thinking of buying 1

Lakes Rob said:

Your missus?!

Click to expand...

The descriptions are alarmingly similar in all fairness!

Check for common faults as most people have said and it mainly tends to be rust rather than mechanical failure. I bought a 1997 300Tdi Disco, all arches, boot and sil's repaired, 106k on clock and landrover service history till 78k in november off ebay for £940 as my winter hack and I love it to bits!

So much so I treated it to an EGR blank kit, straight through exhaust and brand new INSA Turbo Rangers so I can venture off road in the lakes and save my landcruiser from getting damaged!

I don't think they are any worse than any other car of similar age and mileage. There are still plenty about, but how many comparable vehicles of the same age of other makes do you see? They do need looking after, but that is not difficult or expensive. I have had mine for 20 years, and not regretted it for a moment.

As above, for the age it is hardly surprising.

It's just that there's more components fitted than your regular Ford Orion of the era and Land Rovers tend to get a harder time anyway.

They're remarkable vehicles to own in that they'll rarely want more than 50 quid off you in one go.

I agree with all the above,im on my second Disco now (ex wife took the first one).I was a complete novice to mechanics before i got my first one but now i can do most things on the old girl.My first job was changing the alternator in a super market car park!.If you are one for taking your vehicle to the garage to have new brake pads fitted or to have oil leaks looked at then the Discovery is not for you!.Just remember that all the **** it will throw at you is more than worth it come the snow,floods,mud,pulling idiots out of hedges etc etc.

Sheffield said:

I don't think they are any worse than any other car of similar age and mileage. There are still plenty about, but how many comparable vehicles of the same age of other makes do you see? They do need looking after, but that is not difficult or expensive. I have had mine for 20 years, and not regretted it for a moment.

Click to expand...

Of course you mean anything Brit made. I have a Mazda Eunos Import (MX5) which is older than my Disco without a bit of rust, but as stated, once you own a Landy you become part of a fraternity. The Mazda is great and the forums so gentile about the having snow tyres and the best bit of chrome etc , but just look at the Disco posts. All about things going wrong and how to fix them. Still, I am just looking forward to tinkering on the Disco.....all a bit perverse....but it's a landy thing!! And yes, get a welder!!!

I am not sure I do mean just Brit made. At the time the Discovery was introduced there were lots of Jap equivalents about. We still see early Discoveries about, but not many of the Jap equivalents.

If we're talking about work horses, a few years ago there were a lot of very rotten hi lux's about, but they seem to have all disappeared.

well thanks for all the replies and advice everyone is there much difference between the 200 and 300 tdi? also what year was the 300tdi engine brought out, think its 1994 but not sure?

I have a 200tdi manual mainly as an off roader and a 300tdi auto as a daily driver the 200 is more economical and feels more powerfull but that may be because its manual, having said that I have just driven 100 miles with a trailer and another Discovery behind the 300 and although quite slow no problems, 200 very simple to work on but so far 300 has been very reliable too. Not a definative answer but in short I personally don't think there's much to choose between them.
Just buy on the condition rather than mileage etc and never let your nut rule your gut, if it feels wrong it most likely is.
Good luck
Kev

Sheffield said:

I am not sure I do mean just Brit made. At the time the Discovery was introduced there were lots of Jap equivalents about. We still see early Discoveries about, but not many of the Jap equivalents.

Click to expand...

Fair point. When you think of it, it is amazing how quickly once very common cars disappear. How often do you see a sierra or escort nowadays. Good to see a few more original minis, though. Must have plenty of new metal in them.

there are some differences between 200/300. Most or looks and taste. the 300 had piggwe headlights,well face lift front head. On the inside is where the difference was made better looking dash and clocks, and the all blue inside was ditched from the 200. Engine and gearbox wise the 300 is alittle more refined than the 200 however the 200 seems alittle powerfull, but does sound more like a tractor lump.The 200's gearbox lt77 seems good if alittle heavy where as the 300's r380 seems alittle less sturdy. In short each one has its pro's and cons, its up to you to choose which vehicle suits your needs best. i own a 300 and its my 2nd 300. 200/300 do share one trait and that is body rot

just another thank you to the people who replied to me, this is what i got, a 1993 tdi with only 92000 miles

200!

Good lad, enjoy

Nice looking motor

Nice looks good in pic much rot in the old girl?

you wont regret it i love mine

Wow. It has a go faster stripe...cool. lol

Is that a commercial?