Buying tips - Discovery 2

Hey hey,

I registered an account on here a month or so ago when I was looking into buying a Range Rover P38. My financial situation doesn't really allow the £3-4k I was planning on spending anymore, but one user on the Range Rover forum suggested getting a Disco 2. Which is exactly what I plan to do

The car will be used about 90% road traveling, but I do plan on doing a bit of light off-roading too. I've got my heart set on the ES - I figure at this age there's no real difference in price so why not have the toys? (As an aside - does the ES get electric/heated seats as standard - or were they options?). I also like the side steps, just because they're cool (although I realise these may well get snapped off when off-road!). I'm looking at a couple at the moment...

The one I'm edging towards is an LPG V8 automatic. Again, I know the manual might be more fun off-road but I'm a very lazy man on the road - need my left hand for scratching my nuts! I don't really fancy a diesel auto - my Dad had an R plate diesel auto Disco from new and said it was horrendously slow off the mark. And you can't beat the grunt of a V8.

The other is a manual 2.5TDi. Seems to be exactly the same spec, but with lower mileage, longer MOT and more road tax included. And it's £350 cheaper. I'm just not sure if I want to live with a manual again...

I guess my question is - which would you buy, and why?

And any hints/tips of things to look for when I go to view/test drive would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Alec.

AC7X said:

And any hints/tips of things to look for when I go to view/test drive would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Alec.

Click to expand...

Yep. Avoid Automatics and avoid V8's. Also avoid pre-2000 TD5's.

Automatics cost big bucks when they go pete tong, so do V8's with slipped liners, so do early TD5's when the heads crack or oil pumps feck up.

Thanks for the info.

It may actually be a Disco 1 I'm looking at. Not sure of the codes. Before the TD5 engines/facelift came in.

I have an auto V8 and have no engine trouble or any problems with the auto box, so really it's up to you.

my humble opinion

TDI auto slower and less mpg than the manual but nicer to drive and can be made to go better with some mods my one was faultless for two years until I sold it (big mistake)

TDI manual faster, more mpg can be made quite a bit faster, clunky gearboxes unless in top condition

V8's super to drive, horrendous mpg, even on gas they are getting too expensive now, danger of slipped liners/cracked blocks. My RRC soft dash (same engine) suffered at only 68k was a fantastic car, silky smooth engine until it went pop.
too much money to repair properly, converted it to a tdi.

Biggest problem with disco 1 RUST

td5's light years ahead of the tdi, powerful esps when chipped, nice to drive and economical (manual box) but lots more to go wrong needs careful research before buying! but probably better than p38 RR

good luck

Dave

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I figured the LPG V8 would be fairly similar consumption-wise to the diesel?

The impression I'm getting so far from this thread and others on the forum is that the diesels are bullet-proof (as much as a landy ever will be!) and will go on for miles, but that the V8 could be a bit more of a risk... Are they good for a lot of mileage? The V8 I'm looking at has 150,000 on it...

My mates 110 V8 has 194000 miles and still going strong, he does service it every 5000 miles and swears by doing this it has helped keep it in good order. I do the same with my D2 V8 and I have 87500 miles on mine.

I'd go for Td5 ES manual(2000-2001) a... as u see I was(I've studied forums and manuals 1 year before I purhcased it).... with V8 u have to pray not to have some issues which needs diagnostic......is the less covered by scantools......meanwhile if u think about consumption consider that Td5 is running well with 40% veg oil in fuel and if u maintain the engine in good shape it could last 500.000 miles without trouble.... a petrol engine is more meagre and LPG reduces its last with 15% (at least)

A remapped Td 5 could draw the s**t out of a tyred V8 anytime.........(that's just a subjective oppinion of a Td5 fan:blabla......good luck and don't rush your fences

sierrafery said:

I'd go for Td5 ES manual(2000-2001) a... as u see I was(I've studied forums and manuals 1 year before I purhcased it).... with V8 u have to pray not to have some issues which needs diagnostic......is the less covered by scantools......meanwhile if u think about consumption consider that Td5 is running well with 40% veg oil in fuel and if u maintain the engine in good shape it could last 500.000 miles without trouble.... a petrol engine is more meagre and LPG reduces its last with 15% (at least)

A remapped Td 5 could draw the s**t out of a tyred V8 anytime.........(that's just a subjective oppinion of a Td5 fan:blabla......good luck and don't rush your fences

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Sorry to steal the thread But Sierrafery have you done any mods to your TD5 to be able to use that mox of veg oil?? I wanted to use veg with mine but was told that it was impossibe with a td5....i hope to be corrected.

Brian

Oh and TD5 disco 2's are great but watch out for the ace pipes as they can be expensive and as i have just found out the clutch.

Hi.
I bought a v8 D2 instead of another p38 and am chuffed to bits with it, it is the es so i get all the niceness of the p38 and and the usefullness of the discovery rolled into one veehickle....it has gone to have the LPG fitted so i am a little twitchy till it comes back.
Diesels are great but they tend to give me pins and needles from the vibrations on long journeys and when i test drove the td5 i wasn't as impressed with it as i was the V8 (they were both good examples from a main dealer not long after they came out) or indeed as much as i was when we moved from the 200 tdi manual to 300 tdi auto.

Either make a fantastic luxury motorway cruiser or utility vehicle though so i guess you buy whichever you like the most.........burble burble!!

BrianB said:

Sorry to steal the thread But Sierrafery have you done any mods to your TD5 to be able to use that mox of veg oil?? I wanted to use veg with mine but was told that it was impossibe with a td5....i hope to be corrected.

Brian

Oh and TD5 disco 2's are great but watch out for the ace pipes as they can be expensive and as i have just found out the clutch.

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i used it myself(veg oil) but just about 15 % and it worked great......I assumed after I read some threads that it'll goo with more.......I'm still hanging on diagnosis and endurance of the V8 engine.

I'm just about to buy a td5 disco 2 and came looking for tips. I've heard of veg oil in the tank before but not as strong as 40% or even 15. Is it just superstore stuff or am I being naive? Thanks for all the other tips posted BTW!

Scotlandy said:

I'm just about to buy a td5 disco 2 and came looking for tips. I've heard of veg oil in the tank before but not as strong as 40% or even 15. Is it just superstore stuff or am I being naive? Thanks for all the other tips posted BTW!

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go and introduce yourself first, then start a post, but search first as your question doesn't make sense :welcome:

Discodrivercumbria, thanks. I did do a search after I posted as I realised no one else was in the forum at the time. It appears that ordinary veg oil from the supermarket is fine to use as a mixer with derv and it is legal too provided you use less than 2500 litres a year.

i have recently purchased my second TD5, traded in the first one, and i must say the es spec is quite nice, its auto and very smooth. the previous was auto and apart from a split oil cooler pipe, dead battery(which turned out to be a good battery but i had flattened it) and a blown turbo, i had no issues at all. these issues tbh can happen to any car at any time imo.

oh and the bloody brakes on these things are the same as the P38 and nearly always seize on the slide pins, first job when buying a d2 is get the brakes overhauled and new pads/discs, they are only about 40 quid per axle so a cheap and easy job.

i have had landrovers for a few years now and you can expect to do some work to them, even the newer ones require attention.

i would always plump for the auto as i am lazy too, it also make it easier to tow the horses and smoother for them too.

engine wise i would love the V8 but after having a range rover with 3 liners slipped i could do without the hassle and expense. that said the diesels can have thier issues.

with any landrover you are in one of two situations mileage wise, get low mileage with issues still to come or higher mileage with most issues fixed.

i prefer higher mileage with service history obviously got to be a good solid car before considering any mileage or s/history.

also looke for the fuel burning heater, if you can get one with it or get one fitted, it make cold mornings very comfortable indeed