Thread: Disco Vehicle check in S.A.

Hi Mightgeta4be,

I get my 01 TD5 manual is serviced by Peter Brown of PCB Land Rover at Plympton, his number is 8350 0110, great guy and has always looked after me(not ripped me off), he just recently fitted an ARB 2" lift to the truck and it works a treat. I have had my Disco for 2.5 years now and enjoy driving it on a daily basis and it is very capable offroad, having the CDL helps. Happy hunting.

Cheers

DaveF

01 S2 TD5 manual, CDL actuated, 2" OME Lift, Pirelli 245/70/R16 ATR's, and hopefully SAfari snorkel soon.

Thanks DaveF
I almost bought an 01 Disco last year but was spooked after speaking with the proprieter of one of the 4wd equipment stores. (I conclude that he may not really know much about the vehicles and as a lot I read about is only " what people hear 2nd hand)
A year down the track the same disco is for sale at another car yard for $6k more than I was going to purchase it for. The yard that had it told me they would sell it to a city yard who specialised in Land Rover if I wasn't interested. I was impressed by the car in respect to comfort, size etc. But after driving Jap cars all my life I didn't think the build quality was as good. Thats not to say that the car isn't capable of performing for what its designed to do. I have again found another disco that apears to be in good shape, One owner and service record available 101k on the clock an only the basic electric gadgetry.
How many of the disco owners out there just drive their discos and regularly have them serviced at correct intervals by Land Rover Rover specialists and have had minimal problems. This does not include any genuine wear and tear from hard 4w driving

Peter Brown services mine every 10K and I usually replace the air filter after going offroad, still dont have a snorkel yet. I do about 400-500 km per week being in sales I am out on appointments most days, live in the Adelaide Hills and office being in the city. I have had the injector wiring loom, driveshaft donut, fuel pump, and some other bit(possibly oil pump assembly) that usually goes replaced but on the whole the Disco ticks along nicely. It has done 130K now and am preparing to go to the Victorian high country with friends in March. As a daily driver it is comfortable, great vision, though I agree with your comment on build quality I have not had any issues. At the time of purchase an 01 Prado was $5-10K more $ for less bits eg, traction control, abs, dual climate control, 6 stacker cd and air bags. The Disco was the best value for $ and I still enjoy it every day after 2.5 years. I feel it is capable of going anywhere and would only upgrade it to an 04 model if I did at all.

Cheers

DaveF

Thanks again DaveF

You hitting the spot with your answers that I wanted to hear. I too have been looking and looking with frustration at the rediculous prices that are sought for the jap 4WD and some of the milage they have done. There are obviously some issues with the discoveries and I wondered if they are faults that once fixed, stay fixed or continuously raise their head again.
Sounds like you have yours sorted and are enjoying what is was intended for. Are you a member of the S.A. Land Rover Register?

No, but probably should be and or the other LandRover club in Adelaide. Dont really have the time to go to meetings etc, but would probably benefit from some specific to Discoveries, off road training. Getting by with friends knowledge and learning as you go. As has been mentioned on other threads Jap 4WD's have their issues as well but people like to knock the Disco as it has a bit of a Toorak Tractor image. Friends who have Patrols and Toyotas are impressed with the Disco's capability and its bag of fruit. Have put on 70K since I bought it which has included: Adelaide to Perth and back, 5 of the 6 "must do tracks of the Flinders", Bendleby Ranges, HorseShoe Rim, The Border Track in Ngarkat Cons Pk, Simpson Desert West to East, Adelaide to just north of Newcastle and back including Barrington Tops, The Coorong at least 6 times. Have not had to redo any of the major replacements. Would love to put a Chip in it but $$ are a bit of an issue. I think having the Disco serviced regularly by Peter makes a heap of difference. He also only replaces things if they need to be not just to make more $$ like some dealers I have heard about.

Cheers

DaveF

One of the problems that Discos have compared to Jap vehicles (Pajero, Prado) is that the stock factory tyre size is too small at 29" diameter. The diffs are too low to the ground and so when following deeply rutted tracks made by Prados and Pajeros, the stock Discovery (I and II) will struggle because the diff will get "high centered".

Fitting larger diameter tyres is the answer, but if you are following the letter of the law, the max increase in diameter in most states is 50mm. This means that the largest tyre that you can fit to a DII is 245/75x16" but that's only about 30" diameter.

Whereas with a Jap vehicle, you start off with a taller tyre to begin with, and you can still go 50mm more....

Or you can do what I do, and simply fit the tyre that you want but don't worry about the legalities.... Oops! This is not a recommendation from me to go and turn your vehicles illegal, assuming you drive in very deep muddy ruts with high centres.