about to buy a disco1

Hi all,

I have recently sold my boys toy being a 1993 Suzuki SJ413 Samurai softop. Sad to see it go as it was fun and went anywhere but want something a bit more comfortable.

I have decided to treat myself to a Disco1 V8. A big step up from the weak SJ but why not!

I have seen a few within my price range of £1500 on an M Reg, however the majority seem to be automatic. I think my preference is manual but could someone let me know if an automatic is ok for a bit of off roading/green laneing etc? I read in this months landrover monthly that auto does have its advantages but it didn't say anymore than that. If someone could elaborate on that for me that would be good.

I have had a look around the forums but couldn't find anything that directly answered this question.

Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers
James

Depends on preferences really... I prefer manual, gives more control going downhill...

but its all about taste really, on an auto you dont lose momentum like you do when changing gear...

also, if you intend to do any wading, dont go for petrol.

thanks JP.

Can I ask why petrol is no good for wading? I haven't done much to date but you never know what situation I might find myself in.

If a V8 isnt ideal, should I be looking at a 300tdi or a 200 tdi?

electricity and water dont mix, you should know this from your sj. i run an auto offroading and would never go back to manual

you may a fair point mate. Any tips/suggestions on the v8 side of things? Auto could be the way forward then you say? If you have alist of advantages/disadvantages to help me make my mind up I am all ears

v8-
power
sound good
smoother power delivery (IMO)
cheaper to buy

diesel-
can go through deeper water with less work to engine
slightly more economical
more easy tuning options

great, thanks for the tips. I will be buying one this weekend. There's a couple out there that I have my eye on. Cant wait. All my pals who also have SJ's are quite jealous at the prospect of me getting one. Then I guess come tyres, suspension lift etc to at least get me started in it off road.

Are they any good as standard off road or do you really need the tyres etc to have some fun in it?

I brought my M Reg V8 for some off road fun and laning last year and kept it standard until this winter.

It still went loads of places and did supprise a lot of people even on road tyres and no lift.

Here is some footage last year.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5yhZIz_hH4"]YouTube- Burning rubber at Bures Pit part 1[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvzYnzs_ndw&feature=related"]YouTube- Burning rubber at Bures Pit part 2[/ame]

I have gone through plenty of water including a couple of foot this weekend, and never had any engine troubles.

If you want some sensible fun and dont mind the fuel bills then go V8

(Mines going up for sale soon after its MOT )

get some decent tyres and thats all you need to do

thanks gents, looks like good fun Brian. How come you are selling it.

Re the fuel bills, this might sound ludicrous but on a tank of £28 I would only get about 100 miles tops out of my sj. it was awful I think due to the tyres. (it was the same even with 2 different engines), so not worried about the fuel as I aused to putting it in the sj.

Any suggestions of what tyres to get would be appreciated.

V8_Disco said:

get some decent tyres and thats all you need to do

Click to expand...

I agree with v8disco just get some good mud tyres and you'll be surprised what a standard disco can do. Lifting it can open a hole can of worms, just do a search.

:welcome2: to the land of rovers hope you enjoy it as much as we all do.

get some special tracks or a copy i think they are the best pattern for this brittish mud

out with Suzuki in with disco said:

thanks gents, looks like good fun Brian. How come you are selling it.

Re the fuel bills, this might sound ludicrous but on a tank of £28 I would only get about 100 miles tops out of my sj. it was awful I think due to the tyres. (it was the same even with 2 different engines), so not worried about the fuel as I aused to putting it in the sj.

Any suggestions of what tyres to get would be appreciated.

Click to expand...

I bought a set of insa turbo dakars in November and they are bloody good off road and quite cheap too, do a search on ebay. I paid £200 for 4 inc delivery.

Tyres will need some thought.

If you go to big you will need some work, from a 2" lift to lots of bodywork cutting.

I went slightly larger needing a small chop from the rear arch, but not much.

It depends on how serious you want to get and how much you want to use it on the road for other uses.

I love my V8 but as I am a family man with a large mortgage I cant use it as often as I would like due to needing £90 to fill it up after every 300 miles.

I will sell mine and get a Diesel Auto next winter.