Do I really want a LL Discovery?

[Peter C]

Gents,

 

Thank you again for all your advice and comments.

 

I do fancy a change of car, as I do with most cars once I've had them for more than 3 months. The thing is, I have my W123 230E for weekend tinkering, which means that my daily has to be reliable and capable of getting me to work and back Mon-Fri, 25 miles return trip without going wrong or slurping three gallons of unleaded.

 

I am surprised about the negative comments relating to my E200. With a 16V head, the 2.0 four has 136BHP, which is the same as a pre-facelift 230E. Ok, acceleration isn't lighting but you don't drive a large automatic Mercedes if you're into 0-60 sprints. I've done 120MPH in it, once, and it could have gone faster. It can easily do 30MPG, or high 30s on a run. It is totally reliable and extremely comfortable. Does that make it boring? It stands out in the car park amongst modern cars and has that old Merc solid feel, which I love and which is missing in a Disco. I know that being 16 years old the Merc is likely to develop a fault at some point. However, there are no early indications of potential failures and considering the W124's reputation as the last properly built Merc, I have faith that with adequate maitenance, which I provide, the E200 will keep going for years to come. Also, my E200 has just clocked 104k miles, which is bugger all for one of these. The Disco I looked at today had 208k miles, exactly double the mileage!

 

I agree that a better, possibly more expensive, Disco is what I want / need. The one I looked at today is obviously tired and very rusty. I'll give it a miss. If a RR Classic turned up with the same lump and 'box, for a reasonable price, I'd have it in a flash. I'll keep looking and no doubt will find something suitable before long. Selling the Merc won't be a problem and I am happy to wait for something decent to come along and enjoy the Merc in the meantime.

 

Peter C

[warren t claim]

Gents,

 

 

I am surprised about the negative comments relating to my E200. With a 16V head, the 2.0 four has 136BHP, which is the same as a pre-facelift 230E. Ok, acceleration isn't lighting but you don't drive a large automatic Mercedes if you're into 0-60 sprints. I've done 120MPH in it, once, and it could have gone faster. It can easily do 30MPG, or high 30s on a run. It is totally reliable and extremely comfortable. Does that make it boring? It stands out in the car park amongst modern cars and has that old Merc solid feel, which I love and which is missing in a Disco. I know that being 16 years old the Merc is likely to develop a fault at some point. However, there are no early indications of potential failures and considering the W124's reputation as the last properly built Merc, I have faith that with adequate maitenance, which I provide, the E200 will keep going for years to come.

 

Peter C

 

Agree 1000%

[pogweasel]

Can you not just have both?

I mean, you can get dirt cheap 'specialist' insurance for LR's, and if you're not strapped for cash, a few hundred splurged on a ropey disco to use when you feel like it / the weathers grim is not a massive hardship.

Also: Have you seen the price of [Grand] Cherokees? More 'lux', less 'oxide' for less £...?

[Pete-M]

Also: Have you seen the price of [Grand] Cherokees? More 'lux', less 'oxide' for less £...?

 

I have Other than handling like a puppy on a string it's ace. No rot at all on it either. Well, the towbar has a bit.

[Lacy]

I have owned and enjoyed just about everything that has come out of Lode Lane (escept 'modern' stuff) and have also owned and enjoyed a W124 some years ago.

 

Don't touch that one you looked at....it's a wreck.

 

If you want something a bit interesting go for a late classic Rangey 300tdi with the soft dash......that was my last one and it was superb and nice ones are just starting to become rare.

 

A disco or Rangey in good fettle should drive very nicely and shouldn't roll about too much.

 

I will always have a soft spot for 124's and couldn't agree more that the best compromise would be to have one of each but, if you could only have one vehicle to do absolutely everything then, in my book, you can't beat a Defender 90.

 

Increadibly practical for lots of things yet increadibly impractical too in so many ways but so endearing you can forgive it's weaknesses. I ran mine as a daily for the past year or so until some scumbag nicked in 3 weeks ago. A gorgeous 1995 300tdi 90 station wagon on a galv chassis.....I bought it from a lovely couple in Glasgow and drove it 300 miles home in the snow.....loved every second of owning it......I had just had all springs, dampers, disks, calipers, front hubs replaced, it drove like a dream and got me everywhere, steadily but surely and was the best car I have ever owned

[Peter C]

Ha! If I didn't already have two Mercs I would have space for a Disco. My wife and I have three cars, getting a fourth would be madness.

 

Pete-M, I hear what you are saying about the Jeep. I don't need a 4x4, for some reason I want a cheap Disco.

 

Peter