Thread: Pro's & Cons For Disc 89 to 96

Late model turbo diesel auto is the go. The tdi is a great engine and the ZF makes the most of it by keeping rpm in the turbo boost range.

Make sure of its service history esp oil and timing belt changes, and get it checked by an LR specialist.

Parts are cheaper that a toyo, economy is great, and off road they are right up there with the Rangie. The more work you do on it yourself, the cheaper it will be to run and the better you will be able to fix things in future.

The V8 is a sweet engine, but drinks worse than me - 20l/100km

Bad points ......... what bad points [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Just my thoughts

Bruce.

97 V8 Disco (soon 4sale)
86 Isuzu County

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Late model turbo diesel auto is the go. The tdi is a great engine and the ZF makes the most of it by keeping rpm in the turbo boost range.
[/b][/quote]

Well like I mentioned I test drove a desiel 4 cyclinder turbo a few days ago and I really didn't like it as it was so very slow at take off it was auto as well I mean it took awhile to reach 60 maybe there was something wrong with it might have to find another one to test drive but then desiel cost too much at the pump even thou you might get more k's then petrol.

Alot of thinking to do. :?

Can anyone give me links to sites with info on these models ?

Hi

the diesels are slow to get away from the lights but get 700+ klms from 70 litre of juice and will haul a van no worries. diesels need to be warmed up before pulling a load and couldnt pull the skin of a rice custard when cold, but will never beat a v8 fro the lights.

the v8 discos go way quicker from the lights but get 450k from 70 litre of juice.

you want speed, you buy a nissan or toyota and pay for big fuel useage.

you want offroad capability at nice prices you buy land rover.

your priorities start at what your needs are.......

1) what you want it to do

2) how fast you want to do it

3) how well you want to do it

4) how much have you got to spend to do it ...

there are times i wish i had a toyota in the carport, but when i hear what my mates go thru and how much it costs them, i snap back to reality rather quickly, its all relative.

I've been doing some reading from the NRMA about the 4 cyclinder turbo desiel and as to why it sluggish it all comes down to the auto gearbox etc and that a manual would be much better for taking off in so it's not the engine it's self but the gear box thinking what gear ratio it needs to go in etc.

But I do understand the money you would be saving with one but I can't make a proper decsion till i can test drive a V8 as well and then decide which is better what do I want from it etc.

It's alot of thinking for me also I also read that they sold there GM engine plant that made the V8's so does this mean there might be part problems for them in a few years?

AussieHolden,

A book (probably a never ending story) could be written on this subject.

Incisor's basic points are sound but you may have moved past this.

I will describe why I chose mine:

I came from a 235km/h Italian Sports Sedan with a 3.0 V6 and I wanted to see some country off the bitumen.

80% of my driving is in the city.

I couldn’t justify commuting in a vehicle that consumed fuel at 20l /100km.

I only had eyes for a Land Rover. (I’m a badge snob) And I love driving.

I bought the Tdi because all that I had read suggested that I could tour with economy and it had some advantages offroad: economy and engine braking.

It has lived up to my expectations. It requires a different technique as you drive using the torque. This takes some adjustment and mind shift. In the real world on the road in the country or the city or off road it will get you there in the same time. I have seen some country and had some driving experiences that otherwise I would not have had.

It will give a 3.5l V8 a run for it’s money and when you consider refuelling time probably gets you there sooner.

So my allegiance is declared.

The only thing I would add to this is that mine is a manual. I have heard that the Auto is better but again I’m happy particularly down steep hills in low first.

I believe the choice is fundamentally whether you need a V8 or a diesel.

So tell us what you want from your Land Rover and then we can talk about the differences between the 89 to 94 model and the 94 to 99 versions and some of the pitfalls and things to look for.

one_iota you have very good point's yes I would have to get use to the way the landrovers drive and yes you get from point A to point B in the same time just as long as you arrive alive.

It's very interesting that you mention the following :-

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>The only thing I would add to this is that mine is a manual. I have heard that the Auto is better but again I’m happy particularly down steep hills in low first.
[/b][/quote]

I guess it's better in the sense that it thinks for you as to what gear ratio you should be using according to your driving and I have read that it's built to very high standards and is the best. But according to reviews they say manual is the way to go for better take off time as the auto is slugish.

Well for me it would be mainly a city car with about 10% to 20% off-road going with my brother on his off-road trips in his Nissan Patrol. And the main thing is as with everyone in the country to save on fuel.

PS. Also to snub next door. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]

I've got a V8 5 speed and my dad has TDI 5 speed. Both are good, the thing with a TDI is you have to nail them and keep them on boost. With the manual you can bring the revs up before you let the clutch out and then give them some stick, they still use less than 10L per 100km regardless, don't baby them. Dads car has done 160k (full LR service history) done 40 of that around oz on dirt and has only had basic service items still drives like new and is rattle free. Dad tows a 5.20 metre Coromal poptop no problem will cruise at 110km with van on easy. My V8 has had a much easier life done 145k ( I got it at 60k) and I have over serviced it with respect to oil changes and quality of oil. Again only normal service items the odd oil seal, totally reliable. The car is quicker off the mark than the TDI but the TDI holds speed under load on hills better I reckon. The V8 manual will keep up with Commodores off the lights if you want to pay for the petrol. I pull a Jayco swan camper with mine on road, up the beach what ever, I have towed an E type jag race car on a trailer at over 100k. The car will happily sit on 120k or more with the Jayco on again if you don't mind paying at the pump. Really the only problem with the V8 is fuel comsumption, the 8 is smoother and quiter than the TDI. You need to get used to driveing a TDI once you do this they are fine, don't be afraid to push the throttle hard and keep the engine on boost.
As for parts they are cheap and easy to get, lotts of aftermarket suppliers which are not there for jap stuff. I have driven company Land cruisers from 40 to 80 series(telstra) all QLD includeing the Cape and Gulf and would never replace the Disco with one I love the thing. In my younger days I terrorised the Brisbane Bayside in Hot Toranas 6 and V8 and moved on to Jags 6 and V12 ( still have a couple of old Jags) I got out of a V12 Jag into the Disco due to Kids and have not looked back.

G'day, you've heard from the diesel boys, how about some info on the V8.
The only downside for the 8 is the economy. I have a 1995 3.9 efi model. I would average about 20l/100km. That's probably a tad worse than it really is, but I'd rather err on the side of caution. Plus my shoes are abnormally heavy :wink:
As far as parts availiability, the V8's been around since the 60's, you will find bits for them everywhere. They even have a pretty good backlog of brand new engines sitting in containers in England (this from LROI).
Just make sure you're buying something that has been looked after, i.e service history and such.