I'm after a winter workhorse to get me around over winter, and to the farm I work at, but something relatively smart, that I won't feel like a pikey driving round town in.

I've had a couple of series landys, and a disco tdi. Cant afford a defender worth having, so I've naturally been on the lookout for a 300tdi disco in okay-good nick for my budget of about 2 grand.

My Father owned a RRC for most of my childhood, and now has an L322 which he loves. My recollection of his old rangey, is that it was a rusty, bouncy old shed, which always seemed to need repairing.

Disco's interiors seem to be standing the test of time better than the RRC, as the rangey seems to feel quite square and grey inside, but it is becoming quite a classic.

Has anybody owned both that could tell me the differences between the two?
Offroad ability isn't too important, as a mild green lane is the worst I'm likely to see, but cost of upkeep, insurance costs, reliability etc. I'm all interested in.

I think I prefer the looks of the RRC, but the interior of the disco. Tbh when they're old and rusty, I think both look pretty awful, unlike a series which develops a beautiful patina of age.
Cheers.

You can get a P38 for that money, not sure if the Disco is more or less reliable though.

Ive got both and they are similar in ride and comfort. I suppose an old standard RRC is always going to be more kind of upmarket looking but against it is its slightly more complex relatively speaking. Neither look good if tatty or rusty, like you say only the Defender looks good. IMO the interiors are different but no better or worse in either vehicle although again you can get a bit more wood & leather in the RRC depending on model. The Disco 1's however are mostly manual 300tdi,s and the RRC mostly auto V8's so that might be the main criteria depending on what you prefer to drive.

A late RRC Vogue SE or LSE interior is a nicer place to be than same age disco1. Tho I do actually rather like the later Disco2's and will probs go for one once the daily driver RRC dies.
Have been several in RRC and disco1 examples. Much depends upon the model you go for. Both can rattle like cans, both can be a smooth drive. Under the skin they are essentially the same vehicle.
As has been said, much depends upon the engine n gearbox types you prefer. Many like the 300tdi Autos for a combination of economy & refinement.
I personally prefer Petrol V8 Autos for the go and smooth drive, n LPG for realistic running costs. I would rather ****e in my own hand than buy a deisal.

Whichever you prefer, realistically, unless you are prepared to travel the length of the country looking at different examples, you are probably more likely to find a Disco1 you are happy with.......
.....it's simply a numbers game

A classic is a comfortble motor even if like me ya get the baby poo brown leather. However to get similar in a disco 1 you need a top model, think thats a xs that ya .ight have to pay extra for.

A classic IS a more comfortable motor due to the bigger/deeper seats and softer suspension springs other than that the later 300 series disco is a better vehicle.

My opinion I know and based on a new 87 3.5 RRC and a new 97 disco although the disco has harder seats and springs but then the disco has a far better heater.

Should be comparing like for like early 1990s 200 series and the RRC. Upkeep, insurance costs, reliability will depend on the driver.

I've owned four RRC's, all V8 autos & only driven a Disco 1 300tdi which, despite being well maintained, I thought was dog by comparison, but probably a better farmers choice? Either way you'll have to search hard to find either that's not a rust bucket.