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eternal optimist

New Member
I'm getting rid of a VW van I've used for tip runs and a Volvo 960 estate I use to take the dog out in and using a Land Rover to do both jobs. Simple and reliable is good - thinking about an early Disco, early classic RR or a lwb series 2/2a/3. Always wanted a lwb station wagon - question is how much space there is in the back when the seats are folded forward? Or are they quick/easy to remove?

Another factor driving me towards a Land Rover is living in a village at the top of a hill that the council don't think is worth gritting.....
 
Given that you're used to a vw and a volvo I would say a series landy would be a very nasty shock to the system. Try and fins someone local who has one and go for a ride in it or if they'll let you have a drive. Think tractor and you won't be far wrong. A more modern 90 or 110 is a lot more user friendly but still pretty agricultural. Even a disco might seem very crude compared to what you're used to. Try before you buy is a good idea, Remember though that they're cheap and easy to fix and there's loads of helpavailable in places like this.
 
I used to have the occasional use of a (newish) 90 in the early nineties - the VW is a beaten up 200k Caravelle, and I'm restoring a 65 VW Splitty Crew Cab. I've driven plenty of noisy old crap that doesn't drive straight in the past....
 
eternal optimist said:
I used to have the occasional use of a (newish) 90 in the early nineties - the VW is a beaten up 200k Caravelle, and I'm restoring a 65 VW Splitty Crew Cab. I've driven plenty of noisy old crap that doesn't drive straight in the past....
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Ok. A 109 or 110 has plenty of room in the back. Aprox 6 feet from the back of the driver's seat to the rear door. The size of items you can get in there is limited slightly by the door not being full width. I can actually get a 9'6" surfboard in my 110 so long as there's nobody in the passenger seat. If it's going to be your everyday wheels go for a coil sprung landy preferably with a tdi engine, ie 90/110, disco, range rover. Nowt wrong with series jobs but you will get fed up of the noise, discomfort and down right pedestrian pace of the thing if you have to use it every day. Plus they're not very economical and are all very old now so need a fair bit of attention to keep in a reliable state.
 
hughesy said:
If it's going to be your everyday wheels go for a coil sprung landy preferably with a tdi engine, ie 90/110, disco, range rover. Nowt wrong with series jobs but you will get fed up of the noise, discomfort and down right pedestrian pace of the thing if you have to use it every day. Plus they're not very economical and are all very old now so need a fair bit of attention to keep in a reliable state.
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Cheers for that. It definitely won't be the daily driver - got that covered. I don't expect to do more than 3000 miles a year in it - the Volvo only does 20mpg, I'm not expecting miracles. I had thought about ditching the daily and going for a Disco 3 TD5, but I need something I can be pretty sure will start and won't cost me a fortune in diagnostics. Having said that, I'm pretty sure that description covers my daily driver.....

I was looking at a 95 Disco 300tdi auto yesterday - looked OK - nothing bad chassis wise, but I get the feeling there's too much to go wrong and there's nothing cheap to fix - that's what takes me back to something nice and simple. Theres a 110 200tdi 12 seater for sale locally for £3k, I'll go take a look at that.....but then I'm also looking at early Range Rovers on the basis they're nice and simple too....

Too many options....
 
Comparing a 200Tdi 110 with a 2 1/4 petrol 109 doing 3000 miles P/A, you'd probably spend about £300 more each year on fuel with the 109. But if the 109 was tax exempt then you'd save £190 per year. The 2 1/4 petrol engines are far simpler than a 200Tdi - no turbos, oil coolers, intercoolers, injector pumps. You don't even have to change the air filter on a 2 1/4 because they are the oil bath type. 109s are simpler in other ways too: No stupid window winding mechanisms, no power steering, and some don't have servo assisted brakes. I'm not knocking 200Tdis though (got one in my SIII) they are fantastic engines, just more complicated. Series Land-Rovers have lots of character and can make an otherwise mundane trip to the shops seem like an adventure!
 
fenby1976 said:
Comparing a 200Tdi 110 with a 2 1/4 petrol 109 doing 3000 miles P/A, you'd probably spend about £300 more each year on fuel with the 109. But if the 109 was tax exempt then you'd save £190 per year. The 2 1/4 petrol engines are far simpler than a 200Tdi - no turbos, oil coolers, intercoolers, injector pumps. You don't even have to change the air filter on a 2 1/4 because they are the oil bath type. 109s are simpler in other ways too: No stupid window winding mechanisms, no power steering, and some don't have servo assisted brakes. I'm not knocking 200Tdis though (got one in my SIII) they are fantastic engines, just more complicated. Series Land-Rovers have lots of character and can make an otherwise mundane trip to the shops seem like an adventure!
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I just have to say starting up my SIII 88" feels like an Adventure :D

I love it though (the SIII/adventure that is) :):):D:):)
 
eternal optimist said:
I'm getting rid of a VW van I've used for tip runs and a Volvo 960 estate I use to take the dog out in and using a Land Rover to do both jobs. Simple and reliable is good - thinking about an early Disco, early classic RR or a lwb series 2/2a/3. Always wanted a lwb station wagon - question is how much space there is in the back when the seats are folded forward? Or are they quick/easy to remove?

Another factor driving me towards a Land Rover is living in a village at the top of a hill that the council don't think is worth gritting.....
Click to expand...

Now the proud owner of an immaculate 1987 Mercedes 280GE..... I'll get my coat.
 
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