agrees with me!

Also depends what history you get with the vehicle - if you know the previous owner for example. I received no previous history, so it's been a period of learning...

stay with a 300tdi, good economy, enough power and you can fix it in the bush with a hammer and some fence wire, no electric to go pear shaped, not air springs to leak.

What a load rubbish ,this old ,low technology,easy to fix BS is ,you lot are only justifying why you have a D1 . Jeez if a D2 is to Hard, how would would you go with a D3/D4 !!! If all that matters is Fixability ,then take the RR with 300TDI and put the 1957 on a trailer behind as well !Why not a defender ? has to be old one ,no TD5 or TC /ABS .Dont ferget to take a spare head complete assembly for the 300TDI ,they are Known problem with them !
Look at the Calendar ,its 2012 not 1965

Originally Posted by 400HPONGAS

What a load rubbish ,this old ,low technology,easy to fix BS is ,you lot are only justifying why you have a D1 . Jeez if a D2 is to Hard, how would would you go with a D3/D4 !!! If all that matters is Fixability ,then take the RR with 300TDI and put the 1957 on a trailer behind as well !Why not a defender ? has to be old one ,no TD5 or TC /ABS .Dont ferget to take a spare head complete assembly for the 300TDI ,they are Known problem with them !
Look at the Calendar ,its 2012 not 1965

I'm not saying I don't agree with most of that. I also would look at Defenders, but that wasn't the question!

I'm also not defending my D1. I would love a D2 TD5. I'm just comparing.... Your point on a 300TDI being no easier to fix is valid. Normally if something goes wrong, you need parts anyway, so regardless of what model, you're screwed in a remote area. However it's common sense that the more features you have, the more things CAN go wrong. Doesn't mean they will, but it's possible - especially if you're buying older vehicles and not a new perfect condition vehicle (eg. D3 or D4).

Eg. A vehicle with 200,000 and springs or a vehicle with 200,000 and air bags. If you did a risk analysis, which is more likely to fail? I think that's what most people are thinking about when they compare simple and complex technology.

Overuse and misunderstanding of the term "Risk analysis" seem prevalent in this board at the moment!

Failure of coil springs - especially if OEM at 200,000km would be high. But I digress...

At 200,000km ANY vehicle will need a little "scheduled maintenance" and preventative TLC.

My least reliable vehicles were the old ones.

All failures I've had we're unfixable without parts and tools...

Not once has an electronic component been the show stopper.

400HPONGAS is spot on....

Skiilnaam

*nods*