D1 or D2....Which is better?

[toger]

I own a D1, my wife has always said I could buy a D2 but could not green lane it.  Can't afford two Disco's.
Recently, after leaving pictures of Disco2's green laning here and there the wife is slowly coming around.
But then I thought, which is better.
Can anyone give me the benefit of their advice please?

[thermidorthelobster]

I've had both a 200Tdi and now a TD5.

The 200Tdi is arguably more rugged (less to go wrong, by a long way).  So for a round-the-world trip it would be my preference.

The TD5 is less agricultural to drive, and more car-like.  In fact there's a pretty huge difference (slightly less so from a 300Tdi, but even so...)  You get more creature comforts, and it feels like a much more modern vehicle to drive.

Off-road the TD5 is better in some respects:  it has Traction Control, which slightly bridges the gap towards diff lockers, but not the answer to everything, but it also has a bigger overhang at the back, and is heavier.  On the whole I'd expect the 200Tdi to get stuck some places where the TC would probably haul the TD5 out, but then the TD5 might get stuck elsewhere due to the greater weight and bulk.

If you can afford a TD5 and are prepared to lane it and risk scratching that shiny paintwork, you won't be disappointed, I'm sure.  Now I've kevved up my TD5 a bit (rocksliders, diff guards, snorkel etc) I think it's a great "fusion" vehicle - I can go places where other 4x4s would get stuck, but 5 minutes later I can be cruising down the motorway at 80mph (where legal!) in relative quiet and comfort.

Drive a TD5 and you'll get the picture very quickly.  When I bought mine I was considering a 300Tdi but I'm glad I held out and went for the more expensive TD5.

[thermidorthelobster]

By the way - budget for an ECU upgrade.  As standard the TD5 is OK, but won't be much more exciting than your 300Tdi.  If you chip it you'll appreciate the difference and won't get left behind the repmobiles at the lights.

[toger]

How much did the chip cost please?

I also see you have a 2 inch lift, was that necessary or done because you wanted to?

[Spooky]

The chip in mine was approx £400, but that was some months ago.  Definitely worth it, though. 8)  

I intend to lift mine too as soon as finances allow :x , and subsequently fit larger tyres ...

[thermidorthelobster]

Chipping is around £400-500.  I put the lift on because I felt like it, more than because it's needed!  (Also I wanted Old Man Emu shocks, and if you're going to do that, you may as well lift it too :) )  But if you want to modify a Disco II there are plenty of things you can do to it.

A few months back I was parked on a very boggy bit of ground at the bottom of a hill with another Disco TD5 and four Defenders of various shapes and sizes.  The Defenders were first to leave and ploughed up the hill with mud flying everywhere, deep ruts etc (this was private land by the way);  two of them had to be pushed.  I drove up without any problems, followed by the other Disco TD5, which was a stock vehicle on road tyres;  no wheelspin, no sliding, no mud, no ruts.  That was down to good driving and a capable vehicle.

So you don't need a lift, no.

[Bush Tucker Man]

Personally speaking, I prefer the aesthetics of the Series 1 varients.
The D2 looks slightly ungainly with the extra overhang. Yes, I know it was neccessary in order to fit in the forward-facing seats.....
But it still doesn't do anything for me.

[thermidorthelobster]

Personally speaking, I prefer the aesthetics of the Series 1 varients.

Personally I prefer the SII - I think it looks more purposeful and chunky.  The SI looks a bit 80s to me now.  But each to his own.

Also I definitely think a lift looks better on a SII than a SI - somehow my old SI looked a bit odd with the suspension lift, as if it were hitching its skirts up because it had seen a mouse.

[muddyweb]

But then I thought, which is better.

Depends what your definition of "better" is really.

I've had both, and as has been discussed, they have their pros and cons.

[toger]

Depends what your definition of "better" is really.

I've had both, and as has been discussed, they have their pros and cons.

Didn't know you'd had Disco's too Tim.

                                 -xx-
Am I right in thinking that the Disco 2 axle width is wider than the D1 or is it just the body shell that is wider?

[Spooky]

The axle has a wider track on the Series II at 61", compared to the 58.5" of the Series I.

The axle has the same stud pattern as the P38 Rangie - I believe the axles are similar but not the same (the diffs are on the passenger side on the P38).

[toger]

Can anyone tell me which spec is what by any chance please?

[thermidorthelobster]

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.fan.landrover/browse_thread/thread/a7c738522e5de41f/96e29dc4b7856f88?q=land+rover+discovery+es+gs+xs&rnum=3#96e29dc4b7856f88

[Xtremeteam]

its technically the same dash n centre console in a td5 as it is to a 300 disco did u no
 

[toger]

Thanks Thermidore, great.
What spec did you get in the end??