I'm currently looking to buy either of these 4x4's but can't make my mind up. I would be looking for a 200/300 tdi with a manual box and I need something reliable and economical, as I have a 36 mile round trip to work each day. The disco looks more comfortable and has the off road capability, (I will only be doing light off roading on fields, farm tracks etc not serious mud plugging!) but the defender is cheaper to insure and seems to hold its value better, but is less refined. My budget is 5k. A 90 hardtop would really suit me, chucking all the fishing gear, muddy boots and ferrets in the back, or do I opt for a bit more comfort with a disco? At the moment I am only a novice, but I would definately want to start maintaining my own vehicle, which is the easier vehicle to work on? I have seen a couple of defenders, one a sub 100k 200tdi from an independant LR dealer for 5k which was very tidy, waxoiled new cam belt etc. Is this too much? Defenders seem to vary so much in asking price. As for buying advice, there is already a wealth of information on both vehicles on this website, but what are the pro's and con's of each vehicle when compared with each other? I would really welcome any views from existing owners out there. Thanks in advance everyone.
Defender or Disco?
- Thread starter esox
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pigpen
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If you are a novice, and not sure what to look for, buy from a dealer with some warranty, a deepender will hold its value better and you can buy goodies to make it as comfortable as you like
We have one of each in our family, the 90 is fun to drive as it handles quite well but it suffers from a choppy ride with it being a short wheelbase, the gearing is a lot lower so it accelerates faster but has a slower cruising speed if you are watching the fuel guage! The seating position and steering column position are not to everybodies liking ( I always end up hitting the door with my elbow, and the seat belt shoulder strap is always falling down whilst driving). The 90 returns 26mpg. The Disco will out perform the 90 on the corners and on the comfort side. With the gearing being taller mine achieves 32mpg and will cruise all day at 70mph. The cabin has a lot more elbow room and with the column and seat adjustment available a comfortable driving position can be found.
Griffdowg
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havent owned a disco myself but i have an old 90 and i think im right in saying it would be easier to maintain from a DIY perspective. my 90 is my 1st car and so far ive managed to sort everything out myself, its only been in the garage for a spot of welding before its MOT.
as your work mileage is so little i think you will be fine in a defender from a comfort point of view and they do hold their value as long as you keep it regularly maintained.
5k will get you a good 200tdi
im sure yella or ormus will be along shortly to tell you all about the disco
G
as your work mileage is so little i think you will be fine in a defender from a comfort point of view and they do hold their value as long as you keep it regularly maintained.
5k will get you a good 200tdi
im sure yella or ormus will be along shortly to tell you all about the disco
G
yella
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i aint getting invloved in this one, all the dfefender boys will say buy a defender and all the disco boys will say buy a disco. its a case of 6 and two 3's
eightinavee
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Ferrets ? not seen any of them since someone dumped a family of them in a cardboard box in a gateway down the lane 10 years ago.Found a good home for them tho. Buy a Disco, heaters dont work in Deependers.
Buy a Disco, heaters dont work in Deependers.
Griffdowg
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good boy
i just love my disco for its all round capability and a bit o comfort.
but id swap it tomorrow for a nice tdi 90.
but i dont commute to work everyday, and we have a focus tdi family car. so that makes a difference.
if it was just the one car and with commuting, then a disco everytime.
ps. as for value for money, a S/H disco tdi is very hard to beat.
but id swap it tomorrow for a nice tdi 90.
but i dont commute to work everyday, and we have a focus tdi family car. so that makes a difference.
if it was just the one car and with commuting, then a disco everytime.
ps. as for value for money, a S/H disco tdi is very hard to beat.
Grippa
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Grippa
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Bet you won't be disappointed. I do at least a 70 mile round trip every day in my 90 (sometimes up to 150/200 miles a day at times) & love every one of them.
Only thing you'll find is it's a bit of a squeeze fitting a one piece lure rod in. Mine do fit, but only diagonally into the passenger space!
& yeah, love the toothy little critters. Mainly only use lures. Not big on sitting around watching floats.
Let us know what you go for.
Only thing you'll find is it's a bit of a squeeze fitting a one piece lure rod in. Mine do fit, but only diagonally into the passenger space!
& yeah, love the toothy little critters. Mainly only use lures. Not big on sitting around watching floats.
Let us know what you go for.
Marcus, yeah, I am well into my pikeing, tend to use deads at this time of the year, preferring big reservoirs and lakes and also the severn when it is not bank high. In the summer I also like to use lures, one of my favourites is the rubber jerk rat from Mister twister. I tend to use a typical 10' spinning rod, not gone down the dedicated jerk bait route with braid yet! In the summer I do a lot of nights after barbel on the severn. Used to do a bit for carp, tench and bream on stillwaters, but these days it looks like every man and his dog want to catch carp! This means that I have found it increasingly difficult to find peace and quiet on the banks, hence the switch to old barbus in the summer, and to be honest I haven't looked back. The severn valley at dusk/dawn is tranquility itself, and is generally underfished (i pick my venues with this in mind!) I have never broken any records, but I just enjoy my fishing! I'm based up in Cheshire, where are you? Fishing is one of my reasons for buying a LR, saves me giving my little hatchback so much stick down bumpy farm tracks and muddy fields!
Back to land rovers, its great to have such a good response from everyone, perhaps one day, maybe even I will be able to offer a new member advice!
One question I have, is how much do Mud terrains really affect the handling / mpg of a landrover?
This means that I have found it increasingly difficult to find peace and quiet on the banks, hence the switch to old barbus in the summer, and to be honest I haven't looked back. The severn valley at dusk/dawn is tranquility itself, and is generally underfished (i pick my venues with this in mind!) I have never broken any records, but I just enjoy my fishing! I'm based up in Cheshire, where are you? Fishing is one of my reasons for buying a LR, saves me giving my little hatchback so much stick down bumpy farm tracks and muddy fields!Back to land rovers, its great to have such a good response from everyone, perhaps one day, maybe even I will be able to offer a new member advice!
One question I have, is how much do Mud terrains really affect the handling / mpg of a landrover?
Adz
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It's the only real world reason to buy a 90 station wagon over a Disco unless you need a pick up as it's the only Disco I think they didn't do.
If you think pike are fun - you should try 'em on a fly rod!
Cheers,
GRUNT
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Go for it you know it makes sense.
I have Bronco Roughriders fitted s'posed to be similar to Goodrich Mt's or something or other and the difference isn't really noticeable under normal driving
Dan_Trials
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I had the same dilema on my hands when deciding on my first Land Rover. Have you looked at Discovery Commercials/ 3doors? I think they are a good balance between comfort and usability. Ex AA or RAC ones often have high mileage but will be well maintained plus you often get extras (lights, tool boxes etc). On the other hand 90s are very hard to beat (I know I'll get ridiculed for that). Go with you instict, if it turns out not to be what you want you can always sell it!
Grippa
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Marcus, yeah, I am well into my pikeing, tend to use deads at this time of the year, preferring big reservoirs and lakes and also the severn when it is not bank high. In the summer I also like to use lures, one of my favourites is the rubber jerk rat from Mister twister. I tend to use a typical 10' spinning rod, not gone down the dedicated jerk bait route with braid yet! In the summer I do a lot of nights after barbel on the severn. Used to do a bit for carp, tench and bream on stillwaters, but these days it looks like every man and his dog want to catch carp!
Back to land rovers, its great to have such a good response from everyone, perhaps one day, maybe even I will be able to offer a new member advice!
One question I have, is how much do Mud terrains really affect the handling / mpg of a landrover?
I'm in Basingstoke, used to be in Dorset & had a stunning free stretch of the Stour about 5 mintues from my gaff. it was that that got me back into Piking. Yeah, I did go the multiplier/braid route & it IS amazing the feel & control you get. made me wonder how we ever landed anything before!
Haven't explored around here yet. used to fish some of the pits & resevoirs years ago. Even the Thames around the wiers is good for lively high singles.
Re: The mud terrains, if you look about there are some pretty agressive A/Ts around that are a good compromise. They look good & are good at pulling you out of all but the deepest sticky stuff. Spesh around this time of year, if you are predominantly on road you want as much rubber contact as you can get.
Roll on the summer & stalking them Pike!
njh
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Good evening all.
I agree with Stigs comments entirely as he has put almost exactly what i was going. My dads a little disappointed with his change from Dicovery to 90 i think but i did try and tell him. The 90 is almost new with something like 5,000 on it and the Discovery had about 14,000.
Cheers, Nick.
I agree with Stigs comments entirely as he has put almost exactly what i was going. My dads a little disappointed with his change from Dicovery to 90 i think but i did try and tell him. The 90 is almost new with something like 5,000 on it and the Discovery had about 14,000.
Cheers, Nick.
njh
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Hi. I personally think that buying new or nearlynew cars is somewhat pointless
as mine had 119,000 on the clock, engine had only done 28,000 and will cost me less than dad will lose on his.
Cheers Nick.
as mine had 119,000 on the clock, engine had only done 28,000 and will cost me less than dad will lose on his.
Cheers Nick.
