Thread: What next?

TDi , manual I take it ??

Woops, 300tdi Auto, 1996

If you are going on big trips with a load, go with the rear airbags first. I have these now and great for loading up, wish I had got them when I did my 12K km trip a couple of years back. Of the things on your list they will make the most difference to your quality of ride.

If you like you vehicle are intending to keep it there's no reason you shouldn't spend more to maintain and improve. Buying anoother one even with lower kms means you just need to start again, and potentially inherit someone else's problems. All theses vehicles are getting old at this point. Mine's got 435K on it and intend to put on a bunch more kms, but then I'm not intending to sell it either.

Its a difficult choice. I'm not at that point yet and won't be for a few years. I'd look at what you need the vehicle to do: go from point A to point B reliably, be able to do a lot of the maintenance myself, capable off-road. If anything I would consider a D2 td5 with low kms as a replacement but then knowing my luck I'd probably end up spending more on the replacement to bring it up to spec to have the same thing that you've got now but with more electrics.

I'd opt for the airbags from your list.

Lots of compromises in the two areas of "cheap" and "all-terrain"

Locker(s) and good tyres will get you a lot of places (depending on your own skills, of course). I'd also probably start putting a little aside for the impending rebuilds.

Proper servicing, not just oil changes, will go a long way towards maintaining reliability but everything mechanical does eventually wear out.

Consider, though, the cost of rebuilding motor/gearbox/diffs to gain another 25 years of faithful use -a whole lot cheaper than inheriting a new set of potential problems every few years.

Forget the side steps, rock sliders yes but not steps unless the other half requires them.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Im pretty happy with the vehicle overall. I like the simplicity and reliability of the 300tdi especially.

The plan is probably to upgrade to a D2a down the track.
I'm leaning toward the airbags and plenty of preventative maintenance at the moment.

I am aware that cheap all terrains are a big compromise but i picked them up nearly new with a set of alloy rims for $400. They do the job

When i wear them out a set of KM3s are on my list

Originally Posted by Dizza

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

.......
I am aware that cheap all terrains are a big compromise but i picked them up nearly new with a set of alloy rims for $400. They do the job

When i wear them out a set of KM3s are on my list

Great pickup! At that price, my point is pointless!