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Has anyone tried running their diesel on bio diesel? One of my local garages is selling it for 99.9 /litre compared to the average round here of 107.9/litre. I usually stick to BP as the old bus sounds a bit quieter and gives more mpg but at nearly 10p a litre ,or nearly three pints of beer on a tankfull, I am considering giving it a go. Jules

Just put the new lead straight from the negative terminal to a very convenient bolt whole where those that have aircon would have a compressor. 2 minute job for a change. Jules

I'm beginning to wonder whether it may just be easier to put a drain in the floor to let the water out !!!!!!!!! Jules

One of the reasons I chose this 3 door Disco was the lack of sunroofs and hopefully leaks. The seals are new, well about 18 months old, so are in good repair. Good point about the rubber mat, the new labrador does love the water and mud so I might have that out every now and then. Does anyone know of a good less absorbant alternative to the original sponge? I haven't had the bill yet but it was only the floor panel and as I stripped out the seats and carpets myself he said it was goig to be about £250. Thanks for the help Jules

I've just had a new rear floor section fitted on my 300tdi and was wondering if anyone has any good ideas on how to stop the dreaded rust returning as I intend to keep the vehicle for a good few years yet. The new floor has been undersealed and painted and looks really good , just the way I would like to keep it . Jules

It may sound stupid but are your alpine light window seals in good nick? I had a wet passenger footwell and could not find the leak. In the summer ( what little there was ) I removed the alpine windows to tidy up a bit of rust. New rubbers had been fitted by the previous owner but he didn't bother with the odd rust spot. Not only is the rear now dry but so is the front footwell despite the recent monsoon showers !!! Must be a convenient channel in there somewhere. Jules

Had a similar problem of the engine turning over slowly on cold mornings with my Disco. The battery was brand new and alternator was fine. I was about to have a go at the starter motor when someone suggested to me that it could be a weak earth. I fixed an additional earth lead from the battery direct to the engine where there are four bolt holes for those who have air conditioning, and it starts perfectly even in the coldest conditions. Total cost about £3.99. Jules

If I was you I would look at and drive as many as you reasonably can to get a feel for them. I looked at a late 300tdi, low mileage and a full history which drove terribly. I settled eventually on an older model with 127,000 miles which looked very up together and drove really well and cost less than half of the newer one. There were a few faults I found later but nothing too bad. Loads to choose from .Don't rush. Jules

I had a similar problem on my '96 Disco. I cleaned up the gears re-greased them and kept it going for another year before it finally gave up the ghost. I then fitted a brand new motor (£35 off ebay ) and it wouldn't work. Checked the wiring, voltage etc before a helpful neighbour suggested closing the door !! Perhaps Landrover thought no one would be daft enough to use the rear wiper with the drivers door open. Jules

Geoff did you have to replace the seat cover aswell ? Mine is begining to look a little thin and I was wondering about recovering it or just looking for a new seat. Perhaps a nice set of ex rangie leather ones !! Jules

I think polybushes are looking like the way to go. As its only for on road and a bit of weekend green laning hopefully they should be okay and slightly crisper on road handling would be a real improvement. I suspect that if the remainder of the bushes are as soft as the anti roll bar ones it will feel like a new vehicle . Thanks for the help Jules

I must admit part of my thoughts for going down the polybush route was the hassle I have had with other vehicles re-fitting the original rubber / metal ones. Laying underneath it the other day fitting a new handbrake cable ( the joy of a Landrover !!!) I was suprised at just how knackered the antiroll bar bushes were so I think as you rightly say any new bush would help. On an old vehicle I managed to seperate the two parts of a new bush, so without a press I think the wallet will just have to take the strain. Jules

Sounds like you are in a similar predicament to me. Too much choice ! I'm trying to get the suspension sorted on my 300tdi Disco. I'm not after any lift but a slightly better on road ride but also suitable for greenlaning. After doing quite a bit of research and asking about I am seriously considering just fitting new original equipment. I suppose after 137,000 miles its quite likely the old ones are just a bit tired !!!!!!!! And then of course theres the question of bushes which seems to be another can of worms. Jules

Thanks for the advice . I shall do some more research Jules

The suspension on my 300tdi is getting a bit tired so I am thinking of replacing the rather worn and original units and upgrading the bushes to Polybushes. I have noticed that discoparts are doing a set of Britpart gas shocks and springs for £148 which seems good value. Has anyone got experience of these or recommendations for other makes? I use the vehicle for road and greenlaning so don't need masses of lift but will hopefully be uprating the bumpers and adding a winch in the future so maybe I should be thinking of upgraded springs. Jules

I was in similar position to you about 18 months ago. Test drive as many as you can locally just to give yourself an idea of what you can get for your money. As already suggested check out the normal rust areas but also pay attention to the window rubbers . Almost everyone I found had perished rubbers which lead to major repairs in the future. I eventually found a very tidy 1996 300tdi 3 door with 127,000 miles and a very comprehensive service record for £2500. The way I looked at it was fewer doors and no sunroofs equalled less leaks ! Happy hunting Jules

Hi Cal these sound just the job. What do you want for them ? Jules

Thanks Russ I really want some grey ones to match the seats Jules

' This happened to a friends disco just after he sold it to a mate. I seem to remember his was a problem with the oil pump. I will see if I can get some more info Jules

Cheers Graeme I will phone them in the morning to check them out Jules

Thanks Mark, I've seen a few fitted so someone must do them. No luck on e-bay today but I shall keep trying. Jules

Has any one come across some headrest cusions which fit over the plastic covered frames? My other half complains that when she drops off it would be nice to have something more comfortable to rest her head on !! Jules

Purely for what its worth I've had a K&N filter on my 300tdi for about a year and being in the soggy south east dust hasn't been a major issue. When first fitted I was suprised at how loud the air sounded being drawn into the engine and was a little concerned that it was not effectively filtering the air especially after reading a few comments on the forum. However, so far so good , I just clean it and re-oil it every 6 months as part of the routine maintainance. Jules

When I first got my 300 TDI about a year ago it was doing around 28 mpg. Since then I have been gradually improving its performance and as a consequence its economy. Removing the viscous fan and replacing it with a Pacet one made a negligable improvement but chucking out the old air filter and fitting a K & N one took the mpg over 30. Recently because of an MOT failure and constant naging from anyone who knew about such things I removed the EGR. At the same time it had acomplete set of new tyres , an oil and filter change and the valve clearences adjusted. Next 500 miles returned 37 mpg plus much improved mid range acceleration. I always use original filters and good quality oil and change every 6 months reguardless of mileage. Last time 3000 between oil changes. About 15 years ago I went on a visit to the Transport and Road Research Establishment and was told by one of their boffins that good quality oil and filters changed at half the manufacturers recommended intervals would result in almost no significant engine wear. Not being a high mileage driver in my own vehicles I have always stuck to this and always achieved well in excess of quoted economy figures. I have spent a large part of my working life scrapping the remains of people and vehicles off the road I suppose I am a bit of a stickler for regular maintainance, correct tyre pressures etc. Jules

Another thing I have found that helped in fuel consumption and general running was to use BP Ultimate fuel. That combined with a new set of Cooper ATR's and taking the EGR off has increased the mpg to 37. (I have no connection with either company but I'm just a satisfied customer ) Not bad for a big old bus with 134,000 on the clock and rarely doing more than 15 miles in one go. Jules