Diesel Versus V8 quandry!

I am still looking at my options. I am aiming for a 2001-2002 discovery or maybe a range rover of same year.

I was looking at range rovers originally and now am looking at discoveries.

I am not sure whether to go V8 or Diesel.

I know the TD5 and 2.5 in the range are different and the former is suposed to be much better engine. Is the V8 in the disco pretty much the same as that in the range rover and with the same problems? Also are the V8 that bad? They seem to have a terrible reputation all I seem to hear is stories of porous block, head gaskets, is it really that common???

So is the V8 still a viable option in a discovery or should I just get a TD5 for piece of mind and security plus good fuel consumption?

Both engines are built by landrover so there for it follows they have faults that let them down from time to time. this said they can both be very reliable but for me cos my middle name is arkwright I would go with the TD5 that and the fact I get very cheep doosel oh and forget the rangie cos disco's are more flexiable but then I'm also a disco fan.

Yes I am getting slowly put off the rangie....seems to me alot more to go wrong.

What about automatic versus manual? Is there a case for an Auto in an off road vehical?

diesel manual or auto V8 .

i had and have both.V8 manual is the best but doisel manual will be suitable in this world....

So a V8 Auto will be good off road then?

I wont be doing many miles around town, it is a car to get me in to the country whether it be shooting, fishing, walking, taking the dog/kids out for walks etc. I recon maximum 4k per year so I can take the fuel hit on petrol.

What I am more concerned about are all these horror stories about the V8...I'm half expecting to part with 7 grand and the next day blowing my engine up.

What milage is acceptable for the V8? I found a very nice looking V8 with 100k miles on it on a 2002 plate.

Nik_B said:

So a V8 Auto will be good off road then?

I wont be doing many miles around town, it is a car to get me in to the country whether it be shooting, fishing, walking, taking the dog/kids out for walks etc. I recon maximum 4k per year so I can take the fuel hit on petrol.

What I am more concerned about are all these horror stories about the V8...I'm half expecting to part with 7 grand and the next day blowing my engine up.

What milage is acceptable for the V8? I found a very nice looking V8 with 100k miles on it on a 2002 plate.

Click to expand...

Autos are easie to drive on n off road. I prefer a manual in all cases but lived quite happily for 2 years with a auto v8.

What do you think about 100k miles on a 2002 plate with full history?

Is that alot for a V8?

no

nathan5346 said:

no

Click to expand...

but its not low milage either.Anything thats done less than 8-10k pr year is low.

but is it something to be concerned about?

I'll be honest there are a couple other V8 Es that have 70-80k miles but they are silver....I dont like the colour

The one I like has 100k one owner (company owned and apparently driven by a woman) has full service history but 106k miles. Looks the dogs nuts in black though and looks very well looked after.

I'm asking the dealer to check if there is any evidence of gases escaping from block in to coolant and a list of any big jobs done to it over the last few years

hello nik,it looks to me mate like your doing what i do-and that is when looking for a car you delve into all the horror stories which i suppose its best to be safe than sorry but it leaves your brain all muddled up.i,m in the same boat has you disco vs rr/diesel vs petrol.i,ve had 3 discos,2 lpg and 1 diesel.diesel i was very dissapointed,v8 lpg-everytime i start the key it puts a massive grin on my face.why dont you look at spending a little less,i missed out on a 2000 plate v8 with 45000 on the clocks for £5000 that way if it all goes tits up you,ve still got a few quid to play with which believe me once you,ve drove a 4.0 v8es AUTO you won,t mind spending a little to keep your beauty on the road.for me V8 LPG ALL THE WAY,rr vs disco i,m still un-decided.cheers craig

Don't dismiss the V8, it is a cracking engine! The issues you read about are mainly due to poor servicing and neglect. Look after the cooling system (good quality antifreeze and correct mixture), and give it regular oil changes and it will run forever. I know someone with a p38 rangie v8 (lpg) with 170k on the clock and it has been totally reliable. These big engines do need regular servicing. As for the td5, I had one of these and it never gave me trouble, but they can suffer with cracked heads etc, again, regular oil changes (more frequent as the car gets older), and keep the cooling system in check. The main problem with the td5 is all the other bits like the ACE, sunroofs etc. Go for a lower spec with full history and a warraty whatever you decide.My choice: The V8 (lpg ofcourse) for the lovely soundtrack!!

i,m no v8 expert but i,m under the impression after 100,000 miles the camshaft lobes can wear causing lumpy running(like mine)the v8 is so forgiving but its more noticeable when running on lpg.my old v8 was a non-runner on lpg when i first bought it,new camshaft/tappets and it was like been in the cockpit of a rocket ship-fantastic

Nice...two answers I wanted to hear!

I seriously concidering it. Going to opt for the Disco. Now trying to find a decent low miler....they aren't easy to find. Most have gone by the time I get a reply from the dealer.

I like THIS but I don't wanna pay that much for it.

Gonna aim for 60-80k miles, It will take me years to do the other 20.

Also probably not going to bother with LPG. I just dont do the milage.

Nik

6 month ago I was in the same situation you are in now, Range Rover or Discovery? Diesel or Petrol? Auto or Manual?

In the end I opted for a 2000 Discovery 2 V8 ES Auto and I love it!! I was swung towards petrol for the extra power and Auto as its easier to drive and a Discovery because you just get more for your money, my brother has a P38 V8 same year as mine in about the same condition with similar history and mile and he paid 2.5k more than me
In the end it comes down to personal choice, as with any used car have it checked over well go for the best you can and look for a full history, (mileage wasn’t as big a concern for me as condition). But even this doesn’t guarantee trouble free motoring. I have spent about £1.5 k on mine in the last 6 month and the history is full and comprehensive. But most of the money was spent out of choice rather than necessity. Whenever I buy a second hand motor I go around it and put right all the little things that you tend to leave once you’ve owned it a while. By far the biggest single spend was a new radiator at just over £120. But I know have a nice motor with a high spec. Mines done 100k but wears it well there is allot out there with less miles that have been abused.

The trick is whatever you buy is to expect to have to spend on it in the first 6 month to a year until you’ve ironed out all the niggles which there will inevitable be

I get around 15 mpg day to day that’s about 200-220 a tank, or upto 19-20 on the motorway. But like you this isn’t too much of a worry as I don’t cover loads of miles, the V8 pulls the weight well even on the steepest hills with the car fully loaded, the auto box is almost seamless when changing (but did need an oil change when I got it).

I know what you mean about colour but I ended up with my least favourite choice of colour as the car war too good to walk away from at the price I paid and I have learnt to live with it!!

Hope this helps

Stuart

Which colour was it?

Yes you mimic all of the pains I been putting myself through.

I have started to look at the 2002/2003 models but they are vastly more expensive cocidering they are just a year or two newer than a 2000/2001 model. Is the extra cost justified?

I want a V8i ES as I like to drive something more comfy specially after a long day fishing.

Not sure what the colour is actually called but is a metallic blue almost turquoise

Is the extra money justified? I don’t thinks so. I too was looking for a later model possibly post facelift but I’m more than happy with mine. And it came with a private plate so no one knows the exact age unless I tell them and most people think its newer than it is anyway.

It most certainly is comfy, as comfy as any car I’ve ever owned and is a joy to drive. There’s loads of room in the back for fishing gear/dogs. I bought a set of genuine rubber mats throughout and they protect the carpets great when the dog jumps in covered in mud.

Although I haven’t had it off road yet, it’s done everything I have asked of it in the bad weather so I can’t see the auto being a disadvantage on that score

What did you pay for a 2000 model? around 5k?

I was lucky as the guy I bought it off dealt in newer 4x4s and prestige motors only and took this in px and just wanted it out of the way so I got it for 4.2k

by the way it was first registered on 24/12/2000 so it’s almost a 2001. It just shows they are out there if you look long and hard enough