Which 4x4

[Technik]

I know that this and similar topics have been discussed but I'm still a bit unsure what to get hence the topic.

My criteria for a 4x4:
- will only be used occasionally (weekends, holidays, etc.) as I have a small economical weekday car
- will need to run on veg oil
- will need to be reliable
- will need to be on the big size
- will need to be easily modified

My current list:
- LR Discovery 200/300 tdi
- LR Defender 110 200/300 tdi
- Nissan Navara
- Mitsubishi L200
-.......

I know that there a lot of LR fans over here and I love the looks of them too but when I read about their reliability there are mixed opinions. When I spoke with my car mechanic he almost shouted at me "Don't get a LR - these need buckets of money! Get a L200 instead" For me that's a surprise that anyone would recommend a L200 as they have a common engine problem which sooner or later results in a blown engine (but I think it's only a certain years model). I've had a Nissan Terrano and have to say it was super reliable. Even kept going with about 1 ltr of oil in the engine. So I'm thinking maybe a Navara? But I don't know if the L200 or Navara could run on veg oil.
Another thing is money - after I sell my van I will have around £3k to spend on the 4x4. Should I spend the whole amount to purchase the car or should I spend let's say £2k on purchase and the rest on modifications?

[Reservior]

What kind of modifications do you want to make?

This might be crucial to any advice/suggestions.

[metatron]

I'd avoid Land Rovers as reliability is not one of their strong points, you will get people that say they have never had one break down and how there the best thing since sliced bread but there like owning an Alfa, great fun, but a poorly made, and all the surveys show that.
I'm not a fan of Nissans 4X4 just because there are fewer on the road and you see less of them in the breakers for parts. I like Mitsubishi's, big fan of the Shogun and Land Cruiser, I'm not a fan of the pick up design in the UK as I don't see the point as it rains so much and its a waste of space, even with a cab over it.

I vote for a Mitsubishi Shogun as there cheap so you can buy extra parts to stockpile and have the extra cash to fit a heating coil for veg oil as it gels in cold conditions and you can't start your car, you could also fit a water/methanol injection kit which gives you amazing fuel efficiency and power.

If you want to spend a little more I have a Mercedes G wagon which has an incredible level of reliability.

[unsure]

there are a few that are big and run on veg ,
as you know ,
landrover
hilux surf
shogun .

now i`m biased to land rovers , a good 300 tdi will easily do over 300,000 miles , yes the do suffer from rust . please don`t expect to get one wilth 150.000 plus miles on the clock and expect it to be like new . that won`t happen i`m afraid .
parts are readily available for reasonable money .
surfs are a nice 4x4 , again most are coming to the end of their life and again suffer from rust around the lower body , parts are not as easy to get hold of . the tend not to break down , but when the do tney cost mega money to sort out .
shoguns are about the same as a surf .
all these can be modded but the land rover has to be the easyest by far and parts are available off the shelf .

[Reservior]

G Wagon? I prefer the streamlined look of a Landrover Defender personally

How do you find G Wagon ownership? I've always fancied one but never met anyone who has/has ever owned one.

Personally I do prefer a Land Rover. Whilst I accept they can, sometimes, be unreliable this can be outweighed by the availability of parts and most, if not all, problems can be fixed by the hobby mechanic (recent models excluded). Others prefer Japanese vehicles as, on the whole, they are more reliable, but, they are less easy to work on. I don't think there's a winning argument here - it's whatever the guy/girl spending their cash feels more comfortable with IMHO.

[metatron]

G Wagon? I prefer the streamlined look of a Landrover Defender personally

How do you find G Wagon ownership? I've always fancied one but never met anyone who has/has ever owned one.

Personally I do prefer a Land Rover. Whilst I accept they can, sometimes, be unreliable this can be outweighed by the availability of parts and most, if not all, problems can be fixed by the hobby mechanic (recent models excluded). Others prefer Japanese vehicles as, on the whole, they are more reliable, but, they are less easy to work on. I don't think there's a winning argument here - it's whatever the guy/girl spending their cash feels more comfortable with IMHO.

I love my G Wagon to bits, the ride and drive is as near to perfection as I've found in a 4x4, not to mention its great off road. The engine and electrics are bullet proof but the body and interior do show signs of wear on the mid to late 80's models.

I re-sprayed mine after fixing a bit of rust, other than that not one problem. It's German so parts are easy to get, older models are cheap on parts and there are lots of aftermarket extras/add ons.

[Reservior]

Which engine does yours have? What about running costs, servicing etc?

[metatron]

Which engine does yours have? What about running costs, servicing etc?

Mine has a 3L diesel, running cost are fairly low besides diesel and I do all the work myself.

[Reservior]

Oddly, there's a show on the G Wagon on Sky right now.

[Technik]

As for the modifications then it would be a long list - snorkel, roof lights, under armour, lifting it up, etc. not sure what exactly else just yet.

So I feel that it won't be an easy decission as everyone has their own favourites....

What exactly is wrong with LR, I mean what tends to break? There are so many of them on the roads that one may think they must be good.