Defender or Discovery? Can't decide!!

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miketree said:
Similar to you, mine is a second car. I have a disco, mainly cos of the rear seats. If I didn't need forward facing seats in the rear I'd have bought a defender.
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coulda just got a 110 csw and had a defender with rear seats ;)


had 4.6 p38 :doh:, D1 330tdi and now a 110 200tdi and could never go back, its noisy, slow and draughty but so much more smile factor than the other 2.

Defender all the way :D
 
I have a Disco 1 and I love it. Keeps up with my mates Defenders at off road days, even though some of them have diff lockers as well!
Clean one are hard to find, because of rust as said before. I bought 2 off a farmer, one was rotted and the other had 4wd and gearbox problems.
Made one good one out the 2 for less than 600 notes.
Keeping the inside clean is more of a problem, my is also not my main car and after the second off road day I removed the foam and carpets perminatly lol.

Either one you choose will be a great choice for both off roading and doing the weekly shop. Its just you'll get more for your money with a Disco i think.

Chris
 
I bought my first disco last year, ive had series 3s before and would have got another but for the mpg's.

i could not afford a defender but wanted one.

i love the series / defenders for their "i dont give a ****" attitude on the road, i find people didnt mess about with a series 3 coming at them (even slowly :))

An old disco is similar but not as full-on landrover.

series & 'fenders are 'real' landrovers for me.
 
Thanks guys. OK, I'm leaning towards the Defender for a few reasons - I drove past 3 this morning and every one had my head swivelling as they went past, and I know a Disco doesn't catch my attention in the same way!! As it's a second car for me, I can afford to sacrifice long distance comfort and that in favour of all the other positives!

So, looking at Defenders I have a few questions:

- Is a 300Tdi better than a 200Tdi, and worth the extra?
- What sort of MPG can I expect from these?
- What is their realistic cruising speed (for getting to and from pay & play days, etc)?
- Can you get a decent example for £3,000? Seen a few on Pistonheads, but sdon't want to buy into a heap of trouble!!

Cheers!
 
200tdi vs 300tdi - not a huge amount in it. Same performance, 300 is a little more refined. Both are bulletproof if looked after.

Expect mid 20's up to 30mpg. That's being realistic. I've seen people claim more than that, but I think 25-30 is about right for the majority.

I have a 200tdi and it'll sit at 65-70 all day. There is more to come, but it just gets very tiring driving at those speeds. Plus my steering gets pretty vague at 70mph, which isn't a nice feeling!

£3000 will get you something decent - if you're prepared to keep looking, and are prepared to travel. You already know what the weaknesses are - get one with a solid chassis and bulkhead, with an engine that runs okay, and you're well on your way.
 
instantsquid said:
200tdi vs 300tdi - not a huge amount in it. Same performance, 300 is a little more refined. Both are bulletproof if looked after.

Expect mid 20's up to 30mpg. That's being realistic. I've seen people claim more than that, but I think 25-30 is about right for the majority.

I have a 200tdi and it'll sit at 65-70 all day. There is more to come, but it just gets very tiring driving at those speeds. Plus my steering gets pretty vague at 70mph, which isn't a nice feeling!

£3000 will get you something decent - if you're prepared to keep looking, and are prepared to travel. You already know what the weaknesses are - get one with a solid chassis and bulkhead, with an engine that runs okay, and you're well on your way.
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That's pretty much what I was hoping to hear! MPG and cruising speed are bang on what I expected, so that's good. So I'd be better getting a decent 200Tdi than a ropey 300Tdi then?

Good to hear I can get a good base car for £3k. There seem to be a lot more 90's around at this price bracket, are 110's a lot more expensive or just less of them?

Cheers!
 
MikeV8SE said:
Good to hear I can get a good base car for £3k. There seem to be a lot more 90's around at this price bracket, are 110's a lot more expensive or just less of them?

Cheers!
Click to expand...

I've noticed that too, been having a look at Disco II's and 110's as i'm looking to buy one next year to use as a daily driver/tow car and also take on a trip to Africa.
Quiet a few 110's on ebay last time I looked, post 95 ones look comfortable enough inside.
 
For £3000, you'd probably only be able to get a 200tdi anyway (although a fairly solid one). 300tdis are more refined though, so if you are willing to pay at least £500 more for a decent one then go ahead :D
 
i got my 200tdi defender for £2000 but have spent about £1000 on it since i got it 4 months ago (most of which is just me being fussy) and now its as good as gold. i use it every day and get 30mpg. i think it is well worth holding out for the wright one for you as if you end up buying a pig you will soon hate it. i bourght the first one that came up and was very lucky (i would never sell it now) just be carefull with what you buy.
 
This is mine now.:)
newiphone005.jpg
 
defender all the way, had a 300tdi and a 200tdi disco but longed for a defender, now i have one i wouldn't go back. its cold, draughty,wet,noisey but puts a smile on my face every time i see it let alone drive it :)
 
Defender all the way for me too!

I got lucky, getting the last of the 300 TDI line a few years back!
Paid £4500 for it.
Did some minor project work and interior mods and it's my expedition vehicle now :)
It's not for sale either, unless I get offered a nice 5 figure sum! :D
 
hi i have ma own discovery 1 300tdi, to be honest it is compfortable ,but not realy got much guts,has now after having an inharnsment kit put on (e.g.r kit) but the 90s are better offorad :) they are both good!! but for green laning i would go with a defender shorter wheel base and lighter.
 
I am also facing this choice soon, I currently have a 98 3.9ltr v8i disco, but I love the look of the defender, when the engine dies in my disco its either going to be a 300tdi disco or an old defender.

Which ever way I go, for all the swearing, sweat blood and tears I would never have anything else. I love my landy.

John
 
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