Classic VM diesel, gutless? opinions please.

Doo said:

Isn't that the same lump they dropped in original Cherokee's? Separate cylinder heads if I recall, some odd problems with liners or such,but generally good engines...

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Very low revving engine which makes you sound like a tug boat. Parts are a bit pricey and multiple heads and gaskets are a pain.
Not a bad engine in the Cherokee but it isn't the heaviest car.

norseman said:

Pre '89 Classics tend to be (given like-for-like upkeep) less rusty than later years due to LR's (rumoured) decision to use lower grade steel following introduction of the Disco that year, something never confirmed by the manuf. of course I'm surprised at the seat comfort complaint, I've owned four of these old duchess's & despite having a lower back problem myself I've always found the seats like armchairs.

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Yes I've had a V8 4 door classic some years ago and was expecting to sink into the motoring equivilent of a "Lazyboy" armchair, but these seats really are very firm, to the extent that I will need to do something about the passenger seat at least to keep the doris happy. I may just swap it for another, seat belt could be a problem here, or take the cover off the seat and adjust/change some of the foam. On my 90 I've changed the seats for a pair of Citroen BX fabric jobbies and I must say they are supremely comfortable. (just got back from 6 hours of greenlaning on dry tracks - no seat fatigue - just tired with the concentration involved)

I must agree with the Citroen BX seats, had a tdg meteor estate and the seats in that were very comfy and supportive as it had side bolsters and were still mint after 180k, had to scrap it in the end dew to head gasket and all manor of hydraulic leaks, was sad to see it go.

Grrrrrr said:

Think @tomcat59alan had one of those. He seemed to think they pulled all right.

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Quite right Grrrrrr, long term memory not affected. Mine pulled like a train, did two trips to the south of Spain to bring our personal stuff back when we sold our houses,towing an 1800 kg tin tent and lots of gear inside it. Averaged 14.5 mpg. Got photos somewhere of us following the snowplough in Andorra in February .

tomcat59alan said:

Quite right Grrrrrr, long term memory not affected. Mine pulled like a train, did two trips to the south of Spain to bring our personal stuff back when we sold our houses,towing an 1800 kg tin tent and lots of gear inside it. Averaged 14.5 mpg. Got photos somewhere of us following the snowplough in Andorra in February .

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Welcome back. That was a hell of a pub crawl.