Newer disco or freelander?

RichM said:

From what you've mentioned, a Freelander TD4 should fit the bill.

I wouldn't get a Disco 1 or 2 unless you want/need:

- Better off road capability
- More space and/or 7 seats
- Status symbol of having a "proper Landy" - that would be a series or defender then
- Strong desire towards the Disco

This may come as a surprise but the Freelander actually has a better reliability index than the Disco II and the Disco II is supposedly more reliable than the Disco 1! So it makes me laugh when the Disco boys mock the Freelander for its reliability. Truth be told, they all have their niggles.

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I'm bored now, might go torch a gaylander

disco2shaun said:

I'm bored now, might go kiss a gaylander

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howardo said:

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I class a landy a "real" landy when they've got a ladder chassis, the design is similar to tje.original design. Under the shell of a disco2 there isnt a lot of difference compared to a defender or series. Freelanders well there's **** all that resembles a landy.

Ok well we don't need to enter a subjective debate about what constitutes being a "real Landy"

I take my Freelander off road. It copes with snow too. It does what I want, when I want. It's also sometimes used on road too. It's comfortable, warm or cold, depending if the heater or air con is switched on. It's happy in town or on motorways. It does what I want. If thats what you need, then a Freelander could be what your looking for. If not, then something more suitable to your needs would be the betterer option.

Cheers guys. I may venture off road a couple of times a month but nothing too severe. Its sounding like a freelander would be more for me. I just wanted to know i could feel as confident in it in the snow as i do in my G reg disco! Also where do you get snorkels from for freelanders?

duker996 said:

where do you get snorkels from for freelanders?

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Spain

Right

Compared to the Disco 1, the Freelander should be more capable enduring snow on asphalt conditions providing that:

1. You're using appropriate tyres
2. The depth of snow does not exceed your ground clearance (rare)

This is simply down to the traction control system. Traction control is very useful on snow and ice and obv. the Disco 1 does not have this. I've seen a demo (done by Land Rover experience guys) showing how a Freelander 1 can easily outperform a Disco 1 in the conditions mentioned above.

As for the snorkel, you don't really need it unless you plan to go wading a lot. Plus, I think they look daft on the Freelander due to the angle of the A pillar.



The Freelander certainly doesn't have the best potential for modding. When I went to a Land Rover show back last summer, I noticed that most of the aftermarket mods on sale were for Defenders and second to that, Discos. There was hardly anything there for Freelanders.

What is this thing about snorkels???

By the time you get to the point of needing one on a Freelander you will have wrecked everything else on the vehicle

Pretty much goes the same for a Disco or even a Defender - I've seen many smart tricked out versions of both driving around and you just know that the driver ain't ever gonna get underneath and fit the wading plug in the bell housing.

RichM said:

Compared to the Disco 1, the Freelander should be more capable enduring snow on asphalt conditions providing that:

1. You're using appropriate tyres
2. The depth of snow does not exceed your ground clearance (rare)

This is simply down to the traction control system. Traction control is very useful on snow and ice and obv. the Disco 1 does not have this. I've seen a demo (done by Land Rover experience guys) showing how a Freelander 1 can easily outperform a Disco 1 in the conditions mentioned above.

As for the snorkel, you don't really need it unless you plan to go wading a lot. Plus, I think they look daft on the Freelander due to the angle of the A pillar.

The Freelander certainly doesn't have the best potential for modding. When I went to a Land Rover show back last summer, I noticed that most of the aftermarket mods on sale were for Defenders and second to that, Discos. There was hardly anything there for Freelanders.

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Thank you, at last some sensible help! I have Kumho KL71 tyres on my disco which i rate so wouldnt mind something like these on a freelander.

I've got the KL78 AT's on the Freelander, 215r15's for a bit of a lift.
The 4 wheel drive set up on a 'lander is better on AT's, rather than muds.

Have never driven a Disco 1 or 2, did the experience in a Disco 3 and still happy with the Freelander.

Don't get hung up about the snorkle unless you are going somewhere very dusty, we have floated the rear of the FL1 before the engine intake was flooded. But when we toook ours on the Morocco trip we used a lot of air filters as the FL1 sits in the dust plume of the other vehicles.

In slippery conditions were ground clearance is not a problem a FL is better than a Disco on similar tyres due to the weight advantage.

When it comes to aftermarket accessories, sump guard, engine chip, AT tyres and smaller back box would be on my list.

Stay clear of the petrols. If you intend to off road go for an auto as the lack of a low box can lead to clutch problems. With an auto don't expect more than 32mpg - and it can be less. If you do go for an auto extend the gearbox breather.
Get someone with experience to check out the transmission - if possible buy post 2000, as they should give less trouble.
Expect some stick from those who think that LR should have stuck to the dark ages of ladder chassis

What Andy and RichM said.....