West Slope Rover
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- deep underground
It's what I paid for mine.
Defender or a Disco?
- Thread starter ScotCameraOp
- Start date
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blue beasty
Leaks an prone to bits dropping off
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West Slope Rover
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- 8,617
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Hop on the push bike and head for the UN. You've got a future.Translation.....America, what a jolly fine place.
waldamar
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- Suffolk - Holy Trinity County
Ah! all is clear - but a $500 LSE ain't going to help a fella in Scotland is it? Ought we to explain that to our wise friend?Translation.....America, what a jolly fine place.
West Slope Rover
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How can really help anyone in Scotland?
Larry365
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If you wanna put beds in the back (why?) then a 90 and a Disco are too small. You can do it in a Disco 2 but the Disco 1 boot space is too small. Disco is a lot cheaper than a 110 so it depends on your budget too. Disco is a lot more comfortable than a defender (especially after fitting RRC seats), and a lot more room in the front.
Putting a bed in a 110 can be done but its still a little cramped. Here's a vid of a 110 with a bed in the back and it looks too bloody cramped for me, cant imagine having two people in there. Sleeping In The Back Of a Defender - YouTube.
Personally I would just come away from putting beds in the back. Nothing wrong with pitching a tent at night, or saving up for a roof tent.
Putting a bed in a 110 can be done but its still a little cramped. Here's a vid of a 110 with a bed in the back and it looks too bloody cramped for me, cant imagine having two people in there. Sleeping In The Back Of a Defender - YouTube.
Personally I would just come away from putting beds in the back. Nothing wrong with pitching a tent at night, or saving up for a roof tent.
blue beasty
Leaks an prone to bits dropping off
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Nuffink wrong wiv a bed in the back of a 110....
Larry365
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I stand corrected........ You just need a good pair of boots.
(that 110 looks like its had 20" trimmed off)
blue beasty
Leaks an prone to bits dropping off
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Tint me, tis Pikeys experimental double decker camper conversion
Following convention the bedroom is upstairs but the kitchen/lounge/diner is a little cramped
neilly
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Tint me, tis Pikeys experimental double decker camper conversion
Following convention the bedroom is upstairs but the kitchen/lounge/diner is a little cramped
coffee table area is a little limited as well.
Vicar
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Hello there Scotcameraop. Rereading some of the posts I note nobody congratulated you on choosing the Land rover as a preferred travel wagon. Also welcome to the excellent Landyzone which has a huge amount of useful information and experience within its members.You could have chosen anything from a tradies white van through to a UniMog. The first would have stopped at the first puddle whilst the latter might have taken you a fair way up the Alps. With all the recent press about vehicle recalls in some of the top brands, the Land rover from the attributes of Series right through to the Defender, Discovery 1 and RR Classic have always delivered what was on the label. I stopped short of later models because more electronics were introduced that could make for more expensive upkeep. ( I have a 1988 90, my fun machine for playing in the rough, and a Discovery 2 which is my magic carpet where speed and off road capability is required. It is also our every day car and the wife would like to see it stay unbent ).
In no way am I taking anything away from the excellent capabilities of later models but at no point have you mentioned a few important points that can help the lads give you some solid advice. Beasty and Larry have listed some valued points. Things we do not know and you need to consider. As No 5 said.......Need input!
AMBITION. Staying away from those mind curdling 80s terms Objectives and Goals, where within the experience range of a Ray Mears basic through to Glamping do you want to endure when travelling around Europe or even in Scotland? Freedom camping or Camping grounds? How long will you be travelling and how remote? The degree of comfort you and your partner can handle is a first consideration. Basically how much "stuff" can you do without and still have a glorious time travelling in a LR. For instance easy wash / dry clothing goes some way to saving space as does compact cooking gear. You need sufficient shelter not only for sleeping but also cooking etc. Weather conditions are important particularly when setting up camp in the rain.
BUDGET. How much money do you have for the purchase of the vehicle? Do you buy cheap and spend money fitting it out. It could cost more this way if the mechanical side is iffy. OR do you spend more on obtaining a better mechanically spec'd LR and buy a decent tent setup. There are many set ups now where the tent / awning arrangement encloses the rear of the vehicle, or a roof tent.
MECHANICAL ABILITY. How are you at fixing fundamental mechanical failures? If you are a capable fundi how much gear do you take. Spares, tools etc. All this needs storage as do liquids ( oil, fuel, water ) The latter may require a roof rack or racks.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE. Using an off road vehicle differs from everyday driving. Gear and engine use differs from pulling a stick into D and leaning on the throttle along a black strip of tarmac. Contact a local enthusiast group and see if you can go on a few runs.
Owning and driving a Land rover is a viral affliction that gives both pain when it packs a mechanical sad and utmost pleasure when it plays ball. The Series through to the Defender, D1 / D2 and the RR Classic are icons that really put you outside the bland wheeled tin crates that swamp the roads these days. ( This is not to say the later models do not have an imposing presence on the road, but they may be in the too expensive range for your plans. ) Seeing the lumps and bumps being added to one of the latest models by Mitsi to appeal to the urban dwellers unlikely to leave the tarmac, is real finger down the throat stuff.
Whilst I hope Land rover have got it right with the new Defender, which will obviously be too expensive to start with, there are luckily many of the older model out there for you to choose from if that becomes your choice.
The experience of being in a vehicle that you drive rather be driven will do wonders for your mind as well as for the muscles that put a broad smile on your face. So stick with it. But don't burn sunshine making your choice. Start off basic and work up maybe even as far as joining one of the urban rescue groups in Scotland. There are bureaucratic maggots immobile at their desks dreaming up ways to restrict the use of these older models of vehicles and the pleasure they give. VW and now Mitsi have temporarily nobbled them as well as other major companies who are having to recall millions of vehicles. It was disappointing to see the Latest Range Rover was in the list of vehicles with higher than desired Nitrous Oxide levels. With various factions keen to smack each other over the head with rolled up newspapers, there may even be further conflicts in Europe.
I will now put on my flak jacket and trust this reply to your post has been of some help.
In no way am I taking anything away from the excellent capabilities of later models but at no point have you mentioned a few important points that can help the lads give you some solid advice. Beasty and Larry have listed some valued points. Things we do not know and you need to consider. As No 5 said.......Need input!
AMBITION. Staying away from those mind curdling 80s terms Objectives and Goals, where within the experience range of a Ray Mears basic through to Glamping do you want to endure when travelling around Europe or even in Scotland? Freedom camping or Camping grounds? How long will you be travelling and how remote? The degree of comfort you and your partner can handle is a first consideration. Basically how much "stuff" can you do without and still have a glorious time travelling in a LR. For instance easy wash / dry clothing goes some way to saving space as does compact cooking gear. You need sufficient shelter not only for sleeping but also cooking etc. Weather conditions are important particularly when setting up camp in the rain.
BUDGET. How much money do you have for the purchase of the vehicle? Do you buy cheap and spend money fitting it out. It could cost more this way if the mechanical side is iffy. OR do you spend more on obtaining a better mechanically spec'd LR and buy a decent tent setup. There are many set ups now where the tent / awning arrangement encloses the rear of the vehicle, or a roof tent.
MECHANICAL ABILITY. How are you at fixing fundamental mechanical failures? If you are a capable fundi how much gear do you take. Spares, tools etc. All this needs storage as do liquids ( oil, fuel, water ) The latter may require a roof rack or racks.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE. Using an off road vehicle differs from everyday driving. Gear and engine use differs from pulling a stick into D and leaning on the throttle along a black strip of tarmac. Contact a local enthusiast group and see if you can go on a few runs.
Owning and driving a Land rover is a viral affliction that gives both pain when it packs a mechanical sad and utmost pleasure when it plays ball. The Series through to the Defender, D1 / D2 and the RR Classic are icons that really put you outside the bland wheeled tin crates that swamp the roads these days. ( This is not to say the later models do not have an imposing presence on the road, but they may be in the too expensive range for your plans. ) Seeing the lumps and bumps being added to one of the latest models by Mitsi to appeal to the urban dwellers unlikely to leave the tarmac, is real finger down the throat stuff.
Whilst I hope Land rover have got it right with the new Defender, which will obviously be too expensive to start with, there are luckily many of the older model out there for you to choose from if that becomes your choice.
The experience of being in a vehicle that you drive rather be driven will do wonders for your mind as well as for the muscles that put a broad smile on your face. So stick with it. But don't burn sunshine making your choice. Start off basic and work up maybe even as far as joining one of the urban rescue groups in Scotland. There are bureaucratic maggots immobile at their desks dreaming up ways to restrict the use of these older models of vehicles and the pleasure they give. VW and now Mitsi have temporarily nobbled them as well as other major companies who are having to recall millions of vehicles. It was disappointing to see the Latest Range Rover was in the list of vehicles with higher than desired Nitrous Oxide levels. With various factions keen to smack each other over the head with rolled up newspapers, there may even be further conflicts in Europe.
I will now put on my flak jacket and trust this reply to your post has been of some help.
SpaceDawg
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Hellowings original poster.
I'll try to be a little more sensible as well, no doubt I will be in for the chop. I've had a Disco 1 300TDI and now have a 90 200TDI. I'd like a 300TDI Range Rover classic, but they are very expensive for a good one.
If you want something quiet and comfortable get a Disco, if you want something very easy to fix and more box like get a Defender.
I preferred the Disco for journeys at 70mph and as a family car, the Defender is my fun car and is great for poodling around the country lanes here at 50mph and for a general work horse, its much better than the Disco for hefting things about.
Off road there is a slight difference in capabilities but my old Auto Disco went every where the Defender did in Morocco. The Defender however does have the edge off road when pushed, if only they came in Auto's they would the perfect choise for me.
If it were me I'd get a 110 300TDI Defender with a Galvanised chassis, if you have about £7k+ at the moment. Or a Land Rover Tithonus, it has Tit in the name so it must be good.
Or get a P38 and AA assist.
I'll try to be a little more sensible as well, no doubt I will be in for the chop. I've had a Disco 1 300TDI and now have a 90 200TDI. I'd like a 300TDI Range Rover classic, but they are very expensive for a good one.
If you want something quiet and comfortable get a Disco, if you want something very easy to fix and more box like get a Defender.
I preferred the Disco for journeys at 70mph and as a family car, the Defender is my fun car and is great for poodling around the country lanes here at 50mph and for a general work horse, its much better than the Disco for hefting things about.
Off road there is a slight difference in capabilities but my old Auto Disco went every where the Defender did in Morocco. The Defender however does have the edge off road when pushed, if only they came in Auto's they would the perfect choise for me.
If it were me I'd get a 110 300TDI Defender with a Galvanised chassis, if you have about £7k+ at the moment. Or a Land Rover Tithonus, it has Tit in the name so it must be good.
Or get a P38 and AA assist.
OLDUN
Active Member
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- 526
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- in a valley with lots of grass
Why not a Range Rover. As my Defender was ready to go in a container to Cape Town I took my wife's L322 which is bog standard with no protection underneath to Western Sahara (she was in Malta at the time and was not over impressed when she got back.) Absolutely no problems apart from a lot of dust everywhere - and a lot of the time was spent off piste in rocky river beds and sand dunes.
SpaceDawg
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Your alive! wondered where you had been OLDUN. Would you take a P38, not a L322?
Just baiting the other chaps.
Just baiting the other chaps.
NiallRussell
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- Dorset, UK
sleeping in the back of your car is a BIG benefit. Rain, wind, etc, plus the fact that camping attracts attention and a roof top tent attracts ALOT of attention.
Are you going to 'wild camp'? then a 110 with space for a bed would be a winner.
Not wild camping? then get a disco so you can wiz through the motor way parts of Europe. Being in a old defender on European motor ways is not much of an adventure.
If you want to do any shelving / storage / kitchen setup on a budget / DIY then buy a defender and some metal drill bits.
Are you going to 'wild camp'? then a 110 with space for a bed would be a winner.
Not wild camping? then get a disco so you can wiz through the motor way parts of Europe. Being in a old defender on European motor ways is not much of an adventure.
If you want to do any shelving / storage / kitchen setup on a budget / DIY then buy a defender and some metal drill bits.
NorthernHippo
Member
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- 20
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- Victoria BC Canada
Hey having just done a month long road trip in my Freelander with my dog and girlfriend, I can tell you that it can work! we had to tent camp each night as the Freelander doesn't afford enough space to sleep in. But its awd system is excellent for dirt and gravel roads, and its tiny size makes it great for narrow single track.A Freelander and a small caravan.
Landshandy
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- 653
As mentioned previously a old 110 (ex MOD) if I did it again. I have a Disco TD5 converted, cost a fortune to fix all the problems and also seems to be considerably more expensive for overland mods such as guards, LR fuel tank etc than a Defender.
In terms of sleepy time, I wouldn't bother with a roof tent, just get a Quechua 2 man 2 second tent (3 if you want extra space). takes up a fraction of the space and less weight/more room for other stuff
In terms of sleepy time, I wouldn't bother with a roof tent, just get a Quechua 2 man 2 second tent (3 if you want extra space). takes up a fraction of the space and less weight/more room for other stuff
Last edited:
NorthernHippo
Member
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LOL.
Here's my 2 cents on the matter. 90 and freelander are too small for true expedition unless you are looking to equip a rooftop tent. My girlfriend and I just did a month long overland of the arctic in my Freelander. And size was definitely a bit of an issue. We had to tent camp the whole way along.
For the "cool factor" the 110 beats the discovery every time. But for a comfortable ride my money would be on the disco.
For modding out with gear etc. a 110 is going to have more available space and lend itself better to customisation. But If you are wanting to go a little more "stock" a disco will have your back.
Interesting idea about a 3series. Although they are ancient so overlanding in one may pose all kinds of reliability issues. And if you overland like I do, you don't want to be broken down 400kms away from the nearest patch of civilisation. The Classic Range Rover is also a neat idea, though having never driven one I cant really speak to it.
Anyways, hope that helps!
Cheers,
Northern Hippo
mikescuba
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If your looking for a lifelong vehicle then I would suggest the 110 would be the one to go for. Chris mentioned in his reply the Discovery will go almost everywhere the Defender will go and the Discovery is more comfortable on tarmac. But as a lifelong vehicle there is no contest. The Defender wins hands down. The Discovery will rust away.. With the Defender you can replace almost everything including chassis. Plus you have more storage space in the 110. I'm told the TD5 Defenders are much more comfortable to drive than the older 200/300tdi's so if your doing more Tarmac than off roading the the TD5 would probably be the better bet. I have a 200 tdi and I wouldn't change it. It's part of the family.
