21st Jul 2003, 09:52

I have a Land Rover Discovery TDi 1990. It is more expensive to run than a similar age saloon car, and a few do appear to have build and mechanical problems.

Mine runs well, and has a minimum of issues.

Land Rover - the best 4 x 4 x far!

4th Feb 2005, 20:56

I am currently in the process of selling my 1993 V8 Auto Land-rover. When I purchased the car for $17,000 (australian) it only had 53,000 KM on the dial. I checked the books and service logs and turned out to be genuine. Aside from a few imperfections, the car has been great to me. Stating the obvious, its fuel consumption leaves a lot to be desired, but being a two tonne vehicle, with a v8, I expected nothing less. I've also had a few problems with the car randomly stalling when either in drive, or in neutral. However it is a very comfortable car for both driver and passenger (s), it tows horse floats with ease. It has never broken down, and starts with ease every time, even after sitting in my driveway for 3 months while I was overseas!

A great car overall.

27th Feb 2005, 21:08

My 93 Disco V8 auto is generally quite fine, recently did a Byron Bay-Sydney-Byron Bay trip at 23 mpg, but my post is for advice. Anyone like to comment on why it's getting difficult to select low range? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Graham Quigley.

27th Feb 2005, 21:13

Further to first post, its done 270000k's about 160000miles and is still tight and quiet, and is my 2nd Disco. Both have been okay. But I've heard some awful stories, seems as though every Disco is very individual as to build.

Graham Quigley.

6th Mar 2005, 19:32

How did you manage to get 23mpg on a v8 auto?

2nd Jul 2005, 13:49

23 to the gallon? Were you being towed? I can honestly say that I have had no problems with my 94 TDi 200, only the CD player failed and that was not an original part. I have owned it for 3 years now and its proved to be an excellent tow vehicle, comfortable, reasonably quiet and the best by far off road (side steps and tow bracket removed). I have found service items (non original) eg filters, brake pads etc as cheap as any car that I have owned, try pricing

Mitsubishi spares up.

14th Oct 2005, 22:06

I have recently purchased a 1993 3.5ltr V8 auto discovery. Whilst I have owned it I have found it stalls on a few occasions for no obvious reason. But aside from this and the fact it drinks fuel it is a great vehicle and I would buy one again though preferably a diesel next time.

25th Jun 2006, 09:02

I bought my Discovery to tow a heavy boat, this it does very well and I must say as a towing vehicle it would have to be the best I have ever driven.

So far I have had the vehicle almost 18 months and my local Land Rover Specialist is a lot richer and knows me by name.

I have had the gear selector go, the electrics have caused a never ending sense of wonder, meaning I wonder what will go on when I press this button. I found that things do work then dont for no obvious reason, but just before going to the mechanic then mysteriously start working again! I am constantly tightening the exhaust manifold bolts on the right hand side {driver side}. The fuel economy is pretty well non existent, but I knew that when I bought a large four wheeled drive. I had LPG fitted to the vehicle, with the tank being mounted inside the cabin in the rear load area, while this has halved the carrying area and stopped the rear seats from being dropped it has also almost doubled the range of the car.

The ride of a little hard and the seats are also hard, but these are great for long distances and I have found no sore backs after 8 – 12 hours of driving. The elevated driving position is excellent for city and country driving and the car does respond well in emergencies, but it is not a saloon or sedan. I have had to barrier evade however to avoid a vehicular accident and she handled beautifully.

My mechanic has prepared me for more than $10,000.00 worth of repairs that will need doing in the next 12 – 18 months so I will be trading in the car on something better very soon.

24th Apr 2009, 02:52

I bought a 93 200 TDI for a giggle back in November. Got it for $3000 NZ, (about 1000 British pounds), with extensive panel damage from years of off road thrashing. Had been rolled twice.

Expected rubbish. What I got was a bulletproof machine. I tow a trailer for at least 100km on every tank, have big bullbars, raised suspension, and 12" wide tyres and it still gets 11l/100km. Had skinny stock tyres on for a while and was getting better than 10l/100km. Previously was using a Falcon for same purpose and averaged 19l/100km. Plus diesel is less than 2/3 the price of petrol here.

Only repair has been clutch master and slave and hydraulic lines - cost under $300 fitted. Cylinders were OK, but as it had a leaky line and the cost was so inconsequential I went for the whole schmozzle.

Clutch itself is showing age at 160,000km, but has got a bit of life yet, and it has no problems being dropped violently when changing gears in a hurry.

Undersized engine insipid at low revs, which encourages keeping the boost on and driving it like a racecar. The turbocharger is a godsend, and you get some startled looks as you overtake people with the engine screaming in agony at 4000rpm. Would have liked to see this made with a 3.5 rather than 2.5 turbodiesel.

Manual gearbox has a clumsy action, but has proved extremely strong. Approach someone from behind in this and they will get out of your way toot sweet.

Towed a Land Cruiser 100 and a boat along a soft sand beach, and then for a further 30km of steep metal roads once. So much for Toyota reliability, the reason he was broken down was a little bit of water got in his electrics after driving through a one foot deep drain. I towed him through said drain without any problems. Admittedly I was in low second and the weight of his beached whale was causing me to crab all over the beach. But the landy didn't get stuck.

Very comfortable driving position, plus brilliant room for all passengers. The boot is a bit small though. The truck I bought for playing in the mud and sand has ended up doing 8000km in 6 months while my other vehicles sit at home neglected.

1st Nov 2011, 01:30

Have you neutral first burnouts, also known as reversie firsties?

25th Jan 2016, 10:09

I've owned my 93 V8i for six months, and it's awesome.

Gas mileage is real good for a V8 4x4, it's comfortable, and has gone anywhere I've wanted it to.

I've had a small problem with the power windows, the heater planetary thing makes horrible noises when going around corners, and I've had starter rebuilt.

I love this machine!