Landrover Discovery, good buy?

bitemybanger

Hi guys, im really considering buying one of these in commercial. something like this jeep would suit my lifestyle perfectly so just wondering if anyone here has any experience with them or has owned one and know the good and bads about them. have a budget of about 4k. other suggestions welcome for something similar.

Tipsy Mac

They have a bad reputation for reliability.

unkel

They are very good off road, but reliability is one of the worst around. The current and previous model are much improved but not available on your budget

Overature

where did you discover the Land Drover?

bazz26

On a budget of 4k I'd say most 4x4s like the Discovery will have seen better days and could end up needing alot of money spent on them. Could be a false economy if you ask me.

But in this limited budget I would tend to stick to the likes of a Land Cruiser, Pajero or Patrol than a Disco.

bitemybanger

bazz26 wrote: »

On a budget of 4k I'd say most 4x4s like the Discovery will have seen better days and could end up needing alot of money spent on them. Could be a false economy if you ask me.

But in this limited budget I would tend to stick to the likes of a Land Cruiser, Pajero or Patrol than a Disco.

mmm, i was looking at a few pajeros, some real nice ones at the top end of my budget, im familar with the patrols as i drive them in work but not many for under 4k same with landcruiser. any info on pajero? lots of them out there

fonecrusher1

Land rover Discovery - brilliant off road + spacious + nice interior / not too reliable.
Landcruiser - v good offroad + bulletproof / common as muck + expensive + ugly interior.
Patrol - v good off road + spacious + reliable / very big 4x4, can be underpowered.
Pajero - quite good off road + reliable + loads of extras / 2.8 td can return poor mpg. 2.5 is gutless.

If my budget was 4K it would come down to either the Pajero or Landcruiser. If i was going to get a Land rover it would have to be a Defender. The Patrol is a bit too big really isnt it?
Value for money? Pajero all the way. Loads of nice extras inside like sunroof, cruise control, aircon, wood trim.
You would struggle to find a decent Landcruiser for that sort of money but they are very a good truck.

BeardyGit

On a €4k budget you could get a very tidy, well maintained and serviceable 300TDi discovery, converted to commercial and with a few upgrades - That's what I was working with too back in February. I've since put 20k miles up on mine without any major faults.

I bought my 300TDi for €3k, with one owner from new, 72k miles and a full service history... commercial conversion cost me €100 in materials (resin board floor and some stainless bolts and about 2 hours work on the driveway to cut and fit it. Another €30 on the weighbridge, €160 for the kit to service it myself (including trans fluids etc and the Haynes manual), €80-ish for the DOE and just under €300 for tax for the year and I was done and dusted. I spent the balance on some waxoil to protect the rust free boot floor and a Sony Head-unit and some replacement 10cm speakers front and rear (direct fit)....

If you're not put off by others comments, look for an original irish registered 3 door base spec passenger model and do the commercial conversion yourself - It's very easy and straightforward PM me your email address and I'll email you some photos of mine etc.

Buy the right one and you'll maintain and repair it with a simple set of tools, regular fluid changes and a grease gun etc. It's not as complex or involved as folks might think, but you need to have the mechanical smarts and the desire to actually look after it, as opposed to just driving it and watching the miles pass until you get under it next time. I reckon in all honesty that I spend about 2 hours a month on average doing things to mine, and that's perhaps too much for some folk. On the flipside, I replaced a pair of wheel bearings in an hour, and it cost the sum total of €30 for all parts (Timken bearings - OEM stuff, not pattern), grease etc. How many can say that about their Jap 4x4's? (and I'm not getting into a this is better than that thing - You asked about the disco, so I'm telling!)

For balance, there are times when I wish it was a little quieter, faster, better handling etc....but then that would cost me a lot more to have. I'm also constantly pleased with how little I have to spend on parts compared to anything I've owned before, be they cars or 4x4's, and I've had more than my fair share of each...... Labour costs will kill you though if you're not going to do it yourself.

BTW, I wouldn't buy a factory Disco commercial, most are completely worn out from work/abuse, and while not beyond putting right, would be a headache for months....

fonecrusher1

LIGHTNING wrote: »

We use discos in work and they are very capable off road but they are all in pieces. Pretty much all the trim has fallen off as have the windows handles, door cards, centre console, handbrake cables have snapped and the turbo isnt working too well on most of them.

Really, that doesnt sound good :eek:

They are no where near as bad reliability wise as what has been written above, as with any car you need to buy one that has been maintained. €4K is loads to get a good comercial one. If they are so bad how come there are loads out there with mega miles on them ?

I also don't see any reason why one would be revving a diesel 4 x 4 to 4000 rpm. They come with a gearbox for a reason.

fonecrusher1

fonecrusher1 wrote: »

Really, that doesnt sound good :eek:

Depends what they have been put through really, I imagine they are not used for runs to the cash and carry for loads of kitchen paper

fonecrusher1

RoverJames wrote: »

Depends what they have been put through really, I imagine they are not used for runs to the cash and carry for loads of kitchen paper

Huh???

fonecrusher1

fonecrusher1 wrote: »

Huh???

Originally Posted by LIGHTNING
We use discos in work and they are very capable off road but they are all in pieces. Pretty much all the trim has fallen off as have the windows handles, door cards, centre console, handbrake cables have snapped and the turbo isnt working too well on most of them.

rccaulfield

Wa lifestyle have ya? Ya must live in the forest cos there a crackin off road machine and dats it really?
If your on a budget of 4k - the annual road tax is gonna be a killer!

rccaulfield

rccaulfield wrote: »

If your on a budget of 4k - the annual road tax is gonna be a killer!

Not on a commercial
I bought a car for €430 during the summer, a 2.5, road tax is about a grand.

bitemybanger

rccaulfield wrote: »

Wa lifestyle have ya? Ya must live in the forest cos there a crackin off road machine and dats it really?
If your on a budget of 4k - the annual road tax is gonna be a killer!

Think its 276, not bad at all considering im paying near 700 now:eek:

greenpilot

Hi,

I bought a 2002 Discovery 2 special vehicles commercial in England for 6k. 70,000 miles on the clock, one lady owner, full service history and all the bells and whistles. Its the best damn thing I have ever drove but, the main point folks!!!...I look after it!! I service it every 5000 miles, I have waxoyled the whole bottom, I powerwash and wax it every week, I check everything on it once a week. Parts are dirt cheap from Paddocks and Britparts. Its like everything, look after it and it will treat you nice....I actually got offered 12,000 euro for it the other day!!!

Its no speed merchant, but if i ever want to play dirty....it is the best 4x4 in the world...there is nothing like going down a mussy steep hill, taking your foot off the brake, and letting the hill decent take over....maddness!!!

Paul

L-M

Your points are very true about looking after the vehicle, and Bripart, but

greenpilot wrote: »

.I actually got offered 12,000 euro for it the other day!!!

:eek::eek::eek:

Take it!!!

Anan1

greenpilot wrote: »

Hi,

I bought a 2002 Discovery 2 special vehicles commercial in England for 6k. 70,000 miles on the clock, one lady owner, full service history and all the bells and whistles. Its the best damn thing I have ever drove but, the main point folks!!!...I look after it!! I service it every 5000 miles, I have waxoyled the whole bottom, I powerwash and wax it every week, I check everything on it once a week. Parts are dirt cheap from Paddocks and Britparts. Its like everything, look after it and it will treat you nice....I actually got offered 12,000 euro for it the other day!!!

Its no speed merchant, but if i ever want to play dirty....it is the best 4x4 in the world...there is nothing like going down a mussy steep hill, taking your foot off the brake, and letting the hill decent take over....maddness!!!

Paul

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