Disco 2 TD5 or P38 DSE?

OK, I recently sold my RR Classic V8 due to its horrendous fuel consumption, so am back to just the one car - my BMW 330Ci M-Sport.

I have been looking for another 'cheap' (sub-£2k) but the additional running costs of a second car are putting me off, as are reliability concerns of a 'cheaper' older car.

So, I'm considering selling the BMW and getting a slightly better 4x4, maybe somewhere between £5-£7.5k and pocketing the difference. I don't really have an upper budget if I'm honest, but I don't like tying up loads of money in a car and don't see the need to spend a shed load on getting from A to B.

Sooo...having a soft spot for Range Rovers, I've been looking at diesel P38's. I've always loved them, but given that they're a good 10-15 years old now, perhaps I'm just buying into a lot of trouble?

For similar money, I could buy a Discovery 2 with a TD5 engine which is a bit more modern design but, for me, not quite as 'charismatic.' I've never driven a Disco 2, are they a 'better' drive that the P38?

The other element to consider is my intended use - part of the reason for changing is to fulfil a desire to see a bit more of the world. So, there'd be greenlaning and camping in the UK, but I'm also planning on driving down to and through Morocco next year, and who knows where else!

So, is either car particularly better than the other and if so, why?

surely owning a classic youve looked at the p38 section sorry rr section ere?
and you still ask about a p38...shame on you

Disco II TD5, for what you want it for - wins hands down !!

wiltshire landyman said:

surely owning a classic youve looked at the p38 section sorry rr section ere?
and you still ask about a p38...shame on you

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Haha, very good! I don't actually think they're that bad - most of the problems are pretty common and can be rectified with a faultmate and some DIY mechanics.

Murdock said:

Disco II TD5, for what you want it for - wins hands down !!

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Why do you say that?

D2

P38 is nicely kitted, but shamefully gutles and poor on fuel.

D2 TD5 can have some nice toys, is a bit livelier and more " receptive " to offroading.

Del.

Most P38's are dogs now and the BMW engine is sh-t. TD5's are OK,(Not as long term reliable as a TDI generally) but as long as its not rusty the TD5 is far more useful.ESP if you remove SLS and ACE,and waxoil the crap out of it.

HI D2 basicly i can't compare as I've never had anything to do with rr's

Disco 2

I'd say Disco... but again, not really driven a P38 - guess it just comes down to personal preference..... Go try them both... then decide!! See what you can get for the money you want to spend and have a proper good look around...

Personally Disco's are my fave and i think suit the 'overland' trips....

I have had three p38s a v8 and two diesels and they have been pretty good but have never owned a td5 .Surely there must be someone on here that has had both ?

I think its swings & roundabouts really, best bet is for him to test drive both & see what deal he can haggle, then spend rest of cash on modding up.. p38's have their niggling points, but dont all landy's? try looking at the latest / last p38's (51 plate?) if your swinging toward the rr.. i know for certain, the p38 dse is very capable off road, sluggish?? i personally dont think they are, cruising at 70mph is plenty for me,

This is an interesting thread as this is the exact same position as im in.....Disco 2 TD5 or a RR DSE....seems like you get a lot more for your money with the RR but ill be intending on try out both ASAP before i decide.

Prism said:

This is an interesting thread as this is the exact same position as im in.....Disco 2 TD5 or a RR DSE....seems like you get a lot more for your money with the RR but ill be intending on try out both ASAP before i decide.

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Please let us know how you get on.When i part with my p38 i wont move to a L322 as i just dont like the look of them so something like an 03 td5 disco may be for me.

50 pence said:

P38 is nicely kitted, but shamefully gutles and poor on fuel.

D2 TD5 can have some nice toys, is a bit livelier and more " receptive " to offroading.

Del.

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See, I've heard a few people say this but I don't see how it can be true? I mean, the BMW engine is a 6 cylinder diesel lugging around a 2,150kg car.

The Disco 2 TD5 is a 5 cylinder diesel producing 1bhp less power (although does have an extra 30NM of torque) but has to lug an extra 100kg around (2,250kg).

The figures on Parkers also suggest the P38 should be quicker too:

2.5 DSE Auto: 14.3s / 105mph / 136bhp / 26mpg
2.5 TD5 ES Auto: 15.8s / 98mph / 135bhp / 27mpg

So how come everyone says the P38 is sluggish but the D2 is 'spritely??'

because its true

jamesmartin said:

because its true

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He's right.

eightinavee said:

He's right.

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Im glad

I'm have a rr classic and parents have a disco td5 , but like you i am looking at selling the v8 and getting a p38 dse,
as the classic is just too exspensive to run on the short journey's i do , the disco td5 has been very reliable, had a few problems like all LR's but nothing too bad , but personally i prefer RR so looking for p38 dse , i would not be too botherd about the dse being slower , as you can chip them easy enough ,and any way theyr'e a 4x4 not a performance car.

jamesmartin said:

because its true

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So the P38 diesel is noticeably slower than a TD5 Disco 2? Really??