Disco V Surf thanks for unbiased advice

[rjh357]

Re my earlier post “advice on buying Surf”, many thanks for all the advice on Surf over Disco, as expected there is a little bias towards the Surf but then again the Disco gets the same treatment on a land rover forum I have had some help with.
You all seem to be aware of the tin worm problem Discos suffer with, there is a solution to that guys buy a Disco that has bean imported from Japan, it will have no rust be will maintained (now who would go to that trouble) then Wax oil it and away you go (and a Diesel one won’t crack a cylinder head lol)
If my disco fails its MOT next year I will give very serious consideration to a 3L Surf Auto, does anyone know the maximum weight a Surf can tow is I have read 1500KG but several people that have replied to my earlier questions tow 1600KG plus and I do wander.
I will probably spend around 4 to 5 thousand on a replacement I know I will get a good TD5 for that possibly with FSH and all the accessories you can think (more stuff to go wrong) what would I would get in Surf for that kind of dosh.
There are lots of fully fledged 4X4s and SUVs that would suite my needs and it seems the Surf is defiantly one worth looking at again many thanks for all advice.
Roy

[POPEYE]

You'll get a fairly good 3rd gen for that sort of cash, or go for a land cruiser

[Apache]

Fairly good? You should get a mint 3rd gen with all the toys for £5k!

[Splasher.]

Fairly good? You should get a mint 3rd gen with all the toys for £5k!

Yeah, my dad did.

[Koi]

For 5k I would be looking towards getting the intercooler.

As for towing, Toyota UK say a 4Runner will tow 2200kgs, seeing as there is no specific specs for a surf, and 2nd Gen Surf is basically a 4runner, I would use that as the towing weight.

I know others have towed more.

[hilux2.8]

Go a 80 series Landcruiser

Gday Mate,
The old disco is a good 4wd when working and go pretty much anywhere you want to throw them.

But as every one knows they are troublesome to diagnose problems, you need to be on some sort of sedatives to lower the stress levels, plus you need to earn some good cash as they are exspensive to repair.

The Surf is a more reliable and better all round car but they are starting to show there age and although Toyota UK say they can tow a 2200 kilos they struggle and chew the fuel.

Why not save up and go for a 80 series as Popeye suggested

[BUSHWHACKER]

Re my earlier post “advice on buying Surf”, many thanks for all the advice on Surf over Disco, as expected there is a little bias towards the Surf but then again the Disco gets the same treatment on a land rover forum I have had some help with.
You all seem to be aware of the tin worm problem Discos suffer with, there is a solution to that guys buy a Disco that has bean imported from Japan, it will have no rust be will maintained (now who would go to that trouble) then Wax oil it and away you go (and a Diesel one won’t crack a cylinder head lol)
If my disco fails its MOT next year I will give very serious consideration to a 3L Surf Auto, does anyone know the maximum weight a Surf can tow is I have read 1500KG but several people that have replied to my earlier questions tow 1600KG plus and I do wander.
I will probably spend around 4 to 5 thousand on a replacement I know I will get a good TD5 for that possibly with FSH and all the accessories you can think (more stuff to go wrong) what would I would get in Surf for that kind of dosh.
There are lots of fully fledged 4X4s and SUVs that would suite my needs and it seems the Surf is defiantly one worth looking at again many thanks for all advice.
Roy

What did you get in the end?

[muddle]

He got a disco and had major air suspension failure, was sick daily at the ugly squareness and regrets not putting that 5k towards a minter surf. Probably on the shogun forums now asking whats best, and pajero or vitara.

[muddle]

.

[Albannach]

.

Your phone only did what you told it to do....

[Apache]

I like the later Discos, and I really really like the look of the RR Evoque. Almost enough to want one!

[muddle]

Your phone only did what you told it to do....

And where have you been recently?

[Tankerman]

With regard to the towing limit, as long as it doesn't look silly, it's only illegal if you get caught.
While I don't condone stupidity, as long as you take into account the load, and possible limitations on cornering and braking, you would be unlucky to get a pull just for looking like an accident waiting to happen.

Use common sense and you wouldn't really have a problem.

Having said that, the Disco does have a far better towing capacity than the Surf!

Dave.

[Rob5464]

You can tow 4.5 tonnes but it will result in a cracked cylinder head as someone on ebay selling his broken surf will tell you.