Discussion
I posted a month or two back looking for a cheap hot hatch. Since then, I sold my car and have had the cash burning a hole in my pocket for over 2 weeks.
However, recent decisions have led to us looking to start up a little side business, for which I would need a car to carry some equipment. Not heavy but requires a bit of room (how much room will be realised over the week or so). It'll only be used for business occasionally, perhaps a couple of times a month to begin with.
I've come to the conclusion that a larger SUV will do the task most appropriately for me. I don't particularly want a van for all the downsides they carry as a daily driver. An MPV sounds like the 2nd best option, but again, not something I really want to drive in for 99% of the time.
I've liked e53 X5s for a long time, but I actually don't think it will be as practical or spacious as other vehicles in this category.
Budget is low at £4000, but will spend more if really needed or the right car comes up. You need not comment to state everything will be a money pit, blah blah blah. I'm well aware another couple of grand would be ideal.
Top contender at the moment is a Discovery 3 2.7 TDV6.
Now, I know what you're thinking, but its size, flexibility of seating arrangement and looks all win for me. My brother has owned one for a while now with no major issues. Seems it's luck of the draw whether you get a good one.
A shogun was on the list, but looks and interior don't appeal as much. Space and interior flexibility doesn't seem quite as good as the Disco. Have their own share of problems...fuel pump (pipe) and rust to name a couple.
Landcruisers are a bit too expensive and fairly similar 'issues' to the Shogun.
L322 FFRR and RRS appeal, but similar/worse horror stories as with the D3 and without the same level of practicality.
I thought an ML320 cdi could be a worthy contender, but as with the X5, just aren't as practical.
Any advice or alternatives? Bearing in mind I don't tend to keep cars much longer than a year and may only do 5k in that time.
However, recent decisions have led to us looking to start up a little side business, for which I would need a car to carry some equipment. Not heavy but requires a bit of room (how much room will be realised over the week or so). It'll only be used for business occasionally, perhaps a couple of times a month to begin with.
I've come to the conclusion that a larger SUV will do the task most appropriately for me. I don't particularly want a van for all the downsides they carry as a daily driver. An MPV sounds like the 2nd best option, but again, not something I really want to drive in for 99% of the time.
I've liked e53 X5s for a long time, but I actually don't think it will be as practical or spacious as other vehicles in this category.
Budget is low at £4000, but will spend more if really needed or the right car comes up. You need not comment to state everything will be a money pit, blah blah blah. I'm well aware another couple of grand would be ideal.
Top contender at the moment is a Discovery 3 2.7 TDV6.
Now, I know what you're thinking, but its size, flexibility of seating arrangement and looks all win for me. My brother has owned one for a while now with no major issues. Seems it's luck of the draw whether you get a good one.
A shogun was on the list, but looks and interior don't appeal as much. Space and interior flexibility doesn't seem quite as good as the Disco. Have their own share of problems...fuel pump (pipe) and rust to name a couple.
Landcruisers are a bit too expensive and fairly similar 'issues' to the Shogun.
L322 FFRR and RRS appeal, but similar/worse horror stories as with the D3 and without the same level of practicality.
I thought an ML320 cdi could be a worthy contender, but as with the X5, just aren't as practical.
Any advice or alternatives? Bearing in mind I don't tend to keep cars much longer than a year and may only do 5k in that time.
Watch this youtube channel for everything Disco 3 - very entertaining
https://www.youtube.com/@ChristianMuth
The 2.7 Ford/PSA unit isn't very good. But all the issues are known and you can address them.
https://www.youtube.com/@ChristianMuth
The 2.7 Ford/PSA unit isn't very good. But all the issues are known and you can address them.
Disco3 is a lovely car and 4 even better but I’d not buy one now they’re all at least 7 years old. We had no trouble on a Disco 3 and 4 across more than a decade but they were youngish and low miles. Of course if you have a family friend selling one with full history take a look but otherwise I’d suggest you might not like the potential running costs of an older one unless you spanner for yourself.
LayZ said:
Watch this youtube channel for everything Disco 3 - very entertaining
https://www.youtube.com/@ChristianMuth
The 2.7 Ford/PSA unit isn't very good. But all the issues are known and you can address them.
I'll give that a watch, thanks. https://www.youtube.com/@ChristianMuth
The 2.7 Ford/PSA unit isn't very good. But all the issues are known and you can address them.
mkc2bad said:
5k will easily buy you a decent volvo xc90. I had one for several years and was very reliable and can throw everything + the kitchen sink the rear with the seats down. I looked at discos, but at the age these cars are getting to now, more of a ticking time bomb imho.
I'd ruled out the XC90 over comments about reliability, which seems daft considering the alternative. I've since taken a look at them, and while they are nice cars, I prefer the DiscoShinyfings said:
Disco3 is a lovely car and 4 even better but I’d not buy one now they’re all at least 7 years old. We had no trouble on a Disco 3 and 4 across more than a decade but they were youngish and low miles. Of course if you have a family friend selling one with full history take a look but otherwise I’d suggest you might not like the potential running costs of an older one unless you spanner for yourself.
I'm aware it could easily throw a 1k bill up three times over. I'll be buying very carefully with hopefully all the worrying jobs already done.I might not end up with one if I find an alternative, but it's currently still my top choice.
Hello OP
2 of my mates have owned Disco 3's, both had the 2.7 TDV6. Unfortunately, both cost a fortune in breakdowns and parts failing.
One of the guys had a particularly bad time when his lower suspension joints (a heft labour job) needed to be replaced, resulting in a big bill. Then when he was driving home, the engine blew up (I think his crank snapped, or something like that).
I've had lots of Land Rovers over the years, mostly Defenders and a few Disco 1's and 2's, and even I'm not silly enough to buy a D3.
As you've said, you might get lucky and find a good one. But the reality is, you will buy a money pit.
If I were you, I would stay well clear of the D3, instead, I would go for a D2 TD5 (15p engine code). 4k will get you a good example and in my experience, will be a darn sight more reliable.
2 of my mates have owned Disco 3's, both had the 2.7 TDV6. Unfortunately, both cost a fortune in breakdowns and parts failing.
One of the guys had a particularly bad time when his lower suspension joints (a heft labour job) needed to be replaced, resulting in a big bill. Then when he was driving home, the engine blew up (I think his crank snapped, or something like that).
I've had lots of Land Rovers over the years, mostly Defenders and a few Disco 1's and 2's, and even I'm not silly enough to buy a D3.
As you've said, you might get lucky and find a good one. But the reality is, you will buy a money pit.
If I were you, I would stay well clear of the D3, instead, I would go for a D2 TD5 (15p engine code). 4k will get you a good example and in my experience, will be a darn sight more reliable.
For a business, how about one of the many crew cab pickups?
You can get those cover jobbies for the load bay to make it more SUV ish. A friend of mine has just jumped ship from a Disco to a VW Anorak as he was fed up with the constant bills the Disco would throw up . I've no actual experience, but I would imagine a Hilux is pretty reliable.
You can get those cover jobbies for the load bay to make it more SUV ish. A friend of mine has just jumped ship from a Disco to a VW Anorak as he was fed up with the constant bills the Disco would throw up . I've no actual experience, but I would imagine a Hilux is pretty reliable.
Networkgeek said:
Hello OP
2 of my mates have owned Disco 3's, both had the 2.7 TDV6. Unfortunately, both cost a fortune in breakdowns and parts failing.
One of the guys had a particularly bad time when his lower suspension joints (a heft labour job) needed to be replaced, resulting in a big bill. Then when he was driving home, the engine blew up (I think his crank snapped, or something like that).
I've had lots of Land Rovers over the years, mostly Defenders and a few Disco 1's and 2's, and even I'm not silly enough to buy a D3.
As you've said, you might get lucky and find a good one. But the reality is, you will buy a money pit.
If I were you, I would stay well clear of the D3, instead, I would go for a D2 TD5 (15p engine code). 4k will get you a good example and in my experience, will be a darn sight more reliable.
Good Disco 2s are few and far between now. The youngest are now 19 years old. Owned one from 3 years old to 14 years old. Loved it but it needed a fair bit of maintenance. Always fancied replacing it with a D4 but head ruled heart fortunately because the potential for wallet emptying is never far away with them. I'm now a happy Freelander 2 owner. Boot is small, well no boot is large, but compared to a Discovery 2 any boot is small! If one would suit your needs you could do a lot worse.2 of my mates have owned Disco 3's, both had the 2.7 TDV6. Unfortunately, both cost a fortune in breakdowns and parts failing.
One of the guys had a particularly bad time when his lower suspension joints (a heft labour job) needed to be replaced, resulting in a big bill. Then when he was driving home, the engine blew up (I think his crank snapped, or something like that).
I've had lots of Land Rovers over the years, mostly Defenders and a few Disco 1's and 2's, and even I'm not silly enough to buy a D3.
As you've said, you might get lucky and find a good one. But the reality is, you will buy a money pit.
If I were you, I would stay well clear of the D3, instead, I would go for a D2 TD5 (15p engine code). 4k will get you a good example and in my experience, will be a darn sight more reliable.
Thanks for the replies, I'm still mulling it over.
Despite my brother running one I'm quite put off by the disco. It's actually my favourite out of everything I've looked at, but even owners say they're a PITA and I don't particularly want the hassle. Maybe I'm over thinking and should just worry about it if and when it breaks. After all, I'll only do about 5k miles a year.
The Nissan Pathfinder seems a potential alternative. I've also been looking at the Ford Smax due to the space they offer.
Other alternative is to get a box trailer. Has a few upsides to it but eats into the budget.
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Despite my brother running one I'm quite put off by the disco. It's actually my favourite out of everything I've looked at, but even owners say they're a PITA and I don't particularly want the hassle. Maybe I'm over thinking and should just worry about it if and when it breaks. After all, I'll only do about 5k miles a year.
The Nissan Pathfinder seems a potential alternative. I've also been looking at the Ford Smax due to the space they offer.
Other alternative is to get a box trailer. Has a few upsides to it but eats into the budget.
.
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