Knappster said:

Hi and welcome!

The 2.0l petrol engine was built mostly for export due to tax reasons if I remember correctly. It never sold in large numbers here as it was underpowered, like you say. It’s a rare beast these days.
Where in Hampshire are you?

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saxavordian said:

I seem to read in the LRO Mag once MPI discovery was used in Italy for the police. Because they were weak and came under the EU countries emissions limits that's where the market.

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Knappster said:

Hi and welcome!

The 2.0l petrol engine was built mostly for export due to tax reasons if I remember correctly. It never sold in large numbers here as it was underpowered, like you say. It’s a rare beast these days.
Where in Hampshire are you?

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marjon said:

Welcome.

We have the defender version and yes even it needs to be wound up a bit. But then off roading speed is not needed.
Yes they weren't really aimed at the UK market so they are hard to find I guess and were deemed as a bit underpowered.
The key to all this is learn to live with what you have and enjoy it.

J

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brianp38dse said:

Hello and welcome to the madhouse

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Knappster said:

Hi and welcome!

The 2.0l petrol engine was built mostly for export due to tax reasons if I remember correctly. It never sold in large numbers here as it was underpowered, like you say. It’s a rare beast these days.
Where in Hampshire are you?

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Jennajedi said:

What have i done!!! Joined a very fun club by looks of it but have no idea... So please advise... So firstly I've brought a discovery 1 mpi 2ltr petrol 1998 " rare as rocking horse ****" but I presume that's because no one likes them like the diesel versions as I've already discovered it lacks umpff!!!!! It seems a bit sluggish on road but we can't wait to take it off road.... Its got a 2in lift kit... Slump guard... All terrain tyres... Snorkel and previous owner has had some fun with a bit of easy level off roading, but I'd really like to hear everyone's knowledge... About this 4x4 I've brought n any good advice please! I'd like to join up to some groups that meet up too... My fella and I are both well excited... Oh the disco we've brought might not be a very big powerhouse but it's very clean for age, only 88,000 on clock n barely any corrosion... Paid £2000 so hope that sounds about right... Any way have a awesome weekend everyone and thanks for the welcome...be brutal we're not easily offended.. Just want some good old honest truths!!!! Jenna and Dave

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marjon said:

It was tax reasons cos of engine size and the Italians police used the defender, They just tried the Disco too but seemed to be a flop from what I can tell.
They didnt fit the turbo engine version because it would of out done the v8 at the time.

Our "Mudball" is Italian police blue.

J

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Turboman said:

If your vehicle is low on power, removing some of the extra weight that has been added might help.
A standard Disco is very capable off road. The most important element is the ability of the driver.
The modification that will make the most difference to the capability of a Land Rover is locking axle diffs.
They add very little weight, and are not even visible. But they make a huge difference.

Sorry if that isn't what you want to hear, but you did ask for honest truths.

And Welcome to LZ!

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Jennajedi said:

Not at all... I'm grateful for the advice and info so much thanks.... Like I say im a complete newbie so really need any info I can get.... I shall look into this.... What series/setup do you have? Are you in any local meet ups? Cheers Jenna

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Turboman said:

I have a Mondeo. And don't have much to do with Land Rovers at all now.

But I was farming on a heavy clay farm for 25 years, and a forestry contractor for ten years before that.
My last Land Rover was a Ninety, fairly standard, apart from a Detroit Locker in the back axle and a limited slip Tru Trac in the front axle, and 7.50R 16 Fedima Maxima tyres.
When I was on forestry work I had a Series 2a 109", with ARB Air Lockers in front and rear axles.

Both quite able vehicles. But a chap I knew had been an off road driving instructor in the Marines, and now leads 4x4 expeditions in Africa.
And sometimes he would come down to the farm, in his completely standard Disco 3, and just drive round all the places I went in the Ninety, without spinning a wheel, or putting his fag down.

He was, and is, simply a much better driver them me.

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Jennajedi said:

Love this! Brilliant

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Turboman said:

Good!

If you want a suggestion, or rather two suggestions.
First. Research, look into how 4x4 vehicles work, and what all the various modifications do, and the history of Land Rovers and other makes of 4x4.
Second. Look around, and book yourself on an off road driving course, there are plenty around, and probably several near you.

If I had done those things 4 years ago when I first started, I would probably have saved myself a lot of time and money.
But I didn't know then what I know now.

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Jennajedi said:

"mudball" I like it! Ours is now named "the big bear" after our alaskan malamute we lost lost year... What series do you have n how's yours kitted out... I'm trying to learn as much about off roading as I can before we give it a blast!

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marjon said:

Ours looks like this alot during the winter months.
View attachment 267708

It has since got a front winch this year.
sometimes our shortcuts or friends driveways can look abit like this.
View attachment 267712


Try and find a local club and start with some Greenlaning in a group. Learn your disco, if you have TC? I dont know the D1, you will have a locking centre diff with that combination and knowing how it works will get you along way with some half decent tyres.

We will be Looking at diffs this year some form of locking or ATB type Lsd. As we dont have TC.

Enjoy/learn it first before spending big on blingy stuff you dont need.

J

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