The LandRover itch.. Do I scratch it?

[Paul_B]

Around here the people who actually drive 4x4s off road rather than posing in them seem to prefer the Isuzu D-max pickup. I know it's another make and even vehicle shape but the reputation of them locally, especially among farmers, is very high. Farmers especially round here have been switching to them since the latest model came out. The reasons why are basically that Isuzu put all the money into what is truly important in an off road vehicle mostly suspension, engine, gearbox and transmission. It really can pull a lot of weight too.

One farmer's story I heard was a Luton van bit stuck in a farm entrance in the mud so nobody could get in or out. They called the neighbouring farmer who turned up in his D-max and simply towed it out. Now that's a lot of weight too tow out from a muddy terrain I reckon.

Sorry if this isn't what the OP asked but my honest view is there's better vehicles out there than a landy.

If you must scratch the itch then here's something that might or might not interest you...


Elevating roof for look 90 bit 110 is available too. The Mitsubishi Delica roof I've seen sand it's good quality.

 

[Broch]

Sorry if this isn't what the OP asked but my honest view is there's better vehicles out there than a landy.

So you've owned them yourself, driven them, maintained them and can make a valid user judgement - or you mate next door prefers it? The farmers around here buy a mixture; the young guys that are typically 6'6" and 18 stone + can't get into a 90 because the seat doesn't move back far enough; the older guys, typically 5'6" and as thin as a rake still drive and use their landys - many over twenty years old (the vehicle that is). Talking to the guys, they would buy Landys if a) they could fit in them and b) they were cheaper - nothing to do with performance or capability.

I tease farmers that buy foreign cars that I buy New Zealand lamb for the same reason: it's cheaper and better tasting (I don't I buy British lamb, just don't tell them).

As I said before - there are no 'better' vehicles; there are vehicle that fit different people's needs differently.

I'm following the Grenadier build with interest; I don't think I'll be able to afford one but they say they are sticking to the 'utilitarian' design concept - we'll see. At least it's being made in the UK.

 

[Broch]

Part of what you have said is right although I do all the work on mine as well but with Landys you tend to find garages shy away from them or if they do the work it's not done right so its finding a good landy garage to service your landy

Possibly in more urban areas; around here every decent garage will be working on at least one Defender at any time. Unfortunately, a number of garages that specialised in Land Rovers are now having to diversify because numbers are dropping. I worry about smaller garages in the future though - how will they cope with the hybrid and electric era?

 

[Cornish Rattler]

My 12 year old Kia Ceed (very boring car) is getting to the point where things keep needing to be changed, got about £1000 to spend to keep it going. Its not in the greatest state cosmetically so not really worth anything. I did have an ancient series 2A LR in the past, so I am used to the associated "fun" in owning old landies. So with a budget of under £5K I have been considering going down the old disco route. It would be used for getting to work 2 days a week (30 miles a day), driving to the range, and outdoor type stuff. I would probably remove the centre seats to extend the load bed (somewhere to kip) and fit a roof rack with an awning. Probably going to be a 300tdi S1 or TD5 S2. I have a couple of buyers check sheets with where it look for rot, electrics checks, etc. just wondered if there are any old disco owners on here? And any advice gratefully received.

Thanks

Jon

The Disco 1 is cheaper and easier to work on whether it's a TDI or a V8 but can be rot boxes but there are a lot out there that have had all the bad bits done, there are a lot now that are fitted with galv chassis, I've had 2 Disco 1's now one man and one auto both were rust free and really good reliable vehicles although I did prefer the auto one and if I ever decided to sell my 2a I would deffo get another Disco 1 auto.

Now then a Disco 2 again there are loads of good ones out there that have had all the major repairs done I had a Disco 2 td5 auto for about 6 months had nothing but trouble with it even though I bought it with warranty which was worth nothing as everything that went wrong from the day I bought it wasn't covered and the td5 isn't a vehicle you can easily work on because they have to go to a specialist to get diagnosed so in the end I sold it one and vowd I would never get another

 

[srod]

I got a Defender over five years ago now as I had the itch to scratch. There weren't any other cars out there that interested me at the time. Now the itch is well and truly scratched but still nothing I can find that i would want to swap it for.

It's our only car, our family car. Never let us down, do all the work on it myself on my drive, big jobs too that I'm proud of: new clutch, brake caliper rebuilds, swivel ball rebuilds etc. etc. etc. All part of ownership of a 17 year old car with 150k on the clock.

TD5 is a good motor. Lots of power, okay on fuel for a big car, sounds great!

A disco2 would be a great vehicle if you can find a good one!

 

[MrEd]

Not sure I completely agree with broch, yes there will be those that skimp on the home servicing but they will also be the same people that say a landrover should leak oil or that the steering should be vague - they are designed like that. That’s utter cobblers.

Trouble is even the base models (my pre-ecu 90 for instance) need a good understanding of the vehicle systems and regular servicing and maintenance. Unfortunately people equate ‘rufftie tufftie’ 4x4 to mean they can handle abuse and not need servicing as much,

The exact opposite is true - the 4wd mechanism has orders of magnitude more moving parts than a regular saloon so correspondingly needs more regular maintenance.

I do all my own maintenance and have done for years and years, I would welcome any inspection or test.

However mine is a second car/weekend toy so I can afford to have it off road for ages at a time repairing/maintaining it myself. One as a daily driver might be different.

 

[Broch]

Not sure I completely agree with broch, yes there will be those that skimp on the home servicing but they will also be the same people that say a landrover should leak oil or that the steering should be vague - they are designed like that. That’s utter cobblers.

Trouble is even the base models (my pre-ecu 90 for instance) need a good understanding of the vehicle systems and regular servicing and maintenance. Unfortunately people equate ‘rufftie tufftie’ 4x4 to mean they can handle abuse and not need servicing as much,

The exact opposite is true - the 4wd mechanism has orders of magnitude more moving parts than a regular saloon so correspondingly needs more regular maintenance.

I do all my own maintenance and have done for years and years, I would welcome any inspection or test.

However mine is a second car/weekend toy so I can afford to have it off road for ages at a time repairing/maintaining it myself. One as a daily driver might be different.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that anyone servicing their own Landy is c**p at it; it's just I've seen far too many that are. When I teach off-road driving it's usually in the tutee's vehicle and I inspect them before we go out. A great number are not maintained to a standard I would be happy with and some have been so bad I have refused to use them. The level of training we do means the vehicle must be in good condition - steering and brakes obviously, but just as important (if not more so) is transmission - no jumping out of low range or diff-locks not working. I'm not just talking about Landys either - we've seen dreadful Toyotas, Mitsubishis, Nissans - the lot.

If I'm preparing for an overland trek I will get the car thoroughly serviced a month or so before, run it around, then check it over again myself. But, I do like to have a second pair of eyes look over things.

 

[MrEd]

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that anyone servicing their own Landy is c**p at it; it's just I've seen far too many that are. When I teach off-road driving it's usually in the tutee's vehicle and I inspect them before we go out. A great number are not maintained to a standard I would be happy with and some have been so bad I have refused to use them. The level of training we do means the vehicle must be in good condition - steering and brakes obviously, but just as important (if not more so) is transmission - no jumping out of low range or diff-locks not working. I'm not just talking about Landys either - we've seen dreadful Toyotas, Mitsubishis, Nissans - the lot.

If I'm preparing for an overland trek I will get the car thoroughly serviced a month or so before, run it around, then check it over again myself. But, I do like to have a second pair of eyes look over things.

yep agreed and i take mine once a year to a friend of mine who owns a gaarage, for its MOT, and i also ask him to give it the once over and point out anything NOT MOT related but that i have missed or that will need attention.

I also make a point of sorting all advisories promptly, many people take advisories as a 'it can wait' type issue.

 

[MartiniDave]

The other thing I've witnessed quite often is this:
Chap has 2 cars, one Volvo, Audi whatever. He treats it well, has it serviced and generally looks after it, tries not to curb it etc.
His other car is an older Lady of some sort. He will hop into it and literally treat it like it was a Challenger tank, you know, fast over rough terrain, bouncing up and down kerbs, overloading it, driving through bushes, ignoring servicing etc. etc.
Point out the error of his ways and he'll shrug and mutter something about "These things are tough you know..."
Makes me wince every time.

Edited to ad - I'm really lucky in that I have a very good independent Land Rover garage within a mile of my home, who look after me very well.

 

[Broch]

His other car is an older Lady of some sort. He will hop into it and literally treat it like it was a Challenger tank, you know, fast over rough terrain, bouncing up and down kerbs, overloading it, driving through bushes, ignoring servicing etc. etc.

No one should treat Old Ladies like that
(sorry, couldn't resist)

 

[fenix]

The other thing I've witnessed quite often is this:
Chap has 2 cars, one Volvo, Audi whatever. He treats it well, has it serviced and generally looks after it, tries not to curb it etc.
His other car is an older Lady of some sort. He will hop into it and literally treat it like it was a Challenger tank, you know, fast over rough terrain, bouncing up and down kerbs, overloading it, driving through bushes, ignoring servicing etc. etc.
Point out the error of his ways and he'll shrug and mutter something about "These things are tough you know..."
Makes me wince every time.

Edited to ad - I'm really lucky in that I have a very good independent Land Rover garage within a mile of my home, who look after me very well.

No need to treat the lady's rough!!
Once thongs settle down a bit I will go and have a mooch around some of the local car dealers, to test drive some options, Disco 2 vs Freelander 2. Defenders are over budget and I expect to be doing some longer runs, holidays and trips to Bisley. Local use will be down the shoot and carrying kayaks and canoes to the Medway.

 

[Damascus]

Had a freelander2 from new for the past twelve years and has done me proud, on a good run I’ve had 48 mph, travelling along the A17, boy it’s straight n flat! Overall a good vehicle but a small boot for its size, drop the back seats it’s cavernous.

 

[Broch]

Had a freelander2 from new for the past twelve years and has done me proud, on a good run I’ve had 48 mph, travelling along the A17, boy it’s straight n flat! Overall a good vehicle but a small boot for its size, drop the back seats it’s cavernous.

I really wish they'd kept the Freelander range going - maybe with an update but at least the more utilitarian look. The Disco Sport is a fantastically capable off-road vehicle but doesn't look the part IMO.

I'm sure you mean 48mpg - at least I hope so

 

[lostplanet]

Something else that is really sad is the theft element. My friend had a lovely defender 90 used daily, on and off road, looked after, basically his pride and joy.
Captured on CCTV thieves spent an hour or so scoping it out and stole it. It didnt have a tracker but pretty much everything else. it was found in nearly 2 pieces after they had tried to use it in an ATM pull. he didnt want it back after seeing what had been done and took the insurance.

Dont get me wrong if a thief wants a car there isnt much that can be done to stop them taking it no matter what make and model.
I dont know if the discovery will become as sought after, just something to think about.

Defender theft statistics

Statistics for Land Rover Defender Thefts. For the first time in two decades cars of all kinds are being stolen more. The defender is now number two on the most stolen list in the UK.

www.landroverdefendersecurity.com

 

[Damascus]

Yes, 48 mpg at steady 55 Mph along the A17, one of the straightest, flattest roads I know, from Kings Lynn? I agree a shame they discontinued the F2, the disco sport nice but how many of us want 7 seats, I spoke to Landrover dealer about the seats in the boot and having a new purchase minus these for more boot space, no they are standard fit, shame.

 

[MartiniDave]

Yes, 48 mpg at steady 55 Mph along the A17, one of the straightest, flattest roads I know, from Kings Lynn? I agree a shame they discontinued the F2, the disco sport nice but how many of us want 7 seats, I spoke to Landrover dealer about the seats in the boot and having a new purchase minus these for more boot space, no they are standard fit, shame.

That's exactly why we didn't keep our discovery sport and went back to a Freelander 2. Those 2 extra seats were no use to anybody bigger than Ronnie Corbett, they just added weight, took space where the spare wheel should have been, and were a horrendous dirt trap. Incidentally, it's always fun to challenge the salesman to actually sit in one of those seats.

 

[Damascus]

Martini, totally agree with disco sport back seats

 

[Broch]

We have, once, fitted seven adults into the DS but only to drive off a moorland for a total distance of five or six miles - anything more than that would be impossible. I think you could comfortably get a couple of kids in under twelve but then you'd have no room at all for anything for them to do once you got to where you're going. So, it's a school run 4x4

I bought my Defender 110 new eleven years ago. The spec I wanted with full air-con, heated seats, electric windows etc. came with the two forward facing seats in the back which, despite folding up on the sides, took up a lot of room. I think I filled it once in the two months or so before they came out when I did the 'trekking' fit. So, I have two brand new (eleven years old) Puma Defender leather rear folding seats sitting up in my loft - I hope the mice have left them alone

 

[Erbswurst]

My brother bought the last Defender.
It is a great car, but unfortunately there was a Ford Transit engine inside which broke after 200 kilometres.
Now he bought a second engine and will sell the whole thing.

There is a nice Toyota Landcruiser on the grey market, more or less looking like a 110 hard top. Probably the better choice.

Or a used Austrian.

The Mercedes G Professional is the civil version of the car which is used by German, Austrian and Swiss army.

It's more expensive, but as far as I understood you don't need to put a spare engine in the trunk.

 

[Broch]

My brother bought the last Defender.
It is a great car, but unfortunately there was a Ford Transit engine inside which broke after 200 kilometres.
Now he bought a second engine and will sell the whole thing.

There is a nice Toyota Landcruiser on the grey market, more or less looking like a 110 hard top. Probably the better choice.

Or a used Austrian.

The Mercedes G Professional is the civil version of the car which is used by German, Austrian and Swiss army.

It's more expensive, but as far as I understood you don't need to put a spare engine in the trunk.

There's always somebody prepared to tell someone else's bad experience story as though it's the general rule - by comparison my Ford Puma engine (an engine fitted to millions of transit vans that do hundreds of thousands of km without failure) has done 125,000 miles ( 200,000km) without soo much as a hiccup - great engine, great vehicle at fraction of the price of the G-Wagon.

There's not a lot wrong with the Puma engine. As I've said before, it all comes down to how well it's maintained and looked after.