What should I do?

[Sheddy]

Opinions are sought.

Current vehicle is a 2.25 S3 LWB van

The primary use for the vehicle is for towing and launching my boat and transporting the associated equipment and fishing gear.  Secondary use is for metal detecting.  I go to some remote places which involves driving over muddy, rutted fields.  I travel goodly distances to go to some sites so haveing a maximum speed of 55mph before my ears start bleeding from the noise is a bit of a bind.  Also I have two sons who argue over who is going in the LandRover with Daddy, this always end in tears for one of them.

So, I need something that can carry at least three of us (make it 4 and the wife can come too!), has a good turn of speed, is semi-civilised and capable of carrying bulky equipment (theres no real weight to it but theres a fair bit of it).

So do I go for a Disco or an older 110 CSW?

The budget is arouind £3500, but I would need to factor into that some decent A/T tyres, front winch and a bumper capable of takeing a towball.

[Rich_P]

Why not fit some extra seats in the back of the 109?

[Sheddy]

I considered doing that and an engine upgrade, but then it means a brake upgrade too.  The main problems with the 109 are the lack of speed and seats.  The speed is important because some of my MDing sites mean travelling from Southend on Sea to Coventry or Kings-Lynne

[Jim-Willy]

Depends what ya want, that money buys a good Disco or a average Defender.  I don't like Discos, i only ever wanted a proper Landy so i have one.........

[colintandy]

:D for that sort of money you can with carefull looking pick up a decent disco or even a decent 110 or even a decent engine 200/300tdi and still have money to uprate brakes and rear seats  :D

[Neil Jones]

I like the idea of upgrading the S3, but failing that it's got to be the 110.  For that money with a bit of patience (and alot of autotradering!!) you will come up with the right motor.

[v8kenny]

Got to be the 110 every time - if you have been happy with a 109 then you will just love it
You will get more gear in the 110 and a disco sounds a bit girly for what you want to do with it

[EvilEd]

Buy a Mk1 Pajero.... comfy, capable and reliable. get the 2.8 and it'll cruise quietly at 70 and capable of more.... You can get a winch bumper too... Take the carpet out the boot and put a spray on liner and you have a workhorse too..... Same clearance as a standard height 90 / 110.

You may even get an older MK2....(J reg ish)

Then you have the Jeep Cherokee. put a BB on it and some good tyres and again, dead comfy on the road too.....

Or, cream it up and get an old Toyota LC or FJ40 or similar.... indestructable, comfy and sweet....