Unrealistic Expectations

**TerryO** · 7th June 2012, 08:27 AM

Owning three older Disco's myself I can personally empathise with a number of people on here about the on going costs of owning older model Land Rovers, but I can't help feeling many people have totally unrealistic expectations and then end up feeling sorry for themselves when they end up having to do what could often be expected as age related maintainance.

The way I see it most Discovery's and Rangies over the years have been market leaders in technology and on and off road ability and that technology comes at a cost especially as vehicles get older and need regular maintainance.

It would seem that many people expect to buy often ten plus year old Disco's often with big miles on the clock and then get frustrated and shocked when they cost more than the average famlly sedan to maintain.

High on going costs is the main reason why especially top end Euro cars and 4x4 depreciate so quickly once they exit the factory warranty period, yet many individuals fail to do their homework before buying.

The way I see it if you want to have a older top end 4x4 that did things often better then its rivals when it was new then one needs to accept that there will be costs involved, often very high ongoing costs. It's either that or buy a new vehicle that costs a massive amount more but has new vehicle warranty.

To expect anything else from an older 4x4 is unrealistic and more than likely will only end in tears as I often read on here when people give up and walk away.

I often wonder what will be the next vehicle the people who give up on Landys because of the above reasons then go off and buy and if what they buy then meets their expectations or do they just lower the bar so they don't get disappointed?

cheers,
Terry

**MR LR** · 7th June 2012, 08:35 AM

I completely agree, though i do all my own work on my 98 tdi auto Discovery it would be cheaper to have an old Falcon, but i like the Disco and it does what i want it to so i pay for it, nothing costs very much if you do some research and spend wisely and do your own work, if capable. If the auto ever karks it i will put a manual in it, i've already rebuilt the motor and fixed any body or electrical niggles, driveline has been bullet proof so far, but i'm more than capable of doing that up if need be. If people choose to won these cars then they shouldn't bitch about them, we are priviledged to own these vehicle IMO, just treat them right and don't neglect them.
Cheers
Will

**ramblingboy42** · 7th June 2012, 08:49 AM

I tend to agree, I was initially shocked as I stated in another thread, the number of failures I had in the first 6 months of owning grumble. For the last 4 years all I've had have been regular servicings, a front prop shaft, a frozen brake piston and cooling system overhaul. Grumble is 12 years old now and considering what I ask him to do for me at times the maintenance is negligible by comparison. I'm handing him over to the Land Rover people in Rockhampton in two weeks to thoroughly prepare him for a south/north Simpson Desert crossing last two weeks in August. I'm sure regular servicing and preventative maintenance as in this instance make for enjoyable trips without the worry of breakdowns or failures. I will be the only LR on this trip so will be interesting to see how others perform.

**SimonM** · 7th June 2012, 10:05 AM

Totally agree. I intend on owning these cars for quite a while so know that the work I do now will pay off in the long run, hopefully

. Most of the work I do is preventative maintenance anyway.

**Tote** · 7th June 2012, 10:27 AM

The other thing that people forget when buying their dream 4wd is that they cost more to mantain than the average falcadore to maintain regardless of make.

Falcadore
Oil change every 10 000km
Brake pads every 100000km
Fix the bits that fail
Tyres $100.00 each for cheapies

4wd
Oil change every 10,000 K but probably 50% more oil
Brake pads every 100000 K
Diff Gearbox oil maybe every 20,000 KM
Tyres $200 each for cheapies
Greater potential to brake things due to rugged terrain / abuse
Batteries bigger and more expensive (and possibly a deep cycle as well)
Higher mechanical standard of repair needed if you really are going offroad as opposed to driving to the shops
Purchase of accessories to complete the dream, CB, Bullbar, roof racks etc, this is often forgotten as a reason that your 4wd has more money spent on it ie I've broken the diff and I just spent $2000 on a lift.

Regards,
Tote

**PAT303** · 7th June 2012, 10:31 AM

I've been harping on about maintenance for years,funny thing about Land Rovers is people don't use LR specailists and buy parts locally which just leads to pain,whats also funny is people will buy a 15 year old cruiser or Patrol and spend $$$$ getting rust cut out yet complain about replacing rear air bags or a fan belt tensioner you can get from O/S for bugger all,or worst of all spending big money buying a new cruiser and then needing to spend more $$$$ replacing all the suspension. Pat

**ade** · 7th June 2012, 10:33 AM

people could save alot of heartache by knowing what they are buying and especially buying with a full service hisdtory

**Homestar** · 7th June 2012, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by ade

...and especially buying with a full service hisdtory

Yes, but that is no guarantee. Mine had a full service history, and I did a LOT of homework, but still got bitten on the bum. Having said that, I did know what I was potentially getting into, buying a 9 year old Euro 4x4 with the warranty long gone...

Still, I fixed it and I drive it, and will do the same again if it does the same again...

I still love driving it and owning it, so what happens along the way is just part of ownership.

**Disco Muppet** · 7th June 2012, 12:01 PM

I bought my Disco with 212000 kms on the clock, with all faults known and unknown. Sure, big service costs and the niggles can be a PITA, but honestly...what do you expect when you buy a landrover?

Loved every minute of owning my disco, except for 30 when the ignition had a hissy fit

Cheers
Muppet

**Hoges** · 7th June 2012, 02:45 PM

I do get frustrated at times when it seems that self-maintaining an aged LR/RR takes on the characteristics of a part-time job!

The sense of satisfaction however when it's "all sorted" tends to balance it out

...I think... I'd much rather be doing this however than watching $$$$ flow out through depreciation on a new vehicle and spending hours in a dealership waiting room for stuff to be put right.

I have an idea: perhaps a new approach would be for the dealership to allow genuine DIYers access to their workshop for a modest fee and do own regular servicing... save them on labour costs!!!

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