What makes the Disco II such a popular overlander?

I've noticed recently that whilst in LR circles the trusty 110 is still the defacto Overland vehicle due to it robust nature, ease of maintenance (pre-Td5, anyway!), reasonable reliability and versatility, the Disco II is becoming more and more popular.

Sat in a traffic jam opposite two Disco II's this morning, it got me thinking what makes that any better for such work than my RR Classic? I mean, they are basically the same vehicle underneath AFAIK and, being a soft dash, the drivers area of mine at least is the same too - so just as comfortable with as many creature comforts.

Most people choose the Td5 over the V8, but the Classic's 200/300Tdi I would say is more suitable than the Td5 due to its simplicity and proven reliability.

So how come so many people use the Disco II, and yet relatively few seem to use the Classic? Also, mine is on EAS which a lot of people advise to remove, yet most Disco II's have EAS on the rear, and pretty much all Disco 3/4's also are on air suspension, and yet they too are becoming more and more popular for Overlanding.

Thoughts?

I wouldn't say so many people using Disco II. There are a few, granted. but where have they been? everyone is going for that Exped look, few have left the confines of the Eu.

I wouldn't worry about everyone else or what people say about your RRC. If you like it, use it.Just get out there!

G

i think its a price thing 13 k gets you a hell of a lot of car

drewster said:

i think its a price thing 13 k gets you a hell of a lot of car

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13k would get me a helluva lot of carsssss!

Griffdowg said:

I wouldn't say so many people using Disco II. There are a few, granted. but where have they been? everyone is going for that Exped look, few have left the confines of the Eu.

I wouldn't worry about everyone else or what people say about your RRC. If you like it, use it.Just get out there!

G

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That is true, but the London to Cape Town record team chose one and I've seen a few in LRO/LRM making their way round/through Africa, Australia, etc.

I've got no problems with my RRC, I love it, but lots of people malign the air suspension and yet I was just thinking how all the "new wave" of LR overlander vehicles seem to by EAS-equipped!

drewster said:

i think its a price thing 13 k gets you a hell of a lot of car

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Possibly, but a decent 110 can be had for £10-11k, and a decent RRC for around £4-5k

Mac Mackenney swapped out the air system for coils. I imagine they chose the TD5 so they could tune it, with TD5alive did for them as it was a record attempt.

What you read in the comics is not really whats happening on the ground. There are probably 50 times that amount of people from the EU going about their overland business in all sorts of 4x4 vehicles from 90s to Pinzgauers

G

Yeah I did notice he removed the air suspension, but then a high speed run is a lot different to a normal overland trip! I just think the advantages of air suspension outweigh the potential for a blow out - everyone says that happens a lot, but no one can give me an example of someone they know that has had that issue!

I have sold my Disco 2 TD5, didn't have good experience in off-road... the traction control uses the brakes to control movement and the Disco is also a lot lower on the ground. Never got stuck anywhere but never did with a Disco what I had done with a Defender! There's also the issue about the electrics... the fuse box under the bonnet is the first one to get flushed on wading.
By the way, the bags of the air suspensions I have fixed using tyre repair spray, works great!!

Elodef said:

By the way, the bags of the air suspensions I have fixed using tyre repair spray, works great!!

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Tell me more??

I have postet the experience with tyre repair in the tech section about the air suspension