Disco

I bought a Land Rover Discovery for various reasons. Firstly, I wanted one. More rationally I needed 7 seats, a vehicle that could carry camping gear and cycles or lug my motorcycles. Some off road ability would not go amiss, even if it was just to get out of the car park at Knockhill Circuit. .

We bought a '92 200TdiES 18 months old with 30K on the clock. I would have loved a rumbling V8 but could not afford the fuel bills. Maybe now I would try one and convert to LPG.

It now has nearly 100K on the clock and, in general, it has done the job. I fitted a lot of accessories to make it more convenient, faster and comfortable. These include:

• Kenlowe electric fan

• Kenlowe engine pre - heater

• Roof bars

• Extra rear speakers, woofer and front tweeters. The standard radio is not that good.

• Anti roll bars to transform the on-road handling

• Polybush suspension bushes

• Momo steering wheel

• lights-on buzzer

• spot lights. (Headlights are not the original Disco's strong point)

• Running boards

• rear step and tow bar

• Sound proofing kit - the radio needs all the help it can get

• Central oddments box as I couldn't get on with the reject handbag fitted between the seats

• Head restraint pads and lumber support

The Disco has many good points, it is comfortable, has a certain presence on the road, is completely unphased by loads. It has toured in Europe and Britain and has carried bikes, pedal and powered, without complaint.

Although the offroad capabilities have not been taxed, wading has been. During our spate of recent wet winters there has been some extremely bad flooding and the Disco can just plough on. On occassion it has been just about the only vehicle to navigate some roads.

It has not been without its problems. A steering box was changed for an MoT although I doubt it was really needed but I did need a new gearbox at 70K when the output shaft went: known weakness and expensive. The head gasket went at 80K and I had to fit a new tank sender unit (£100) when the pipes from it rotted. The first battery lasted 8 years and although brake pads last reasonably well (discs all round) I had to renew corroded discs.

The body work still looks good and the chassis is strong. I have protected it all with Waxoyl. The engineering is simple to the point of crude but, as it is built like a truck, you need truck size tools and sometimes 2 people on the torque wrench. I replaced the timing belt, head gasket and suspension bushes without great difficulty. I will not say it was without a few oaths though.

I have been well satisfied with Avon Rangemaster tyres 205 x 16 and am a member of the Scottish Landrover Owners Club.

Having used the Disco for several years now and with the kids "doing their own thing" the time has come for a change and the Disco has been sold. Bruce with not be happy.

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This page last updated 15/3/2002