Real World Discovery Running..
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm giving strong consideration to getting a Disco TD5. Reasons being I've got 3 kids so the 7 seat option is good (and the thought of getting a people carrier kills me), the wife rides horses so actually spend a fair amount of time driving on muddy fields and sometimes towing the box. Also I've always wanted one and I feel its a scratch I've just gotta itch!
My main reservation is it will be my daily driver - I have a 50-70 mile a day motorway commute (depending which office I'm working from) so it will rack up the miles fairly quickly.
Got a budget of £6kish which could be stretched a little for the right one, so am generally looking at ones from 2000ish, with between 60k and 90k on them. Not really fussed on manual or auto TBH as I spend so much time on the motorway. Something like this maybe - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012... Not this actual one so I don't need a critique of this one, but you get the jist. (Although a headlight facelift model would be nice!)
What I'm interested in are what's the MPG really like, as we all know the quoted figures on-line from the manufacturer etc are normally ambitious, and also keeping them running? Are bills wallet destroying, or with the right Indy garage not too bad?
Really interested in your opinions on using a Disco as a daily commuter TBH, as there can't be too many that do it!
Thanks in advance
I'm giving strong consideration to getting a Disco TD5. Reasons being I've got 3 kids so the 7 seat option is good (and the thought of getting a people carrier kills me), the wife rides horses so actually spend a fair amount of time driving on muddy fields and sometimes towing the box. Also I've always wanted one and I feel its a scratch I've just gotta itch!
My main reservation is it will be my daily driver - I have a 50-70 mile a day motorway commute (depending which office I'm working from) so it will rack up the miles fairly quickly.
Got a budget of £6kish which could be stretched a little for the right one, so am generally looking at ones from 2000ish, with between 60k and 90k on them. Not really fussed on manual or auto TBH as I spend so much time on the motorway. Something like this maybe - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012... Not this actual one so I don't need a critique of this one, but you get the jist. (Although a headlight facelift model would be nice!)
What I'm interested in are what's the MPG really like, as we all know the quoted figures on-line from the manufacturer etc are normally ambitious, and also keeping them running? Are bills wallet destroying, or with the right Indy garage not too bad?
Really interested in your opinions on using a Disco as a daily commuter TBH, as there can't be too many that do it!
Thanks in advance
Td5. Brilliant motor.
Chuck it at/through some scenery at the weekend, school run on the Monday, easy.
Make sure you get one with a service history, including bills, then give it a service yourself so you know where you stand with it. Most jobs are easy on it, not necessarily cheap (bearing/hub 180-200, gearbox switch 350). So many forums with so much info to be had.
Best mod to do, decent tyres. AT minimum.
2000 models can be bought for £4000ish. Get one, tuck the 2k away for maintenance (never say repairs, it spooks them)
Mpg anywhere between mid 20s to mid 30s depending on what its used for.
Mine is my only car, so I have to look after it. It's comfortable, smooth, and has a presence on the road, which in my mind makes it a safe car (wouldn't put my kids in an unsafe situation), and it can be almost unstoppable off road.
GET ONE!!!!
Chuck it at/through some scenery at the weekend, school run on the Monday, easy.
Make sure you get one with a service history, including bills, then give it a service yourself so you know where you stand with it. Most jobs are easy on it, not necessarily cheap (bearing/hub 180-200, gearbox switch 350). So many forums with so much info to be had.
Best mod to do, decent tyres. AT minimum.
2000 models can be bought for £4000ish. Get one, tuck the 2k away for maintenance (never say repairs, it spooks them)
Mpg anywhere between mid 20s to mid 30s depending on what its used for.
Mine is my only car, so I have to look after it. It's comfortable, smooth, and has a presence on the road, which in my mind makes it a safe car (wouldn't put my kids in an unsafe situation), and it can be almost unstoppable off road.
GET ONE!!!!
Edited by ozzy57 on Wednesday 18th April 21:46
Hhhmm.. I ran a '99 TD5 for four or so years and to be honest I wouldn't have another.
It's no less economical to run than any other large 4x4, but when things go wrong, and they will go wrong, they can be expensive and troublesome to fix.
Things that went wrong..
Injector failure (>£300 each IIRC)
Wiring loom oil contamination (can happen after 70k causing misfiring, needs loom replacement)
Gearboxes (mine was manual and was replaced twice)
Exhaust manifold stud breakages
This was on a well maintained less than 100k motor.
Other things I didn't like..
Relatively underpowered
Rear seat access is tight
Not much torque low down, needs revs
Having said that, when running well it was nice to drive (active cornering enhancement was great) and was a practical family vehicle. (We did quite a lot of towing).
Buy one if you've got a real hankering for one, but keep some money back for repairs.
It's no less economical to run than any other large 4x4, but when things go wrong, and they will go wrong, they can be expensive and troublesome to fix.
Things that went wrong..
Injector failure (>£300 each IIRC)
Wiring loom oil contamination (can happen after 70k causing misfiring, needs loom replacement)
Gearboxes (mine was manual and was replaced twice)
Exhaust manifold stud breakages
This was on a well maintained less than 100k motor.
Other things I didn't like..
Relatively underpowered
Rear seat access is tight
Not much torque low down, needs revs
Having said that, when running well it was nice to drive (active cornering enhancement was great) and was a practical family vehicle. (We did quite a lot of towing).
Buy one if you've got a real hankering for one, but keep some money back for repairs.
wiliferus said:
Hi all,
I'm giving strong consideration to getting a Disco TD5. Reasons being I've got 3 kids so the 7 seat option is good (and the thought of getting a people carrier kills me), the wife rides horses so actually spend a fair amount of time driving on muddy fields and sometimes towing the box. Also I've always wanted one and I feel its a scratch I've just gotta itch!
My main reservation is it will be my daily driver - I have a 50-70 mile a day motorway commute (depending which office I'm working from) so it will rack up the miles fairly quickly.
Got a budget of £6kish which could be stretched a little for the right one, so am generally looking at ones from 2000ish, with between 60k and 90k on them. Not really fussed on manual or auto TBH as I spend so much time on the motorway. Something like this maybe - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012... Not this actual one so I don't need a critique of this one, but you get the jist. (Although a headlight facelift model would be nice!)
What I'm interested in are what's the MPG really like, as we all know the quoted figures on-line from the manufacturer etc are normally ambitious, and also keeping them running? Are bills wallet destroying, or with the right Indy garage not too bad?
Really interested in your opinions on using a Disco as a daily commuter TBH, as there can't be too many that do it!
Thanks in advance
If your buying a Land Rover, fuel costs should be the least of your worries! I'm giving strong consideration to getting a Disco TD5. Reasons being I've got 3 kids so the 7 seat option is good (and the thought of getting a people carrier kills me), the wife rides horses so actually spend a fair amount of time driving on muddy fields and sometimes towing the box. Also I've always wanted one and I feel its a scratch I've just gotta itch!
My main reservation is it will be my daily driver - I have a 50-70 mile a day motorway commute (depending which office I'm working from) so it will rack up the miles fairly quickly.
Got a budget of £6kish which could be stretched a little for the right one, so am generally looking at ones from 2000ish, with between 60k and 90k on them. Not really fussed on manual or auto TBH as I spend so much time on the motorway. Something like this maybe - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012... Not this actual one so I don't need a critique of this one, but you get the jist. (Although a headlight facelift model would be nice!)
What I'm interested in are what's the MPG really like, as we all know the quoted figures on-line from the manufacturer etc are normally ambitious, and also keeping them running? Are bills wallet destroying, or with the right Indy garage not too bad?
Really interested in your opinions on using a Disco as a daily commuter TBH, as there can't be too many that do it!
Thanks in advance
As someone else has said, budget for repairs. Head gasket is quite a common failure as well. At least they don't rot as much as the series 1 discos!
You can chip the TD5 and get some decent power ouy of them. 160+ is easily achievable. That should help the mpg a bit.
ozzy57 said:
Td5. Brilliant motor.
Chuck it at/through some scenery at the weekend, school run on the Monday, easy.
Make sure you get one with a service history, including bills, then give it a service yourself so you know where you stand with it. Most jobs are easy on it, not necessarily cheap (bearing/hub 180-200, gearbox switch 350). So many forums with so much info to be had.
Best mod to do, decent tyres. AT minimum.
2000 models can be bought for £4000ish. Get one, tuck the 2k away for maintenance (never say repairs, it spooks them)
Mpg anywhere between mid 20s to mid 30s depending on what its used for.
Mine is my only car, so I have to look after it. It's comfortable, smooth, and has a presence on the road, which in my mind makes it a safe car (wouldn't put my kids in an unsafe situation), and it can be almost unstoppable off road.
GET ONE!!!!
Chuck it at/through some scenery at the weekend, school run on the Monday, easy.
Make sure you get one with a service history, including bills, then give it a service yourself so you know where you stand with it. Most jobs are easy on it, not necessarily cheap (bearing/hub 180-200, gearbox switch 350). So many forums with so much info to be had.
Best mod to do, decent tyres. AT minimum.
2000 models can be bought for £4000ish. Get one, tuck the 2k away for maintenance (never say repairs, it spooks them)
Mpg anywhere between mid 20s to mid 30s depending on what its used for.
Mine is my only car, so I have to look after it. It's comfortable, smooth, and has a presence on the road, which in my mind makes it a safe car (wouldn't put my kids in an unsafe situation), and it can be almost unstoppable off road.
GET ONE!!!!
Edited by ozzy57 on Wednesday 18th April 21:46
Not only that, but I've witnessed Ozzy when he comes Off-Roading in his, and he brings his entire family with him - was it 6 of you in it last time Ozzy?His Discovery takes it all in it's stride - and I couldn't believe some of the terrain he managed to get over with all those people on board!
Then he drives to work in it on Monday. A great example of how capable and versatile they are, no?!
See! Your little bit of banter is making me want one MORE!
The thought of Off Roading on Sunday, and then parking it up at work on Monday next to the bosses Merc with a healthy coat of mud over it makes me smile!
Cheers for the advice guys, I will update this thread when I summon the courage to make a purchase!
The thought of Off Roading on Sunday, and then parking it up at work on Monday next to the bosses Merc with a healthy coat of mud over it makes me smile!
Cheers for the advice guys, I will update this thread when I summon the courage to make a purchase!
AT tyres hardly noticable on the road, and as for wet weather braking, if you remember you're driving over 2 tonnes of metal, you drive accordingly, it's not a racing car though.
As for the ACE, bin it, extremely expensive if/when it goes wrong, just make sure your ARB bushes are in good order and the difference between with and without ACE is minimal.
As for the ACE, bin it, extremely expensive if/when it goes wrong, just make sure your ARB bushes are in good order and the difference between with and without ACE is minimal.
ACE is detectable(?) under the bonnet. On the n/s inner wing is the power steering reservoir, if it has 2 caps on it, the car has ACE.
Best bet is to buy one without it on in the first place.
Mine is the GS spec model - without ACE, but the original owner upgraded the interior to ES spec. Electric heated seats, dual aircon, heated seats etc. Best of both worlds.
Best bet is to buy one without it on in the first place.
Mine is the GS spec model - without ACE, but the original owner upgraded the interior to ES spec. Electric heated seats, dual aircon, heated seats etc. Best of both worlds.
ozzy57 said:
ACE is detectable(?) under the bonnet. On the n/s inner wing is the power steering reservoir, if it has 2 caps on it, the car has ACE.
Best bet is to buy one without it on in the first place.
Mine is the GS spec model - without ACE, but the original owner upgraded the interior to ES spec. Electric heated seats, dual aircon, heated seats etc. Best of both worlds.
Or just look for the four pipes on the chassis behind the front offside wheel.Best bet is to buy one without it on in the first place.
Mine is the GS spec model - without ACE, but the original owner upgraded the interior to ES spec. Electric heated seats, dual aircon, heated seats etc. Best of both worlds.
Mine's a GS with ACE (and the dual aircon) as I felt there was a difference in cornering between those with and those without. If it does become too troublesome I'll get rid as it's a straightforward job to replace the airbags with springs. Generally speaking it's easy to sort the ACE if it does go wrong, but replacing the main pipes if/when they corrode is a pig by all accounts.
I wasn't keen on electric seats etc due to the numbers I saw that had one or more broken switches or motors
Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff