Hmm, I thought I might have found the 3 series' replacement.

[Pete-M]

I love my new job, it's ace. To make it even better I spotted an utterly gorgeous Range Rover Classic in the street outside a nearby garage yesterday and fell in love with the thing on sight. Then I spotted a "For Sale" sign in the window. Rang the number and left a message but didn't get a reply.Today I went past and it was in the workshop (which has a very good name amongst the local trade) so I stopped and asked who owned it. Turns out it belongs to their chief mechanic, who loves it, and it was him who I'd asked. He'd not checked his phone, so hadn't rung back. It's an '89 4 door Vogue, F reg, dark metallic red, auto, 58,000 miles, as near as dammit immaculate, and fitted with a 3.4 litre Mazda turbodiesel (he's a diesel specialist). Original dealer reg plates, no noticeable rot anywhere - or dents for that matter, original radio, and it looks fuckin' gorgeous. No bullbar or any of that shit, and he said I can take it for an MOT anywhere and it will pass with no advisories, but he'll throw 12 months on it anyway.I must have it; Must, must, must.I know Rangies inside out, but what's the big Mazda turbo lump like?

[Minimad5]

DO IT !Picture (when possible) PLEASE Sorry i can't advise you on the Mazda Diesel Lump

[vicsmith]

What`s the engine even out of? Can`t think of anything Mazda that we get that could have spawned that, surely too big to be out of a Ranger/B-series?

[Pete-M]

After a quick google it turns out to be a 3.5 litre four pot intercooled turbodiesel from one of these

 

 

Allegedly mega agricultural , 135 bhp / 260 lb ft, redline at 3500 rpm!, 35 mpg in town in an auto Rangie, 36 mpg on a run. Supposedly dead smokey on start up, but good for 500,000 miles. Fitting the transfer box from a 3 speed early auto Rangie is meant to make them cruise all day at 80 mph / 35 mpg. Soundproofing from a TD is meant to keep 'em almost quiet.

 

This it tempting, if I'm gonna have a diesel Rangie, I want a properly diesel one..

[Tayne]

.

[UglyAmerican]

Is this an, er, common engine swap?

[Milford Cubicle]

Is it a Perkins engine? I'm sure Mazda built them under license.

[Richard]

This thing has a Mazda Perkins engine.

 

 

 

It's only a 3 litre though. The owner let me have a drive in it, I was terrified but I didn't like to refuse. It did run out of revs very quickly.

 

 

Pete- I thought you hated diesels, particularly when they were occupying a space that should have a V8 in it.

[pogweasel]

I can't imagine it being a thrilling experience. Range Rovers have V8's. End of. What is that Land Rover contraption there??

[Milford Cubicle]

It sounds alright to me, 260lb/ft is more than a V8 provides.

[scruff]

Pete they are KWAL - very good conversion indeed. Looking forward to seeing the pics

[Pete-M]

Pete- I thought you hated diesels, particularly when they were occupying a space that should have a V8 in it.

I do, I hate them to bits, but I could do with a Rangie I can drive to Czech and back that isn't going to cost a bloody fortune to do so.LPG is out because you can't take LPG stuff through the Chunnel, which means it'd cost me a bloody fortune to get the ferry. Rock 'n' hard place.

[Pete-M]

I can't imagine it being a thrilling experience. Range Rovers have V8's. End of.

I agree entirely. I've had at least 10 Rangies and none have been blighted with Dr. Diesel's Evil Invention. LPG is the only way with 'em, but I can't find a nice LPG'd one for sensible money, and even if I could I can't take it on my Czech trip without paying about three times the price of the Chunnel each way :-(Diseasel, therefore, is the only option left.*Edit* I've just checked ferry prices, I'm looking for an LPG one...

[Richard]

What is that Land Rover contraption there??

The back body is completely home made by a retired carpenter. He re-routed the chassis near the side door to make an area you can stand up in. It's not the prettiest but he's done a good job and they've been all over the place with it. Oh, and the tea set is bolted to the front wing. I didn't like to refuse when he offered me a shot. It has no PAS, no synchro in first and I can't really drive without my glasses so you can imagine how scary it was joining the A66. If you click on the picture it'll take you to my Flickr account where you can see the back of it.

[Pete-M]

After a bit of investigation and consideration, I've decided it's got to be another LPG'd Rangie. I can't buy a diesel one, that's just wrong.So, if anyone knows anyone with an LPG'd Rangie Classic who'd like a BMW and a bit of cash... let me know.

[Tayne]

.

[Pete-M]

If it wasn't rhomboidal, I would have been waving money at ya...Problem I'm having is that everyone seems to jack the bloody things up a couple of inches, which means paying more on the ferry because a Rangie Classic is just under 1.8 metres standard...

[Tayne]

.

[dieselnutjob]

so how much does this bloke want for the diesel one?for me the only thing wrong with a Range Rover is that gas guzzling V8 shite in the front

[Pete-M]

so how much does this bloke want for the diesel one?for me the only thing wrong with a Range Rover is that gas guzzling V8 shite in the front

He wants £1550 for it, but judging by the condition it's in, that's not expensive in the least.I want a gas powered one. I love V8s. I like LPG, and the ferry seems to have got a lot cheaper lately.

[Milford Cubicle]

You made Rudolph sad.

 

[Pete-M]

There is one thing, DNJ, if you're interested in this Rangie, I'd be happy to buy your 604 **This will be said repeatedly until you decide to sell it to me.

[Tayne]

.

[Pete-M]

That would be ideal, but I'm a little short on cash for that just now.Basically, I have a plan, but as is always the case, it keeps changing.What I want is a car I can drive to Czech, buy a trailer ,and pick up the Escort with when it's done. I've decided against the CinqueCzech idea, because the budget has gone up a bit.I don't want to spend a lot on the car, but I do want something that will cruise happily at 80 with loads of comfort. It's got to weigh more than 1500kg to comply with towing laws in Czech and Germany. It's got to be capable of either 28 mpg @ 80mph or above (or the LPG equivalent), it's got to be less than, or 1 metre 80 cm tall. It must have aircon, preferably leather trim, and a decent stereo. Automatic is a big bonus, as is circa 200 bhp. A large boot is a must, as is the ability to tow easily.I've got a vague list of possibilities.This lot fit most of the criteria;3.9 or 4.2 Rangie SE / LSE classic with LPG.Sierra V6 4x4 Ghia estate (unfortunately, they're all manual, A/C rare, leather even rarer)Omega 3.0 EstateVolvo T5 CD EstateVolvo 960 3.0 EstateMk2 Granada 2.8i Estate (will struggle with the 28 mpg, and reliability)Audi A6 V6 2.5 TDi (I can get one for a grand, but it's done 250k)Merc E320 TE W124Bugeye Scorpio 24v Ultima Estate (2.3 at a push)Granada 24v EstateSubaru Legacy Turbo estate (no leather, dubious auto boxes)BMW 530/540i TouringAny quattro Audi Avant.Peugeot 604 (just because)Jeep Cherokheap Diesel (I know where there's a mint V plater)Problem is, I can't find anything just right, and won't have the full cash til next weekend so can't bid on any bargainous beasties unless I can p/x the 3. I don't know what I want, I just want something else...

[trigger]

Forget all this Range Rover talk and get something that you will really enjoy

 

EBAY LINK

 

This 1987 Citroen CX 25 GTi Turbo 2 which is running on Polish fitted LPG, If your planning on a few eastern European trips, can you think of a better cruiser than this?, I mean just look at them armchair type seats!

 

 

Now lets check your list:

 

I don't want to spend a lot on the car, but I do want something that will cruise happily at 80 with loads of comfort.

Check, It's a turbo, 135mph and 0-60 in 8secs is quick enough.

 

It's got to weigh more than 1500kg to comply with towing laws in Czech and Germany.

Hmm... Not sure on this one, It weighs 27.3 CWT with a towing weight of 25.6 CWT, I haven't a clue what CWT converts to in Kgs.

 

It's got to be capable of either 28 mpg @ 80mph or above (or the LPG equivalent).

Hmm... Well according to What car? magazine it does 22mpg but with LPG it's got to be much better than that.

 

it's got to be less than, or 1 metre 80 cm tall.

It's 1 Metre 32 cm tall.

 

It must have aircon, preferably leather trim, and a decent stereo.

Check, Check and it has a stereo.

 

Automatic is a big bonus, as is circa 200 bhp. A large boot is a must, as is the ability to tow easily.

Manual sadly, 168 bhp when new (properly now 150), Boots pretty big, 16.1 CU FT, and I'm sure it would tow well.

 

So it's not a bad option for it's £1150 BIN price, Just depends on how good the French built quality lasts.

[dieselnutjob]

Dean Hunter is currently trying to flog a 605 auto that's already got LPG. He said it's in nice condition. I suspect it's a 3 litre SVE so probably loaded with toys.

1459kg

200bhp

They have a long wheelbase so probably stable towcars

http://www.peugeotparts.co.uk/

 

[messerschmitt owner]

Saw a Volvo V70AWD R plate yesterday was 1250 ono? Is that in range?It was silver - parked at the side of the road near Whitminster, Glos. Can go by tomorrow and get the telephone number and take a couple of photos for you.

[trigger]

Is this with in budget Pete?.

 

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 Auto LTD

 

Has everything you want including the LPG, auto, Leather, Air Con, Stereo, Tow Bar Big boot etc. it's up for £1395 which sounds o.k as well.

[Pete-M]

They're all pretty damn close. That Cherokheap might just do the job, but I need to squeeze a couple of hundred quid from somewhere.Superb job, folks!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

This ticks most of your boxes I think:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320505766960