RRC dilemma

I've got a 1993 RRC with a 200Tdi. It had a replacement (Discovery) engine last February and that's fine but it's showing its age (approaching 150,000 miles) in lots of other places. Steering, suspension and brakes could do with attention (I think, based on little more than instinct since I'm no mechanic); the bodywork is getting quite rough and rusty including the vertical panels either side of the tailgate (goalposts?) and the panels inside the rear door beside the seats; the interior is showing its age with various bits not working, the usual headlining issues, etc. etc. (which I can live with but my other half gets exercised about!)

I'm my own worst enemy because the car gets used as a mobile kennel around the smallholding as well as carting materials around the place so no wonder the carpets are getting nasty and the seats grubby. This is my only car and a daily driver, and it's the best thing I've every owned: I love it! My preference would be to keep it and get is sorted out, but I'm looking for some dispassionate advice.

So, do I spend big money in getting it sorted out or would I be better off cutting my losses? I know that this is a really tricky question and all I'm looking for are estimates based on experience but what do you reckon I'm into if I pay someone to sort the bodywork: let's say for sake of argument replacement boot floor, rear pillars, top and bottom tail-gate, bits of patching elsewhere, deal with some scratches and dents and respray? (One related thought: if I can see these sort of problems with an untutored eye, what else is probably lurking beneath the surface?) How much would a major running gear overhaul set me back?

If I'm looking at spending 3,000 gbp on an overhaul what might that buy me and what sort of alternative would I be looking at if I spent the money on a replacement instead? I'm not in the slightest bit bothered about what the vehicle would be worth after the work, incidentally: if I can keep it going for another 40 years until I'm too old to drive, I happily will!

Any advice very gratefully received and any personal recommendations based on experience for firms in East Anglia who do this sort of work would be useful too. Anyone with direct experience of TJC near King's Lynn, for example?

Reply to
Andrew
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If it is that bad treat yourself and the Mrs by getting a newer Randie or Disco. Then spend the change on yourselves. Life is too short dude!

If you want a project on the otherhand then go ahead and fill your boots.

Lee D

Reply to
Lee_D

On or around Thu, 6 Aug 2009 02:03:34 -0700 (PDT), Andrew enlightened us thusly:

3 grand will get you a late disco I TDi or an early disco II TD5 these days. If other things are equal, I'd go with a late, low-mileage TDi over a higher-mileage TD5, there are fewer things to go wrong.

There are also a load of late-model classic rangies around, although the youngest of those is now about 15 years old. I'd think you'd do as well hunting a replacement with a decent body as getting someone to mend yours. If you were up for mending it yourself, it'd be less of an issue - if you have to pay someone else, it bumps the cost up considerably. If you hunt around, you should be able to pick up a tidy V8 one and have enough change to swap your engine and box into it.

Early Discos have the same (or similar) rot problems, of course. It comes down to personal choice on the bodywork, really - the disco has a tad more space in the back, but the rangie has the split tailgate which is more use for some things.

Reply to
Austin Shackles

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