2nd Hand Land Rover Discovery / Defender / Range Rover

A

Alex Threlfall

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #1

Hi All,

Looking for some advice with regards to buying an secondhand
Discovery or Defender or an Range Rover.

I'm wondering what i need to be looking out for when buying these
used, i've got a budget of perhaps 3grand tops, and i'll be towing about
2.6Tonnes on a regular basis behind it.

Not too bothered abotu which of the three models I go for, or
mileage as long as it'll be fairly reliable, so again advice on what
sort of life can be expected out of a vehicle of that sort of price
range

Any advice would be appreciated as i'm an absolute numpty where
cars are concerned

Thanks!
--
Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media
www.cyberprog.net
tel - 0870 446 0789
fax - 0870 446 1789

 

S

SimonJ

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #2

>
> Looking for some advice with regards to buying an secondhand
> Discovery or Defender or an Range Rover.
>
> I'm wondering what i need to be looking out for when buying these
> used, i've got a budget of perhaps 3grand tops, and i'll be towing about
> 2.6Tonnes on a regular basis behind it.
>
Range Rover classic, 3.9 auto, on LPG.

Ideal for towing that sort of weight, effortless to drive, and will breeze
up hills with the heavy trailer.
LPG so will have reasonable economy.

£3,000 should get you something in reasonable condition.

 

A

Alex Threlfall

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #3

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
>
> >
> > Looking for some advice with regards to buying an secondhand
> > Discovery or Defender or an Range Rover.
> >
> > I'm wondering what i need to be looking out for when buying these
> > used, i've got a budget of perhaps 3grand tops, and i'll be towing about
> > 2.6Tonnes on a regular basis behind it.
> >
> Range Rover classic, 3.9 auto, on LPG.
>
> Ideal for towing that sort of weight, effortless to drive, and will breeze
> up hills with the heavy trailer.
> LPG so will have reasonable economy.
>
> £3,000 should get you something in reasonable condition.
>
>
>
Is LPG worth it for the space lost? This is going to be a commercial
vehicle (towing an 100kva genny) so any space in the back would probably
end up with a pile of distro in it

What sort of age/mileage should I be expecting for my money?
--
Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media
www.cyberprog.net
tel - 0870 446 0789
fax - 0870 446 1789

 

E

Erik-Jan Geniets

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #4

SimonJ wrote:

> Range Rover classic, 3.9 auto, on LPG.

I would go for a manual, considering the trailer.
Erik-Jan.

 

A

Alex Threlfall

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #5

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
>
>
> SimonJ wrote:
>
> > Range Rover classic, 3.9 auto, on LPG.
>
> I would go for a manual, considering the trailer.
> Erik-Jan.
>
I dunno, i like the idea of an Auto, i'm a lazy sod too
--
Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media
www.cyberprog.net
tel - 0870 446 0789
fax - 0870 446 1789

 

S

SimonJ

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #6

"Alex Threlfall" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
> >
> > >
> > > Looking for some advice with regards to buying an secondhand
> > > Discovery or Defender or an Range Rover.
> > >
> > > I'm wondering what i need to be looking out for when buying these
> > > used, i've got a budget of perhaps 3grand tops, and i'll be towing
about
> > > 2.6Tonnes on a regular basis behind it.
> > >
> > Range Rover classic, 3.9 auto, on LPG.
> >
> > Ideal for towing that sort of weight, effortless to drive, and will
breeze
> > up hills with the heavy trailer.
> > LPG so will have reasonable economy.
> >
> > £3,000 should get you something in reasonable condition.
> >
> >
> >
> Is LPG worth it for the space lost? This is going to be a commercial
> vehicle (towing an 100kva genny) so any space in the back would probably
> end up with a pile of distro in it
>
You need not lose any space, sill tanks fit nicely if you do not intend
doing any seriuos off roading (and they make pretty good rock sliders if you
do take it off road!)
You can also have the petrol tank removed, and two tanks put in its place,
with a small patrol tank at the side of the chassis rail, directly under the
filler neck.

> What sort of age/mileage should I be expecting for my money?
>
I paid £2500 for mine, which (at the time) was about 10 years old, and in
pretty good nick. I fitted the gas conversion myself, which cost me about
£5-600, including 4 tanks (2 sill, and 2 where the petrol used to be)

You should be able to find something decent around h/j/k reg, with LPG
fitted for that price.

 

A

Alex Threlfall

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #7

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
>
> "Alex Threlfall" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
> > >
> > > >
> > > > Looking for some advice with regards to buying an secondhand
> > > > Discovery or Defender or an Range Rover.
> > > >
> > > > I'm wondering what i need to be looking out for when buying these
> > > > used, i've got a budget of perhaps 3grand tops, and i'll be towing
> about
> > > > 2.6Tonnes on a regular basis behind it.
> > > >
> > > Range Rover classic, 3.9 auto, on LPG.
> > >
> > > Ideal for towing that sort of weight, effortless to drive, and will
> breeze
> > > up hills with the heavy trailer.
> > > LPG so will have reasonable economy.
> > >
> > > £3,000 should get you something in reasonable condition.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > Is LPG worth it for the space lost? This is going to be a commercial
> > vehicle (towing an 100kva genny) so any space in the back would probably
> > end up with a pile of distro in it
> >
> You need not lose any space, sill tanks fit nicely if you do not intend
> doing any seriuos off roading (and they make pretty good rock sliders if you
> do take it off road!)
> You can also have the petrol tank removed, and two tanks put in its place,
> with a small patrol tank at the side of the chassis rail, directly under the
> filler neck.
>
> > What sort of age/mileage should I be expecting for my money?
> >
> I paid £2500 for mine, which (at the time) was about 10 years old, and in
> pretty good nick. I fitted the gas conversion myself, which cost me about
> £5-600, including 4 tanks (2 sill, and 2 where the petrol used to be)
>
> You should be able to find something decent around h/j/k reg, with LPG
> fitted for that price.
>
>
>
I see, probably don't want to be using petrol in this one anyway now i
think of it, either lpg or diesel i think
--
Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media
www.cyberprog.net
tel - 0870 446 0789
fax - 0870 446 1789

 

A

Austin Shackles

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #8

On or around Mon, 28 Mar 2005 16:19:25 +0000 (UTC), "SimonJ" <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>>
>You need not lose any space, sill tanks fit nicely if you do not intend
>doing any seriuos off roading (and they make pretty good rock sliders if you
>do take it off road!)
>You can also have the petrol tank removed, and two tanks put in its place,
>with a small patrol tank at the side of the chassis rail, directly under the
>filler neck.

There's also an 80l single tank to go in the petrol tank space, too. Easy
fitting, 4 big bolts through the floor.


--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"Remember that to change your mind and follow him who sets you right
is to be none the less free than you were before."
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121-180), from Meditations, VIII.16

 

A

Austin Shackles

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #9

On or around Sun, 27 Mar 2005 23:53:04 GMT, Alex Threlfall
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:


Hmmm... Threlfall. Not related to a Tom of the same name, are you? Used to
edit the MCC "triple" magazine.

--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"Remember that to change your mind and follow him who sets you right
is to be none the less free than you were before."
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121-180), from Meditations, VIII.16

 

A

Austin Shackles

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #10

On or around Mon, 28 Mar 2005 02:52:28 +0200, Erik-Jan Geniets
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>
>
>SimonJ wrote:
>
>> Range Rover classic, 3.9 auto, on LPG.
>
>I would go for a manual, considering the trailer.
>Erik-Jan.

I'd go for the auto, meself, stronger box and smoother. The 4-speed ZF is a
damned fine piece of kit.


--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"Festina Lente" (Hasten slowly) Suetonius (c.70-c.140) Augustus, 25

 

A

Alex Threlfall

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #11

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> On or around Sun, 27 Mar 2005 23:53:04 GMT, Alex Threlfall
> <[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>
>
> Hmmm... Threlfall. Not related to a Tom of the same name, are you? Used to
> edit the MCC "triple" magazine.
>
>
Nope fraid not Well, not unless i have a secret
twin/brother/uncle/something!
--
Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media
www.cyberprog.net
tel - 0870 446 0789
fax - 0870 446 1789

 

T

TonyB

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #12

> > > > >
> > > > > Looking for some advice with regards to buying an secondhand
> > > > > Discovery or Defender or an Range Rover.
> > > > >
> > > > > I'm wondering what i need to be looking out for when buying these
> > > > > used, i've got a budget of perhaps 3grand tops, and i'll be towing
> > about
> > > > > 2.6Tonnes on a regular basis behind it.

Well for that price you don't want to muck about fitting lpg. Get a diesel
for 30mpg.

I'll get shouted at for this but they're all pretty much the same beast. The
Disco and RR are on the same chassis ( my early Disco even has RR on the
foot pedals!!)
and the Disco is said to be slightly bigger but whether that's bodywork or
load space I don't know.

You'll be looking at the 200/300 Tdi engine I guess and that was fitted to
all of 'em at some stage. If I'm wrong someone will correct me pretty
smartly.

If you are towing regularly the the rear doo configuration may be very
important. With some things on the back I can't open my Disco door without
uncoupling the trailer. I guess there's more room in the back of the Deffy
than the other two. The RR is usually overpriced in my opinion but it often
has nice goodies fitted. I guess if image/comfort/goodies is an issue then
it's the Disco otherwise the Deffy.

Have a look on eBay to see the going rates for all of these.

I have towed my 2.5 ton boat on a 4 wheel trailer behind the Disco and it
performed admirably, even though I now know that the shocks were knackered
at the time!!

TonyB
( Cover ears and waits for ripostes!)

 

A

Alex Threlfall

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #13

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Looking for some advice with regards to buying an secondhand
> > > > > > Discovery or Defender or an Range Rover.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I'm wondering what i need to be looking out for when buying these
> > > > > > used, i've got a budget of perhaps 3grand tops, and i'll be towing
> > > about
> > > > > > 2.6Tonnes on a regular basis behind it.
>
> Well for that price you don't want to muck about fitting lpg. Get a diesel
> for 30mpg.
>
> I'll get shouted at for this but they're all pretty much the same beast. The
> Disco and RR are on the same chassis ( my early Disco even has RR on the
> foot pedals!!)
> and the Disco is said to be slightly bigger but whether that's bodywork or
> load space I don't know.
>
> You'll be looking at the 200/300 Tdi engine I guess and that was fitted to
> all of 'em at some stage. If I'm wrong someone will correct me pretty
> smartly.
>
> If you are towing regularly the the rear doo configuration may be very
> important. With some things on the back I can't open my Disco door without
> uncoupling the trailer. I guess there's more room in the back of the Deffy
> than the other two. The RR is usually overpriced in my opinion but it often
> has nice goodies fitted. I guess if image/comfort/goodies is an issue then
> it's the Disco otherwise the Deffy.
>
> Have a look on eBay to see the going rates for all of these.
>
> I have towed my 2.5 ton boat on a 4 wheel trailer behind the Disco and it
> performed admirably, even though I now know that the shocks were knackered
> at the time!!
>
> TonyB
> ( Cover ears and waits for ripostes!)
>
>
>
Well my colleague's bought an disco already, so i'll see how his manages
before commiting myself to one or the other

Def. leaning towards an RR atm.
--
Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media
www.cyberprog.net
tel - 0870 446 0789
fax - 0870 446 1789

 

E

Erik-Jan Geniets

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #14

Austin Shackles wrote:

>
> I'd go for the auto, meself, stronger box and smoother. The 4-speed ZF is a
> damned fine piece of kit.
>

Won't you need additional oil coolers then? The trailer weighs 2.6 tons!
Erik-Jan.

 

A

Austin Shackles

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #15

On or around Mon, 28 Mar 2005 20:39:49 +0000 (UTC), "TonyB"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>Well for that price you don't want to muck about fitting lpg. Get a diesel
>for 30mpg.

I'd like to know what engine you're planning on fitting to get 30 mpg towing
2.6T...

Mind, neither will a 3.9 v8, even taking the LPG price into account.

200 and 300 TDis will return 30 or a tad more running light, and not too
fast.

I've known our 300 to do well under 30 hammering up the motorway at
*CENSORED* mph. Towing a heavy trailer will knock a bit off too.

a 3.9 V8 will, on LPG and properly tuned, return similar fuel COSTS to a
TDi.

Oh, and beware of RR turbo diesels, as opposed to TDis - they're the VM
engine, which, although not as bad as some say, is not in the same class as
the TDi.

The main issue with LPG is tank range and availability - the latter is
improving, the former is difficult, even with multiple tanks, to get much
over 300 miles without tanks in the car.

by contrast, the TDi, running light, will go about 600 miles, or about
450-500 in heavy towing or flat-out mode.

--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"It is a characteristic of the human mind to hate the man one has injured"
Tacitus (c.55 - c.117) Agricola, 45

 

A

Austin Shackles

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #16

On or around Mon, 28 Mar 2005 20:17:20 GMT, Alex Threlfall
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>In article <[email protected]>,
>[email protected] says...
>> On or around Sun, 27 Mar 2005 23:53:04 GMT, Alex Threlfall
>> <[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>>
>>
>> Hmmm... Threlfall. Not related to a Tom of the same name, are you? Used to
>> edit the MCC "triple" magazine.
>>
>>
>Nope fraid not Well, not unless i have a secret
>twin/brother/uncle/something!

'twas just a thought. Not all that common a name.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"It is a characteristic of the human mind to hate the man one has injured"
Tacitus (c.55 - c.117) Agricola, 45

 

A

Alex Threlfall

Guest

• Mar 28, 2005

• #17

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> On or around Mon, 28 Mar 2005 20:39:49 +0000 (UTC), "TonyB"
> <[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>
> >Well for that price you don't want to muck about fitting lpg. Get a diesel
> >for 30mpg.
>
> I'd like to know what engine you're planning on fitting to get 30 mpg towing
> 2.6T...
>
> Mind, neither will a 3.9 v8, even taking the LPG price into account.
>
> 200 and 300 TDis will return 30 or a tad more running light, and not too
> fast.
>
> I've known our 300 to do well under 30 hammering up the motorway at
> *CENSORED* mph. Towing a heavy trailer will knock a bit off too.
>
> a 3.9 V8 will, on LPG and properly tuned, return similar fuel COSTS to a
> TDi.
>
> Oh, and beware of RR turbo diesels, as opposed to TDis - they're the VM
> engine, which, although not as bad as some say, is not in the same class as
> the TDi.
>
> The main issue with LPG is tank range and availability - the latter is
> improving, the former is difficult, even with multiple tanks, to get much
> over 300 miles without tanks in the car.
>
> by contrast, the TDi, running light, will go about 600 miles, or about
> 450-500 in heavy towing or flat-out mode.
>
>
Yes, that is a point, whatever I go for it's going to have crap economy
when towing, however as most of this mileage will be billed to the
client anyway it's less of an issue
--
Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media
www.cyberprog.net
tel - 0870 446 0789
fax - 0870 446 1789