Nervous First Timer Amid a Lemon Mine field...

G'day Footprint,

As you no doubt have worked out by now - the real key is make sure the vehicle you buy has been serviced regularly ( preferably by a Land specialist).

I can't help much with the deisel as mine is a V8... but rest assured that the "reputation" that Landrovers have among non Landrover drivers is definitely not deserved.

I would say they will be un reliable and tons of trouble IF YOU DON"T LOOK AFTER THEM.

If you service them regularly - they are the most capable standard off road vehicle you will find.

You are right it can get rather addictive - but that is because they are vehicles with character.

I use mine as a daily driver as well as regular off road work.

It has taken me all over the place in Victoria including plenty of off road work in the high country. It's taken me into and around central australia, parts of NSW and Tasmania as well as playing on the beaches at Robe.

... AND mine is very nearly dead standard!... ( still running the michelins :oops: )

Where are you located?... maybe someone here could recommend a good Landrover specialist Mechanic near you to check out what you are thinking of buying?? may help settle those first time nerves... but trust me you will not regret it!

Mark

Welcome Footprint!

if a mechanical item can have character, then Landrovers have it, it spades! (queue response from One Iota here--)

But its more than that, the owners on here are all people that you'd want to meet, most actually have more character than their cars!

Our technical help is The Best outside solihull, no matter what you want, break, buy, sell, or fit, someone here has done it already, and posted PICS on it!!!

C'mon Footprint,, theres a 300tdi out there with your name on it, just buy it,

you know you want to--- 8)

Check for rust around the skylight glass.

As per other thread I am now a "real" Landy owner in that I have my first oil leak.

That apart we are absolutely delighted with our choice of the TD5, it is economical and comfortable the only problem is that it is the daily driver for my wife so I don't get to drive as often as I would like. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

We bought it primarily as a towing vehicle for our caravan and it has proven more than adequate for that purpose.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Pedro_The_Swift


if a mechanical item can have character, then Landrovers have it, it spades! (queue response from One Iota here--)

---

Strapped to the cargo barrier

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

a spade for shovelling

and

an axe for grinding

and not shown

(in the little compartment in the dash put there by the thoughtful people from Landrover)

a dummy for spitting (it's true)

[quote="one_iota"]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

a spade for shovelling

and

an axe for grinding

and not shown

(in the little compartment in the dash put there by the thoughtful people from Landrover)

a dummy for spitting (it's true)

---

That's what I need .... a dummy to spit!

Quote:

---

Originally posted by barryj


That's what I need .... a dummy to spit!

---

http://www.aulro.com/albums/album26/IMG_0455.sized.jpg

An essential piece of recovery gear.

Useful for most occasions:

-When picking up the LR after a "routine" service,

-Losing a spot in the supermarket parking area,

-Pacifying the passenger before, during and after a steep slippery descent that you both know you shouldn't have committed to.


http://www.aulro.com/albums/album26/IMG_0457.sized.jpg

G/day Footprint
ive owned 12 4wds over the last 25 years. the last 4 have been land rovers, a 1985 range rover, a 1993 range rover vogue plus that i bought as a burnt write off and rebuilt (beautiful car), a 1999 discovery td5, and now a tdv6 s discovery 3
for my mind theres no other car on the road like a land rover.
they have personality.
they are a bit like your kids, they dont always do what theyre told but theyre part of the family
cheers

G'day Team Landy- just got back from my first Rodeo experience out at Heathcote (north west Victoria) and it was a surprisingly enjoyable time. I kept spotting disco's on the way there and back so the enthusiasm is starting to settle in.

Just by the response to this thread, Pedro was right in regards to the best help outside solihull. Honestly it's pretty reassuring having this resource nearby for when things go pear shaped. When i posted the question, i never thought i'd get this kinda feedback- still very much appreciated.

I was doing the car research thing on carsales.com.au last night and came across some spec info on the 300tdi 97 onwards..........the profile said that it was a constant 4WD vehicle. Is this true? I thought the 300tdi was 2WD with lockable front end and the td5 was the constant 4WD vehicle. Have i got my wires crossed? I thought the less moving parts the better and would prefer 2WD on the black top....could anyone clarify?? :?

One_iota- your beast certainly looks like it gets a work out!! I like the rear cargo setup. Very practical and thoughtful with the dummy aparatus too.

Norto- 12 4WD's is an impressive list and your preference speaks volumes to the calibre of the landy product- thanks for the post

Bytemrk- i'm in the blackburn area and i know of a few names like Ritter and Les Richmond etc. Any other places?? Personally i'd drive to Sydney if it meant i got genuine HONEST service.

all Landy's since '83 have been constant 4WD, Disco's, Rangies Defenders, 110's and even the Stage I, before the 110 came along had a Range Rover gearbox/t/case. The ccentre diff in the t/case is lockable, except for a couple of Rangies and a one years worth of DII's.

Splitting the torque on road lessens the load on the axles/diffs, (thank your deity of choice, the rear Rover diff isn't the strongest in the world) and also makes the driving experience that little bit nicer, particularly when it gets wet or ordinary.
If you want a part time 4WD, you'll need to get a Patrol or bottom end 80 Series TLC.