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bob moseley
Guest
I love my disco (series 1, 100k) but it has needed too many repairs. Would a D90 be more relaible?
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CurtisP
Guest
Assuming you are talking about a NAS D90
The D-90 has fewer things to break such a power windows and all of the other little doodads that come on the Discovery. However everything else is pretty much the same as far as the engine, transmission, transfer case, 3rd members, ECU and so on.
You will find that they leak just like a disco and have their own little issues such as headlight switches and tend to have some rust issues.
I certainly found the D90 easier to work on as it is very basic and everything is accessible.
The D-90 has fewer things to break such a power windows and all of the other little doodads that come on the Discovery. However everything else is pretty much the same as far as the engine, transmission, transfer case, 3rd members, ECU and so on.
You will find that they leak just like a disco and have their own little issues such as headlight switches and tend to have some rust issues.
I certainly found the D90 easier to work on as it is very basic and everything is accessible.
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EricSiepmann
Guest
You also have to factor in the previous owner and his maintenance. I was fortunate in that the PO did a good job. Get one that has been abused and they can be quite expensive to fix.
I have had many issues, but no major mechanical ones. I swapped the exhaust to NRP. fixed some wiring problems that the dealer screwed up, had to get a new sunroof, but all said and done, it has been very reliable truck.
FWIW
EwS
I have had many issues, but no major mechanical ones. I swapped the exhaust to NRP. fixed some wiring problems that the dealer screwed up, had to get a new sunroof, but all said and done, it has been very reliable truck.
FWIW
EwS
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Hokie_Rover
Guest
Eric,
Perhaps you meant PO, and not POS?
From personnal experience, the Disco is more reliable. Then again, I'm comparing a 94 D90 to a 96 Disco. The 90 never left me stranded, but always had issues with the brakes that I could never fix. Rust was starting to crop up when I sold it -- both around the door skins, and at the bulkhead. 90s are awesome, I don't think my wife will ever forgive me for selling it, but it was a terrible money pit, even worse than the disco! I always thought the 90 was surprisingly comfy, but I didn't expect much from it either.
FWIW,
Alan
Perhaps you meant PO, and not POS?
From personnal experience, the Disco is more reliable. Then again, I'm comparing a 94 D90 to a 96 Disco. The 90 never left me stranded, but always had issues with the brakes that I could never fix. Rust was starting to crop up when I sold it -- both around the door skins, and at the bulkhead. 90s are awesome, I don't think my wife will ever forgive me for selling it, but it was a terrible money pit, even worse than the disco! I always thought the 90 was surprisingly comfy, but I didn't expect much from it either.
FWIW,
Alan
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EricSiepmann
Guest
Yes and no!
Sometimes I think it is a POS! Can be very frustrating at times. I have even thought of getting a Series. But why? Loose the power steering and brakes, coils, CDL, ..... I love the series trucks, but short of an ECR rebuild on a coil chasis, wouldn't work for me.
Yeah Rust is a bitch. My hi-lift bent my rear door, so I used it as an opportunity to get a new rust free one and a Mantec carrier. Bulkhead is fine, Had the front door bottoms repaired and now will most likely do the tops. Prolly just replace those as well. Bought a new bulkhead from RN as well. Time to start the restoration.
EwS
Sometimes I think it is a POS! Can be very frustrating at times. I have even thought of getting a Series. But why? Loose the power steering and brakes, coils, CDL, ..... I love the series trucks, but short of an ECR rebuild on a coil chasis, wouldn't work for me.
Yeah Rust is a bitch. My hi-lift bent my rear door, so I used it as an opportunity to get a new rust free one and a Mantec carrier. Bulkhead is fine, Had the front door bottoms repaired and now will most likely do the tops. Prolly just replace those as well. Bought a new bulkhead from RN as well. Time to start the restoration.
EwS
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ShaunP
Guest
New Defender 90,110,and 130s only come as TD5 as far as I Know and were TDIs from 90 to 99 in Australia you could buy v8 cars in the 80s but they were just call 110s or Countys these were also available with 3.9 Isuzu oiler. These cars use a different 5 speed which was bigger and called a Santana Are the US ones V8's?
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EricSiepmann
Guest
Love my d1 but defenders have the cool factor. I have never owned one so my advice is worth nothing. I'm just shocked to hear as many complaints as I have. Planning on getting one in about two years.
Cheers Andy
Cheers Andy
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AgentSkull
Guest
I hear you on the cool factor... But, I recently drove one for a full day. It was loud, cold and bumpy.
I dream of having one as a third car someday. By then I probably wont care as to whats cool or not and it will just be a utilitarian expedition vehicle, (that's cool).
I dream of having one as a third car someday. By then I probably wont care as to whats cool or not and it will just be a utilitarian expedition vehicle, (that's cool).
I may be way off so forgive me in advance, but here goes. I think defenders have more of the "cool factor " here in the states because they are rare when compared to the disco or RR. Hell even my wife tells me about it when she sees one and she could care less. I like the disco for many reasons but I think you can build a defender to be more of an ultimate off-roader if that is what your'e after. comfort and drivability it's the disco or RR all the way.
Just my 2 cents, Andy 95 d1
Just my 2 cents, Andy 95 d1
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AgentSkull
Guest
D
ducati
Guest
EricSiepmann said:
"CDL" is standard on every Series.
Power steering can be added quite easily. Kevin Newell from Canada added a really slick power steering ram to his Series 3/Defender lookalike that is awesome if you don't like manual steering. Brakes on my old IIA were great--always made me wonder what the hubbub was about.
Coils are a bit more difficult--but after putting parabolics and new shocks on my IIA I was floored at how comfortable it was.
Now a Series isn't as civilized as a D90 but a helluva lot cheaper here in the US...
I currently have both and I'll tell you, the ride is soooo much more comfortable on the DI. My experience with my Disco is that it has been a money pit. And now that it's finally running well, has all the accessories I wanted, I get the itch for a D90.
Echoing what's already been said, but here it goes. The D90 is so much noisier, bumpier and quirky (it's manual). The DI has more space, both leak water like a sieve and I know to expect most of the same mechanical problems on the D90 that I've had on the DI.
But make no mistake, a modded DI has a cool factor all it's own. Both vehicles attract attention and rubbernecking when on the freeway.
D90 folks are going to flame me for this, but given the choice, I'd keep both and continue to use the Disco for offroading. The reason is that a) I fear f-ing up the body work on the D90 b) I fear affecting the resale value of the D90. The Disco has devaluated such that short of a blown engine, it almost can't go much lower.
In summary, for those who won't or can't have both, the winner will be determined by each individual. Some people prefer a cold, leaky, uber-cool, relatively expensive D90 over a more comfy, refined ride, spacious yet capable Disco.
Javier
Echoing what's already been said, but here it goes. The D90 is so much noisier, bumpier and quirky (it's manual). The DI has more space, both leak water like a sieve and I know to expect most of the same mechanical problems on the D90 that I've had on the DI.
But make no mistake, a modded DI has a cool factor all it's own. Both vehicles attract attention and rubbernecking when on the freeway.
D90 folks are going to flame me for this, but given the choice, I'd keep both and continue to use the Disco for offroading. The reason is that a) I fear f-ing up the body work on the D90 b) I fear affecting the resale value of the D90. The Disco has devaluated such that short of a blown engine, it almost can't go much lower.
In summary, for those who won't or can't have both, the winner will be determined by each individual. Some people prefer a cold, leaky, uber-cool, relatively expensive D90 over a more comfy, refined ride, spacious yet capable Disco.
Javier
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ShaunP
Guest
Why not get an early 2 door Rangie they look tuff and are great off road due to the short over hangs. 4 speed manual box is unbreakable. Drive like a disco pretty much, except for A/C is crap and no power glass and locks. Pretty much the same brakes and suspension. They make a great cheap project car you can buy good ones in Oz for around $2k
Why not get a horse
I know the word Jeep is profane on this site, but for the cost of a D90 you can buy and build a hell of a Jeep TJ. LD's and Jeeps are very differant in stock form, but the money issue can't be downplayed. I have a 95 Disco because I think they are much more verstile than a D90 (or Jeep) and I could barely make the down payment on a D90. I've had a Jeep and they break, I have a Disco and it breaks! For totally reliable transportation why not get a horse or a dogsled team?
I know the word Jeep is profane on this site, but for the cost of a D90 you can buy and build a hell of a Jeep TJ. LD's and Jeeps are very differant in stock form, but the money issue can't be downplayed. I have a 95 Disco because I think they are much more verstile than a D90 (or Jeep) and I could barely make the down payment on a D90. I've had a Jeep and they break, I have a Disco and it breaks! For totally reliable transportation why not get a horse or a dogsled team?