Land Rover Discovery,should i buy it?

[brett5141]

Hi Everyone,

Please help me with some advice!

I have been looking around at getting my first four wheel drive, the only specs being it cant be a single cab and needs to be deisel (and less than 9K).

I have seen a Land Rover Discovery, 1992 Model, Turbo Deisel, 230,000k's and seems very clean.

Main problem being that when we had a chat to our mechanic he told us to steer clear of them as they are very expensive to run.
He says that the parts are very expensive compared to Toyota, Nissan etc, and they dont last as long.

Could anyone please help me with some advice, are the parts expensive and hard to get? there seem to be alot out there so I though there must be something good about them.

thanks


Brett

[RangingRover]

Bah - jap parts are just as expensive oftentimes as land rover parts. Almost every non domestic vechicle has its expensive bits and its cheap bits.

Patrol GU flywheel - around $1200-1500 to replace (not machineable)
Discovery TD5 flywheel - about the same price.

Front brake discs for an 89 Toyota MR2 - $180 EACH! And they're tiny!


On the topic of the disco you have your eye on - it will be a 200tdi at that age. Very solid, in some ways more solid that the 300tdi engine that followed it (less prone to break cambelts). Parts are pretty easily available - I see you are in melbourne, so aside from the dealers (ULR, MLR, Lance Dixon, Stuart Webster), you have AMV automotive, Rangie Spares, Ritter Automotive, Deacon Automotive, all of which are Land Rover specialists. You can also often get parts from Middleborough Road 4WDs...... And I'm sure I've left some out.

There isn't much to look for in a diesel disco, other than normal things as in any other car - just check the service history for when the cambelt was last done...

[ISUZUROVER]

Most parts are no more expensive than jap cars (or even less). However there are some things to be aware of/check.

The 200TDi is a good engine - and able to be very easily tweaked for more power, and the LT77S gearbox is also good, if it is looked after.

The injectors are one piece and cannot be serviced, but they usually last a long time and new ones aren't so expensive.
The early TDi injector pumps (Bosch VE) were prone to the case hardening flaking off some of the internals over time - leading to a pump rebuild. Get a mechanic to pull the engine stop solenoid out and check for metal particles.

There was a lubrication problem on the transfer case input gear of the LT77S - check that it has been fixed and a cross-drilled input gear fitted - You just need to pull the PtO cover (rear face of T-case) to check this. If it is worn you will notice a lot of drivetrain backlash, that won't reduce much when you lock the centre diff.

Also check suspension bushes for wear and steering box for leaks.

Apart from rust that basically covers everything. If it all the above is fine it should give you many years without problems.

And before all the above dissuades you - plenty of Japanese 4x4s have/had similar problems.

[justinC]

I think the biggest problem that RR's etc have in this country is ill informed one eyed 'mechanics'

Thats my spit for the day.

By the way, I agree with everything ISUZUROVER says, and I'll add that you won't get many other vehicles in its class that use 10l/100km of diesel!!

[landy_man]

I think the biggest problem that RR's etc have in this country is ill informed one eyed 'mechanics'

too true mate.. coming from South Africa, you hardly see any Land Cruisers or Patrols.. it's all Land Rover over there...
I have a 200tdi Disco of the same age as the one you are looking at.. more than happy with it.. the parts as mentioned are easy to get, and as mentioned often cheaper than their Jap counterparts... and no one has mentioned that stock vs. stock more capable than any Jap 4wd offroad..
and more comfortable... my suggestion is to find a new mechanic

[igould]

My experience with my 97 v8 Disco is that parts generally are reasonably priced. One eastern suburbs part supplier lists disc rotors at $82.50 each. Compares pretty well with Holden/Ford rotors at Supercheap etc for around $70-75.
Sump gasket sets for $66. I paid nearly $50 for a Holden 253 gasket set just before Christmas.
Parts are readily available from a number of different suppliers in the Eastern suburbs.
Aftermarket accessories are also easy and affordable to get. Keep your eye on the "For Sale" forum here and also at http://www.aulro.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=index and sometimes on ebay. You'll pick up plenty of bargains.
My (limited) experience with repairs has pleasantly surprised me so far. I do as much myself as I can, but have been happy with labour rates when I have had to use others.

Make sure it has a service history and has had the timing belt changed at the appropriate intervals.
Get it checked out by someone who knows Landrovers, not your average mechanic or the RACV.

The Tdi engine will easliy last 400,000km if looked after and serviced regularly.

The Disco is a brilliant 4wd. As landy_man says, it's probably the best 4wd in the world straight out of the box. Very comfortable, easy to drive and will go almost anywhere. Mod it a bit and you're nearly unstoppable. Since buying mine 2 1/2 years ago, I've bought another for my wife, and an early Rangie for a bush-pig.

Don't be in too much of a hurry. There are plenty around to choose from. And prices are coming down all the time.

If you do decide to go for it, you'll end up addicted like the rest of us. You have been warned!

Keep us Rover nuts posted on what you do.

Cheers, Ian

[Aquarangie]

It's interesting to listen to the Toyota/Nissan set regards to LR's breaking down. They're reaction to totally misinformed knowledge annoys me quite a bit, but you can't prevent ingorance I guess

Discos, great vehicles. I'm a Rangie man myself but the prices of the Discos starting to fall they're becoming better value for money than Rangies, plus they'res more to choose from.

As far as mechanics go, I have done all my own work as I got sick of mechanics not doing it prioperly and charging for it . Best way is to join a LR based club, money well spent and plenty of keen punters to go out and test the Disco off-road as well

Anyway, best of luck and welcome to the dark side

Trav