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Disco chancer?

I currently own a 2001 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 automatic, which had been trouble free until 105,000 miles, when I have had to replace suspension sensors, a known fault documented on your web site. I cover 10,000 miles annually, 4,000 towing a caravan with MTPLM of 1,739kg. I am now looking to replace my Disco, max. budget £20,000 including P/X and have been considering a 3 or 4-year-old Series 3 Discovery or a similarly aged BMW 530d SE Touring (both auto). I fancy the Disco, for its agricultural roots and pulling power, but the BMW for when I am not towing, and its perceived reliability and economy. Of those, which would you choose and why? And what others would you consider?

Asked on 5 September 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
The Disco III has been fairly reliable. I've seen ex Highways Agency examples at auction with 175k miles on them in just a few years, and an unreliable vehicle just can't accumulate that mileage in that time. But they are big and heavy and really need the new 3.0 litre diesel engine coming in the autumn. BMW 530ds are notorious for doing in their turbos, and nothing overheats turbos more than towing. I hesitate to suggest anything else. In theory a Mercedes ML320CDI should be good, but they can have lots of problems. KIA Sorento manuals can have driveline disasters, so autos are a safer bet, but are over 225g/km. Maybe a Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 diesel auto.

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