Newbie in for a Discovery

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sxw17

New Member
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4
Hi,
I've just joined the forum in the hope of some good advice, I'm looking for a discovery to tow my caravan, I've never owned a disco but have driven a few defenders at work and new ones, very impressed with the TD5 engine towing 3.5 tonnes, but unfortunately my budget only stretches to about £3000, so looking at TDi's, we fancy the 'ES' model with auto box, this is where I'm looking for your feedback, what are the common faults I need to be aware of? Is the auto box a good Idea for towing? I have heard that I can expect 30mpg from the 2.5 tdi solo, but what about towing a 1400kg caravan around Wales?
Many thanks in advance, I'm sure I'll have lots more questions.
Steve
 
Hi Steve, first of all a big hello to the forum, they're a real good bunch here.

Now, £3000 Discos and towing.
1. I've just bought a '98 GS model, TDi 300 auto, 75k mls, FSH for £2200, so budgetwise you're good to go.
2. My wife has a TDI 200 manual Disco and we towed a 9 mtr 2 ton caravan 450 kms last year NO bother, gentle towing but all in order. Fuel consumption whilst towing 28 - 30mpg. When not towing 35 - 40mpg.
3. My Tdi 300 auto fuel consumption is about 30mpg but yesterday I De-EGRed it so that's likely to improve.
4. Autos tow smoothly but manuals tow better imo.
5. Most important problems for buying 2nd hand Discos is - RUST RUST RUST !!

Boot floor under the carpet, sills (expensive job!), inner front wings, outer rear wings where the rear doors shut.

Any other questions?? Just ask

Cheers
Dave
 
Thanks Dave thats great info, From what I've seen you did really well with your purchase price especially with low miles, I expected to get P/R reg for my £3000 at the best, although I do want the 'es' or perhaps the 'sx' model, I dont know if that will make much difference.I have been on ebay and autotrader and there are lots about, trouble is I'm in Mid Wales and it means a bit of travel ling to view them, but no rush I've got a couple of months to find one. The fuel figures sound positive too. I haven't seen many TDi 200's whats the difference?
Regards
Steve :D
 
hi i have a 98 300 tdi i pull a mini digger around total weight is approx 2 tonnes its easy to forget its there , NOW i was told by a garage who only do landrover repairs i might concider upgradeing the oil cooler perhapes some of the more experienced members can put this right ?
to be honest i love driving this i have no probs at all but i do keep the serviceing very regular and i just got the cambelt changed ..
the service kits are dirt cheap this must be a bonus hope this little bit of my experience has helped ..........
good luck in your hunt for one
robin
 
Robin,
I have heard from other caravan members that it is a good Idea to fit the extra oil cooler on the auto box's, so if I end up with the Auto I will defo have one fitted so stand by for some advice on that subject,

Thanks
:D
 
sxw17 said:
Thanks Dave thats great info, From what I've seen you did really well with your purchase price especially with low miles, I expected to get P/R reg for my £3000 at the best, although I do want the 'es' or perhaps the 'sx' model, I dont know if that will make much difference.I have been on ebay and autotrader and there are lots about, trouble is I'm in Mid Wales and it means a bit of travel ling to view them, but no rush I've got a couple of months to find one. The fuel figures sound positive too. I haven't seen many TDi 200's whats the difference?
Regards
Steve :D
Click to expand...

Don't take any nonsense from dealers about the price of these cars, they really are falling.

TDi 200 was the first Disco from '89 to '93. Simpler engine, older bodywork - RUST RUST RUST.

I live in the middle of France and buy my cars in England so Yes, I understand about the travelling - but if you want to find a good car you have to put the effort in.
 
Howdy!!
Wot you need is a fresh Ex Japan 300TDi in what they call 'County' spec. Twinn sunroofs, Usualy full or part leather. Auto trans and NO rust!!!!

I have an Ex Japan 'S' model - no roofs, cloth trim but all the other goodies. Just the ususal saggy baggy headlining!!

There!!
 
nzoliver said:
Howdy!!
Wot you need is a fresh Ex Japan 300TDi in what they call 'County' spec. Twinn sunroofs, Usualy full or part leather. Auto trans and NO rust!!!!

I have an Ex Japan 'S' model - no roofs, cloth trim but all the other goodies. Just the ususal saggy baggy headlining!!

There!!
Click to expand...

I must be honest I'd be tempted by a Disco with no sunroofs - there's less to leak!!

However, moving onto buying a Jap import:

Upsides: usually low mileage, little or no rust;

Downsides: usually no service history, different spec technically which makes parts selection an issue, nearly impossible to import to another European country if you ever considor moving house to France, for example.
 
Ah, See that's the thing!!
The Japanese on the whole are good at servicing and usually thru dealers too. I should know - my brother imports VW and Audi stuff ex Japan for a living and I am on my 5th Disco ex Japan. The parts thing is NOT an issue at all anywhere as the only real difference is the EGR unit -but that i'm picking will be a goner. Other than that it is JUST a trim thing. Late trucks - post '96 - have EDC. 99.9% are auto. Frankly, I would buy a truck ex Japan over a local one every time as I know they generaly havent been 'molested' and you have a sound vehicle to start with that is origonal and most do have a paperwork with them showing the servicing. It's just that it's in Japanese but not hard to decipher 'cos there are lots of little pictures and they tick boxes etc.

Anyway that's my 10c worth.
 
i bought ex jap disco 300tdi it did come with service history not sure whats been done though it did have low milage and it is an auto didn't want sunroofs as prone to leaking so got one with aircon not many problems to deal with and i would consder an ex jap import again auto gearbox are good just remember they are full time 4 wheel drive but i do love the auto box as im becoming abit lazy in my old age and the cruise control makes life abit easier on long journeys as mine wasen't working when i got the disco only had to change the hoses though and working on it has been not to much of a problem
 
Hi Steve, firstly welcome to the forum, I'm also a 'Steve'

Puting aside your budget restraints, I thought I'd mention a bit about towing with a caravan etc.
I have a '04 TD5 Disco (manual), no sunroofs - less to leak as you say, and the DO leak around the seals which can lead to other hiden damage !

I regulary tow my van which is a heavy Bailey and it tows nothing less than SUPERB, so choosing a Disco is a very wise decision and I promise you would not be dissapointed. There are only a couple of negatives I can think of . .

The consumption is 'aceptable' at around 25 mpg whilst towing, but I can get 30+ solo, which considering with the van it weighs in at almost 4 tons is pretty good really.

I have been asked a few times "can you pull my van out for me, I'm struggling with my car 'cos its too muddy" which I guess is not really a downside as like Landy owners, caravanners tend to rally round and help each other . . !!

Re price - my daughters boy friend has just picked up a S plated Disco 5 door, 5 seater auto TD5 with 93k on the clock and in very good overall condition for £4,800 so do look around, there are simply loads of very good (and bad for that matter) examples in the market - have a trawl on E-Bay, even if you don't want to buy on there it will give you a very good profile of whats out there and what you get for your hard earned cash !!!has clocked 96k from new now, and it is just about nicely run in - seriously, especially the TD5 engine, they are EASILY good for 200k and beyond (as long as the engine oil is changed regulary !!!!) and the TDi's especially the 300 series are easily just as good, being a real work horse designed to go on and on even in very demanding conditions (jungles and deserts etc)

Good luck with your hunt and all the best, you never know I just might be pitched next to you one day !!!!
Steve.

Finally, my Disco
 
Hi there

Im onto my second Disco now a 300tdi ES model with auto box leather & all the other trimmings I paid £3500 its done 100K with full history was 1 owner & never been off road until I got it. I love them but where on earth do you all get these ridiculous MPG figures from???

Even driving like a comatosed grandad i'm luccky to get anymore that 23 to the gallon. How do you guys get 30+ I'd be cock a hoop with that kind of consumption. Vehicle has been fully serviced recently EGR removed etc etc but still crap consumption.

Maybe I'm missing something here, anyone got any suggestions?

On the plus side you'll have a whale of a time driving a disco especially if you have a few liitle tweeks like mine.

Happy hunting, but watch out for the dreaded boot floor & dodgy ABS on the 300tdi oh yes and the leaks from the roof you cant beat a shot of ice cold water down the back of the neck when your least expecting it :eek:
 
girvtheswerve said:
Hi there

I love them but where on earth do you all get these ridiculous MPG figures from???

Even driving like a comatosed grandad i'm luccky to get anymore that 23 to the gallon. How do you guys get 30+ I'd be cock a hoop with that kind of consumption. Vehicle has been fully serviced recently EGR removed etc etc but still crap consumption.

Maybe I'm missing something here, anyone got any suggestions?

especially if you have a few liitle tweeks like mine.

Happy hunting, but watch out for the dreaded boot floor & dodgy ABS on the 300tdi oh yes and the leaks from the roof you cant beat a shot of ice cold water down the back of the neck when your least expecting it :eek:
Click to expand...


Maybe that's why you only get 23mpg. We get 35 out of our TDi 200 and the only thing none std is that I have removed the viscous fan. I think about 30mpg is what I'll end up with from my TDi 300auto.

We don't treat them like cars though, don't have expectations of performance equivalent to modern family saloons. The aerodynamics kills fuel consumption over about 60mph.
 
i used to have the 300 tdi es i also found the mpg absolutly **** ... nice on the luxury side but thats it so i now a 300 tdi on a r plate its doing atleast 35 to the gall and about 28 when towing a mini digger about 2 tonnes on behind no mods totally standard ................
 
thebiglad said:
Maybe that's why you only get 23mpg. We get 35 out of our TDi 200 and the only thing none std is that I have removed the viscous fan. I think about 30mpg is what I'll end up with from my TDi 300auto.

We don't treat them like cars though, don't have expectations of performance equivalent to modern family saloons. The aerodynamics kills fuel consumption over about 60mph.
Click to expand...

Certainly don't treat mine like a car. But when I bought it & it was standard I still wasn't getting anything near 30 mpg.

May remove fan that might give me an extra couple of mpg & maybe remove the cat & some of the xhaust boxes to make it breath a bit better, feels strangled at the moment & is crap at starting in the morning. But hey I still love him.
 
girvtheswerve said:
Certainly don't treat mine like a car. But when I bought it & it was standard I still wasn't getting anything near 30 mpg.

May remove fan that might give me an extra couple of mpg & maybe remove the cat & some of the xhaust boxes to make it breath a bit better, feels strangled at the moment & is crap at starting in the morning. But hey I still love him.
Click to expand...

I assume you've done the De-EGR thing? Any other mods/changes. Incidently, my only just starts on really cold mornings but after that she's ok.

Re fan removal, I did this on my wife's TDi 200 and it NEVER overheats winter or summer, even when towing. I was warned off doing it to the 300 - can't remember just why now, so maybe I'll revisit that.

Very interested to hear how you get on with freer-flowing exhausts.
 
Well thanks for all this advice very informative indeed, the presure is now on to find something as I have just sold the Vectra 2.2 SRI DTI, and need transport, I know your bound to be biased but please tell me all the bad stuff about Pajero's (sorry about the foul language) cos the wife thinks they are the 'dogs bo****ks', ye sthey maybe plush but I still think Disco is the boy for an all rounder, better running cost, good towing vehicle, and tend to hold there value, but no she wants a Paj.
Yes would like the TD5 but just out of budget, so if I see a TD5 with a bailey by its side I'll be thinking 'I wonder if it is Disco Steve,:( Do you go on the ukcampsite forum Steve? there are some good forums there on towing, never fails to make me smile the debates that go on:D .
Ok so advice firstly is look out for rusty boot floors and leaky sun roofs.
Just going back to the Jap debate and servicing, I did hear that they dont pay too much attention to service and oil changes because they have to pay heavy taxes on older cars due to the tight emisions regulations, thats why we get there exports.
I will keep you posted of the vehicle search,
Many thanks
 
The TD5 is by far a more refined car than the 300 and although the air suspension is problematic, it is superb!
The off road traction control is also outstanding, as is the ACE system
The electrickery on the TD5 is an achillies heal, not cos it always goes wrong but more that you cant decipher it easily if it does...

I had my TD5 chipped and it's the best money I ever spent on it. It will pull all day in 5th gear up steep inclines and returns about 25mpg, my 300 is a tractor in comparison.

if you want the ride comfort and the smoothness from the engine, great cornering with ACE and lower input in off road driving... go for the TD5.

if you want a more down to earth motor with less electrickery and no traction control (purist off roading!) go for the 300...

but either one would pull your house down if you shackled it to the tow hitch!!
 
sxw17 said:
Well thanks for all this advice very informative indeed, the presure is now on to find something as I have just sold the Vectra 2.2 SRI DTI, and need transport, I know your bound to be biased but please tell me all the bad stuff about Pajero's (sorry about the foul language) cos the wife thinks they are the 'dogs bo****ks', ye sthey maybe plush but I still think Disco is the boy for an all rounder, better running cost, good towing vehicle, and tend to hold there value, but no she wants a Paj.
Yes would like the TD5 but just out of budget, so if I see a TD5 with a bailey by its side I'll be thinking 'I wonder if it is Disco Steve,:( Do you go on the ukcampsite forum Steve? there are some good forums there on towing, never fails to make me smile the debates that go on:D .
Ok so advice firstly is look out for rusty boot floors and leaky sun roofs.
Just going back to the Jap debate and servicing, I did hear that they dont pay too much attention to service and oil changes because they have to pay heavy taxes on older cars due to the tight emisions regulations, thats why we get there exports.
I will keep you posted of the vehicle search,
Many thanks
Click to expand...

We went to the Hill n ditch pay & play day last sunday & in amongst all the landies there was 1 Pajero, it lasted about 3 hours before the exhaust fell off the electrics failed coz of water getting in and as for going off road it has Independant fron suspension whiche seriously hampers doing anything ridiculous.

The beauty of a landy of any description is that parts are cheap as chips and witha haynes manual you can do pretty much any job yourself which saves a fortune.

Sure the ladies like the jap stuff coz of all the bells & whistles but theres just too much stuff to go wrong & mods are expensive etc.

But hey you pays your money & take your chances, you cant do this in a Pajepoo

 
sxw17 said:
Well thanks for all this advice very informative indeed, the presure is now on to find something as I have just sold the Vectra 2.2 SRI DTI, and need transport, I know your bound to be biased but please tell me all the bad stuff about Pajero's (sorry about the foul language) cos the wife thinks they are the 'dogs bo****ks', ye sthey maybe plush but I still think Disco is the boy for an all rounder, better running cost, good towing vehicle, and tend to hold there value, but no she wants a Paj.
Yes would like the TD5 but just out of budget, so if I see a TD5 with a bailey by its side I'll be thinking 'I wonder if it is Disco Steve,:( Do you go on the ukcampsite forum Steve? there are some good forums there on towing, never fails to make me smile the debates that go on:D .
Ok so advice firstly is look out for rusty boot floors and leaky sun roofs.
Just going back to the Jap debate and servicing, I did hear that they dont pay too much attention to service and oil changes because they have to pay heavy taxes on older cars due to the tight emisions regulations, thats why we get there exports.
I will keep you posted of the vehicle search,
Many thanks
Click to expand...

I sold a Shogun 2800 lwb last year. I must say it was a nice vehicle. Plenty of power, comfy ride & lots of extras. However when they go wrong parts are expensive, servicing is dearer & they are not as good off road. I"ve just bought a 96 300tdi, 100k miles, 11 months mot, 5 months tax, 2 owners, history, just had a top end rebuild & major service (following a blown head gasket) very clean inside & out,excellent chassis, some extra"s for £2000. So I think for your budget you will get a very nice disco. As others have said just be sure you check the usual places for rust !
 
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