Skizzer's Discovery: sad and fiery news

[Skizzer]

Well now you've thrown down the gauntlet... I guess there's only one way to find out.  If the worst comes to the worst, it's still got a petrol tank in the usual place, after all. 

[Guest Breadvan72]

I sense a plan coming together.  I'm in!

 

[beko1987]

Ive always wanted a disco, a mate had loads back in the day!

 

Nothing flash, nice early dash 300tdi would do!

 

Would never afford to run one though, so ill perv over yours instead!

[red5]

I'm in. Assuming it doesn't break in half - then I'll have to bring a Fronterror

[andy18s]

I'd be up for this.be interesting to see what the P38 can do (gently mind,wouldn't want to break it)

[Guest Breadvan72]

Caramba!


http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C632851

[Noel Tidybeard]

^^^how can the wheels be "contrating" when they the same fapping colour??!? dealer eh

[Skizzer]

Not sure where all the other updates about this have gone to, but hey ho. [Edit: News 24 thread, it seems.]

 

Help wanted please: the bonnet release cable won't release. It's always been a bit reluctant so I've given it periodic oilings, but now it's completely given up and locked me out. Which is unfortunate as the battery won't hold a charge.

 

So the Disco has now achieved permanent garden ornament status. Grumpy.

 

Any suggestions, before I take an angle grinder to the bonnet?

[dollywobbler]

Can you get someone else to lean on the bonnet while you pull the release?

[Skizzer]

Top tip!

 

Not only did that immediately do the trick, it was worth it just for the look on Mrs S's face when I said I needed her to bounce up and down on the bonnet.

[catsinthewelder]

On my 200tdi there is a run of bare cable along the nearside inner wing.

 

As there is a fair bit of fresh air under the bonnet could you remove the NSF wheel and get to the cable from underneath?

 

This is one of those times where there could be a convenient rust hole.

[catsinthewelder]

Well done, you fixed it while I was typing.

[andy18s]

It did have a new cable whilst under my wing,as I managed to snap the handle in 2

 

Is there an interior light staying on and flattening the battery?

[dollywobbler]

Now, are you going to do something about it before you close the bonnet again?

[Skizzer]

It did have a new cable whilst under my wing,as I managed to snap the handle in 2

Is there an interior light staying on and flattening the battery?

The cable is fine, it's the catch itself that's a bit sticky. It wants dismantling and de-rusting really.

 

I do think there might be a parasitic drain somewhere: sadly nothing as easy to detect or fix as an interior light.

 

Now, are you going to do something about it before you close the bonnet again?

Nope. Enjoyed the bouncing too much, we'll do that again.

[dollywobbler]

Nope. Enjoyed the bouncing too much, we'll do that again.

 

You don't have to tell her that you've fixed it...

[Guest Lord Sward]

 

 

Does this have the Meastro/Montego switchgear, or is that only the early ones?  Lovely bit of switchgear (only here can I say such a thing...)

 

 

My 04 Disco TD5 still has loads of BL switchgear.  Admittedly the Metro/Maestro/Montego stalks went in favour of 800-series stalks, but Land Rover was only following the lead of LDV and Morgan.

 

Discos, especially V8s, are GR8 in all flavours.

[BorniteIdentity]

Have you SEEN the new Discovery? What the ACTUAL?

 

I saw one for the first time today. The offset rear plate is just a mindfuck, the front lights make it look like it's a Wii character, and it looks too tall and narrow like a slice of cake.

 

These on the other hand? Would. Relentlessly.

 

A ctek charger on trickle is probably the solution if the drain is too hard to find.

[The Moog]

You don't have to tell her that you've fixed it...

And obviously add the photos to the girls and car thread

[somewhatfoolish]

Top tip!

 

Not only did that immediately do the trick, it was worth it just for the look on Mrs S's face when I said I needed her to bounce up and down on the bonnet.

The next big thing*, AS-style rap videos featuring bemused or scornful ASWAGs alternately Woollarding, bouncing on Skizzer's Disco, futilely cranking an Ambassador 1.7HL with a duff rotor arm or engaging in the sisyphean job of bumpstarting an early Maestro 1.6 auto with vapourlock. I'm picturing Goldie Lookin' Chain as likely artistes.

[Fabergé Greggs]

Have you SEEN the new Discovery? What the ACTUAL?

 

Couldn't agree more. Saw one for the first time the other day and nearly fell over. Could truly be the most awful looking thing on the road.

[wuvvum]

I thought the whole point of the Disco (and the RR for that matter) is that people liked the way they looked, so the basic shape was kept the same.  The new Disco looks like an Evoque on stilts, and the back end looks like it's had a stroke.

[dollywobbler]

Sniff Petrol has done a pretty good write up on the new Disco.

[Lacquer Peel]

I think they're quite nice looking for a new car but lack the purposeful designs of the previous Discoveries. All new Land Rovers look the same, probs good for brand identity and sales,they seem to be thriving under Tata.

 

 

The car the Discovery could have been, I'd prefer a Safari tbh.

[Skizzer]

^ And to think that people were worried Tata would dilute the traditional Land Rover values.

[BorniteIdentity]

Sniff Petrol has done a pretty good write up on the new Disco.

 

Wow. My thoughts exactly.

 

Does that mean I can be a motoring journalist now? (!)

[RoadworkUK]

When the new Discovery's mid-life facelift occurs they'll move the rear plate to the centre, but mount it at a 90 degree angle to avoid conformity.

[Guest Hooli]

The cable is fine, it's the catch itself that's a bit sticky. It wants dismantling and de-rusting really.

 

I do think there might be a parasitic drain somewhere: sadly nothing as easy to detect or fix as an interior light.

 

Nope. Enjoyed the bouncing too much, we'll do that again.

 

 

Mine did the jamming bonnet thing & I never solved it. After the day the stop solenoid wire caught light & I took 5mins to get the bonnet open to put it out I fitted a 'bypass'*.

 

*Bonnet pins & took the latch off

[Skizzer]

I hardly ever post about the Discovery, which is mostly because it generally just gets on with being a useful and comfy old bus.

 

It’s a lot happier in summer when the’s not quite as much rain to come in through the four (count ‘em) leaky roof lights. There’s a blow from one of the exhaust manifolds that is sapping power a bit and it’s due a change of ATF, and occasionally it takes a couple of goes to start when it’s parked uphill and has an empty-ish tank. Mostly though it’s just a solid workhorse that keeps on plodding, and making a lovely V8 rumble (with occasional roar) as it does so.

 

This week my pal Ripper is using it to help him move house. He sent me a picture yesterday of it perched on Cefn Bryn, the big hill in the middle of Gower.

 

[phil_lihp]

Did it recover from its bad mood when I drove it?  I think it probably just didn't like me very much.  Despite being a bit down on power and not shifting gears quite as it should, it was a completely marvellous thing and I think I would still consider doing something rather stupid if it ever came up for sale.