Classic rangey, diesel or lpg'd v8

[smellmycheese]

Thinkin of a classic rangey, I've had one before that was a 3.9 v8 on the gas but had trouble with overheating and eventually the head gasket went and it got scrapped due to being like a tea bag underneath, apart from the obvious tin worm are the diesels any good? Factory tdi ones I mean, what else do I need to look out for? Many thanks

[Partridge]

There was a lipstick red one for sale on here a while ago, I forget who's. But no kicking the seller to death, OK?

[scruff]

I like mine.

 

Tdis are nothing special, a bog simple diesel engine, so the usual checks for signs of HGF, terminal oil consumption etc. 200s are a bit noisier but arguably the stronger of the engines, that said you have to bear in mind they are now quite old and have usually been run on a budget. They go OK and mine returns 30mpg without trying, not the same driving experience or grunt as a V8 though. My mate says it is a Discovery in a prettier dress which is about right. I've got anti-roll bars front and back which transform it compared to older ones.

 

 

[Partridge]

I'd imagine the TDis have all the acceleration of a slug in a bag.

[mat_the_cat]

Can't offer any advice on the diesels, but IMO (and experience) LPG when done well makes a lot of sense. Trouble is, it often isn't - anything done primarily for reasons of saving money often leads to corners being cut. And people only seem to sell an LPG vehicle when it gives them problems.  I previously had a Discovery V8 which I fitted a kit to...got an installer to set it up for peace of mind. But was never truly happy with it (down on power) although got 14 -18 mpg on gas. With hindsight I suspect it was running lean, as guess what, I had to do the HGs on it! (Can't tell the mixture from LPG spark plugs as they look cleaner all the time).

 

Current tow vehicle is another Discovery V8 on 156k miles. This has been run on gas since 12k miles in 1997, with the gas system replaced at 70k miles in 2003. That was in turn replaced by me (after an ECU failure caused by welding) with another system at 142k miles in 2011. No engine work has been required yet although given the life expectancy of RV8 camshafts I expect it's probably needing one soon. On the basis of this it seems that the engine can last longer than the LPG kit, as spares for elderly systems can be rare and expensive

 

Can't fault the current system - it just runs like on petrol and you can't even detect changeover as it switches each cylinder sequentially. Getting 12 - 13 mpg on Welsh mountain roads, which includes occasional horse trailer towing. Only downside is maximum 220 mile range, and the underslung tanks sit level with the side steps which limits off road ability.

 

I'm obviously biased, and it may be that a diesel better fits other's requirements. But thought that my experiences on LPG might be useful in coming to a decision.

[Junkman]

My experience after three of them (all V8s) is that most are cheap to buy, but none are nowhere near cheap to run. The latter is what was often insufficiently comprehended by previous owners, hence pretty much all of them are worn out rubbish by now.

Driving them is extremely rewarding though, so they do have significant want attached to them. But as long as I can't afford the best example, or a nut and bolt restoration, it will remain just that - a want.

[panhard65]

I haven't had a tdi classic yet but that would be the one I would go for. I have had a few V8's the 3.5 is better on fuel than the 3.9. I also had a couple of LPG'ed, one was the cheapo kit with a big tank in the boot. It was rubbish and drank gas which wasn't good with such a small tank. The other was far better but that rangy did have a supercharger and the performance difference between the petrol and LPG was very noticable. I also tried a P38 with the BMW engine that went well and pulled well but was rather thirsty for a diesel. I have now walked away from Land Rover after a series of rusty disco's I bought a 3.1 diesel trooper. All I can say is I want the disco back it is rubbish. A lot less grunt and even worse fuel consumption than the 300tdi which was bad enough. I only use it for pulling a trailer and the petrols will do that better but will just empty your wallet everytime you go anywhere. The classic is also a bit light for heavy towing the disco is a lot better. It all depends what you intend on doing with it really but one thing that is certain they will empty your wallet faster than anything else.

[scruff]

It's not that slow Partridge but my Series 1 with a turbo Prima left it standing up to 45mph! 

 

Mine's a soft dash Vogue, so no air suspension/electric chairs. Has got ABS and heated screen. 

[Junkman]

I replaced my very first Rangey, a 1976 2-door 3.5 carb, that I had in the mid 80s, with a 1978 Chevrolet Blazer K5 Cheyenne with the 350 and optional permanent 4WD 'New Process' transfer case. If you can live with the decidedly chewing gum vending machine looks, it is a lot more forgiving in daily use and even more rugged. A Tonka toy for big boys. It also costs a fraction to run and maintain.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHEVROLET-GMC-BLAZER-K5-V8-DIESEL-AMERICAN-4X4-MONSTER-TRUCK-/111263932852

 

You can de-monster it very easily in an afternoon.

[Bucketeer]

The Red Rangey of Desire for sale on here belongs to Breadvan72 and lived with Red5 before him.

Looks like it's still available.

http://autoshite.com/topic/15733-saev-the-red-rangey-of-shaem-more-photos-added/

[Junkman]

Yeah, this forum is not what it used to be etc etc...

[NorfolkNWeigh]

It's not the forum's fault, it's just that in Breadvan Country it's not just the wheels of justice that move exceedingly slow . I still harbour fond ambitions to be the next Autoshiter to be bankrupted by fuelling TheRed Rangie of Rust.

[skattrd]

Diesel in a Range Rover is just wrong. It doesn't have the power, noise or speed.

If you  want diesel I'd say get a Discovery

[EssDeeWon]

Always wanted one of these, by the time I could buy one they were getting rather old and rusty. A 3.9 Vogue SE

 

[Guest Breadvan72]

I am stuck in  a trial at the moment but will revert re the Red Rangey of Rust and Ruin, promise.

[Forty-two]

Derv in a classic rangie? As said by others before, want a diesel, get a disco! It's all about the V8 roar in a classic!

[scruff]

Derv in a classic rangie? As said by others before, want a diesel, get a disco! It's all about the V8 roar in a classic!

 

I agree, the V8s are much nicer in pretty much all flavours. The engine was fucked but it never let me down. My Tdi is a good compromise though as I don't like Discos, it's as simple as that.

Tayne and Junkman make many valid points. They are, like the majority of Solihull products, pretty shit when you get down to it and there's an awful lot of crap out there. I like mine though. 

[Brent_Crude]

I pretty much endorse what some others have said here - if you want diesel, go Disco otherwise it's got to be a V8 all the way. It will depend a lot of what sort of driving and how many miles you will be covering, but my 3.9 averages 18-19mpg and I am mostly light-footed but not afraid to use the kickdown when called for (which I have to say, can be great fun and leaves a fair few repmobile tailgaters wondering what the hell just happened). They are better when given a few longish runs a week, mine starts to get a bit grumpy when sitting around and only doing short trips, but everything feels a bit tighter after a decent run. The purrr of that V8 will always bring a smile to your face, whereas the old 200 derv will underwhelm and it is a far cry from the more refined, modern dizzlers that are about today.

 

I have never had a problem with the engine, just the electrics and bodywork with its low-grade steel

[Junkman]

Don't forget that not only the electrics are total tosh and the materials low-grade, but also the build quality is hilariously grotesque.

[smellmycheese]

Dont like disco's as the one life live it crew all have them by me and they always get pinched. Love the look of the classics but cant be doin with overheating, i suppose its a case of you get what you pay for.

[michael1703]

I had a 200tdi classic and I don't remember it being slow, I've got a diesel rr p38 at the minute and its nowhere as quick as the classic tdi was

[smellmycheese]

giffer in a black tdi, L regger, just went past me and i got trouser movement! oh dear, this is gonna cost me.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Don't forget that not only the electrics are total tosh and the materials low-grade, but also the build quality is hilariously grotesque.

I think that this comment should be in the 'What is Autoshite' thread.

[mat_the_cat]

Dont like disco's as the one life live it crew all have them

 

Although I'm a Landy fan, if there's one sticker which bugs me it's this one! Tempting to get a sticker made up along the lines of "One life...don't spend it all in a Land Rover" but I can't think of anything witty enough.

[dangerousdave]

id recommend v8 on gas ive got a 1990 3.9 vogue se on gas ive been running it as a daily since may 2011 and apart from one gas solenoid going not had a problem at all I just make sure I start it on petrol till it warms up and its working out to be costing the same to run that as what I had before it a mk2 polo 1 litre

[dollywobbler]

I agree that a V8 is what should be in a Range Rover. Buying one with LPG really is a risk though - as mentioned, they're often set up really badly and then end up ruining engines. The Tdi feels much more 'right' in the Discovery, but Disco 1s are nearly all rotten as a pear, and those that somehow aren't fetch strong money.

 

Disco IIs are getting temptingly cheap, but have enough electronics that a friendly specialist is essential. They are much better at resisting rot, apart from the chassis.

[garethj]

Range Rovers are still better value than Defenders, but prices of early ones seem to be on a steady rise.  I think the overall condition will affect your ownership experience more than petrol or diesel.

[Junkman]

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

 

Either your Polo was broken or you got the decimal point in the wrong place when you worked out the figures for the RR.

 

No, this is just the quite common misconception I was talking about earlier. Since those things will always move no matter how neglected, propellant is the only thing they are ever treated to by most owners. You can then sort out a decade of maintenance backlog by paying through your nose.

[brickwall]

Diesel in the RRC is pretty poor, but not  a total disaster. It's a big vehicle to have a wee piddly diesel in it. Build quality on classics is mixed, but remember it's a British Leyland vehicle at heart. Two identical models off the same line can have very different build quality ie  thin metal sills and body mounts. The car isn't water tight either and the layout of the cockpit is very old.

 

I adore mine though, driving is fun and sometimes hilarious and it will soak anything thrown at it. It's like driving a top quality couch and all seats have great positioning. As, above, once you have the maintenance sorted it will be great fun, but many are neglected.

 

I'll prolly have to sell mine sooner or later as it can be an expensive daily, but what a great vehicle. One of my faves and off-road it's the dogs bollox.

[Mr Livered]

I miss mine. Back in the late 90s I had one that was M reg, so what would that be, 1973? I had a very simple lpg system: start on petrol, press a button to cut off the fuel and then when it starts to splutter, another button to get the gas flowing. Very primitive; tank in the boot too, but I loved it. It is the only time I've ever had a vehicle with a winch too, which was a fantastic toy because it made me feel invincible (if you fuck up whilst off-roading, more often than not you can save face by pulling yourself out of trouble).