Adivce on purchasing a Disco2

[RNQLD]

Hey Everyone,

Im looking at purchasing a 4x4 and have narrowed my search down to a Nissan Patrol (GUIII 3.0) or a Disco2 td5 ( due to budget, most likely an S).

I'm a consultant so i will be claiming back some running costs and associated fuel bills as allowed under ATO.

I will only be buying from a QLD dealer with the extended warranties (after reading it and the vehicle history over with a fine comb). I was wondering if any of you out there had any pro and con notes on the disco, as well as areas to look out for.

The disco i have seen has the arb bullbar, side steps, snorkel, tow ball, spotties and has traveled 190,000kms. i will only be looking at vehicles that have traveled no more than 210,000km.

i will be purchasing end of the month or early next.

ps. i will not be using it off road. mainly highways for now.

[gavinwibrow]

Even though you don't plan to go off road (just yet) you'll get hooked. PM me an email address and I'll send you a several page doc I prepared before and after purchasing my D2a TD5 nearly 2 years ago. It's a bit too big to attach direct here, but lists most of the issues to watch for plus some solutions, contacts etc.

[bsperka]

One of the recent posts indicated that a previous Nissan owner was still getting over the fact that the Disco's ride was so much beter. From a maintenance point of view, there are several things that, like any vehicle, a Disco has issues with, but if you keep on top of the maintenance regime and an eye out for these things, then the vehicle is so much better than any vehicle coming out of Japan of the same era (and even later times). The issues are well documented in this forum, so they won't be repeated here.

BTW: the service intervals are so much better than the Nissan (15 to 20k versus 5k for the Nissan), TD5 uses less fuel than a 3 litre Nissan and has better performance (even more if you get it remapped), if you do the steering mod (not difficult) you get a better turning circle etc. The funny thing is people bag LandRovers so the price is so much lower, yet the build quality isn't usually an issue and they are so much more capable off road out of the box than Toyotas or Nissans.

[simonmelb]

I will only be buying from a QLD dealer with the extended warranties (after reading it and the vehicle history over with a fine comb). .

I wouldn't be scared off by a good private sale vehicle. There are many anally retentive LR owners that will fix any little niggle on D2/s.

I would only purchase from a dealer if you can actually speak with the previous owner and/or the last mechanic that has serviced the vehicle.

Honest dealers will always assist you with this - otherwise walk away, seriously. You can still end up with a lemon and an extended warrantee may be useless.

Also consider carefully whether you would like SLS and ACE (see the 'Discovery 2 Launch video" on YouTube) - in my opinion the 2 best options on the D2, and worth waiting for.

Happy hunting!

[Rok_Dr]

It comes down at the end of the day to documented service history and a good pre-purchase inspection. You just need to be a bit more careful with private sales, regarding checking title and there is no statutory 3mth warranty.

With respect to extended warranties they really only cover you for major mechanical failure of major components and usually have an upper $ limit. I got convinced to buy one when I bought my D2 and so far haven't been able to claim as the particular electronic components aren't covered. Still 2 years to go though. I found the statutory dealer warranty was more use.

Have a good read of the sticky thread, Buying a D2 at the top of this forum, lots of good advice there.

Cheers

Steve

[Roverlord off road spares]

Dealers paint a pretty picture of piece of mind whilst departing you with extra money for it.
Wait until you make a claim. :o

Read the fine print slowly and carefully before you part with the money,what it covers and HOW MUCH of it is covered. Do fall into false sense of secuity that when you motor has a major break down and you try to claim. The back pedalling of this and that caused the problem and sorry that's not covered.
Salesman use the extended warranty as a tool, to get a signature, it's an add on like fries with your burger?

[joel0407]

I wouldn't buy another Disco. I bought my 2001 TD5 S mainly for the 7 seats and anything Toyota of similar age and condition was more than double the price, which was more than I could afford.

I drove the Disco from Brisbane to Canberra with no problems. It sat in front of my house for 6 days before the transport company took it to Darwin.

I got it registered in Darwin and drove it for a week and a half before the Altenator went, cost me $700 odd and I did all the work myself.

It went for 1 and 1/2 days before I blew a ACE hose. Cost me $180 for fittings to be welded to the stell pipe so a section of flexible hose could be replaced. Again I did all the work of getting the pipe out and refitting it. Took me several hours and I believe when they build Discoveries, they start with this pipe.

2 weeks later the top radiator hose starts to leak. I keep it going for another 2 weeks just topping up the radiator for short trips to the shops. i remove the hose to find it has rubbed on the power steering hose and worn though itself. Joiner and several super clamps cost me about $50. Coolant cost me another $50. It's now leaking around the hose clamps. Yes all connections were perfectly clean.

Got the transmission serviced today as a prevenative measure. cost me $484.00.

I only wanted 7 seats becasue I'm hoping my relos will visit us here in Darwin a bit and I have 2 kids. With the 7 seats the Kids can go to the back, the olds in the middle seats and we can still go exploring the national parks. I'm not really convinced it would not have been cheaper to hire an extra car when they visit.

The ride is definatly nice but I've driven 75 series Toyotas for years and I have no doubt what so ever a troopy would not cost me this much in 2 years.

Yes my Disco had a full service history when I bought it.

Happy Days. I hope you have better luck than me.

[joel0407]

I forgot to mention.

I did a sevice and since you need to run Synthetic oil it cost about $80 and a full filter kit cost me $70. Again I did the service myself.

Oh yeah and when the ACE hose blew. It cost me $75 for that oil too.

[turps]

If they are offering RACV warranty. I have used it to good value when my auto died. As it cost me nothing extra.
They only cover upto $3000 per a claim on drivetrain and engine.
Although the RACV book lists better coverages. Disco 2's are all to old for anything else.
But it is 3yrs unlimited km's. which in my case will be close to 150,000km.

[OffTrack]

2 weeks later the top radiator hose starts to leak. I keep it going for another 2 weeks just topping up the radiator for short trips to the shops. i remove the hose to find it has rubbed on the power steering hose and worn though itself. Joiner and several super clamps cost me about $50. Coolant cost me another $50. It's now leaking around the hose clamps. Yes all connections were perfectly clean.


Sounds like you've had a bad run but none of the hose failures happen without extended periods of wear/rubbing and would most likely be picked up by a LR specialist pre-purchase inspection.

The failure described above would have been caused by an ACE hose as that is the only thing that should go close to the top hose. There was a spacer clip installed to cars built after December 2000 that should prevent any rubbing. A service bulletin was issued in mid-2001 which mandated fitting the clip to earlier vehicles. So it sounds like your vehicle has had the clip removed or refitted incorrectly at some point. If you have any rubbing between the coolant hose and ACE hoses you can still buy the spacer clip (YBH000010) which should only cost a couple of dollars tops.

The $484 is over the top for a ZF Auto service, unless you've asked them to use Transmax Z. A realistic price from an Auto Trans specialist would be closer to $200 for fluid/filter change.

Service history really means very little. There are plenty of mechanics that will stamp the book for oil and filter change or less. When I bought mine the book had a stamp by the dealers pet mechanic for a service 2000km prior to me purchasing. When I did a full fluids change shortly afterwards NOTHING had been touched for at least 10K km, and probably much longer. Filters were old, oil was pitch black, rear diff had water in the oil, and the Auto was slipping when first starting from cold and needed filter and fluid. A book service includes checking all hoses and pipes for rubbing and wear for example - something that obviously hadn't been done for sometime on the vehicle you purchased.

I personally wouldn't buy a D2 unless you can get it inspected by someone who knows the vehicles well, and preferably by a LR specialist.

cheers
Paul

[joel0407]

Sounds like you've had a bad run but none of the hose failures happen without wear/rubbing and would most likely be picked up by a LR specialist pre-purchase inspection.

The failure described above would have been caused by an ACE hose as that is the only thing that should go close to the top hose. There was a spacer clip installed to cars built after December 2000 that should prevent any rubbing. A service bulletin was issued in mid-2001 which mandated fitting the clip to earlier vehicles. So it sounds like your vehicle has had the clip removed or refitted incorrectly at some point. If you any rubbing between the hoses you can still buy the spacer clip (YBH000010) which should only cost a couple of dollars tops.

The $484 is over the top for a ZF Auto service, unless you've asked them to use Transmax Z. A realistic price from an Auto Trans specialist would be closer to $200 for fluid/filter change.

Service history really means very little. There are plenty of mechanics that will stamp the book for oil and filter change or less. A book service includes checking all hoses and pipes for rubbing and wear for example - something that obviously hadn't been done for sometime on the vehicle you purchased.

I personally wouldn't buy a D2 unless you can get it inspected by someone who knows the vehicles well, and preferably by a LR specialist.

cheers
Paul


$484 is Darwin pricing.

Thansk for the info on the hose clip.

Your dead right about getting it checked by LR specialist. I made the purchase under duress. I had just sold my WRX and was being relocated from Canberra to Darwin with work. As my vehicle transport was being paid for with work, if I didnt have a car to move it would be costing me about another $1000 to get the vehicle to Darwin.

I had been looking for about 3 months and seen some decent Discos get listed and sold but I had to move my WRX before I could purchase myself.

These vehicles are very unconventional to say the least. I'd hope a LR Specialist will know exactly what to look for.

I'll have to check the book but it was serviced by a LR service place, South ???? near Brisbane. There was a few things that I have red are important for Land Rovers like, radiator coolant was green. I know OAT can be green but usually red. I changed it just in case. I would have thought a LR service place would have sorted that.

It's not that uncommom for power steering pipes to leak but they can usually be fixed with field fit hydraulic fittings. The Disco hoses (ACE + PS) have a teflon core that cant be joined with any sort of field fitting.

The turbo has been replaced in mine. It's apparently been chipped. EGR removed, larger transmission cooler and a few other things.

I probably would not have bought it if I had more time. I had flown to Brisbane and it look just OK.

Anyway, getting things fixed now. I'm hoping there isn't too much more to go wrong.

Happy Days.

[strangy]

Obviously the answer from a LR forum will be towards the D2 but ...
Friends GU patrol has had no more or less issues than my D2 ( now sold , Defender replaced it) the difference however was that his costs were 4 times mine. Before we talk labour!

The D2 is a significant milestone for LR build quality and performance compared to earlier models.
For what you want to do, the D2 is better in every way to the GU except for size.

Sorry to some however, I grow tired of hearing the gripes about reliability because the previous owner didn't maintain (different to servicing) the vehicle that the new owner didn't appropriately inspect nor spend the money to maintain either.
Any vehicle this will bite you.

[Eevo]

On Nissan forums the 3l engine is known as a grenade.
I don't know specifics but I've heard it many times.

[Disco Muppet]

On Nissan forums the 3l engine is known as a grenade.
I don't know specifics but I've heard it many times.

Not just nissan forums :p
Everyone knows the ZD30 is the best anti-vehicle grenade the japanese ever produced :p
Something to keep in mind, even if you get the last of the 04MY builds, it's still not a new vehicle, nearly ten years old.
As such, expect wear and tear commensurate with a vehicle of that age, as well as taking into consideration what the PO used it for.
And I'm not having a dig at anyone, but as I said, nearly ten year old vehicles will have a few hoses wearing out, etc.
I had to fork out over 2k for mine within about 3 weeks of owning it, but that taught me not to assume that because the lady I got it from was nice, that everything would be okay.
Any vehicle not looked after properly will bite, as Strangy says.
Just MHO, but you can't really go past a D2.
Everything else is crap.

[Pinelli]

So I haven't got a patrol, but I do love my old d21 navara. At 27 yrs old, it definitely takes less work than the D2 to keep maintained, but I work the D2 harder.


I believe the trick with the zd30 is that the dipstick is just a bit too short, so if its overfilled you get some grief with the big ends hitting the oil, eventually going bang. But I can't confirm that myself.

[Rok_Dr]

Any vehicle not looked after properly will bite, as Strangy says.

Even well looked after second hand cars will cost. The corolla in my tag line below gulped $1500 in the first month. I've known the owners for over 30 years and the car since it was new. Well looked after with service history and and very low Kms. At the end of the day you are kidding yourself if you expect a 10 year+ old car not to cost you money.

And if you want real pain my GTV6 has gulped just over $15k in the last 2.5 years, with engine, coolant system and aircond rebuilds and I'm not finished yet:)

Cheers
Steve

[joel0407]

I planned on spending a couple of thousand on getting the Disco how I wanted. It still has all the running gear in place for the SLS but the bags have been replaced with springs. I wanted to convert it back to bags. I wanted to fit a snorkel, new shocks and a couple of other things. My money has just been going on keeping the thing running.

[bsperka]

In the end, if you have serious doubts about owning a Land Rover, then don't get one. I know people who swear by the marque, others who swear at it. This is the case for each marque, not just Land Rover. Each car has it's own foibles. Here is a quick run down.

The Patrol is a 2WD on bitumen and is a copy the 1972 Range Rover suspension design / setup, without self leveling on the back. The engine is known to detonate - IIRC something about the engine running too rich, causing high EGT, due to a faulty sensor (others may be bothered to look up what the cause is). Poor back suspension for loads - the rear springs aren't supported enough by the chassis, leading to the top housing cracking and failing - a mod is available. Rugged transmission setup. More accessories are available, new and secondhand.

Landcruiser - firstly need to pay the Toyota 'tax', due to the perception that they are built better. D4D engines are failing; Diesel V8s have had oil consumption problems in the past (now fixed?). Older diesels are old technology (chamber based injection), so oil changes every 5000km, unless you are driving it in extreme conditions (stop start traffic, off roading, short runs etc) when it drops down to 2000km between oil changes. Need to flush the oil to get rid of the carbon build up, otherwise the oil turns black after startup or within 100 km or so. Poor fuel economy for the power output on the new engines; Poor fuel economy and performance on older vehicles. Parts are a bit cheaper (? don't know if this true, but the Toyota parts that I have bought are reasonably priced, with lots of Chinese copies available) and more available for the older engines. Transmission is weak, but later models are AWD on the road, so better handling. Suspension is rugged, although also a copy the 1972 Range Rover suspension design / setup, without self leveling on the back. More accessories are available, new and secondhand. Great as tow vehicle. New Landcruisers have their own postcode, due to their size. Prados - failure (cracks) in the firewalls if a bullbar is fitted, cracked dashboards are common experiences. (Prados aren't really a Landcruiser though).

Discovery - oil in the ecu, fuel pressure regulator may leak, oil bolt issues in older engines and other known issues. More sophisicated than Jap contemporaries (perhaps with exception of Jackaroo and Pajero to a certain extent), so appears to be more fragile, as more parts to fail. From 1999, twin airbags, traction control, hill descent control etc on base models. Parts may be more expensive (unless bought from the UK), AWD on the road, so better handling. Better fuel economy, better handling for those with ACE and better suspension for those with SLS.

Pajero - torsion bar front suspension, so limited off road travel, but only needed in extreme circumstances. More car like, has TC and ABS as standard in early 2000's; ESC from 2004 (?). Rugged rear diff. Fuel economy on par with Discos. Bigger 4 cylinder diesel for similar power output.

So that's my next 2c worth, which when rounded down ....

[joel0407]

Yeah, What BSPERKA said.