A Newbie

[Holmstack]

Hi All.

Just an introduction

I’ve just bought an old Disco, not my first choice 0f vehicle but it was at the right price, in good condition and I needed a runabout quick so I bought it. It’s a 92 200TDi in Champaign Gold with 160,000 miles and in the 2 weeks I’ve had it, it has never ceased to amaze me, even after a weekend return trip to London from Yorkshire that included driving through the city centre. OK, she’s a bit agricultural round town but the seating position compensates for that and the engine has enough mid range to keep up with traffic and it played with a comfortable, (all be it a little noisy), looping 70 to 80 mph cruise on the motorway averaging over 30 mpg , (around 26 MPG general). I’m hooked.

It’s a well looked after vehicle, having had 1 owner for the past 5 years who has spared no expense with work carried out including a full engine rebuild, new turbo, injection pump, power steering pump, gearbox oil seals and a full body/chassis re-bush with the interior clean and original and bodywork being in gleaming condition, looking like a much newer vehicle. The only thing I can see it needing sometime soon is a new set of tyres and I would appreciate recommendations of a good all round tyre to fit, bearing in mind that I would like to keep the standard wheels and intend doing some gentle off road driving in her in the future.

Speaking of off road driving, as I say, off road is where I would like to take her, (it’s what she was designed to do), and I would appreciate recommendations of easy beginner trails where we can share some good driving times in the Huddersfield/Pennine area ?

I will post some photographs later.

Regards,

Phil L

[BogMonster]

Welcome

General Grabber AT2s get my vote for the all rounder category.

[David Sparkes]

Welcome to the fold Holmstack.

I suspect the "spared no expense with work carried out including a full engine rebuild, new turbo, injection pump, ..." has a lot to do with the good mpg / speed results you are getting. It seems you have picked a good one there.

I'll let others comment on specific tyres, just be aware that your tarmac mpg will take a measurable hit when you move to a chunky tyre tread. I'd say about 2 mpg worse off. (This assumes you have a more 'city slicker' style at the moment, although I appreciate you didn't actually write that).

Without wanting to be pedantic, but with a nod at your self imposed 'newbie' title, please be aware that there is some resistance to the term 'off-roading'. Most who do that sort of thing drive on roads; they may not have tarmac, rather stone or grass, and occasionally mud or water, but they are still public highways.

The other alternative is real off-roading, which means using private land, generally pay and play sites. Personally I think that's an excellent way to trash a vehicle, but lots of people enjoy using them.

Re "appreciate recommendations of easy beginner trails where we can share some good driving times in the Huddersfield/Pennine area ?". The 'easy' answer is to pay at least one years subscription to GLASS and ask on their Forum. This should give you a safe start, during which you can build your understanding of the Green Laning world.

http://www.glass-uk.org/

There may also be a local club, see what suggestions come out here, or ask once you are in GLASS, as you should then get pointed to clubs that do the activity you are interested in.

While I go out with the Peak and Dukeries club, as well as local GLASS members, this is in the Derbyshire Peaks, so some way from Huddersfield.

If you want to have a look at what is in your area, try Trailwise. Entries here are totally dependent on what private individuals put in, but it gives you an initial taster, and perhaps enables you to ask targeted questions.

This recent topic goes into more detail. http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=41699&hl=

HTH

Oh, one last point. If your Discovery has a hanging tow hitch this often becomes a plough on uneven terrain. There are answers that give you both a tow hitch and ground clearance on the different occasions, but after tyres it's the second basic point in preparation of your vehicle.

Have fun.

[Rich_P]

Derbyshire has quite a large number of easy going routes, with the occasional section that makes it a bit challenging for some people.