I found a 1997 D1 with a Mercedes Diesel conversion. It has a 5spd manual as well. From what I can find these are pretty rare and only a handful came to the US. Should I avoid this vehicle or is it easy to service and keep up? Just curious if anyone on here has one...

thanks,

Bryan

 

Ah no. Not sure what your source for that bogus bit of information is from home slice but it's not a factory install and 79/87 hp OM617's are not well suited to a nearly 6000lb Disco, hence why they are rare. I can push a bank vault uphill faster than a Merc can push a Disco downhill. Anybody who's been around knows all about the DIY home garage conversions and what a huge pita grafting to fit and work in a Disco. I'd rather see you find a Rover 200/300Tdi or IHC 2.8TGV (300 equivalent) than that lump of an anchor. Isuzu 4BD1T/4BD2T beats the Mercs with grunt torque. There is no rarity about the Mercs in a Disco but there is when it comes to successful conversions and I personally don't think they're worth it and I've done a ton of research on it. There are too many adaptors, part swaps, conversions which cost money and take allot of time to source to make it worthwhile. Some dude on this forum thinks he's gonna swap in a Merc from a 300D and has accomplished zippy in 70 posts. Vapor so far, all words and no deeds and it's fairly common on many forums to turn out just the same. Like I said, it's a huge pita. So research a little deeper and don't be in a rush to buy something unusual because it might just be a rip-off.

 

I think he's talking about the R380 being rare... which to some extent it is.

 

There is a guy on defender source that installs OM617 in defenders, and swears it's a better way to go than the 200 or 300 tdi. Personally, I'd be tempted for my 90.... but in the end I'll probably just save my pennies and get a 200tdi because it's more "drop in"

 

I know, I've read his threads and after all that along comes a thread on GEN IV LSX's.....which is THE practical swap on so many levels.......WOO HOO!!!!!

I hope your talking about the slush box......but I don't think so.

 

Thank you for all of the replies. I'm not sure what engine is in it. Found it on Craigslist and the poster did not have any contact info. I'll try to find out more, but it doesn't sound like something I'm interested in.

I like the sound of a LSX swap...

 

GM Gen 4 conversion including LS - Defender Source

Metro area CL?

 

Thanks for the link. Very interesting...

it was Grand Rapids Craigslist: 1997 Land Rover Discovery diesel
no contact info though...

 

Contact is through CL. Thanks for the link.

Funny, I check out the GR CL all the time and didn't even notice. So not impressed with it other than the yank strap in the load space. I'll bet it's for the Disco so they can get it out of the grass......

 

You're welcome. I don't see the usual drop down link from the 'reply' button, usually in the top left corner. No biggie, not really interested anymore, just wanted more of an education.

There is a nice D2 up by you that I may have to look at. There is also a 97 (I think) that would make a good parts truck for ya.