Thread: V8i or Diesel

What are you going to use it for? Towing? Touring? Commuting?

I sold my V8 Rangie mainly because I got sick of filling it up every 375-400Km, compared to my TDi 300 which gets 700-odd Km from a tank. If you are travelling in the outback this becomes even more relevant because you need to carry a lot of extra fuel with a V8.

The TDi300 and the TD5 have respectable power (obviously neither is monster - can't imagine what the 0-100 time is) but they will cruise all day every day at 110 and give you excellent economy. I wouldn't ever go back to the petrol engine, but I rarely tow anything and I have another car to use around the city.

Hi Timo and welcome. A short answer is either depending on your preference. The V8s are great toys but do use the go juice, but are cheaper to get parts for and fairly easy to service. Long range travel can be a problem and I would advise to get one with an LPG conversion and a long range tank if you go this way. The diesel Tdi is the most economical but a little underpowered, reasonable for parts and spares. The TD5 has a lot more power than the tdi but uses a bit more fuel and bloody pricey for parts at the moment.. I like them all and have had a Disco 300Tdi, RR 4.2 on lpg only and currently a Fender TD5. If I had to buy another vehicle excluding the D3 due to price, I would look at a Disco2 TD5 auto or a mid to late 90s Range Rover V8. The resale value of the V8s is non existent so you can pick one up really cheap compared to a diesel which still retains a premium price. Look at the price difference and work out if the fuel economy is really going to come in to play. Most of it depends on your budget. Nothing beats the sound and feel of a V8 but the torque of a diesel especially towing is a great benefit also. Test drive as many as you can to get a feel for the vehicle and what you like. If possible and you narrow a vehicle down to a couple that a dealer has see if you can get one over night and take for a decent drive before committing. If I could have done this with the Defender I would have probablly gone back and bought the Disco TD5 auto. My tdi300 Disco was getting between 700-850 litres per tank depending on how driven averaging about 10litres per 100kms some times a s low as 9litres. The TD5 Defender is getting more like 12-13litres per 100kms. The Rangie was getting about 25litres per 100kms on lpg which is about average. My brothers and friends Disco V8s are getting around 17-19 litres per 100kms. With a petrol long range touring will require a long range tank unless you want to carry lots of jerry cans. This has probablly confused things even more for you. Good luck.

Thanks for the help guys. I'll be using it for commuting this year with a few camping trips in between and then for touring Australia late 2006. Sounds like the diesel is the way to go so far :wink:

Another quick question, how many KM on the clock is too many for a 10 yr old disco in the diesel and the v8?

Hi Timo,
I was in the same position as you. Do I go V8 or Diesel?
My final choice was a V8 for the following reasons.
They are cheap. My 1993 cost me $6000 on the road.
A similar aged Diesel would be about double. The v8 returns approx 17 lts /100kms where as the diesel should return 10lt/100 ie a difference of 7lts at say $1.20 lt =$15.50 per 100 kms
The $6000 I have saved by buying a V8 would equate to38700 km of extra driving over and above that of the deisel.
I hope that this may help you in this very difficult decision.
I also hope my sums are right because I know that some smart b@#$% from the forum will pick me up if its wrong.
Cheers
Just an old fart :?: :?: :?:

See my post on peak oil

See if you can go for an updated series one, early '94 until the ser 2 came out.

Differences with these are lights, gearbox, dash (much nicer) and egine wise the 3.9 V8 (although some early one had them), and the Tdi 300 from the 200.

The V8 with gas is fine and you're going to save a packet in inital purchase price. I've driven from Melbourne to Darwin & back without a problem although I would recommend that you don't skimp on petrol tank capacity like some LPG conversions do.

I would have like to have gotten a Tdi when I puchased mine but to find a 2nd hand one let alone one in my budget was impossible. The V8s do benefit from some attention to the exhaust, replace from the muffler back with a freer flowing system & you'll reap better responsiveness, efficiency & note .

Best of luck.

Hi,
I had my D1 V8 converted LPG about a year ago.
Yes I skimped on the petrol tank and chose the 30litre sill tank. Suits my purpose well, although no long range or outback touring was planned. To maintain some some clearance and clean lines, I put twin 35litre 'scuba' style underneath. Try to sqeeze a 90 or even 120 if you can, it's worth it.

Regards
Ralph

Take a diesel, mate! It's the only reasonable choice if you want to keep and use your vehicle. Even in Australia the fuel prices will go up, and the Diesel simply is the more frugal engine. What it may lack in outright performance it will more than compensate for in stamina.

Cheers