Disco or Defender

Author
Discussion

cpasmart

Original Poster:

1,661 posts

247 months

Tuesday 13th July 2004
quotequote all
Hi,
just looking for some advice really.
I have been loking for a Defender for some time (must be 110 due to my height and need more than 3 doors and must be at leadt 200TDi) but can't find anything decent for around £5k. So I've decided a Disco may be more wife friendly (+ 2 year old daughter + baby on the way!)- and there are lots around for reasonable money.
Will a Disco be as good for occasional mud plugging events (probably simple stuff, not too extreme) and I've heard that they need new gearboxes every 80K miles and have problems with timing belts (300TDi). Can anyone advise me please on the above and how to check if any mods have been done to the timing.
Also will I be considered 'second rate' not turning up in a proper landy?
Ta

farmeryellow

378 posts

248 months

Tuesday 13th July 2004
quotequote all
Hi,

what about a classic Range Rover?
for 5k you can can get a tdi, just as good off road
and a better drive on it

cpasmart

Original Poster:

1,661 posts

247 months

Tuesday 13th July 2004
quotequote all
I know, but my missus thinks they are too '70's' and she won't even entertain the idea.

DRG

254 posts

263 months

Tuesday 13th July 2004
quotequote all
Discoverys are just as good off road (IMO) as Defenders in all but the most extreme situations, and a lot of that will be down to your choice of tyres.

The Discovery is much more 'wife' friendly, at least initially in the purchasing stages anyway, although my GF after a couple of months has been heard to say, "That's a good looking truck."

Let us know how you get on and good luck

Al

cpas

Original Poster:

1,661 posts

247 months

Wednesday 14th July 2004
quotequote all
That's good - I would probably buy a cheap 'toy' for extreme off roading if I fancied it later on.
Seen a couple of Discos for £5500 but the missus says 'Wrong colour, no Leather and no Aircon'!
Can't win, can you......!?
The search goes on...must have one before the Billing and P'boro shows.
(ps I suppose a muddy Disco looks almost as good as a muddy Defender!)

bilko

1,693 posts

239 months

Wednesday 14th July 2004
quotequote all
Just to confuse you even more, it is possible to remove the bulkhead and fit an aftermarket tubular affair which allows you to move the seats back further.
The only reason that i know of for defenders orihinally having a centre bulkead was to seperate livestock and farm machinery from driver.
Of course there would have to have been other strenghtening to the sides.
This would open up the world of the Short Wheelbase defender for you........but, you only have 3 doors and aircon and leather are almost definately not within your budget.

>> Edited by bilko on Wednesday 14th July 15:06

farmeryellow

378 posts

248 months

Wednesday 14th July 2004
quotequote all
Defenders from 2000 onwards have no bulkhead in the county s/w

cpas

Original Poster:

1,661 posts

247 months

Thursday 15th July 2004
quotequote all
Thanks for all your info - I've just realised it's the Billing show this weekend - I'll be looking to see if anything decent is for sale.
Just been speaking to somebody who has just bought a 'W' reg Disco for £8k - jammy git (albeit slightly battered from being a site vehicle)
Anyway, what to I need to know about 300 TDi timing belts and aftermarket repair kits?

>> Edited by cpas on Thursday 15th July 13:48

>> Edited by cpas on Thursday 15th July 16:45

cpas

Original Poster:

1,661 posts

247 months

Monday 19th July 2004
quotequote all
Went to Billing on Saturday (LR Enthusiasts show) but nothing suitable for the right money!