Discovery 3 vs Range Rover L322

I'm sure this will start a heated debate but...

Which of the above are generally a better purchase? Both are similar money but very different cars. Engine wise i'm thinking TDV6 as having had lpg in the past, i just can't be bothered.

Reason for asking; I have a off road Disco 1 on 33x13.5 tyres and it isn't the most refined mode of transport. Mostly it is being used to go shooting and transport shotguns/rifles and wellies. I'm not really doing much off roading at present and it seems rather pointless.

thoughts?

Disco for load carrying and towing RR for comfort

200tdi ayre said:

Disco for load carrying and towing RR for comfort

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thanks bud. Exactly my thoughts so far.

I love the looks of the range over the disco but the disco is a very nice car and still very comfortable.

Right now, i'm leaning towards the range rover but reliability is a concern as I don't have first hand experience with either.

The GM auto box in the TD6 RR ain't the strongest and about £3k to replace though having said that I have changed a ZF 8 speed today cost £8k.

shame the debate didnt go any further as I am looking at the same thing, currently the other half has a 2000 disco 2 which I am looking at swopping for either the disco 3 or rangerover l322 both around 2003 to 2005 ish, she is a mobile hair dresser so will be used everyday but not hard, in the past she has always "made do" with the cars she has had but it would be nice to have something a bit nicer which was the thought of the rangerover but maybe the disco 3 would be a bit more robust/rugged ??

Any ideas/thoughts..................

also mileage..........thinking that if car is around 10/11 years old and around 100,000 miles bit less bit more then this is below the average and maybe a lot of the early problems will have been sorted ????

Anyone any thoughts or ideas ?

I was discussing the L322 with my mechanic earlier this week - basically the L322 is pretty solid, barring the early autobox (the GM one not the ZF which is pretty bulletproof in his experience). All electronics are reliable, as is the air suspension, barring the compressor which can fail in line with all other Landies! Apparently there is a seal kit available to fix it. Overall he pretty much sold me on a L322!

Can't say much about the D3 as I wasn't interested in it so we didn't discuss it.

HTH

For a mobile hair dresser id have though a gaylander would be right on key :lol:

Seriously though, either are going to be overkill, unless your wife/missus/otherhalf has clients on top of mountains or in valleys. Having driven a RR i can say they are simply superb and its lie being in a bubble of loveliness and quiet. I have been in a Disco4 and also very nice they are less luxurious but just as roomy, there isn't as much of that sinking in feeling on the seats etc as you get on the RR.

If its just to potter around to a few house calls id have though the most economical would be better.

If she gets running around in that could well alienate clients , as they will think she obviously charging them too much , been there done that !

GINGE said:

For a mobile hair dresser id have though a gaylander would be right on key :lol:

Seriously though, either are going to be overkill, unless your wife/missus/otherhalf has clients on top of mountains or in valleys. Having driven a RR i can say they are simply superb and its lie being in a bubble of loveliness and quiet. I have been in a Disco4 and also very nice they are less luxurious but just as roomy, there isn't as much of that sinking in feeling on the seats etc as you get on the RR.

If its just to potter around to a few house calls id have though the most economical would be better.

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You haven't met my missis, she does over kill and posh but doesn't do practical or sensible. My other half has clients in and around town and out far in the country side, she also likes to be up high and feels safer in a bigger vehicle, also with the roads as they are something a bit more heavy duty and more robust should be better......hopefully.

"If she gets running around in that could well alienate clients , as they will think she obviously charging them too much , been there done that !"

Mentioned that one but she knows her clients very well and she still charges a lot less than going to a salon.

Thanks for the input will share it with her in doors............feeling brave you know.

micknkatenki said:

You haven't met my missis, she does over kill and posh but doesn't do practical or sensible. My other half has clients in and around town and out far in the country side, she also likes to be up high and feels safer in a bigger vehicle, also with the roads as they are something a bit more heavy duty and more robust should be better......hopefully.

"If she gets running around in that could well alienate clients , as they will think she obviously charging them too much , been there done that !"

Mentioned that one but she knows her clients very well and she still charges a lot less than going to a salon.

Thanks for the input will share it with her in doors............feeling brave you know.

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Well for a L322 you better be feeling flush............wot wot

GINGE said:

Well for a L322 you better be feeling flush............wot wot

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That's the bit that worries me, not wot wot, and won't be buying a tweed jacket either, just fancy something nice for a change, trouble is that unless you go backwards in time and buy something really early everything late or newer is all electric and can be quite dear to run and look after. Going to look at one on Saturday up in Stockton on tees, eBay number 331089997136. ?????????

What about a range rover sport? Same car as a disco 3 but with the range rover looks. Interior is slightly different too, but not much. Could be a more reliable option than l322?

phil540uk said:

What about a range rover sport? Same car as a disco 3 but with the range rover looks. Interior is slightly different too, but not much. Could be a more reliable option than l322?

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An idea, is the sport more reliable then ?

micknkatenki said:

An idea, is the sport more reliable then ?

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Its more of a bastard to service so I'm told, and its the same engine and setup. Disco3 and 4 has some flaws, one being that to change a timing belt its an engine out job(i think thats right) some one will either confirm or deny.

Speak to owl on ere, i believe he is a LR mechanic. Im sure he will talk you through the pit falls.

GINGE said:

Its more of a bastard to service so I'm told, and its the same engine and setup. Disco3 and 4 has some flaws, one being that to change a timing belt its an engine out job(i think thats right) some one will either confirm or deny.

Speak to owl on ere, i believe he is a LR mechanic. Im sure he will talk you through the pit falls.

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Sounds about right, I think early sports to change the turbo was easier to remove the body from chassis as was quicker ???? Does the l322 have timing belt or chain do you know ?

Land rover take the body off to do the timing belt to access the fuel pump belt at the back of the engine. Actual timing belt is easily accessible though.

I had a sport and did both belts myself in about half a day, it's not as bad as some people make out, just read the guide on he disco 3 site first.

phil540uk said:

Land rover take the body off to do the timing belt to access the fuel pump belt at the back of the engine. Actual timing belt is easily accessible though.

I had a sport and did both belts myself in about half a day, it's not as bad as some people make out, just read the guide on he disco 3 site first.

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yep the rear belt is a bastard to do in situ but as its not timed it can be done without fear of engine damage.

phil540uk said:

What about a range rover sport? Same car as a disco 3 but with the range rover looks. Interior is slightly different too, but not much. Could be a more reliable option than l322?

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Had a quick look for a guide price of the sport and disco 3, slightly out of my price range and both don't go below 05 I think.

Thanks for all the advice and input, much appreciated.

I'm debating this very question myself. I seem to be able to get a top spec RR for the same price or less than a base spec disco 3. What I'm needing to know is what's cheaper to run out of the two. Taking in insurance, tax, mpg cost of spares?