Disco Models and Spec ? Reliablility ?

[bunnykins]

does anyone know where i can get details of the above or internet link ?

i know a few people who has the newer ones and they seem to have problems, and alot say the older ones are better for reliability,
but which model is best ?

also what is the diff between a TD5 and the 300 ?

thks.

[Mud-muncher1]

300'sit's all pretty straight forward - engine, breaks, accelerator and good old fashioned springs, with newer models you have TOO many electric's, NO true feel of what the car is doing and those silly air bags as suspention, but thats only my opinion, as for reliability it's really down to who own's it and what they do with it


Jav

[Disco_Stu]

TD5's are quite high spec and packed with electrics, for me thats where the problems lie. Solihul has a pretty poor relationship with electricity and switch gear quality in the opinion of some people I've spoken with. Air suspension is prone to leaking, coil conversions are readily available but cost a couple of hundred quid. I'm sure loads of TD5's never have problems, I like them personally but I've never had one.

300 Tdi's are far more basic with fewer electrics to go wrong. A bit more noisey and less powerful than the TD5, engines are however really good - mine has been very reliable. Things do break and wear out, especially if you give some hammer off road but thats to be expected. Rot is an issue, you need to check boot floors, sills, around doors, seatbelt mountings etc before buying, although chassis's seem to be really good. A good spec well serviced 300Tdi on a late plate is almost too nice to off road, I love mine.

200 Tdi's are the most reliable in the opinion of many people. Few electrics, easy to work on and as cheap as chips. Ideal off roader but not even comparable to a TD5 as a road car.

I suppose it all depends on what you want it for. Motorway cruiser, for me, TD5 - Off roader, for me, 300 Tdi, better trim and interior, a bit less agricultural and on paper, a bit more power than a 200.

Stu.

[thermidorthelobster]

but which model is best ?

also what is the diff between a TD5 and the 300 ?

TD5 is a 5-cylinder common rail diesel.  300tdi is a 4-cylinder direct injection.  The TD5 engine coincided with a revamped vehicle;  longer body, every panel changed (except the rear door), more steel and less ally, updated interior (although dash more or less the same).  They also introduced optional rear air suspension (which is actually both reliable and useful, and gives a good ride) and ACE (Active Cornering Enhancement).  The 300-series Disco 1 and the TD5 Disco 2 are both similar on the surface but substantially different underneath.

Having run both I don't actually have strong preferences.  The TD5 feels a more modern car to drive, and is slightly more refined and comfortable;  however the 300tdi has the advantage of simplicity, not just in the engine but also with the electronics etc.  People rave about the TD5 but in reality it's not tremendously more powerful (I can keep up with 300tdis in my chipped TD5 with oversized tyres, but nothing more than that) and it is definitely more prone to mechanical failure (head gaskets for example), despite what people tell you.

As an everyday drive I'm happy with my TD5;  however for an expedition vehicle I'd always go for a 300tdi.

[davidjmiller]

how about this....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Land-Rover-Discovery-Ultimate-Buyers/dp/0954557972/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230992562&sr=8-3


David

[J B]

ive just driven my 300tdi to scotland and back ( 1000mile round trip ) with 6 people and roof rack full of luggage, to visit some relitives to own a Y plate td5, they have had nothing but greif with theirs, it even broke down while we were there

mine never missed a beat, perfectly behaved, thiers albeit nicer finnished and more comfy with the leather and air-con, cruise etc etc was a real pain
mine with nothing more than electric windows to play with worked a treat

[thermidorthelobster]

Spec-wise I asked the same question on alt.fan.landrover many years back and got this reply from Martin Lewis:

I've got what I think is the launch brochure for the Discovery II, it's dated March 10th 1999:

S: Td5 only, no cruise, coil springs (SLS on 7 seater), no ACE, driver airbag, optional Passenger Airbag, cloth seats, headlamp wash, alarm/immobiliser, optional Aircon front and rear, no foglamps, Tempest 16" alloys, mini spats on rear wheelarch, 4 speaker radio cassette stereo, hydraulic rear step on 5 and 7 seater, traction control, ABS, electric
windows

GS - S spec plus: V8/Td5, cruise standard on Td5 auto and V8 manual/auto, coils (SLS on 7 seater), ACE on 5 seater, option on 7, half leather steering wheel, standard passenger airbag, front foglamps, optional heated screen, optional heated seats, locking wheel nuts, Pursuit 16" alloys, full wheelarch spats, colour coded front bumper, front mudflaps, roof rails, twin
manual sunroofs, 6 speaker stereo with steering wheel controls, hydraulic rear step on 7 seater
 
XS - GS spec plus: SLS, ACE, half leather seats (Land Rover oval), power foldback mirrors, Stratos 16" alloys, hydraulic rear step on 5 and 7 seater ES - XS spec plus: full leather seats, front electric seats, auto dipping mirror with compass and illuminated visor mirrors, front aircon standard, rear optional, heated screen and seats, Firestar 16" alloys, twin electric
sunroofs, 11 speaker stereo with CD autochanger, rear stereo controls and headphone socket, wood front door cappings, alcantara inserts, walnut fascia trim.
 
ES Premium - ES spec plus: more upper console wood trim and 'Lightstone' colour leather seats.
 
Martin

[bunnykins]

thks for all your replies, interesting stuff.

i still believe sometimes old is better as the more basic a car, is the less to go wrong.

but then newer cars are more efficient and should be trouble free.

or is it all ................ luck ?  :)

[carracarra13]

I have to admit I was a skeptic when it came to landrovers full stop (as had japs suzuki vit, shogan and the other pice of junk frountera,) then I got a rangrover classic v8 3.9 gas converted loved it had much fun, then had a deal with a realy nice chap on hear, got a 200tdi mk1 disco, not fast if you want fast buy a sports car or v8, but cheeper to run in every way like 30 to gallon as appose to 11,  all we;v done is put mud terain tyers on, which came with it and its a very trust worthy and able truck ,havent got it stuck YET lol or broke down you can pick these trucks up very cheep eg £500-700 would get somthing with a good mot but higher price dosnt mean better truck,  do look closely at them for they rust BADLY then again 20 year old what can you expct, try and get the 300 it got a little more power, hope this helps also very basic so less to give greaf

[les baty]

hi, i was having a similar dilema, and with a lot of advice im going to buy another 300tdi, it will be my 4th, stick to what i know and i know the bits are cheap and are everywhere, ive heard a few horror stories with the td5 but these can be put down to poor maintenance, just make sure you spend more time looking underneath than inside it, rust is the big problem with discos