Range Rover replacement

[Stevebrookman]

As mentioned in the grumpy column-my Range Rover has shit the bed. It needs the BeCM computer and engine ECU sent off to be unlocked. Fellow who was going to have a look on the weekend didn't bother.

I've had the car 11 years so one FTP is not too bad. Wife wants me to change-but I don't want to go more modern-I would like the later shape L322 but modern cars have started to get me worried - jammed with computers  and other things! (Ps-my degree is electronics-but you need to be a whizz with microprocessors these days).

 

So I'm looking at going backwards and have spotted these two machines for example (will have to get present Rangy working first).

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Range-Rover-Classic-2-5-Classic-auto-Vogue-SE-TDi/272820485190?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

 

or

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Range-Rover-Vogue-Classic-1994-300tdi/232448251024?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

 

Any thoughts/advice/commiserations greatly appreciated.

 

Steve

[danthecapriman]

I wouldn't say going older was a bad idea at all. Simplicity is king, fuck all that stupid electronic shit off!

If you pick a good car and look after it there's no reason why it'd not work out.

 

I must say, the white one looks great! I'm not really a fan of white cars but that does look bloody good.

[fatharris]

Of all the RRs, the classic is still the one I'd have.

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[Dead_E23]

The white one looks very smart indeed.  

 

Looks good value too - I thought the prices of these would have gone through the roof by now. 

[Timewaster]

Range Rovers, to my untrained eye look either fantastic (like the ones pictured) or utterly crap.

I think it is all to do with the stance.

 

Some sit nice and straight and level where others are all uneven wheel arch gaps and look all baggy and loaping. And not at all attractive.

 

A good one, maintained, could be a car for life if you can stand the fuel cost.

[Stevebrookman]

White one hasn't been taxed since sept 2013.

[Dead_E23]

The MOT history of the white one makes intriguing reading - looks like it had a load of welding in 2008/9, so I think I'd be taking a head torch along to the viewing and having a close look at the floors, sills, body mounts, rear body crossmember and all the other places where they go.

[Guest Hooli]

They look like two soft dash classics? if so they were always the most desirable ones when I was into green oval junk. I'd get both then you've got a spare in case of FTP & tell ya missus it's an investment.

[Stevebrookman]

Noticed that as well (MOT white one).

 

Blue one seems more "honest".

[John F]

Yep, they're soft dash models.

 

I'm not sure a RR represents good value for money, though, when an almost-identical Discovery with essentially the same engine, running gear and interior can be had for less than a third of the price.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-Land-Rover-Discovery-300tdi-2-5-diesel-manual-/272821779435?hash=item3f8571fbeb:g:kqMAAOSwzb9ZocDD

 

... leaving plenty of money left over for a new seat diaphragm, a recon gearbox (if desired) and a blow-over respray (if desired)

[Asimo]

Your electronic problems with the current car are as nothing compared to problems of rot and decrepitude of most RR classics - judging by the Range Rover threads on here anyway.

[Dead_E23]

Rot and decrepitude is part of the 'experience'.   It's why there are huge shows for Land Rover enthusiasts to buy bits at and none for Land Cruisers!

 

For example, last time I drove my Defender, the drivers window regulator mechanism came apart and I had to stop for 30 minutes to get the glass back in the channel.  Hurrah.  What a splendid hobby. 

[I_am_Diesel]

A RR Classic is something I've always wanted but my head is ruling my heart on this one so I will just keep wanting. If I had a choice of the 2, I would plum for the blue one.

[Stevebrookman]

A RR Classic is something I've always wanted but my head is ruling my heart on this one so I will just keep wanting. If I had a choice of the 2, I would plum for the blue one.

 

I'd have the blue one-seems "genuine".

 

Steve

[Des]

Best ensure the white one's not ex-Jimmy Saville.

Be very careful with old Rangies, they're as good at hiding rot as the BBC of hiding Jimmys shenanigans, and where it's all been addressed to keep an MOT man happy it's usually only scratched the surface. The last ones were far worse, I don't get why, maybe cats were sneaking in and pissing on them before painting.

[chaseracer]

Wife wants me to change...

 

Mine gave up on that idea years ago... 

[Stevebrookman]

Best ensure the white one's not ex-Jimmy Saville.

Be very careful with old Rangies, they're as good at hiding rot as the BBC of hiding Jimmys shenanigans, and where it's all been addressed to keep an MOT man happy it's usually only scratched the surface. The last ones were far worse, I don't get why, maybe cats were sneaking in and pissing on them before painting.

 

Yep-always the later ones look completely shot.

 

Stever

[scruff]

Mine was a 95 soft dash and had gone everywhere they usually do. When my mate gave it the big thumbs down I looked at a few others and they were all as bad as each other so I got him to do the work. It has to be said that, especially if you could do the work yourself it is worth it as they are starting to make serious ££££ now.

 

If I was after one again, I'd repeat this and get one from somewhere hot.  http://autoshite.com/topic/22718-the-lone-rangers-trans-euro-solihull-shitters-collectiondelivery/  I know Discos are the same underneath but they do fuck all for me, each to their own (/badgesnob)

[Timewaster]

I managed to miss that collection thread first time around. Awesome!

 

I had no idea they still made 2 door Range Rovers after 1985. (CSK excepted).

[Lacquer Peel]

They look timeless where the Discovery looks dated.

I'd love one with a VM diesel

[Stevebrookman]

They look timeless where the Discovery looks dated.

I'd love one with a VM diesel

 

That's what I think-they look absolutely timeless.

 

Steve

[Bren]

Rot will be the issue on these.

Also depending on efi system, I know some efi parts for my SD1 are impossible to source but I would imagine that most RR's have a hotwire system instead of the flapper.

[Lacquer Peel]

That's why old diesels are FTW

[scruff]

3.9s are all hotwire and I think the 3.5 flapper is different again to the car one, but it's a long time since I dabbled in such things.

 

Loads of VM ones in France, Spain, Portugal. Not a bad engine and the 2.5s go really well. 

[Stevebrookman]

I wouldn't mind the 300 TDi to be honest-I'm taking the body computer out of the P38 tomorrow and will be sending it off along with the engine ECU to the Guru on Landyzone.

 

Steve

[Stevebrookman]

Took out the BeCM today

 

 

Hope I remember where the wires go (all colour and size coded-thankfully!).

 

[Junkman]

Why not one with a real engine?

[Guest Lord Sward]

You need a late, well looked after TD5 Disco.

[gordonbennet]

You need a 70 or 80 series Landcruiser, preferably grey import direct from Japan so never seen salt.

These things just go on for ever, simple as anything ever made, if you got one and thoroughly rustproofed it, it could well be the last car you ever buy.

[captain_cal]

You need a happy ending to this tale cos i'm picking up a 4.6 next week and this thread is giving me the willies.