Thread: Maybe I'll just keep my P38A

Always remember Ron that a RR is about 5-8 years more advanced then the same year Disco... My '97 Disco 1 drives similar to Camo's '90 Rangy

Originally Posted by Outlaw

Always remember Ron that a RR is about 5-8 years more advanced then the same year Disco... My '97 Disco 1 drives similar to Camo's '90 Rangy

You're probably right! My local LR specialists who are selling the Disco reckon I'm better off with the simple Disco - no ABS, no SRS airbags, etc. but I insisted that my wife buy a car with airbags so she insists that i do the same. I have no problem with that.

I drove the 300Tdi Disco home and back and around this arvo but I am still not impressed. However, I also drove two earlier model 200Tdi Discos, one being that owned by the apprentice's father, and in my opinion, both of these cars were far better to drive.

I took my wife for a drive in the '95 300 Tdi and she thought it was harsh riding, too.

It's true that the Disco is a much simpler and cheaper car to maintain than a P38A Rangie but it isn't in the same league as a daily driver. I was interested in the Disco so I could outfit it for some desert trips but considering what I'd have to spend, I might as well spend it on the Rangie. I reckon this one needs new shocks and a new roof lining so that's probably close on $1000-$1500. Add a new blinker switch 'cos that doesn't cancel and that's another $200+. Add a decent radio as the standard tape player radio is crap compared to the 11 speaker CD stacker system in the P38A and the costs are starting to look less appealing.

Plus it's white with white steel wheels and the Disco certainly doesn't look it's best in that form. This one has had the engine rebuilt so that's plus.

The other big advantage of the Disco is that accessories are available - there's none for the P38A.

I think I'll keep looking and driving.

Ron

Its not really possible to compare the two ron, its like comparing chalk and cheese, your rangie cost twice as much new as that disco, probably more. In the end its going to be the simplicity and the availability of any accessory you want that will sway you towards the disco, the ride is something you will have to get used to it just simply cant be as good. How much do they want for the disco? Matt

Interestingly Ron has mentioned the ride in his (ex) County...and I have had the pleasure of that...the County was very comfortable from a passenger's viewpoint.

I guess that it boils down to springs and shocks and wheel base...my Disco is harsher (Bilstein Shocks) and probably pitches more due to the shorter wheel base.

The steering I can't comment on.


But I remember the effort involved in turning a non power steering Renault Fuego with squishy Michelin tyres... not

My steering can be vague but i put that down to the lift affecting the castor angles slightly and the bent track rod. Matt

After driving the 300 Tdi auto yesterday, I took another two D1s for drives. Both were earlier 200Tdi manuals.

Both cars were better to drive and had lighter steering than the 300Tdi BFG AT tyres) - one of the 200Tdis had MTs the other had ATs. Both the 200 Tdis wallowed less. The 300 had worn Rancho shocks. The other two had better shocks - not as worn.

I'm not sure that I want to sell the P38A to buy a D1. I'd like to have one to do those desert trips and the Cape trip that we'd all like to do but if I'm honest with myself, I'll probably never do them. Also I can buy a far better V8 D1 for similar or less money to that being asked for a diesel.

I think I'll spend some money and do some fitting out of the Rangie. It is supremely comfortable. I'll just have to ignore the local LR mechanics who are always rubbishing P38As.

Ron

The steering is heavy, it wallows, it's harsh riding. In fact, the whole car seems ponderous in comparison to the P38A.

I'd suggest there are things wrong with it.

Steering heavy. Tyre pressures etc?

Wallowing. Does it have the rear Anti-roll bar fitted?

Not sure what you mean by "ponderous" in this context. It is a 2 Tonne vehicle but your RaRo would be that wouldn't it?

My one doesn't suffer from any of the above & it has the AR bar fitted new from the factory.
It goes exactly where I point it & the ride is, while not superb, is more than comfortable.

Oh, & it is a 3.9 V8 & does not have the bells & whistles & has the "basic" EFi setup, albeit Lucas.

Maybe they showed you a lemon?

i think the guys are right it does boil alot down to the shocks and suspension

but as for the steering what age 300tdi you looking at??? as my'n is 96 model but ian's v8 is 99 (last of the d1's) and his steering is noticably lighter than my'n.

personally i would take the car that was easiest to fix when going out to desert regions
weren't the p38 rubbished due to electrical problems??? correct me if i'm wrong but personally i could get used to a harsher ride if it ment i wasn't stuck in the middle of no where with and electrical fault that i couldn't source.

to be honest though, i find with most cars you drive when you are used to something else you always b*tch about the thing when you first drive them, but the more you drive them the less you notice then you find yourself thinking of things you do actually like........(unless it breaks all the time of course)

but then i could just be talking a whole lot of crap so don't listen to me
all i know is i have a disco and i love it wouldn't change it for the world unless a rangerover sport was on offer

dullbird