Land Rover Discovery

[garethj]

It seems there’s no such thing as a cheap Defender these days, I don’t know if it’s the threat of SNOW CHAOS or what, but a half decent 110 station wagon is over 2 grand.

 

For half that, there’s the Discovery. Often available with a decent 200 or 300 TDi, probably quieter on the motorway and even Alan Clark thought they were great. Would I be right in thinking that pre 1992 versions don’t have a cat so emissions should be simpler?

 

I know they rust, but otherwise I quite like the idea. Anyone with experience?

[Pete-M]

On the dieseasels I wouldn't be too worried about whether it's pre-92 or not. The later, the better.

 

Discos aren't bad. They're 70% as good as a Range Rover Classic but a lot more likely to have one of Dr. Diesel's Evil Invention fitted. Early Discos didn't have self-levelling or a few of the other things that make the Classic such a nice thing to drive.

 

Watch for rust everywhere that isn't aluminium. Inner wings, rear seatbelt mounts (rear inner wheelarch), rear crossmember being the hot spots. If it's got the viscous centre diff (no diff lock position on transfer box, just high / neutral / low) drive it in a circle on gravel and make sure it's not locked solid. Check the front swivels have oil in them, they're easy to spot, and that someone has been around the thing with a grease gun fairly recently. If it has ABS check the front CV joints are ok by driving slowly at close to full lock.

 

I don't know much about the 200 / 300 TDi engine as I've always avoided diesel ones.

[dollywobbler]

Defender prices are ridiculous, for no good reason! A Discovery is more comfortable and just as good in the rough stuff. In fact, probably better than a 110 due to the shorter wheelbase. Around here, Discoverys are VERY popular amongst off-roaders.

 

I really like the Mk1 Disco (pre-facelift). They've suddenly become quite rare. Thank body corrosion for that. I'd like an early one as pictured above. In fact, there's a bit of me wondering if I would have been better off getting a Disco than a Rangie. Was a close thing.

[John F]

Yep, I have a '97 300 TDi Discovery (and a 200 TDi engine waiting to go in my old Series 2a 109).

 

The 200 TDi engine is regarded as being more bulletproof than the 300 TDi, but apparently there isn't much in it. Basically, if you overheat a 300 TDi it's more likely that you'll warp the head, and that's about it. The engines are easy enough to work on - cambelt changes are comparatively straightforward (no overhead cams), and even if a belt snaps it's unlikely you'll damage the valvegear or pistons since the engine has pushrods that just bend.

 

As mentioned above, main problem areas are rot in inner wings, sills, rear wheel arches (check by looking at the top of the wheel arch with the door open), rear body mounts, boot floors / rear seatbelt mounts. They all rot because they were made with crappy Eastern European steel that wasn't treated properly at the factory, so look for one that's had the remedial work done already.

 

Other faults: early LT77 gearboxes (200 TDi) can be fragile, later R380 gearboxes (fitted to the 300 TDi) typically end up grinding going from 1st to 2nd gear, sunroofs and "alpine windows" (those things above the boot area) leak, swivel joints can become pitted, chassis bushes wear, diffs can leak, power steering pumps can fail, ECUs can fail (and early ones are a bastard to find), the immobiliser "spider" on later models can fail, key fobs can fall apart, rear door hinges can fail, electric window switches / motors can fail, steering linkages and diff casings can be damaged by off-road use, alloy wheels can leak air, etc. etc. (I'll add more if/when I think of it)

 

With V8 petrol models, under-slung LPG tanks can get in the way when off-roading (if that's what you have in mind... if not, best avoid all Discos with suspension lift kits 'cos they can really mess up road handling).

 

On the plus side, they're fairly refined to drive for what they are, fuel economy is also good at 25 - 35 mpg when driven considerately (less if thrashed), top speed is about 100 mph with a realistic motorway cruising speed of 80 mph except on steeper hills when it could drop to 65-ish, steering & brakes are quite light and they are extremely competent off-roaders.

 

There are several confusing trim levels. As a general rule, the 'cooking' version has a cloth interior without sunroofs, ABS, air conditioning, etc. The XS gives you half leather and ABS, some have air conditioning. The ES model has leather interior, driver & front passenger airbags, electric sunroofs, ABS, air conditioning, etc. But in reality this is bollocks, you can find the widest range of kit fitted to pretty much any model, as owners could individually specify their vehicles ex works. My advice is ignore the trim level & get the most structurally sound one, ideally take someone along with you that knows what to look for.

 

And one last thing: prices tend to increase at this time of year so you'll have to get in fairly quick before the winter premium is added

[meggersdog]

John F seems to have it covered.I've owned my 200TDi for five years now and apart from rust the only other thing worth mentioning is the clutch fork will push through the pivot.If this happens don't buy a standard one as it will happen again (I found out ) go for the heavy duty version.

I've bought and sold loads of Discoveries.Lifted ones put a strain on the centre diff which can result in stripped splines on the shaft.A horrible knocking sound from the 300 TDi is almost always the vacuum pump.The dash top can lift on the 300's too.

[garethj]

Thanks for the info, chaps. I'm currently watching this one on ebay

 

Defender prices are ridiculous, for no good reason!

I can think of a few good reasons...

 

1. The Defender is a bit of an icon. Like the Mini, 2CV, Beetle and others it commands a higher price than similar vehicles, even if they're better.

2. There's less to go wrong because there's less of it.

3. Access is easier to fix things.

4. The body is aluminium so at least that bit is safer from corrosion than the steel bodies of the Discovery or Range Rover.

 

But the main reason a Defender is expensive is because I want one. If I had one to sell they'd be worth fuck-all.

[dollywobbler]

Looks a good'un. You're right about 'iconic' pushing values up, but the Range Rover's iconic in my book, and late ones are still dirt cheap.

[Pete-M]

4. The body is aluminium so at least that bit is safer from corrosion than the steel bodies of the Discovery or Range Rover.

 

?????????????? Rangie and Disco bodyshells are about the same aluminium / steel ratio as a Defender y'know.

[John F]

4. The body is aluminium so at least that bit is safer from corrosion than the steel bodies of the Discovery or Range Rover.

 

?????????????? Rangie and Disco bodyshells are about the same aluminium / steel ratio as a Defender y'know.

 

Haha, you beat me to it

 

Although the Disco / Rangie does have a steel roof... which is convenient, because I have a magnetic CB aerial.

 

I think that H-reg. Disco is a wee bit salty at £1,000... the rear arches are starting to go from what I can see in the pics, and it is an MoT fail area. Budget for several hundred quid in welding to sort that (or up to 15 hours of your own time if you can do it yourself, depends how far the rot has spread and/or whether you buy pre-fabricated sections or make your own).

[garethj]

4. The body is aluminium so at least that bit is safer from corrosion than the steel bodies of the Discovery or Range Rover.

 

?????????????? Rangie and Disco bodyshells are about the same aluminium / steel ratio as a Defender y'know.

 

Haha, you beat me to it

 

Although the Disco / Rangie does have a steel roof... which is convenient, because I have a magnetic CB aerial.

 

I think that H-reg. Disco is a wee bit salty at £1,000... the rear arches are starting to go from what I can see in the pics, and it is an MoT fail area. Budget for several hundred quid in welding to sort that (or up to 15 hours of your own time if you can do it yourself, depends how far the rot has spread and/or whether you buy pre-fabricated sections or make your own).

Well every day’s a school day! With all the rust issues on Discos, I really thought they were steel. Stuff like door shuts, boot floor, inner wings, wheelarches?

 

I'm guessing that finding one with no rust or issues is impossible, so as ever it'll be the usual balancing act of "I don't mind if the doors are frilly as long as the gearbox doesn't whine" or whatever

[John F]

Well every day’s a school day! With all the rust issues on Discos, I really thought they were steel. Stuff like door shuts, boot floor, inner wings, wheelarches?

 

I'm guessing that finding one with no rust or issues is impossible, so as ever it'll be the usual balancing act of "I don't mind if the doors are frilly as long as the gearbox doesn't whine" or whatever

 

It's essentially the bonnet, doors and sides that are alloy on Discos

 

Yes, it is a balancing act. Many Discos out there will have scratches and dings, but the important thing is to find one that's had the expensive MoT stuff done already. Your best bet is to pay up to about £1400 for a later model (= better dash layout, less like a Sherpa van lol) that's already had the sills and rear-end welding done, buying a fixer-upper for less money & having the work done will cost about the same in the end & you won't have use of the vehicle in the meantime.

 

Mileage isn't so important though, these engines can rack up impressive mileages and still run fine if they've been serviced regularly.

[meggersdog]

If the one you are watching is as good as it looks then the price is about right.

First thing I'd do if I bought it would be to remove the occasional seats in the back.Changing a rear light bulb whilst keeping the skin on your wrist intact is impossible with those fold away seats in.

[John F]

If the one you are watching is as good as it looks then the price is about right.

First thing I'd do if I bought it would be to remove the occasional seats in the back.Changing a rear light bulb whilst keeping the skin on your wrist intact is impossible with those fold away seats in.

 

That's true. I just rewired my trailer socket and had to access the wiring in the o/s rear cluster, it was a right bastard.

[garethj]

I quite like the look of the really early ones with 2 doors…. This is Autoshite, an interior from a Sherpa and tail lights from a Maestro van are plus points!

 

I’m more keen on the pre ’93 ones because I believe it shouldn’t need a cat. I don’t have any objections to cleaner exhausts, but our Volvo has cost ££££ trying to keep the engine management light out because of a dodgy cat and other engine management issues. The Ginetta I had at the same time needed a thrash up the motorway and a twiddle of the idle air screw to pass emissions. If I get another vehicle with an engine management light, I’d be like Herbert Lom with his nervous twitch eye.

[John F]

I quite like the look of the really early ones with 2 doors…. This is Autoshite, an interior from a Sherpa and tail lights from a Maestro van are plus points!

 

Haha, fair enough BTW a plus point of the 2-door models is that they don't suffer so badly from rot in the rear arches. And for some reason they're less in demand, so can be a bit cheaper. One thing to note is that the folding front seat frames can get very wobbly, it's worth looking out for that.

 

I’m more keen on the pre ’93 ones because I believe it shouldn’t need a cat. I don’t have any objections to cleaner exhausts, but our Volvo has cost ££££ trying to keep the engine management light out because of a dodgy cat and other engine management issues. The Ginetta I had at the same time needed a thrash up the motorway and a twiddle of the idle air screw to pass emissions. If I get another vehicle with an engine management light, I’d be like Herbert Lom with his nervous twitch eye.

 

Most of my mates with later-model Discos have removed their cats & not had a problem getting them through the MoT. I don't know any further details about this, only they were very surprised to find that mine still had a cat!

[Guest Len H]

The 'cat' on older diesels is a simple particulate filter, it makes no odds to the emissions test if you remove it but it should improve performance.

 

I'd like a Disco too, I love the airy interior and Austin Rover switchgear.

[Pete-M]

I prefer Rangies to Discos, but I would.

 

I noticed when I was looking for a nice Classic that there don't seem to be too many nice condition Vogue SEs about for sensible money. If I have another Classic it would have to be a late model SE (I love Aircon and leather) and that decent Discos seem to be holding pretty decent money.

 

Bought my P38 because it's got no rot, a recently rebuilt 4.6 and it's in decent condition. I'd be there all day trying to find a Classic in the same condition for similar money.

[dollywobbler]

Mustard mitt, the Disco IIs are getting cheaper now. I find the looks awkward, but I love the sound of the TD5 engine. Reminds me of old Mercs.

 

You're right about finding a decent Rangie Classic though, and I don't doubt that finding a decent Disco is going to be ever harder. Rare to see a Disco with less than 150k on it. Rarer still to see one with its original boot floor...