sishyplops Posted February 22, 2016 Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 Hi all, I have an itch to scratch , I really fancy a disco td5 or earlier maybe as could do with 7 seats but it's not that nesseccary , I have a 2003 53 plate ford ranger thunder that I've owned for 5 yrs approx and only done 20k in it in that time, it now has 125k on the clock it's uber reliable and has full service history, it's worth about 2700 I guess so am thinking is it worth selling or keeping as would need to sell it to fund a disco, or are discos that bad!! As I here so many anti land rover stories and so many pro Land Rover stories, I'm a qualified engineer if that helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted February 22, 2016 Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 Simple really, if you're the sort that wants a motor to look like it cost thousands, but really it was super cheap, fixed with britpart bits and bladdered mechanically, then you'll have trouble. If you look around and buy the right motor for the right money it should be fine Be warned though Disco 1's are going up in value fairly quickly, you'll be looking at getting on for 2k or more now for a 20 year old 300tdi that's good and perhaps a long wait. Took me six months and many miles to find mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted February 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 Which do you think are the best to own a 1 or 2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R1nut Posted February 22, 2016 Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 I had a td5 for about 4 years, I did all my own maintenance. It was up on the miles but worked out at £750 a year running costs!! As long as you go for preventive maintenance they are fine. People buy them and think they go forever, they will if you look after them!! Mine had 170k on the clock and I had it chipped, totally transformed it!! I think I nearly touched every bolt on that vehicle. The chap that bought it from me was made up 12 months later and not a single fault!!!! Don't fit cheap parts it's false economy!! I have a defender now but still miss the disco, air con, cruise, decent sound system and quiet to drive!! The fender is a different ball game!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R1nut Posted February 22, 2016 Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 As far as 1 or 2, I would go 2 all day long!! So tuneable for not a lot of money! It depends on what you are like with electrics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted February 22, 2016 Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 Me ? D1 any time. Can find plenty of D2's now a lot cheaper than a good D1. Personal choice though, D1 is 300tdi, D2 is TD5 :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted February 22, 2016 Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 Td5 heads can be a problem. Especially if chipped a sit increases the thermal load on the head. The disco 2 is a better car but the 300tdi is a less prone to trouble engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Had my TD5 for around five years now and still love driving it. I've done some bits and pieces on it but it's a 13 year old car with 140k on the clock, so you expect to. Parts are cheap, and if you don't mind a tinker there's loads of enthusiasts on the net willing to give advice on how to do bits. The most expensive thing I've done on mine is a steering box, but it was leaking when I got the car and I knew I had to do at some point. All the other bits have been pretty minor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 we sold one last year for the outlaws on an x plate TD5 80k on the clock, it was starting to use water occasionally, every service was £600 as preventative bits were rusting badly. This never went off road hardly did anything much but they liked it. I hated driving it, wallowed badly, slow and yet they still got 4K for it as a part ex......... Drive a few first and be very careful underneath with pipes, and body rot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 OH! you so need to keep that pick up, but i will say the disco has a huge advantage over the ranger and thats very comfy seats, which are very nice and make those long waits for the RAC to turn up acctualy quite pleasant esspecialy if its a nice sunny day. NO NO did i say NO! keep the truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted February 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 i think i'm going to Tony R everything i read is bad, head gaskets , heads, injectors , i like tinkering but not that much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 i think i'm going to Tony R everything i read is bad, head gaskets , heads, injectors , i like tinkering but not that much Like Al4x, be careful when buying one, drive loads and see how you feel. You must bare in mind these are not new cars, so they will need things doing, no different to any other old car. I have done things on mine, but had none of the issues you have mentioned above in over 5 years and 60k miles which I've done. You mentioned that you have a reliable truck, so guessing you're not looking at a Landy because you think it's any more reliable. There is something quite nostalgic about the old Landy's, and there are a lot of enthusiasts who love them. One option is to look on forums specialising in the Disco, speak to people there and see how you feel. I use mine daily to commute to work, so I couldn't afford to have a car constantly breaking down, It's serviced every year which is cheap, and I keep on top of bits and pieces myself. My last service cost me £120 in parts including discs and pads all round, and a few hours on a Saturday to do it myself. This is my first Land Rover, and to be honest I've been really pleased with it. The car is solid and has great presence on the road and they do hold their value well if looked after. I'm pretty certain It won't be my last LR, but everyone to their own.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirDread Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Get on D2BC website. Loads of stuff on them. Great car to drive and go anywhere capability. The extras that some steer clear of can make all the difference to the drive. Rear Air bags if towing , ACE gets rid of the wallowing but can be expensive to put right. IF you don't mind tinkering and are half handy with a spanner then they are good. If not then you need deep pockets as they do go wrong, a lot. Parts are cheap labour is not. They also have a very long list of known faults, everything from leaking sunroof to rotting rear chassis. Some can be sorted relatively simply others are just a nightmare. Remapped makes a big difference, so does the heavy duty torque convertor to the drive of the car. Auto v Manual is personal choice as well. I went auto and didn't regret it in the slightest. I now own a LC120 (Landcruiser), its better spec'd than the TD5 but I don't think it rides as nice on the road, nor does it have the soul the landy has but I feel significantly more confident I will make it home without RAC assistance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 i think i'm going to Tony R everything i read is bad, head gaskets , heads, injectors , i like tinkering but not that much Look the td5 engines make ok hp for the capacity, its done with a biggesh turbo and if you can keep the kettle boiling you will be sort of ok, but put any weight on it or stop and start on anything like a proper hill and bingo you will strugle i mean really strugle. The chip it and modify it brigade will all chime in here my mates TD5 etc etc its had this that and the other done to stop all this guttles performance. But guess what ! there are plenty of old TLC amazons & nissan gqs etc out there with no mods out performing the discos td5 lump in every respect. Why suffer the dissco just buy japanese. Or in your case keep the truck you have . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Get on D2BC website. Loads of stuff on them. Great car to drive and go anywhere capability. The extras that some steer clear of can make all the difference to the drive. Rear Air bags if towing , ACE gets rid of the wallowing but can be expensive to put right. IF you don't mind tinkering and are half handy with a spanner then they are good. If not then you need deep pockets as they do go wrong, a lot. Parts are cheap labour is not. They also have a very long list of known faults, everything from leaking sunroof to rotting rear chassis. Some can be sorted relatively simply others are just a nightmare. Remapped makes a big difference, so does the heavy duty torque convertor to the drive of the car. Auto v Manual is personal choice as well. I went auto and didn't regret it in the slightest. I now own a LC120 (Landcruiser), its better spec'd than the TD5 but I don't think it rides as nice on the road, nor does it have the soul the landy has but I feel significantly more confident I will make it home without RAC assistance. Just out of curiosity, how many times did the rac have to take your Disco home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Have you been drinking? They have a rep for good reason and demand for parts is so high they are the most stolen brand round my parts Used to be a massive series landrover fan. Trialing and doing race prep First 90 I drove it broke it's darn prop not only 150 yards into the first field Any jap is so way more reliable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirDread Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Just out of curiosity, how many times did the rac have to take your Disco home? 3 1st Threw oil pump bolt seized engine 2nd Deteroriated oil cooler pipe dumped gearbox oil over the M62 3rd Water pump on A1 All breakdowns in the space of 7 months. Owned the car nearly 2 years Add to that the stuff I fixed (leaking sunroof, leaking ace pipe, front suspension, broken front spring, bad earths on electrics, oil in harness, front calipers and discs, steering damper, front hub, abs sensor, front camshaft seal)and it was probably a decent car when I sold it but had enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Have you been drinking? They have a rep for good reason and demand for parts is so high they are the most stolen brand round my parts Used to be a massive series landrover fan. Trialing and doing race prep First 90 I drove it broke it's darn prop not only 150 yards into the first field Any jap is so way more reliable This sort of thing really puzzles me I bought my first Land Rover (80") when I was 17, I'm coming 63 now and still use LR. I've tried others and probably the worst was a Toyota 3.0td, that almost got me stuck in wales with a trailer on, I just gave up with the heap and pressed on then scrapped the thing. I can't honestly remember ever being stranded in a LR product through break down. An acquaintance has a Pajero and that's cost him a fortune, and still got problems so he's driving it until it stops. Another mate always buys a new Land Cruiser every 3 years, and every one has been trouble, brakes, air bags, steering, lights etc. And I do mean every one. However he likes Toyota so keeps buying them and returning for repair. I run a Disco, son runs a Disco, Niece runs a Disco, brother runs a Range Rover and we have a series as a family run about. None are any trouble at all. Reference the propshaft, a defender WILL tow a 44t artic on the flat, as will a Disco or RR, but that one broke 150 yards into a field while empty ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 3 1st Threw oil pump bolt seized engine 2nd Deteroriated oil cooler pipe dumped gearbox oil over the M62 3rd Water pump on A1 All breakdowns in the space of 7 months. Owned the car nearly 2 years Add to that the stuff I fixed (leaking sunroof, leaking ace pipe, front suspension, broken front spring, bad earths on electrics, oil in harness, front calipers and discs, steering damper, front hub, abs sensor, front camshaft seal)and it was probably a decent car when I sold it but had enough. By comparison owning nissans and toyotas etc is so well so Bland and uneventfull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 3 1st Threw oil pump bolt seized engine 2nd Deteroriated oil cooler pipe dumped gearbox oil over the M62 3rd Water pump on A1 All breakdowns in the space of 7 months. Owned the car nearly 2 years Add to that the stuff I fixed (leaking sunroof, leaking ace pipe, front suspension, broken front spring, bad earths on electrics, oil in harness, front calipers and discs, steering damper, front hub, abs sensor, front camshaft seal)and it was probably a decent car when I sold it but had enough. Were you born unlucky or do you have to work at it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 3 1st Threw oil pump bolt seized engine 2nd Deteroriated oil cooler pipe dumped gearbox oil over the M62 3rd Water pump on A1 All breakdowns in the space of 7 months. Owned the car nearly 2 years Add to that the stuff I fixed (leaking sunroof, leaking ace pipe, front suspension, broken front spring, bad earths on electrics, oil in harness, front calipers and discs, steering damper, front hub, abs sensor, front camshaft seal)and it was probably a decent car when I sold it but had enough. To be honest, you bought a nail didn't you ? Most of that was probably on it's way when bought ? Easy done, we can all get bitten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirDread Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 When I bought mine it had just gone through the MOT with no advisories and I knew it had a leaking sunroof. Its history of MOT's was very few advisories as well. The only thing it didn't have was rust which is the real killer of them. If there is a known fault with them though I had it, I reckon it had some neglect although a lot of the stuff that went wrong are known faults and poor build quality. The car had only done 80k when it threw the oil pump bolt. I don't know any owner of them that doesn't spend money but I think the tinkering is 50% the attraction for most owners. Am sure theres plenty of happy owners and I even looked at a disco 3 but there known faults are even worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 This sort of thing really puzzles me I bought my first Land Rover (80") when I was 17, I'm coming 63 now and still use LR. I've tried others and probably the worst was a Toyota 3.0td, that almost got me stuck in wales with a trailer on, I just gave up with the heap and pressed on then scrapped the thing. I can't honestly remember ever being stranded in a LR product through break down. An acquaintance has a Pajero and that's cost him a fortune, and still got problems so he's driving it until it stops. Another mate always buys a new Land Cruiser every 3 years, and every one has been trouble, brakes, air bags, steering, lights etc. And I do mean every one. However he likes Toyota so keeps buying them and returning for repair. I run a Disco, son runs a Disco, Niece runs a Disco, brother runs a Range Rover and we have a series as a family run about. None are any trouble at all. Reference the propshaft, a defender WILL tow a 44t artic on the flat, as will a Disco or RR, but that one broke 150 yards into a field while empty ?? All cars get problems but you picked on the wrong machines here to try and pull this stunt on , and even if we start with things way back in history with toyotas 2L and 2 LTs in 22 and 2.4 litre, the reliability was above average and even though some hard worked examples cracked cylinder heads it was still a low %. These small diesels were not the most powerfull out there but even when none turbo they soldiered on towing trailers and generaly out performing the venerable and ubiquitous 2286cc petrol derived diesel lumps in the series LRs and its 2.5 stable mate engine. Axles on the toyotas are built to take abuse big pinion bearings stronger half shafts and front hubs. Where as the LR axles were still basicaly the old rover 14 car axle from the 30s which rover used in the Folowing P3 and auntie rover P4s of the 50s and 60s, this car axle with a few minor mods like a few more splines on the drive shaft and a bearing change or two saw service for the entire history of these parts bin antique LRs . And as for toyotas bigger H prefix 6 cylinder diesels the reliability is world renown and the first choice of people who really need a truck to work, to stay alive, not just get through that wet patch in the gate hole when checking the cows. No The TLCs are right up there and with only the patrols as any kind of competition for out and out grunt and inbuilt strength. Not a mitsubushi fan myself but they are landrover beaters for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirDread Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Don't get me wrong I enjoyed driving It, and like I posted earlier the jap has no soul in comparison but stats speak for themselves, breakdowns and warranty repairs the oval always scores higher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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