J

johnboy429

Active Member
basically looking to get a land rover as i would like ot get back into greenlaning and also use something to move some building materials.

i have two kids which will rarely travel in it and a missus that wont like anything i get so 99% of the time it will be myself in it.

I know the discovery will be more of a do it all as i can imagine with the rear seats down it wont be far off or even maybe larger then a 90 loading area. and day to day nicer to drive.

but iv always wanted a 90 and seems the defender is not being made as of later this year im assuming the 90 is a more of an investment long term wise.

so my question is what is better to run (cost wise) im aware that its all about shopping round for the right vehicle. but mpg wise and parts etc...

my budget is the £3-4k range
 
I think it's horses for courses running costs wise, I would think both would give 25-30mpg and although the discovery is a more comfy drive the defender would depreciate less. In five years time the tratter would be worth a lot more than a disco. Also I have no qualms about chucking all sorts of crap in the back of my defender whereas I think I'd be less inclined to do so if it where nicely carpeted
 
Last edited:
Good and bad points

Discovery is better as a daily driver, the TD5 is a lovely engine. With all the toys it even handles OK.

BUT

The Defender will depreciate less, it is a proper Land Rover, and the TDi300 is still a good engine.

You then need to think

Auto Discovery
Motorways Discovery
Twisty roads Discovery with working ACE

Carting stuff about Defender
Investment Defender
Fun at low speeds Defender

Also check TD5 Defender prices and if you really want the D2 auto box will fit a TD5 Defender.

Finally try the lot and buy the one you like.
 
Ive got a very nice 2004 Td5 Discovery, full leather, all the toys. I really do like it but I still fancy a defender which I know would be less practical, comfortable and sensible. Go figure .....
 
I went from a great 200tdi last year into a TD5 Disco. Its not a matter of which is the overall better car as both are great in my opinion. Like others say the disco does not leak water on to me when it rains, the heater works and after a day of driving around I dont feel as tired as I did in the Defender. but the Defender is iconic and theres nothing like it. There are loads of jap cars like the Disco. Running costs are similar but the electronics in discos are a pain and you get more depreciation on the disco but its generally more useable. Drive both but I suspect you really want the defender. Buy a disco with your head or a defender with your heart?
 
I have just gone from a Defender V8, to a very late, (1999 plate) Discovery 1 V8, and I must say I am very pleased with my Discovery. It is much more comfortable than the Defender, more than capable enough for the off-road work I do, and can still carry and tow all the kit I ever need for work. For me there are no downsides to the Discovery over the Defender, and I imagine the Discovery 2 will be even better.
 
I've got both , I drive the disco a lot more than the 90 , just things like central locking and the seats make it so much nicer. I love my 200 defender but id have to recommend you go for the disco.
Also I work on an lot of cars all the time and see many a LR , they're not that unReliable but try to remember even a 04 reg td5 disco is now 11years old
 
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