Inputs please: Land Rover Discovery Series I ('97)

[OTEP]

Anyone with experience on this type of vehicle? I've been checking some units out in the local market recently for the possibility of replacing the gas guzzling LC II (70 series).

The first units I saw were almost identical ex-JDM units. Discos are pretty easy to convert to LHD. Even the side mirrors and dash shell are identical. Only the dashpod and airbag housing need to be moved. They are SE (top of the line units) with V8 engines (gas guzzlers but at least more powerful than the anemic and gas guzzling LC 4-banger) mated to an automatic. Also has dual electric sunroofs, dual a/c, clever rear jump seats, leather, etc. I'm not too sure about the selling price, but they will take a GEN II Pajero plus a lil cash.

The second unit I looked at was a local (Prestige Motors) '97. Maroon, TDi, A/T. Also had dual a/c and dual (though manual) sunroofs. Seven seater configuration with mixed (leather/cloth) upholstery. The unit seemed ok and mechanically sound on initial inspection. Some interior trim were missing. And the whole vehicle seemed to have undergone a haphazard hilamos job. There was overspray everywhere including door latches, door panels, rubber grommets, etc. The price was also a bit high though probably still fair for the vehicle.

The third unit was an ex-Mid East unit. White, TDi with a 5-speed manual. No dual air, no sunroofs, but still had rear jumpseats. Cloth upholstery and no airbags. It was being sold for Php 750k. Some mechanical and cosmetic work still needed (around Php 150k worth). A bit overpriced, IMHO.

Do you think buying a Land Rover (specifically the Disco) is a good idea? Defenders are still way out of our league (used ones still fetching Php 1.6M).

http://www.digi-go.biz/axb1aaa/vehicle.html

[herbularyo]

Wow. One of my dream SUVs. Hope you can get one and please post some pictures once you've done the restoration.

I saw one unit in the market 2-3 months ago with 40T+ ODO from the importers in Cebu. Needs minimal paint improvement. Kaso kabibili ko lang ng fortuner kaya wala pang extra money.

[GlennSter]

nice choice.

otep...ever considered the defender instead?thats one of my dream suv's of all time..

[garyq]

otep: alam mo eto gusto ng wife ko. Around 800K nga yung mga tdi na 97-up. Sa reviews abroad maraming problema sa gearbox and general built quality. Pero ang nakakapagtaka pag dating sa real world(pulling a trailer, expeditions) and serious off roading eto ang choice ng maraming tao. Sa lahat ng reviews na nakita ko sa Discovery it averages 2.5-3 out of 5 stars. Yung gas I believe has less problems. Nga pala pag ex-JDM LHD na yun d ba?

[OTEP]

Glenn,
Defender 110's are still in the above Php 1.3M range. Php 1.5M yung isang naka-ads. Yung tinignan ko Php 1.6M na. A bit too steep and a bit too specialized for the intended usage.

garyQ,
RHD ang Japan units. Pero yung stalks ng steering column, tama naman. Signal sa left, wipers sa right.

Some Disco sites I chanced upon:
http://www.landroverusa.com/us/en/Co...GraphicPromo_2 ---- Disco History
www.discoweb.org ---- LR Discovery Forums
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=55 ---- Disco Crash Test
http://bellsouthpwp.net/d/i/discover...discovery.html ---- Roll over Rover
http://www.goldfish.org/~mcooper/disco/ ---- Early Disco (check out the agricultural dash!)
http://www.fag.hiof.no/~frodehaa/disco.html ---- "Otto" the Disco
http://home.twcny.rr.com/eeibooks/rover/index.htm ---- Evan's LR Disco (with VIDEO links)

MILD:


WILD:

[garyq]

otep: i personally looked at some ex-JDM units na Discovery and it is LHD. Yung V8 na 98 nasa 800K. Some ex-JDM cars (especially European ones) are LHD kahit galing/used sa Japan. I looked at several units ng Benz and Chevy Astros.

[OTEP]

The one at Auto Sources Inc along EDSA and Goldpark Ortigas were ex-RHD. The footrest was still in the 'wrong' side. And the JDM flashlight/flare holder was still mounted on the left (it is intended for the 'passenger' footwell).

San yung mga tinignan mo? Baka pwede ko din silipin. Much better if TDi. Puro V8 yung ex-JDM na sinilip ko, eh.

[garyq]

dito sa site meron 2 units na naka-ad di ba? isang 95 and isang 98. Sige una ka para balitaan mo kami. he.he.he. yung nakita ko V8 eh. Sa marcos hiway. ganda, dark green. ask ko kung available pa and how much.

[larshell]

Dont get 2.5TDi masyadong under power, yon nga lang matipid. Get the V8 na lang pero kung V8 rin lang mag Range ka nalang. If ever you change your mind i have a friend who is selling his classic Range Rover PM me for the details.BTW member sya ng Rover club

[OTEP]

garyq,
Sold na yung isa sa Tsikot ads. The other one (the red one) is the unit I checked out dito sa Tandang Sora.