Thread: Should I buy a Series 1 Disco?

Do it !
My 92 V8 is my pride and joy, I love it.
I cooked an engine, my fault. Total rebuild.
I want to put in an auto box.
Putting in a rear ARB airlocker, Maxi axles, 1 inch lift and rear airbags. 1 inch is plenty with the airbags for touring the the hard tracks. This model does not have a sway bar, they were put on in 93.
I find that the drivers seat is uncomfortable, it presses
under my upper right leg and gets very tiresome on a trip. Going to fit a Stratos and a Command cruise
control.
I am replacing anything that I find worn, a bit at a time, so if I eventually spend $20 grand I feel that I
have a very good cheap wagon that I can trust and does not have or need any of that electrickery crap !
It has no rust and is in very good cosmetic condition.
I dont mind the fuel consumpsion, if I did it would be a simple matter to put it on gas. I am also going to fit a long range tank after the airbags go in.
It has still only done 165K and I didn't have to pay for the depreciation.
Do it !

Depending on whether your a masochist or not.
I had an NC 4d56 for 12 years, as tank said they are easy to work on quite capable and the rest, never had a problem with it, except that genuine parts are like l/r parts you need to take out a loan to buy them, But there are heaps of spares about. I reckon it is an easier motor to work on than the 300tdi, especially for timing belt changes. Having said that i suppose your is a v6 petrol?

the 300tdi returns to me a similar fuel economy to the 4d56. My personal preference is diesel and i wouldn;t touch a 4wd V8.unless you had a lot of fuel money.

But the comfort levels in a disco are far better than the pajero for long drives.

my 5 cents worth

john

Definately go for a Disco. Parts are relatively cheap if you know where to get them, there are lots of good LR mechanics around and the comfort levels and ride are much better. Why a V8? Tdi's are better value I reakon, (I have both).

I've had my '97 disco V8 since new and it has been very reliable. I find it comfortable even over long distances. Sure things have worn out and I've replaced them but its just been normal wear for a 10 year old vehicle. It could do with a bit more rear leg room and a bigger load space but I haven't found this to be a problem.

The electrics have been great even in water just over the bonnet. All the interior stuff still works and the seats are comfortable. I did have to replace the sagging drivers seat cushion but it was only $95 for the genuine part.

Fuel economy is right foot controlled especially in a manual. It usually gets around 21l/100km on the city/work commute and about 14.5l to 16l/100km on the highway depending on the tires and load etc. The range is a bit limiting with the standard tank and you really need to add a long range tank for touring some areas.

Ground clearance with the standard tyre size can be limiting in deep ruts but this can easily be fixed with taller rubber and a spring lift.

94 300Tdi just over 3 1/2 years ago we got this (within 100km's of picking it up engine needed rebuild.... long story but lack of maintenance was the issue, heater hose went on the highway and temp gauge only lets you klnow too late in the 300, not sure on the v8, if so get a coolant sensor best money you can spend)
This week will click over 250,000km with only what I would consider normal maintenance, oils, filters, belts, water pump and um um um...... that's about it oh needs the rear suspension ball joint doing.

We traded up from a (1990?) 2.8 TD Jackaroo the old square shape and don't regret it at all. Had this vehicle about the longest the jack would be second. Regularly go out with a friend with a GQ with 4.2 Diesel, 2" lift, stabiliser bar release and rear difflock, He has never got anywhere we haven't. We usually try things first. Standard 94 Disco

Go for it

I've just got one and pick it up next week. Sold a Subaru Forester for it. Have had Landy's before and not really ever had any major issues with them. Not really anymore than with any other 10 year old car. But like others have said as long as you are prepared to get your hands dirty once in a while you should be alright.

I'm looking at a 93 or 94 model V8i. I've never had a diesel before and nearly picked one up for a song but it sold before I could get to it. I have a very limited budget of around $5000-6000 for a private sale and can only go marginally higher for a dealer's sale.

I'm in Melbourne so any recommended mechanics in Melbourne will be appreciated especially those close to the CBD. I've heard about the expensive LR parts but how expensive can they be? Surely they can't be too much more than Japanese 4WD parts....can they? And the fuel economy can't be much worse than my V6 Pajero can it? Come on people, give me some confidence here. I'm supposed to be getting sold on a Disco not deterred from buying one. In all honesty, the fuel economy is not much of a consideration. I don't do much driving and once a year I go to the High Country for a couple of weeks. I can put up with the 22L/100km business but there are ways and means of getting around the high petrol consumption. I'm no lead foot to start with. All the advice has been great so far.

If you learn how to do the easy jobs yourself, like pads, oils, wheel bearings etc and get a 'rave' workshop manual you will find a Disco no more expensive to maintain than a Falcon. Having had my 93 tuned recently, the fuel economy is remarkarble!

But don't buy a banger, or a bomb...

On f the guys here, who I saw on Saturday last (G'day Tim) picked up and excellent 94 Diesel recently for just $4k, so there are some real bargains to be had.

Cheers, GQ