Is the 430 as solid as the 500?  I'm not opposed to the 430 at all so long as it's solid.

JM

Quote from: the_Journeyman on September 19, 2013, 04:32:57 PM
Is the 430 as solid as the 500?  I'm not opposed to the 430 at all so long as it's solid.

JM

Well the 430 and the 320 are the same design. Its a modular 90 deg engine. The 430 has two more cylinders than the 320 and presumably no counter balancer because V8's work well with 90 deg while V6 engines apparently do not. All I can tell you is that I have two 320 V6 engines, one in a E class with over 225K, and one in the ML with over 180K and so far the only thing that has gone south is the valve cover gaskets. (minor niggling) I did have a crankshaft sensor go out on the E. It took 3 minutes to replace. they both run buttery smooth and make enough power to get out of their own way while still returning at least 25MPG on the Hwy.

That sounds good.  A valve cover gasket is pretty tame to worry with.  I don't need tire roasting power, but decent would be great.  I'll add the 430 to my watch list.

Found locally:

2004 Discovery (center diff lock) but worry about reliability of a 100,000 mile unit.
2005 Jaguar AWD X-Type with 51,000 miles.  Again, worried about reliability.

Both are cars I'd drive.  The good thing though is time is on my side, I can wait on a deal since I don't need it right now.

Eyes will stay open for a V8 ML.

JM

Oof, yeah, if you need something that "just works" I'd stay away from the Disco and the Jag.

That said... I have wanted to build a safari-style Disco for a long time.  Snorkel, rock rails, roof rack, lifted suspension, big tires, the works.  Every now and again a nicely built one pops up locally for under 10 grand.  They get horrible gas mileage tho.  User reports are similar to the Durango, around 14.

They're both a crapshoot.  They also both come as "certified" from the dealer.  Not that that means anything.  I think I'd almost rather wait on a good ML despite my like for the Discos.  The Jag was a random find and cool to think about but not that practical.

JM

Okay, I am mostly a lurker in NMC... why the dismissal of the FJ?

Quote from: Dirty Duc on September 19, 2013, 11:09:10 PM
Okay, I am mostly a lurker in NMC... why the dismissal of the FJ?

I don't think it meets the gas milage criteria set in the origional post....otherwise it is an awesome vehicle...we love ours...

Quote from: zooom on September 20, 2013, 08:21:20 AM
I don't think it meets the gas milage criteria set in the origional post....otherwise it is an awesome vehicle...we love ours...

Ah. 

As the former owner of a lovely Disco 2; all I have to say is that it looks great parked next to a Buell.  WTF was I thinking owning two of the least reliable vehicles in the world at the same time? 

Okay I have more to say.  It only took 2k to find a fault in a fuel pump cutoff switch.  That is only because I am mechanically inclined and did not pony up for a new computer at the LR dealer and bought one used.  The problem was not the computer but LR would have set me back a quick 4k.........

When I finally found an independent LR specialist it took them a day and $135.00.............  NEVER EVER EVER GO TO A LAND ROVER DEALER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's my list I've gathered to put on my radar.  It's not in any particular order aside from the ML.  I'm OK with more expensive maintenance for a higher end vehicle.

Benz ML430/500
Lexus LX470, Possibly an RX series, but prefer the LX
'Yota Landcruiser
Diesel Liberty
Scoob 3.6
Discovery - Service history & indie mechanic check it out first (We've got a good local one)
VW Toureg (or Audi equivalent) but likely out of my price range.
BMW X5 - likely of my price range too

As for the FJ, I know they're good 4WDs, but just don't like their looks.  Also, I would prefer four regular doors.  I know the back half-doors open, but would rather have regular doors.  It's really not a mileage thing, but if I can get a V8 with similar mileage, I'll pick the V8 over the V6/I6

I also thought about the previous gen Audi Allroad, but they're pretty pricey.

JM

Quote from: the_Journeyman on September 23, 2013, 02:33:09 PM

As for the FJ, I know they're good 4WDs, but just don't like their looks. 

Horrendous blind spots....