Potential Disco 2 owner

[wal4x4]

Hi All, Have been looking at Disco2's for a while I really like the look and the size of them.

I have a few questions one (or many gurus) might be able to answer.

I recently test drove a 2004 V8 HSE (30,000kms on the clock) expecting it to be the bees knees, my first impression when I got into the driver seat I closed the door and bang straight into my elbow goes the window the seat felt very close to the door.

Q1 are they all like this?

Next up was a drive around the block the HSE has ACE, the Disco I drove handled so bad that after 15mins all I wanted to do was get out of it, any speed over 50kms and it wallowed all over the place really felt unstable like it had 10 psi in all 4 tyres and super soft shocks.

Q2 are they all like this?

Finally the V8 felt like a small 4cyl auto towing a 20 ft caravan absolutely now power what so ever.

Q3 you guessed it are they all like this?

I was really put off buying one. My current 4x4 is a 2000 DC Hilux petrol, I expected the HSE Disco to blitz it in comfort and performance but how wrong I was....

I have spoken to a friend that has an earlier model Disco 1 and was told the one I drove must have been in bad shape.

Can anyone enlighten me ?? I still really like the look and size of the Disco but it was a bad driving experience, maybe I should try another one just to be sure....

Cheers, Wal

[Slunnie]

Sounds like you've driven a dud one.

Re the seat/door positions, they're all in the same spot, though this is the first time I've heard a comment on this. Its usually the Defenders that get those comments.

The Disco's sit as flat as a tack with ACE and handle absolutely brilliantly - even when they're lifted. It sounds like the ACE was deactivated on the one you drive, where the swaybars go limp. The shocks/springs last a lot longer than 30K.

The V8 isn't the most powerful engine on earth, making about 130kw or similar. The truck also weights about 2.3 ton which is a lot of mass to push especially in comparison to a Hilux. I definately wouldn't compare it to a 4cyl auto towing a 20ft caravan though - perhaps you should have released the handbrake.

I'd definately be trying a different one. Also try the TD5, it uses a lot less fuel.

[Utemad]

I have test driven a fair few lately and I reckon the one you drove must have been a dud.

The V8 isn't all that powerful. I think it is about on par with a 90 series Prado V6 (not sure about rev range comparisons though). However it is wonderfully smooth and plenty powerful in comparison to my Rodeo.

I've got a dual cab Rodeo (1997) and driving a Disco is luxury in comparison. I have never driven an ACE version either. Thought they should handle even better.

The only thing I think is weird is that you look through the top section of the windscreen instead of the middle like I am used to.

[wal4x4]

Thanks Slunnie, I'll have to try another one and yeap I think I'll go the TD5.

BTW your truck looks a treat. Wanna swap for a hilux lol

[wal4x4]

Can ACE be deactivated via a push button? If so then this would explain the wallowing.

[Slunnie]

Thanks Wal4x4, but I'm a bit partial to the old girl these days.

The ACE has no button, though when its deactivated there is usually a light that comes on in the dash. A blown fuse would probably deactivate it though. When its off it body rolls a fair bit.

[RangingRover]

Well, its all been answered, but still - NO series 2 should wallow and feel like it has stuffed shocks, whether it has ACE or not, usually they have a pretty damn firm ride more like a sports car (minus the handling, but still with that firm jolt over decent bumps).

Re the door, never noticed that, but if you shut the door with your left hand i could see it happening, i guess......

And finally powerwise, if thats how gutless it felt, it probably has a faulty air flow meter - auto V8 series 2's will quite happily spin up the inside front tyre with an overexuberant stab of the throttle on concrete, and will pull pretty hard till shift. Manual ones obviously are quicker.

TD5s are a little sluggish until the turbo gets out of bed, which isn't in full effect until a little over 2000rpm, but when the turbo is on boost, it feels like a bigger motor than 2.5 litres until you stop at a servo.

Personally, my pick would be an update Series 2, manual and TD5, with a chip. The updates have the CDL in place and connected, I like the lights and interior a little better, i can't stand autos, and I just like the TD5.

[mrapocalypse]

I've got the v8 auto with ACE. I would agree that you should get a manual td5. The v8 is fun until you do the maths and see the juice it eats. Underperforming though isn't a critisism I'd level at the DII. I think you need a bit more pedal mate, if you're not used to it can be a bit stiff. Also they change their performance depending on how you drive them, the computer goes into cruise mode or something.

The ACE is amazing, just be aware of a noisy and slightly vibrating pump at about 1200rpm. There's a batch of them that wont last 30K which makes me think you might have got one with the non ACE fan belt attached and the system disconnected. you can hit roundabouts flat out and she sits flat like a pancake! I found the springs too soft with the ACE vehicle and replaced them with a 2 inch OME lift and am very happy with that.

They also need bigger tyres cos the standard ones are girly. I put 265/70r16's on but you can go bigger.

Make sure you have the locking centre diff lock. that's very very important.

[wal4x4]

Well it looks like I did indeed drive a dude. Thank you to everyone for the info I'll give them another go. Interestingly I do want an auto, I've had a gut full of changing gears, put it down to me getting old.....oh and lazy.


Cheers Wal.

[Philip A]

Er the seat near the door is a design feature!!
Its so you can stick your head out the window and see where the front wheel is , you know off road.
Ditto the high seating position, so you can see as near to the nose of the car as possible, off road.

There are usually one inch spacers under the seat. ( in my Range Rover anyway)
Regards Philip A

[brooksy]

I must admit my first impression before I bought my first Disco about 10 yrs ago that the seats did seem quite close to the doors but as mentioned above it seems to be a good design feature when combined with the seating height specifically when offroad. The ACE issue seems very odd as I have always enjoyed the ability to frustrate those young blokes in there 4 pot matchboxes who think they can rip around me in the outside lanes but to there surprise more than often my lifted D2 can corner as good if not better.
I have an '03 V8 & I must admit with a 92 L tank the best I have gotten is 630 km before filling up while on a big trip. I don't think I could have gotten much further than that. I am a V8 fanatic so I don't regret my choice but if common sense was a factor I would choose the TD5.


brooksy

[wal4x4]

I must admit I'd like to have a V8 just for the sound alone. But a TD with 3" exhaust does sound good too. If fuel cost wasn't such an issue then the V8 would be the go. Fuel prices this morning near me are now at $1.38 per litre for ULP