Diesel 5-Speed: 1990 Land Rover Discovery 200TDi
This 1990 Land Rover Discovery appears to be a gray market model that was imported from overseas, owing to its diesel engine and two-door configuration. Like so many other off-road rigs sold elsewhere, the U.S. didn’t get the best specs of many Land Rover products. The seller doesn’t offer us much info on its history or how it got there, but it’s a tempting combination for both Land Rover fans and off-road junkies alike. Check it out here on eBay with bids to just over $7,000 and the reserve unmet.
A quick rant for sellers: stop using the AI function offered by your preferred selling website. It’s awful, and does your listing no justice. This Discovery is loaded up with cool features we never got stateside, and it’s a left-hand drive model to boot – which is a major bonus and isn’t discussed at all in the listing. You can spot these AI-generated summaries from a mile away, owing to the standardized language and worthless details. Anyway, all that aside, this Discovery presents well and looks sharp with a color-matched hard spare tire cover, mudflaps, roof rack and cargo basket, a ladder, brush guard, and more.
We did get the manual option in the U.S., but as you can imagine, your typical Land Rover shopper wasn’t interested. Today, the three-pedal Discoveries are very much sought-after if you can find one. My brother had a Disco that was very rotten, with holes in the firewall along with numerous electrical issues, and he still had little issue finding a buyer for his manual-equipped Discovery. This truck looks almost as good inside as it does out, so it’s clearly been looked after by its owners both in the U.S. and abroad.
The four-cylinder turbodiesel makes 111 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, and should feel a bit more lively with the manual gearbox. The engine bay is very nicely detailed along with the paint on the inner fenders and radiator support. It’s always nice to see factory stickers where they should be as well. In the photo gallery, you can just catch the “Mecum” plastic license plate, and a quick Google reveals this truck sold at their 2022 auction in Kissimmee, Florida – do you think this is a flip or a case of buyer’s remorse?
Comments
You know what’s cool about BFs? Yeah, among other things, here we have the absolute best in 4x4s from 2 different countries, practically side by side. The Bronco below this, none better, ask a Brit, naturally a “Landy”( Landie?) will be their response. Splitting hairs on what is better, and not sure who would need a 4×4 in England, I read, between 75-85% are exported, not just here, worldwide, a leg up on the Bronco then.
I have no experience with the diesel, I can only imagine anemic as most, while the turbo helps, certainly not the power of the Bronco, a BIG leg up there.
Landys have become an indicator of social status, especially in trendy Colorado, heaven help you if it breaks, as many mechanics won’t work on this stuff. I have a neighbor witth a MB 4×4, nobody will touch it within a 100 mile radius. Might want to think about that.
True that Howard, compare brand value. The proof is in the puddin.
I disagree, Rover and Mercedes SUV’s are only bought by rich people. The only place they ever get them serviced is at the dealer. Rovers are specifically engineered to self destruct at 100,000 miles. Before 100,000 hits, the rich owner drops them like a melted ice cream and poor saps like me buy it and try to keep it together as it falls apart piece by piece. It’s at that time when Indi mechanics tell you they won’t work on them. Then when the poor sap gets fed up with getting stranded on the side of the road too many times, they sell the vehicle for cheap and it trickles down to illegal immigrants who wish to live the American dream. Then after the illegal gets their first $1000 repair bill, they drop it like a cold taco and the vehicle goes to the salvage yard.
I was inferring brand value in the used market. $30k vs. $7k? as a comparison. New car purchase motivation is another story.
I have a friend who translates LR workshop books into French for the docs at Medecins sans Frontieres- she has plenty of work all the time- as they need to get fixed in Africa 1000 miles from nowhere. and the docs and friends have to do it. Making the directions simple is a chore evidently plus specialized part names in to French- Take the Bronco.
quite a chain-story there TP. I C it too tho (w/some links in the chain different).
The 90 or Discovery is used by a few for work/off rd here. Mostly Toy.s and any kinda ford (diesel, gasser, suv, truck, etc). All wrked on by owners or the corner guy. Not much city either but its still a ‘commuter (“bed room”) community’ This and the ol FJ (40 or really the) 60 go 4 big bucks round here. Often never touch dirt or rock as well~
You were describing Jaguars, correct?
Obviously your are living in a hillbilly town. Move out amongst the city folk and you can get any make and model of vehicle serviced and repaired.
That’s where the saying ” more money than brains,” came from.
not in Ouagadougou LOL
You say “hillbilly town”( I believe they are called “MountainWilliams now) like it’s a bad thing. According to your logic, I should move to the city so I can get my Landy serviced? If I may quote the great John Denver, ” a lot of sad folks thinkin’ that’s a mighty keen”,,,besides, you are talking to the wrong guy, as my vintage Jeep doesn’t need a scientist,,or a big city dealer for repair.
But why would you live in a city? That’s the worst.
Landies look good, for sure. I searched for one, but ultimately didn’t care for having to do the upkeep they require. It sucks to be in the woods and broke down.
I settled on a Nissan and have never regretted it.
By the way, what’s up with snorkels on 4x4s that aren’t even lifted? I’d bet it’s never been used, and just looks like a wart on an otherwise lovely looking truck.
Additionally, diesels, for me anyway, are horrible to off-road. Incredibly hard to regulate the torque that is just always “on”. At least it’s a manual. That helps.
Respectfully have to disagree, the snorkel gives this Discovery a little sense of purpose. Of course, I love the diesel/5 speed combo, although the faulty electrical system that’s a bugaboo of British vehicles will have to be addressed.. And the lack of history makes me nervous.
Ended at $10,289. Reserve not Met.
Lose the snorkel, lose the lightbar, and lose the safari basket, and you’ve got a nice-looking two-door station wagon to haul the kids to practice in that at least appears to be sensible amidst the sea of Tahoes, Escalades, and Expeditions.
Or buy the Bronco and have it all.