Duster Vs Discovery Sport
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm trying to find the perfect daily driver. My list of requirements:
- Decent on fuel
- Reliable
- Off road capable
- Big enough for some car camping
- £17k max
This search has lead me to two options which at first look like a very odd pair. The Dacia Duster or the Land Rover Discovery Sport.
For the same money I can get myself a newer (both in age and mileage) Duster.
MPG would be much better with the Duster.
Off-road capability I'm sure would be better with the LR although I'm not going to be doing anything crazy serious so I'm sure the Duster would suffice.
Both are great size wise although 7 seats in the LR is a nice bonus
Really if I'm honest, the Duster seems like the choice you'd make with your head but your heart would choose the LR. Just a nicer car both inside and out.
Reliability is the biggest question mark for both cars. At least the Duster would be cheap to repair when it does go wrong; I presume?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts
I'm trying to find the perfect daily driver. My list of requirements:
- Decent on fuel
- Reliable
- Off road capable
- Big enough for some car camping
- £17k max
This search has lead me to two options which at first look like a very odd pair. The Dacia Duster or the Land Rover Discovery Sport.
For the same money I can get myself a newer (both in age and mileage) Duster.
MPG would be much better with the Duster.
Off-road capability I'm sure would be better with the LR although I'm not going to be doing anything crazy serious so I'm sure the Duster would suffice.
Both are great size wise although 7 seats in the LR is a nice bonus
Really if I'm honest, the Duster seems like the choice you'd make with your head but your heart would choose the LR. Just a nicer car both inside and out.
Reliability is the biggest question mark for both cars. At least the Duster would be cheap to repair when it does go wrong; I presume?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts
Are they both really big enough for car camping or are you 4ft 8?
I hire a duster quite often on trips to Morocco and it's pretty much ideal for that purpose. It drives and rides well with enough sprightliness to make decent progress over the endless twisting mountain roads.
They're quite simple things based on well proven Renault parts so should be pretty reliable and cheap to fix - the hire cars certainly seem to put up with the abuse pretty well.
Based on the experience multiple friends have had with modern LRs I think running one out of warranty is bordering on lunacy.
Subaru Outback perhaps worth a look?
I hire a duster quite often on trips to Morocco and it's pretty much ideal for that purpose. It drives and rides well with enough sprightliness to make decent progress over the endless twisting mountain roads.
They're quite simple things based on well proven Renault parts so should be pretty reliable and cheap to fix - the hire cars certainly seem to put up with the abuse pretty well.
Based on the experience multiple friends have had with modern LRs I think running one out of warranty is bordering on lunacy.
Subaru Outback perhaps worth a look?
Toyed with one of these some time back but the reliability issues were shocking when I did the research. Faced with the choice I would go with the Duster.
If you are tempted by the LR the early Ford diesel is the one to go for as it's far more reliable than the 2.0D Ingenium which has a regular habit of s
tting itself.
If you are tempted by the LR the early Ford diesel is the one to go for as it's far more reliable than the 2.0D Ingenium which has a regular habit of s
tting itself.Land Rover and reliability go hand in hand like sparks and petrol. It will go horribly wrong and it'll do so very, very fast. Those Disco Sports are poor, at best.
Here's a curve ball for you. Vauxhall (stop laughing) Grandland. Should be a compromise between the 2 you've mentioned and their "300bhp" model hybrid model is right on your budget, or within a reasonable haggle of it. Bear in mind, the tax is still a kick in the nuts despite being a hybrid.
Here's a curve ball for you. Vauxhall (stop laughing) Grandland. Should be a compromise between the 2 you've mentioned and their "300bhp" model hybrid model is right on your budget, or within a reasonable haggle of it. Bear in mind, the tax is still a kick in the nuts despite being a hybrid.
Tricky. How high up the requirements list is off-road ability and car camping? How many miles do you do?
Because I think those things are opposites to some extent. A big rugged 4x4 isnt going to be good on fuel. So which is more important?
My gut reaction would be disco 4, L322 Range rover (4.4d), grand cherokee or Mitsubishi shogun?
You should assume the land rover products wont be reliable but if you got one for say £14k it would leave a bork fund, and then you cant really go wrong?
Because I think those things are opposites to some extent. A big rugged 4x4 isnt going to be good on fuel. So which is more important?
My gut reaction would be disco 4, L322 Range rover (4.4d), grand cherokee or Mitsubishi shogun?
You should assume the land rover products wont be reliable but if you got one for say £14k it would leave a bork fund, and then you cant really go wrong?
covmutley said:
You should assume the land rover products wont be reliable but if you got one for say £14k it would leave a bork fund, and then you cant really go wrong?
That £3k slush fund won't go far if your lovely Discovery grenades it's engine - I think the estimated bill when a friend's did just that was over £10k. Luckily theirs was under warranty but wouldn't have been if the engine had lasted a few months longer. Edited by Snow and Rocks on Wednesday 18th October 13:15
As much as I'm a fan of the Duster, it isn't really big enough for car camping, I nearly bought one but ended up with a Logan Stepway as it accommodates a full size camp bed. Not sure if the Disco Sport will take a bed. Mitsubishi Shogun Sport would be worth a look as well as the jacked up estates like Outbacks, Allroads, Cross Countries etc. as they have much longer load bays when the seats are down.
Bobupndown said:
As a huge Landrover fan I wouldn't touch a Discovery Sport with an Ingenium engine. You might get lucky and it would be ok or you might get unlucky and it costs you a new engine.
The Ford / PSA 2.2 engine as fitted to the Freelander 2 is definitely the one to go for.
As opposed to with a stick.... The Ford / PSA 2.2 engine as fitted to the Freelander 2 is definitely the one to go for.
Somebody mentioned jacked-up estates, and they are talking sense. I have difficulty believing that a Duster or Disco Sport is going to be long enough to lie down in the back unless you're quite short, and do the seats even fold flat? My XC70 fits the bill pretty well - I've slept in it quite a few times and at 6' there's plenty of room. Perfectly flat load bay too which helps. You can get still get an approved used one for £17k too.
Ex LR Discovery Sport owner here to tell you not to be so silly. It WILL let you down and it WILL cost you money (for eg. £4000+ for common steering rack issue). I would not even entertain one even with a warranty. Worst car I have had.
So many better options out there as a half way house between one of these and a Duster.
XC70, CR-V, Rav4 etc.
So many better options out there as a half way house between one of these and a Duster.
XC70, CR-V, Rav4 etc.
Duster all day long. It would even go as far offroad because you wouldn't dare push the LR as hard for fear of it breaking.
Is the Disco Sport really 7 seats? Doesn't look any bigger than my Duster when I've parked next to one.
I genuinely can't think of a single reason to get the LR. Does a 17 grand Disco Sport even come with things like Android Auto?
Is the Disco Sport really 7 seats? Doesn't look any bigger than my Duster when I've parked next to one.
I genuinely can't think of a single reason to get the LR. Does a 17 grand Disco Sport even come with things like Android Auto?
Former disco sport owner chipping in:
6/7th seats are really emergency use or very small kids only, and eliminate virtually all boot space when in use.
MPG rubbish
I had a ‘16 plate and it didn’t have CarPlay or Android Auto as standard. I believe they were only available as part of optional (read ££££), audio upgrade.
I never had any significant mechanical issues in my fairly brief tenure, but it’s the silly things combined with crap service from my local dealer.
Water ingress into the rear light clusters whilst under warranty. LR not interested.
Electric boot strut failed, quoted £600 from LR to replace. I ended up doing it myself, but it was still over £200 for the part (3rd party).
OEM brake discs are made of chocolate. Went through at least 3 sets by 30k, LR adamant no defect (despite visible porosity) and strangely remedied once I stopped fitting OEM discs.
6/7th seats are really emergency use or very small kids only, and eliminate virtually all boot space when in use.
MPG rubbish
I had a ‘16 plate and it didn’t have CarPlay or Android Auto as standard. I believe they were only available as part of optional (read ££££), audio upgrade.
I never had any significant mechanical issues in my fairly brief tenure, but it’s the silly things combined with crap service from my local dealer.
Water ingress into the rear light clusters whilst under warranty. LR not interested.
Electric boot strut failed, quoted £600 from LR to replace. I ended up doing it myself, but it was still over £200 for the part (3rd party).
OEM brake discs are made of chocolate. Went through at least 3 sets by 30k, LR adamant no defect (despite visible porosity) and strangely remedied once I stopped fitting OEM discs.
Long term Duster Owner Here
2013 plate 1.5dci Laureate 4x4 version
About to turn 140,000 miles
Issues so far - Nil!
I use it everyday as my daily driver - commute from scottish borders to Carlisle twice weekly down fast A roads, then the rest of the time its my farm car (we live on a small holding) It tows a trailer full of hay / manure / rubble / anything else on road / off road no problem. Can tow a small horse box wiht it - no issues. Very capable off road / in snow / mud. Ive got standard Winter M&S tyres on it and never got stuck,
The 4wd system is basic - but works great and never felt the need for anything else.
Im 6.2, wouldn't ever have the need to sleep in the car , but it might be tight if I did. If needed I'd buy a roof tent for it, then youve got best of both world.
Famers don't use LR's any more, esp not the Disco sport - its a chelsea tractor and just a money pit!
Good luck!
2013 plate 1.5dci Laureate 4x4 version
About to turn 140,000 miles
Issues so far - Nil!
I use it everyday as my daily driver - commute from scottish borders to Carlisle twice weekly down fast A roads, then the rest of the time its my farm car (we live on a small holding) It tows a trailer full of hay / manure / rubble / anything else on road / off road no problem. Can tow a small horse box wiht it - no issues. Very capable off road / in snow / mud. Ive got standard Winter M&S tyres on it and never got stuck,
The 4wd system is basic - but works great and never felt the need for anything else.
Im 6.2, wouldn't ever have the need to sleep in the car , but it might be tight if I did. If needed I'd buy a roof tent for it, then youve got best of both world.
Famers don't use LR's any more, esp not the Disco sport - its a chelsea tractor and just a money pit!
Good luck!
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