Thread: Nervous First Timer Amid a Lemon Mine field...

well i have a 300tdi defender the best move ever , and i came out of a rangie petrol gas

no probs as yet not that i expect any all i can say is what probs the 300tdi had well very few any way are well and truly sorted now

thats my piece of wisdom ps there is nothing wrong with going with ya heart think of ya missus that was with the heart and it mighht hurt at times but you get over it pretty quick

Welcome, hang around here and ask the questions, you cant go wrong, you've got access to some of the smartest people in the country, they must be they drive Landrovers. You sure you dont want a Defender??

Originally posted by footprint

Could anyone out there with 300tdi and td5 experience offer some advice as to what is better to buy as a first time truck? The disco's look great but i want to buy with my head and not with my heart so the only other alternative is look into the IFS world of Terrano II's and Pajero diesels for reliability and longevity.

MMM if you're buying with your head, go get a bog standard volvo sedan!
Terrano / Pajero reliability and longevity is a myth. Check out how many recalls they've had. You see a lot more Tdi's running around still than old Paj's.

PS Pajero is actually spanish for waanker (serious) which is why they're called Shogun or Montero elsewhere!!!!

Terrano is english for spanish built, overweight, underpowered, small, drum braked rear!, terribly uneconomical 16l/100k, hard handling dog

(but thats just my opinion!)

I went from a V8i Disco to a Td5 and love it, I'd never go back. (And I drove V8's all my life).
In terms of tdi v Td5 - it's a matter of cost, and what you want to pay. With service history and maintained well (if unable to tell or check - walk awayor get someone to go over it), you can find a tdi that'll go forever and won't cost you the earth. They are a little simpler and less expensive than the td5. The td5 is an awesome motor and the Disco with one will have a few more nick knacks and creature comforts.

If it's a daily driver and you plan to keep for a while, and have the dollars, go the extra and get a td5. You won't be dissapointed.
Mine is a daily driver, but also I give it everything it is capable of off-road and I haven't been dissapointed yet - on or off road.

Good Luck, you'll find plenty of advice and friends here too!

How are you mate, go for it. I bought a TDi Disco in Sept 04 with 160000km on the clock and love it, the only real issue is an oil leak somewhere on the transfer case but its not to bad i just undo the plug and top it up when i change the oil, then the box finally comes out for a new clutch i will do the work then.

If you are going to get one and are worried about the so-called issues you hear on the other forums dont be. A well serviced disco is just as reliable as the next make of 4wd. And remember if there were any issues with it there were 3yrs of warranty and a few other years for previous owners to sort them out, you just need to make sure they were fixed.

For a complete run down visit my website (the link is in my signature below just click on it) and click on the "Buying a Used Land Rover" link the the menu on the left. The info on there was compiled with the help of the knowledgable individuals on here. But in summary this is what you need to keep in mind-

1) Buy the best one you can afford with the lowest km and best recorded service history- no service history?- walk away unless you are confident the owner is honest and has serviced it himself like i do and hasnt recorded it.

2) from 98 onward they had Bosch electrics so electrical problems arent and issue like they are on the lucas equipped earlier models.

3) The timing belt needs to be changed every 60-80000km or so, if there is no record of it having been done assume it hasnt and either look else where or knock a grand of the price to cover the fitting (its not that high but with any luck they wont know that) if you do it yourself it will cost you an afternoon and a 300 odd bucks for the kit.

4) buy one with the least modifications, one that hasnt been flogged off road is a great starting point for a great and extrememly capable off roader. If you want accessories and see the value in them then thats up to you.

5) Last but not least if you are uncertain about something or the owner doesnt appear to be trustworthy get it checked out or walk away, there are plenty of good ones around. Matt

no (well almost) risk buying an almost perfect vehicle. Their reputaiion precedes them unfairly especially in non landy circles-a little knowledge (available here), a car with a good service history and it will pay off. I bought a 98 auto300tdi a year ago. All in all, no significant issues and 20000 km of trouble free, economical touring and 4wding in the vic alps. Parts are not that dear, they are available and extras are a breeze---find a good landy mechanic and let this site steer you with any probs and you're laughing.

good luck

Lindsay

[quote="FenianEel"]

Originally Posted by footprint

PS Pajero is actually spanish for waanker (serious) which is why they're called Shogun or Montero elsewhere!!!!

Actually that's incorrect ... the Spanish word for Wa*ker is "pandejo" but people have confused this with "pajero" and the myth has continued thus. Still, the Pajero is a wa*kers shopping cart, no argument there.

I'm still worried about these new exploding lemons, which terrorist organisation is responsible? Osama Bin Citrus needs the juice squeezed out of him IMO. What next, KILLER TOMATOES?? shiver.

Strewth that was quick- i was expecting a response back in a few days.

Gentlemen, I thank you for the input.

Crump- i've always been a fan of asking as many questions as i can so it is a luxury to have forum people that are genuinely interested in helping out. As for not looking at a defender, for what i need they just seem too big for suburban driving and don't seem to be as comfortable inside- bit more agricultural. No arguments with their toughness tho

Rangie Man- 100% of the heart and 50% of the head is saying buy the disco because they have an ideal wheelbase, two live axles and have that timeless look. The danger with forums is that you only get to hear the negative when people need help so i had hoped there would be lots of success stories with the 300tdi engines

FenianEel- like the call regarding the volvo......i guess if i were so worried about things breaking, then i wouldn't buy a 4WD at all. I like the sound of a more simple setup and i would be stretching the funds to get to a td5. Do you lose fuel efficiency with constant 4WD in the td5? Are they more or less fuel efficient?

Ace- only had a quick flick at the site but i'll certainly get back there for a full read up. The buyers list is a ripper and thanks for your response.......i guess i'll need to find a trustworthy landy specialist in melbourne sometime soon.

Lindsay- did you go with a manual or an auto? by all reports, the auto is pretty reliable and seems to get more out of the engine by keeping the turbo spooled up. Much quicker getting to the Vic alps via Wang than Melbourne.

A few more Q's....Has anyone heard of disco owners running biodiesel? Do i assume that 2" lifts on a disco are not too much hassle? Thanks again.