Td5 discovery

Thinking of buying one whats the best year and what spec can you get them without air suspention


cheers lee

Hi
I have an 03 td5 XS and i love it! It has air suspension but in my opinion that's an asset I'm prepared to look after. Drives beautifully, is quick and tows my horse like a dream. So did my old 300tdi but the td5 is better IMO. Also it looks bloody smart, being a horsewoman I need my landy as the ultimate towing machine but in my job I need something that looks the part and finally for the family they want comfort and the little luxuries. Mine does it all.

mine is a 1999 on a T plate.
GS model with 7 seat and air suspention, which i converted from springs back to air, and well worth it
the bits are easy to upgrade to a higher spec, loads on ebay..
and cos it's pre 2001 cheaper road tax

Five seaters don't have air suspension, the 7 seaters needed it for type approval purposes. But if you want to find a higher spec with springs at the rear, look around a bit. Many of the air suspension models by now have had springs fitted. When the air suspension fails, depending what the problem is, it can be very expensive to repair, with no improvement in reliability and many folk go down the cheaper route of putting springs on. The air suspension is definitely better, but springs are more reliable.

Mine's a 2001 5 seater ES with coils, goes well, tows well and looks the part

look for the later ones with less miles and if they have air ride you can always change to springs . thats what we did with our 2003 7 seater . it also came without ACE so less things to go wrong . and you really dont miss the air ride or ACE. because we had many discos with air and ACE fitted before .

If you want comfort get es Premium, it will with the ace and air suspension.

It does handle the road superbly on the ace makes it corner better. To me it handles better than than the rangie l322 but thats just my humble opinion.

If you are towing it be ideal as it self level as well.

Depends what you require the disco to do at the end of the day!

With the air suspension if you do decide to go on this route make sure you check for leaks. Use soapy water and if you see any frothing change it. Saves you buying a new compressor.

pedros said:

Five seaters don't have air suspension, the 7 seaters needed it for type approval purposes. But if you want to find a higher spec with springs at the rear, look around a bit. Many of the air suspension models by now have had springs fitted. When the air suspension fails, depending what the problem is, it can be very expensive to repair, with no improvement in reliability and many folk go down the cheaper route of putting springs on. The air suspension is definitely better, but springs are more reliable.

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Mine's a 1999 ES, 5 seater with air suspension as standard.

I bought a 2000 GS a month ago, 5 seater with coils and ACE. I test drove a few back to back and can honestly say I feel the ACE made a big difference on the road. If you want great spec though, I'd look at ES models, to get heated seats, screen, leather 18"s etc as standard. This was my initial choice, but in the end my recommendation is to go for the best condition mechanically.

compleatly agree i have a td5 es premium and with all the toys its almost like sitting on my sofa smooth and efortless to drive

Ok thanks i want it for towing a caravan and family job also i want to fit an aframe so i can tow it behind my traction engine as i do with my 300tdi

Especially, if u want it for towing take the SLS equipped one

What is that model what is sls

navigator16078 said:

What is that model what is sls

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self levelling suspension, aka air springs... which doesnt mean just some bags inflated with air ... it will level itself to horizontal when u attach the caravan, and u can lower it with a remote to make it easyer to attach/remove it