Disco 2 Td5 - just the job..?

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danno

Member
Posts
26
I'm currently looking at upgrading my estate family/work bus with a LR. Now I really like the D3, but a few nice low-ish mileage D2's have caught my eye. It will carry tools during the week, then family & dog on days out at weekend, and trips down south to see family and for camping holidays etc etc.
Could a nice example D2 still do a job and be solid and reliable enough to serve this purpose?

Cheers
 
Either will do the job and give you a great big grin at the same time. D3 has more toys and power but possibly more able to empty your wallet. Love my D2 but you do need to be prepared to get your hands mucky. Whatever you go for history and condition are paramount.
 
Feathers I think it's the age of the D2 just playing on my mind a little, an 04 being the newest I could buy, is still knocking on almost 14 yrs old. I've no issue getting my hands dirty so no worries there. And budget wise, a good D2 (say 4k) will leave me with enough to put away 'in case' and buy the wife a sweetener , whereas a D3 will leave me high and dry. . .
 
Paid not a lot for my 2001 D2 and spent the same servicing it, fixing it , i bought it faulty took a chance and its paid off. No history 170k on the clock more now as we've used it a fair bit just the rear chassis to replace next.

The D3 although a great motor in every way will empty your bank account as not snuff around being broken for sh spairs at least with the D 2 you can buy everything you need dirt cheap
 
I have a D2 and any problems I've been able to fix myself and been pretty cheap. D3s expensive and so are parts. Check rear of chassis if do go for one and waxoyl when needed. Mine was 2.3k for a 99 with 125k but had a rebuild engine. You can get some really good deals on d2s though
The 04 ones look sweet too. Used mine to tow a 90 like 200 miles with no problems
Loads of room and great to drive. Only thing I don't like is I need to fix the sunroofs and they're abit loud at 70 and above. It's like driving around on your sofa though they're so comfy.
 
Feathers I think it's the age of the D2 just playing on my mind a little, an 04 being the newest I could buy, is still knocking on almost 14 yrs old.


Know what you mean. Spent ages trawling the internet looking at ads until I found this one with 2 owners from new and under 65k. Still spent fair bit of time getting it how I really wanted but love it.
 
If you go for a D3 you will get more refinement and usable speed on the road. Go for one that has a full service history if possible, they are complicated beasts, and not much or no offroad use (although obviously they are excellent off the road).

If you go for a D2, offroad ability is still a given and although it'll keep up with traffic, they can be a bit more tiresome on motorway journeys, if that's an issue. To be fair I've driven up from England to the Orkneys in one without missing a beat, but the D3 would get you there with less stress. To minimise problems I'd look for the latest D2 you can find, the facelift ones really (02-04), look for one without fitted showers (some call them sunroofs), normal roll bars, not the ACE and springs on the back rather than air suspension. That lot will wipe out a good degree of potential problems and bills. When looking, get down and dirty at the back end and look at the rear sub frame. If rust is an issue, that'll most likely be where it's at and is the cause of many a D2's demise.
 
If you go for a D3 you will get more refinement and usable speed on the road. Go for one that has a full service history if possible, they are complicated beasts, and not much or no offroad use (although obviously they are excellent off the road).

If you go for a D2, offroad ability is still a given and although it'll keep up with traffic, they can be a bit more tiresome on motorway journeys, if that's an issue. To be fair I've driven up from England to the Orkneys in one without missing a beat, but the D3 would get you there with less stress. To minimise problems I'd look for the latest D2 you can find, the facelift ones really (02-04), look for one without fitted showers (some call them sunroofs), normal roll bars, not the ACE and springs on the back rather than air suspension. That lot will wipe out a good degree of potential problems and bills. When looking, get down and dirty at the back end and look at the rear sub frame. If rust is an issue, that'll most likely be where it's at and is the cause of many a D2's demise.


Found the correct button at last!

D2 drives fine, quite fun on a fast A road.

But you really do need a remap to around 160bhp to 170bhp.

ACE however turns it into possibly the best handling live axle off roader there is.
 
Everyone moans about the ace and air suspension on the back but I've never had problems with mine... Makes it super comfy too and the air suspension is decent when towing for leveling and the up/down for on off road modes. I'll probably curse it like them if it does break though mind ::p
Touch wood
 
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