Another: "What is your view on" Discovery 1 300Tdi

[Jaco Versfeld]

Hi There,

Hope the mods don't impose a "ban for life" on me

As you all know, I had to let go of Mufasa - 2.2 DC SFA (EFI), when we bought our house. At the moment, I am pondering what overlander I should buy in the future (maybe a year or two from now.)

When looking for my next overlander, I want to tick the following boxes (in this order)

1. Reliability
2. Fuel consumption - must be higher than 8
3. Price - should be less than R75 k, as this is a toy and not a necessity neither an asset
4. Aircon
4. Comfortable ride
5. Leg space at the back
6. SFA, but would consider IFS


I have talked about Mufasa II - obviously a SFA DC Hilux, but my wife gave me the crocodile stare.

So, what are your opinions on the Disco 1, 300TDi? I know, it has the wrong badge. I also know that the bagage space at the back is not big - Swambo Lite is only 4 months old, but I see we will need a lot of space in the future, her cute smile and giggles are only a decoy at the moment... (I will take it upon myself to train my little boy to be economical when packing...)

The plus side of the Disco 1 is that it is an SFA (Do not know the ground clearance). They normally are quite cheap - R35k - R70k. They are quite economical, around 9km/l. Should be comfortable at the back as well?

My heart still tells me to get a nice SFA DC 93 - 98 model, and fit OME. Leg room at the back is a problem. Would prefer 2.8D, or a nicely converted 2.5td Mazda/Ford. Otherwise 2.2 EFI or 2.4 EFI.

My other option will be a 2700i, or a KZTE.

What do you guys think?

[CasKru]

baie lig op sous...

[Huismoeles]

Cassie ek like

[African Child]

[Tarquin]

All the Tdi landies are great vehicles, i'd got for a defender. don't go near td5's or anything newer.
a hilux sfa for under 75k is very rare. if its under that it will normally be neglected.
both are great vehicles

[kfxnando]

If you not getting a bakkie Toyota or ford

And are looking in the dirrection that you are
Yes maybe I am bias
In that price range
Then have a look at the jeep grand Cherokee V8, yes V8

If i drive properly, got to the coast Dec, on around 10km/l
Its lighter on fuel the my V6 bakkie, in both scenarios , towing and not towing

Some will say price of spares
Dealer to dealer
Toyota aygo oil filter 140, jeep oil filter 94, daihatsu material oil filter190
Sparkplugs, jeep all 8 for 250, daihatsu material depending on engine number 250-350 each

If driven properly, very nice on fuel
If driven hard, it has to burn the fuel to make the power

Jeep gets its bad reputation couz people dont look after them

Spares availability, depending on stealers and their service, no issue, and couz there are so many in the USA, many online shops that have spares and local shops specializing in jeep

Add to that that the value for money, and that till around 2004 they still had the sfa

There are a few things that one needs to know, and if you head in that direction will be happy to share

Have fun shopping

[Polarbear2008]

The 300tdi motor is relaible, if well looked after, with enough power to go any place. The mechanicals are also ok for serious off-road work.

The disco 1 was at one stage plagued by the "3 amigos". A fault that saw 2 warning lights (one of which was the ABS light) come on for "no reason". Turns out that it is caused by a control unit that is quite costly to replace.

If you plan to service it yourself, or know a good diesel mech, you should be ok. The motor is very mechanical (no common rail) so most diesel shops can work on it.

There were a few niggles with the 300tdi, one being the fuel lift pump (LRs have 2 fuel pumps), the other being the bearings on the fan belts. These fail when the wrong length of belt is used or the pulleys run out of alignment (there was a mod kit for that at one stage, as some of the engines left the factory like that, and thew off their drive belts because of it.

I know these things because my father-in-law owns a 300tdi Defender and services it himself.

Enjoy the "toy" - no reference to TOYOTA here! LOL!

[Thabogrobler]

Disco 1 is a rebodies Defender.

300Tdi is the prefered engine on these due to the ease of maitenance and relaiability. 80 000km Timing belt changes should not be skipped - it will cost you dearly!

Very comfy ride. especially compared to an SFA 'lux. Comfy seats, okish packing space.

Look far one where the body is impeccable, the mechanical side can always be fixed.

Mate bought one last year for R48k but had to spend R30k on mechanical repairs. Now it is unstoppable!

O ja, the 2 Amigos is only found on the Disco 2!

[Wurmscooby]

Hilux SFA. I would stay away from the landrovers.

[KOBUSL]

Twee Discoveries vir die prys van een SFA. Buitendien dink ek die wat nog bestaan se moeilikheid is gesorteer. Ons is self op soek na een ( V8 ) vir die klong. Hy soek 'n "softroader " , maw iets wat gemaklik op die pad is. Maar soos jy die jongspan ken, sal hy dit graag wil toets in die veld. Wat die Disco natuurlik loshande sal slaag. Vir die rerige veldwerk ( ons is in die indringer en bome sny bedryf ) bly hy maar by die Hilux. In elk geval is die Duellers te duur om op die teerpad klaar te ry. Maar dit is die geval met alle voertuie : as die onderhoud goed was, sal hy hou.

[JEEPIE]

IT still has a LR badge on it
enough said

[MOFASA]

IT still has a LR badge on it
enough said

[Wurmscooby]

IT still has a LR badge on it
enough said