Disco 2 TD5 vs Defender TD5

[GURU]

G'day all,

I currently own a 1995 disco 1 300tdi manual. It has a 2" lift and 32" tyres. But it is now approching 300 000kms and I'm looking to upgrade. Just wanted to get peoples opinions of what might be best.

I need a vehicle I can drive to work every day, but also needs to be tough enough to go out on weekend 4wd trips. I also tow a car trailer with a buggy, gear, 4 people on board with gear long distances (from sydney go to melboune, South Aust, and wagga) normaly towing around 2.5T.

The only real issues I have with my current disco is it's slow when towing and the loadspace is quite small for all the gear. I want to run 33's on the next one. Also is there much advantage of getting the auto with the TD5 from a towing side of things? I really like the defenders for there size and off raod ability, but they do lack on comfort. The other downside to the defenders are how well they hold there price, you can get a D2 with 150k for about $14k, same on a defender is like $23k.

The D2's seem to be quicker than defenders from stock, Why is that?

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

[Micka]

D2's come out with 10 more Kw than the Defenders from stock and the gearing in the Defenders does not lend them to race car speeds. At around 120kph a Defender is shaking like an English Nanny, whereas the D2 will barely raise a sweat.

[phippsey]

Yeah mate, my thoughts are it coms down to comfort and ability

I currently have a 95 Disco - and despite everything, it is a pleasure to drive

The old man has had a couple of Defenders - the current one a Td5 - and there is nothing "comfortable" about it - unless you are a LR fanatic who lives in denial

Yes it is better than the Series 2A I had as a teenager - but not much

No...not true.

The Defender is great off road - we have been accross Simpson about three times, Cape York, Gulf, etc, etc - with not one hitch or problem

It is great for camping with more room than you can poke a stick at - and really great if you install a cargo barrier. Add a roof rack and you're laughing

You can hose it out - you don't cry if water comes in on river crossings, and it looks tough when you're driving in the city

But - the A/C is poor (fit clear plastic to the cargo barrier to improve), the city turning and gears are frustrating and it drinks fuel >100kph

The Disco is comfortable etc - but the S2 need a bit of stuffing around to modify suspension etc to run 33-35s. There are other guys here like Simo and Slunnie who can give a much better run down on the S2 than I ever could - so will leave it at that.

BTW - I myself am still considering a 2010 Defender or 2010 Troopy ATM

[frantic]

I have a 02 def, 110 td5 and would recomend it. You can fit 255/85 r16 (33.4in) without cutting the sides, and it might only touch the top of the rear spring mount at full articulation with dislocation set up suspension. If your towing try and get one like mine or earlier with thesalisbury reardif and put/carry as a spare some hy-tuff axles to be safe.