Shogun or discovery td5

[woodsieboy]

It is nearly 2 weeks since our Shogun was recovered to garage for repair,it has been the best and most reliable tow car we have had, and this recent problem will be the most expensive to fix and will have taken the most time,mainly because the repairing garage has struggled to get the right parts. I am considering changing to a td5 discovery manual around about 2004,as there seems to be plenty available with less than 100k miles, and both used and new spares appear cheaper than the Shogun,and seem more widely available.
I like the 2wd or 4wd option on the Shogun whereas the disco will be permannet 4wd,otherwise they are pretty similar in spec, towing limits. noseweight etc.
I would welcome any comments either positive or negative about the td5 disco,particularly with regard to reliability,and is it worth getting the higher specced models like landmark with electric seats etc or will I be buying the chance for more things to go wrong.

 

[Martin24]

I replaced my 4 year old (1999) Td5 with a fourteen year old Pajero and never looked back! The disco was the first car I had which I fell for big time and the worst buy ever! Facelift versions were supposed to be more reliable but I believe the rear end rusts quite badly.

 

[NigelHutson]

On the flip side to the previous post, my father-in-law had a 2000 Discovery Td5 (ES spec I think), and sold it in 2010. Granted it was relaitvely low mileage, but in the ten years he had absolutely nothing fail on it, and other than routine maintenance it needed nothing. It did work for a living too as he was a farmer. He sold it to some friends who still have it. So there are some good ones out there.
Any secondhand vehicle is a bit of a risk. Yes, the Toyotas and Shoguns have the reputation for reliability (although judging by the number of recalls Toyota are having to make, I wonder whether I'd rather have something with a reputation for being less reliable than one that is dangerous - the only reason for recalls!), but when something does go wrong, it can be very expensive as you have found out.
It goes without saying really, but if I was looking, I'd be going for as new as possible, as high spec as suits your wants/needs, and certainly with as much known history as possible.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[Parksy]

I've never owned a Land Rover so can't comment on their reliability or availability of parts.
As for the Shogun, I know that you've had a large repair bill for wheel bearings but Milners carry a huge stock of Shogun parts which would fit the bill, Click Here to see a list of front axle parts for a LWB 3.2DiD which may have reduced your repair bill.
For steady as a rock towing performance and ultra reliability a Shoggy is hard to beat

 

[woodsieboy]

Hi Parksy
Thanks for your usual helpful reply,I am beginning to think it is the garage causing the problem,the car is still not back,Monday 3rd June,and the earliest now is Wednesday if they get the part.I have looked at Milners and the prices look OK,and it seems as though some of their parts are genuine Mitsubishi.I have had 200tdi disco before and it was good at towing,but nowhere near as good as the Shogun for reliability,I was hoping the td5 would have cured the reliability issues,and it certainly seems as though the LR parts are more readily avaialable.I think I may keep the Shogun at least for a while but try another garage for servicing and repairs,we are due to go on PC Brittany rally in September,so may need to learn French for 'breakdown and recovery' Also seperate issue,still being asked for word verifcation.

 

[Parksy]

Hi Wodsieboy, I've reported the word verification problem earlier today.
Just a thought but do parts for your Shogun really have to be genuine Mitsubishi parts?
Most spares for Shoguns are fairly robustly made and will do the same job just as well.

 

[woodsieboy]

The garage is saying that they could use Mitsubsishi drive shaft and joint,which comes as one unit cost of £600+,and abs sensor needs to be mitsubishi,wheel bearing comes as a hub assembly. The issue seems to be the drive shaft joint,I have been told that the original can be refurbished so I am now thinking that the repairing garage, who have always been good in the past,have not been making as much effort as they could have done to get the right parts as quickly as possible.Verification has disappeared also,well done Parksy.