I am about to move to France permanently and will need a solid 4x4 as a utility vehicle. One of my pals had a Disco and I used it a couple of times and was impressed so I'm currently on the hunt for a Disco. His was a V8 Auto, but I'd prefer the 2.5TDi engine on a manual myself for economy (by comparison to the V8 auto) and ease of maintenance.

My big dilemma is which variant of Disco. This will be a third / utility car for very light cross country stuff (going down to the forest to collect wood, towing a trailer full of building materials etc)

I do 95% of my vehicle repairs myself and am fully kitted up with a comprehensive set of tools. I currently restore old cars, in the past I have run a track car and built a kit car, so I'm handy with the spanners!

I'm thinking of 200TDi or a 300TDi but trying to determine which is the more reliable option. I know early ones have chassis rust weaknesses but I've also read that the 300's tend to pop the head gaskets. (I prefer fixing mechanicals than bodywork if I'm honest)

I'm not overly fussed about having loads of toys...more interested in basic reliability, something thats close to standard and ideally owned by an enthusiast.

Hoping the experts can shed a little guiding light for me so that when my 5 Series goes up for sale on Thursday I have a better idea of what I'm going to purchase.

I am a realist and don't expect a minter, I fully expect to do some work on it to keep it sweet (I'm quite fanatical about my cars to say the least, so it will get looked after / loved)

Budget probably £2k - £2.5k

Sell you a 2002 Isuzu TFS54 4x4 - Mot july 13, Tax Feb 13

get a disco 300tdi

Thanks for the offer of the Isuzu but I'm set on a Disco

I like the look of them, they have a rugged reputation and I want something sort of British!!

My 300TDi Disco done a H/G but that was due to a stuck thermostat, my defender is 200TDi and seems bullet proof. I would still go 300TDi as you get 24 spline diffs/shafts and a few other benefits...

Biggest problem these days with the 300's is body rot but if you find a good one happy days,early D2's body is generally good but rear chassis rot can get them instead.