Changing from RR P38 to disco 2 TD5

Is this a good or bad option, looking to change my 1995 167'000 mile p38 range rover to a discovery td5 would like a face lift but cant afford one, has any one had both and what are your thoughts

Any probs on the td5, have any started rusting like the disco 1's yet?

Another thing can you get a manual with cruise control ?

From everything I've read, you wil have a more reliable car with a TD5 DiscoII. They don't suffer body rust Di's do, but you may find some chassis rust but nothing terminal.

They come in auto and manual of course but I've only owned autos and they've all had cruise.

Even if a manual box car doesn't have it, because it is governed by electronics the car will be prepared in the loom for it so you'll just need to buy switches. Ebay sellers do kits for about £50 I believe.

There are several known issues with TD5, most of which are easy and cheap to resolve:

1. Leaking fuel injector loom puts oil near the ECU - new one costs about £30 but I just replace the two blue 'o' rings cost¨£2 !!

2. Leaking Fuel Pressure regulator (FPR) again an 'o'ring issue. £2

3. Camshaft seal leaking - ditto £1

4. In-tank fuel pump going pop - cost to replace £120-200, easy job. However, if you change the fuel filters regularly, and clean the pump filter occasionally you reduce the risks of trouble;

5. Rear air suspension sagging - anything over 5 yrs old just replace the bags and ride height sensors, very easy job. Bags cost £63+vat each and sensor are £20-30 each.

Of course they don't all have these problems, but some have some.

They are a truly brilliant car on and offroad and I love mine. They respond well to modding, De-EGR, De-Catt and remap.

Good luck

Dave

Thanks for the reply dave, sound's ok so far, i must have cruise and would pefer manual as i have on may range rover at the min,

can you change the ride height of the rear and how many setting's do you have, will miss the all round air suspension if i do change.

Hopefully my range rover will keep going but still looking about love the range rover but the faults do get to you in the end.

steve's P38 RR said:

Thanks for the reply dave, sound's ok so far, i must have cruise and would prefer manual as i have on may range rover at the min,

can you change the ride height of the rear and how many setting's do you have, will miss the all round air suspension if i do change.

Hopefully my range rover will keep going but still looking about love the range rover but the faults do get to you in the end.

Click to expand...

Hi Steve, the air suspension works on an sls (self levelling suspension) basis, with normal height, offroad height and if you purchase a separate remote, a low height setting for easy attachment of trailers etc.

I don't believe the cruise control question will present a problem for you, as previously stated.

Cheers
Dave

Hi
I changed from a 1996 4.6hse p38 in feburary to an 03 disco TD5se auto facelift model.
All i can say is it is a truly brilliant car. I loved the p38 and although it had a lot of faults in the 4 years i owned it (slipped liner, flexy plate, suspension ect). The TD5 however is completely diffrent to drive, you will find the suspension harder but comfortable and i have found the car a lot easier to live with.
As the big lad has pointed out they still come with their faults but really what car doesnt. So far i have done the cam seal, part cost £10 and took 10 minutes to fit, and the T for the headlamp washers broke £4.80 and 15 minutes to get to and fit. If you`ve had a p38 then this air suspension hasnt as many parts as its only on the rear and is easier to work on, not as adjustable as the range rover as there isnt an access mode as sutch. It can be lowered to attatch a trailer or lifted for off road but not in the same way as the p38.
The injector loom i am looking to replace every 3rd service as its only as much as a good set of plugs for the v8.
Over all i am happy with the change and wouldnt change it for another p38.
I also had the rovacom for the p38 and black box only charged me £56 to swap the license to the disco.
All the best
Mark

Just noticed your p38 is a diesel, my dad still has the diesel, and my disco will leave it standing. His has the power box fitted but i think mine has been chipped.
Mark

thebiglad said:

Hi Steve, the air suspension works on an sls (self levelling suspension) basis, with normal height, offroad height and if you purchase a separate remote, a low height setting for easy attachment of trailers etc.

I don't believe the cruise control question will present a problem for you, as previously stated.

Cheers
Dave

Click to expand...

you've hit the nail on the head there, the reason i asked about the suspension is to load a 3 ton trailer on the back at the min i always drop the jockey wheel down at the highest setting then lower the car and drive off, to load it i just back under it rise the car job done.

steve's P38 RR said:

you've hit the nail on the head there, the reason i asked about the suspension is to load a 3 ton trailer on the back at the min i always drop the jockey wheel down at the highest setting then lower the car and drive off, to load it i just back under it rise the car job done.

Click to expand...

Sounds like you defo need to budget for an sls remote then - about £70 off Ebay from memory.

thebiglad said:

Sounds like you defo need to budget for an sls remote then - about £70 off Ebay from memory.

Click to expand...

If i can find a disco 2 in budget that hasnt been to the moon and back yes i think i'll be buying lots of bits for it.

I might as well throw in my tuppennies worth here. I traded in my 1999 4.6HSE P38 for an '03 Disco 2 TD5 3 months ago. I was really worried I would notice the lack of power, but it's only noticable up at the top end. The pull on the TD5 up to 60 (especially after EGR removal and decat) is pretty good.

The only negatives I would say were that it is noisier than the beautiful V8, especially until it warms up. And the suspension is definately harder/stiffer. There's slightly less room in the back seats, but then an extra two seats are behind which are usable if you buy an extender buckle. (Screw the legalities, they're perfectly safe for kids, who think they're hilareous). It's not as easy a vehicle to work on than the P38 either.

It's a more practical vehicle. The diesel returns better gas mileage and although I liked the split tailgate but the side opening door is alot easier for shifting heavy or bulky things. I've kept (and changed) the rear air springs (until they let me down) but rarely change the height as I don't use it off-road.

She's been reliable for the first 3 months except a failed front prop shaft which I was a complete idiot not to spot. It's an obvious and audible problem.

I do have a fully loaded model, heated seats, cruise, CD changer, air con - you have to have that if you're coming from a Rangey.

I would say do it; for the experience, and if you don't like it, so what - change back. Get a good example and you won't lose much.

Jock