[Silverlandy]

Well I have had both. Off roading not an expert but towing and on roading its the Td5 facelift for me (and I loved my D1). Air sus is so much better IMO, lovely vehicle to drive.

 

[thought it was mine!]

Get a TD5. The Disco 2 looks way better especially if you get a late one (or fit the newer lights to an early one) and they are a much nicer landrover to drive overall and with some tuning, are very capable engines too.

Service parts and maintence are abit more expensive alright of course compared to a Disco 1 or Defender but if you get a good one to start with and replace stuff as they need to be or before problems get worse and service it regularly, it's worth it I think.

If I wanted a 300tdi, I'd get a Defender otherwise a early ropey Discovery if I wanted something to abuse as some of them are so cheap now! Even thought about getting one during the week until I have the gearbox replaced on my 110 as a used Defender TD5 gearbox costs about the same as a rough disco 1 over here


If the air-suspension is working well and you find one with a center diff-lock, the TD5 will be better offroad (with the basics like better tyres and without spending a lot of money on mods) especially with the help of the Traction control. May not have quite as much articulation as the Disco 1/Defenders but if you need that much, you probably should be looking into building a purpose built offroader.

+1 drove my old man 300tdi liked it then got back in mine and it was bliss

 

[Nigel-S]

Why not buy a 5 seater TD5? Springs are fitted as standard on the 5 seater so no messing about changing the system. I've Had a 7 seater (air), and now a 5 seater (springs). There's no noticeable difference between air or coils, and with no seats in the rear section there's more room for the essential bits of kit. Personally I think air suspension is over rated but that's just my opinion

 

[DaveM-sport]

My dad fitted springs on his as the airbags were leaking. Be fine on a disco with that isn't loaded up but his one now sits really low at the back as it is kitted out with steel shelving and other tools etc in the back and is a disaster if towing as the hitch is so close to the ground.

Trying to find some Heavy duty springs to get it back sitting level as don't really want to fit a lift kit on it as it would look silly without bigger tyres.

Might just get a new set of airbags too as so have a nanocom now too if it acts up

 

[Grim]

Well, I can now say I own my first Landy.

Bought a TD5, 2001, pretty much a fsh, body work is solid, even the rear chassis is good.
It has had the air system replaced with the spring set up. It was all done properly with receipts to confirm the work. Feels good to drive.

I woul have been happy with the air system though after all the comments on Thelma thread. Thanks to everyone that posted.

 

[50 pence]

Well, I can now say I own my first Landy.

Bought a TD5, 2001, pretty much a fsh, body work is solid, even the rear chassis is good.
It has had the air system replaced with the spring set up. It was all done properly with receipts to confirm the work. Feels good to drive.

I woul have been happy with the air system though after all the comments on Thelma thread. Thanks to everyone that posted.

Again, the chassis condition is FAR more important than anything else.

Well done and good luck with it !.

 

[Grim]

Yeah, must admit, after yourself and 'Thought it was mine's' comments, chassis was the first thing we went over. My wife is evening picky with this type of thing than me, and she's pleased with it too.

 

[sierrafery]

There's no noticeable difference between air or coils, and with no seats in the rear section there's more room for the essential bits of kit. Personally I think air suspension is over rated but that's just my opinion

i respect your opinion ... just that my opinion is totally different... IMO there's a HUGE difference(if we speak ONLY about the quality of ride not maintainance or costs)

 

[Landybandy]

These discos are built for it. If they were ****e land rover would never put them on sale out of humiliation. Mine had the air bags, owned by me for six years with heavy towing & some moderate green laning, 132000 miles put on the clock by me personally. I have changed the ride height sensors once £28.00 each & 2 air bags £140.00. I changed these myself 40 mins to do & I'm a novice. This system is very very simple as said above.

 

[mark-w]

I Have a 5 seater TD5 so on springs at the rear from factory, I didn't need 7 seats and to be honest without the 2 seats in the boot you benefit from 2 massive storage bins.
I tow with mine (big caravan) it tows great. Chassis on mine is in good condition with no signs of deterioration.
I've owned it about 7 years with no real expense, it's had new shocks and springs, through choice just to keep it right. Also a clutch and a turbo, other that that just service items.
It's been, and still is a great car, I was considering changing it for a D3 but the cost of ownership of one of those seems an issue, so for now we are going to continue with the D2.
I would advise if you don't need 7 seats to look out for one like mine, when we bought it 7 years ago we found the 7 seaters had a premium price, so I guess that's still the case.
For info I was offered 2k for mine last week by a dealer..........it's worth more to me, so I'm gong to extract some more life from it.