Thread: Should I buy a Series 1 Disco?

I bought one,a 96 gave it a major service and 11 months and 43000 k's later haven't regretted it. Pat

Well, I've had a '91 V8 for just over 5 years. Got it with 183,000km and now has 262,000km. It was bog stock and for $9800 was half that of a diesel and all I could afford at the time, so I guess I was in a similar situation to you.

I haven't seriously considered 'upgrading' since because it's a relatively simple machine - no airbags, no ABS etc. Its only let me down twice with an alternator failure and one morning the steering box cracked open , so reliability has been fantastic.

Over the years and as a precaution i've replaced the clutch, wheel bearings, swivel bearings and small stuff like coolant hoses, belts as well as regular consumables like oil, coolant and other fluids. The CV's are starting to talk to me so they'll be next. I do all the work myself, so thats kept the bills to 'parts only'.

Fuel economy is typical of a V8, so no surprises of 5k's per litre in town and 7-8 on a trip. It's been from Tassie to Cape York, Birdsville and Karumba. Fraser Island twice and flogged through the Watagans, Stockton and Blue Mountain without any reservation.

Mods are limited to a 2" OME spring lift with shocks and castor bushes, ARB bar and OX winch, 15 x 8 sunnies and 31x10.5x15 MT's.

The LT-77 box is getting a bit loose but has never really given me an overwhelming sense of confidence and the 3.5 V8 is no powerhouse but I knew that before I bought it.

With the prices they're getting now, I'd still buy one. It's obviously just my opinion but it's been a great (cheapish) 4WD, thats very comfortable and capable.

Hope you get more responses with varying opinions to help you make a choice. Have fun

Yes you should.


You will find it is not expensive to maintain a Disco1 so long as you do it yourself. At least the small stuff. I can see how it would cost an arm and a leg to maintain if you were to drop it in to the mechanic for every little thing.

If you are worried about fuel economy then convert to LPG.

3 years with a 97 300tdi and Im not regretting it 1 bit.

There is not much difference in power between the V8 and the Diesel other than the initial punch of the V8 and the fantastic note they put out but Im still not convinced that that would off set the dollers for the extra fuel.

Maintenance is simple and If you did any of the work on the Paj then you wont have any trouble with the Disco.

I would recomend you get a 97 or 98 with the 3.9 if possible and stuck on the idea of the V8 as they seem to give a little less problems but I dont think it is that much of a worry.

The ZF auto that mine has is great off road and no problems in any situation and the R380 manual in the later discos is a good strong box but as with everything you can abuse them to death.

The only dramas I have had with mine have been caused by the dim whit behind the wheel hitting things and breaking it which pretty much makes them as reliable as anything, Ive even broken an 80 series and a Triton so the Disco is doing pretty well.

Go for it, get a good one and enjoy.

Originally Posted by 001525

I know this is a stupid question but I would like to hear from current owners of Series 1 Disco's who can advise me on whether or not I should by a Discovery. I currently drive a Pajero which I want to get rid of and move over to a Disco. My Pajero has been the most reliable car I've ever owned. It's never missed a beat and never broken down particularly out in the bush. I've heard so many bad things about the Disco's reliability that I'm hesitant to buy one purely based on it's reputation. I'm also put off by the poor fuel economy of the V8 and I would prefer a V8 to the diesel. You might ask why a Series 1? Simple answer. I don't have a lot of money to spend and the Series 1, particularly the pre 96 models are going very cheaply these days. Obviously if i had the money, I would go for a Series 2. I will greatly appreciate as much info as I can get.

Cheers.

Welcome to the forum, I recommend a 93 Disco, they don't have Catalytic convertors, no ABS, Computer only controls fuel delivery, have single coil and electronic ignition, can always upgrade to a 4L or 4.6L engine and transfer the 93 EFI, front cover and dissy over like I have, I have the Auto ZF 4 sp box which is superb on and off road, I get about 20mpg or better on a run, city and off road about 15mpg, GREAT car, Regards Frank.

The last one I had was a 93 V8 I did about a squillion miles in it before blowing out the rear diff and reverse gear being stupid recovering a bogged toyo.

$700 later for parts and she was going again with a new rear locker and replaced layshaft I did all the work as part of selling her to a friend, I maintain contact with the bloke whose got it (conveniently hes renting my house in townsville) and aside from replacing the waterpump and a couple of relays that control the dual batteries (got them wet and they locked closed) he hasnt had a problem with it.

Originally Posted by Tank

Welcome to the forum, I recommend a 93 Disco, they don't have Catalytic convertors, no ABS, Computer only controls fuel delivery, have single coil and electronic ignition, can always upgrade to a 4L or 4.6L engine and transfer the 93 EFI, front cover and dissy over like I have, I have the Auto ZF 4 sp box which is superb on and off road, I get about 20mpg or better on a run, city and off road about 15mpg, GREAT car, Regards Frank.

Forgot to add, if your not mechanically minded or you have no idea even on basic maintenance and small repairs, then stay with the throw away Japmobiles, because Landy's are expensive to repair if you have to take it to a dealer or specialist. If you have a tool kit, bit more than basic and you are handy with them, then you will get all the help and advice you will ever need from this forum, I have been a mechanic for 45 years and I still had to ask for advice on Landy's from the Guru's on this forum and was not too proud to do so, so you're not alone, it will become a LIFESTYLE, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by Tank

Welcome to the forum, I recommend a 93 Disco, they don't have Catalytic convertors, no ABS, Computer only controls fuel delivery, have single coil and electronic ignition, can always upgrade to a 4L or 4.6L engine and transfer the 93 EFI, front cover and dissy over like I have, I have the Auto ZF 4 sp box which is superb on and off road, I get about 20mpg or better on a run, city and off road about 15mpg, GREAT car, Regards Frank.

well i recomend you buy are v8, thats a 99 model and doesn't have a catalytic converter or abs either