Thinking about buying a disco - is it worth it?

[james0724]

Hi

I've just had a look at a 2000 model Discovery TD5 manual for sale.

Its done about 212K's and the bloke wants 7K + plus RWC costs for it. The exterior is alright, with a few nicks here and there. The interior is good, minus the drivers seat and handbrake / gearstick gaiter which are fairly chewed up.

It drives really well, and the service has been stamped and filed out regularly up to 202K.

My only worry is that he's had the radiator recently cleaned out and flushed & has had the water pump replaced. Could this have been a sign for a soon to go headgasket?

Other niggles being that there appears to be a bit of a leak near the oil sump . Is this standard for a landy though? And a bit of surface rust near the bottom of the bullbar.

Price seems a little low, but the bloke is moving back to the UK so I can understand his wish to be rid of it.

He didn't know whether the front prop shaft has been recently replaced, but in my quick drive, there weren't any strange noises or vibrations felt in the cabin.

Does it sound like a good buy? Any advice greatly appreciated :)

[gusthedog]

Sounds pretty good to me. Are you going to get a mechanic to check it for you? Radiator and water pump are just service items so I wouldn't worry too much. IMHO they are nor predictors of a head gasket failure. That could happen anytime :) Handbrake gaiter is an easy fix and some seat covers will sort out the seats. My sump has been weeping since I bought mine. :D Not enough to worry the oil level between changes so I'm in no hurry to replace it. Service history is important so sounds good there too.

[james0724]

I'm debating on it really, I've heard there's a decent land rover garage in town, so I might give them a call and see how much they charge.

[d2dave]

And if you do buy it don't rely on the front tailshaft being ok just because there is no vibration.

Many have let go with no warning and some have had catastrophic consequences.

[Davetd5]

I would want to know why the radiator etc was replaced. Was it a routine 'about time' thing? Was there a leak? Did it overheat?
At 200,000km its about due for a head gasket and a harmonic balancer replacement. So add another, oh, 5-6k to the price.

[gusthedog]

I would want to know why the radiator etc was replaced. Was it a routine 'about time' thing? Was there a leak? Did it overheat?
At 200,000km its about due for a head gasket and a harmonic balancer replacement. So add another, oh, 5-6k to the price.

Fair enough re the radiator. But not so the harmonic balancer and head gasket IMHO. And if you monitor your water and oil and get to a head gasket before it's too late then you'll be fine. Harmonic balancer is a bit more difficult to judge. If your mechanic is charging 5-6k for these jobs though, it's time to shop around and go somewhere else :D

[Davetd5]

"If your mechanic is charging 5-6k for these jobs though, it's time to shop around and go somewhere else"

Lol!
I don't actually know how much it would cost as I am a qualified mechanic and I do all my own work.
What I'm saying is that at those km's with unknown history you've either got to allow for some big jobs ahead or you've got to be willing to gamble.

I did my head gasket two years ago at 185k due to pressurising, and parts and machining were $2700 including a new radiator, maf, engine saver, egr kit etc.
It started to have a squeak when turning off so I pre-empted trouble and bought a new genuine crank damper for $550 off Gumtree and fitted that, no more squeak and it smoothed out vibrations I hadn't even noticed!

You can ask here for advice and that's great but you get such varied accounts about people's experiences you may as well flip a coin! (Don't choose heads). For that money its still cheap and probably worth a punt.

[copba]

There're two independent Landrover mechanics in Cairns, I'd give them a ring and see if they would give it a good look over. Then base your decision on what they say, radiator and water pump are normal service items at that age and may not neccessarily mean head gasket.

[worane]

Also get them to asess the clutch/fly wheel life left.

[Roberto]

James

You are getting a lot of vehicle for $7k. To run a Disco of this age you need to have mechanical aptitude, and access to reasonably priced expert assistance. This forum will be invaluable for advice and problem solving.

It is a bit of a gamble. You might be lucky and nothing serious goes wrong, or you could be unlucky, and spend as much as you might spend on repayments on a new $50k vehicle for a year.

If you love cars, and don't mind having to get deeply involved in maintenance/repairs, the Disco can be a very rewarding car. If you are looking for something that just gets you from A to B then perhaps the Disco isn't for you.

Bob

[Davetd5]

James

You are getting a lot of vehicle for $7k. To run a Disco of this age you need to have mechanical aptitude, and access to reasonably priced expert assistance. This forum will be invaluable for advice and problem solving.

It is a bit of a gamble. You might be lucky and nothing serious goes wrong, or you could be unlucky, and spend as much as you might spend on repayments on a new $50k vehicle for a year.

If you love cars, and don't mind having to get deeply involved in maintenance/repairs, the Disco can be a very rewarding car. If you are looking for something that just gets you from A to B then perhaps the Disco isn't for you.

Bob

Well said!

[bsperka]

The Toyota "tax" includes businesses that only service Toyotas. Discos are a better ride than any of the Japanese offerings from that era but you do need to consider the attitude of mechanics in more remote locations. It's got electronics, don't know how to fix it.

I'd consider paying more for a Toyota and having the additional fuel consumption, shorter service interval if diesel (2 to 5 thousand k rather than 10 to 20k), less safety features, less creature comfort, less off road ability, same suspension set up as a 1972 range rover (if the toyota has coil suspension) but better support when things go astray due to attitude of mechanics who don't know Land Rovers.

[james0724]

Hi all. Defiantly after a Disco, always wanted a Land Rover :) It turns out the radiator wasn't replaced, but just flushed. -> which sounds like general service to me.

It's getting its RWC tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be its new owner soon enough.

I've emailed Hyper Tune land Rover, and I might get them to check out the head and prop shaft after a few weeks of ownership.

I'm also seeing it as an opportunity, to learn some mechanical skills. And at the end of the day, I'll have an ancient Pajero lying around, for when the Discovery isn't working.

[worane]

Good luck and have fun.
I have owned a LOT of cars but my disco has a strangle hold on my hart.
( and sometimes my wallet!

[Eevo]

is it worth it? hmm.

comfort and capability wise,yes.
reliability wise, no.
with reliability, i assume just got the bad pick of the bunch. nothing detectable on a presales inspection but a lot of things broke between 120k and 135k km.

[Rok_Dr]

From what you describe it sounds like an honest car. If it passes rwc get a specialist to look at it. Mention your concerns re the cooling system and get them to have a closer look for you.

If the service stamps are local give the mechanic a call. They may be able to give you more detail.

Re the cosmetics I wouldn't worry. Every d2 I've looked at has stuffed gaiters and seats are just a cover away from being neat. You can get leather replacement gaiters of ebay very cheaply.

Cheers

Steve

[d2dave]

is it worth it? hmm.

comfort and capability wise,yes.
reliability wise, no.


And can you tell me what makes it unreliable? I have 190,000 on mine and so far it has been reliable. With good maintenance and the appropriate spares( and this applies to any vehicle) I plan to take mine to some very remote places.

I have more confidence in my Disco than I would in a Nissota, purely because I feel that there is so much knowledge here that there is nothing being a showstopper that I could not fix myself.

[Pippin]

I have 408K on mine, I have owned it for 9 years, yes I have had to do a lot to it over that period but I swear it goes better now than when I first bought it and I look forward to getting in it for a drive more than ever. Weird isn't it!:)

[james0724]

And can you tell me what makes it unreliable? I have 190,000 on mine and so far it has been reliable. With good maintenance and the appropriate spares( and this applies to any vehicle) I plan to take mine to some very remote places.

I have more confidence in my Disco than I would in a Nissota, purely because I feel that there is so much knowledge here that there is nothing being a showstopper that I could not fix myself.


That's my thought, 90% of the mechanical work I should be able to do myself following the RAVE. It's actually determining the issue, which is the hard bit, but I suppose that's what the forum is for :)

[Eevo]

And can you tell me what makes it unreliable? I have 190,000 on mine and so far it has been reliable. With good maintenance and the appropriate spares( and this applies to any vehicle) I plan to take mine to some very remote places..

as i said, i assume mine was the runt of the litter.
i can give you a list of failed items if thats what your after.
when i think reliable, i think about things not breaking. im not thinking about easy to repair.

ie, the wife needs a reliable car, she has no mechanic skills, given my experience, i wouldn't be getting her a land rover.

[simonmelb]

And can you tell me what makes it unreliable?

Reliability is of course relative. Compared with just about every other car Ive owned - simpler non-4WD cars including Volvo S40, Mazda 323, the Disco is unreliable. Mine's been flat bedded 4 times, these all being due to built in design weaknesses of the car - we all know what these are.

Would you recommend one to your Mother in Law? No way I would !!!

BUT having got to know mine so well now and keeping across these weaknesses I wouldn't have any other vehicle as it does so many things so well!

And like D2dave Im keeping mine for our next remote trip!

[Robgw]

If you don't mind sharing what was the 4 flatbed causes?...

[simonmelb]

My wife kindly reminded me it's been 6 times, once when she was alone on a dark night miles from anywhere near Bendigo and another when she was 35 week pregnant!

1. Melb - fuel hose above tank rubbed through
2. Alice Springs - faulty throttle pedal ( could have driven just using cruise control but took up benefits of Racv total care!)
3. Walpole, WA. Fuel hose again! Reputable mechanic who fixed it the first time not so reputable after all
4. Bendigo, Vic - original non lube driveshaft finally gave up. Now have a tom woods one :-)
5. Melb- transmission failure (end of its life!)
6. Melb- With new trans, the installer did not connect the cooler line correctly so it blew off- lucky I noticed this as soon as TC unlocked so didn't loose to much fluid or do any damage!

Most of the above are preventable with regular servicing and good mechanicàl skills. I now do all my own servicing and so know the car very well now. I've got a pretty good idea what's due for replacement soon. ( eg alternator is still untouched at 275kkm).

[Robgw]

Thanks for all that, very insightful..

Ive been flat bedded once, the 'O"ring on the brake master cylinder had a weep. I was over the other side of the Blue Mountains and was fully loaded up with the family, only noticed it as the car was dusty. It could have been there for months/weeks but NRMA had strict instructions not to let me drive the car with brake issues. I agreed. They gave me a free car to use!. The kit was $80 but apparently had a spit chamber so you don't run low on fluid and loose brakes. Did not take chances. That again would be age...by dad who's a mechanic see's it a lot on all cars which are older.

About your car..

Given the K's and the age, are these things more to do with those factors than reliability?. After all LR only give 3-5 warranty when new.

My 2001 V8 SE7 has now done 98,000. it's build date was May 2000 registered April 01 here in Aus. I've renewed hoses and a few gaskets, air springs, thermostat, rad serviced. in the last 3 years. Basically all things perishable and rubber failing...I changed my Driveshaft after reading so much about them ending their lives lately, I have a fully greasble Hardy Spicer unit.

Maybe the D2's are not Lemons but just getting old!....?

[d2dave]

My wife kindly reminded me it's been 6 times, once when she was alone on a dark night miles from anywhere near Bendigo and another when she was 35 week pregnant!

1. Melb - fuel hose above tank rubbed through
2. Alice Springs - faulty throttle pedal ( could have driven just using cruise control but took up benefits of Racv total care!)
3. Walpole, WA. Fuel hose again! Reputable mechanic who fixed it the first time not so reputable after all
4. Bendigo, Vic - original non lube driveshaft finally gave up. Now have a tom woods one :-)
5. Melb- transmission failure (end of its life!)
6. Melb- With new trans, the installer did not connect the cooler line correctly so it blew off- lucky I noticed this as soon as TC unlocked so didn't loose to much fluid or do any damage!

Most of the above are preventable with regular servicing and good mechanicàl skills. I now do all my own servicing and so know the car very well now. I've got a pretty good idea what's due for replacement soon. ( eg alternator is still untouched at 275kkm).

Fuel hose. Maintenance. I will be changing mine.
Faulty throttle pedal. Not a known issue and just one of those things. Could happen to any car.
Tailshaft. Again maintenance. I also have a TW shaft. Changed it with nothing wrong with the old one.
Transmission. You say end of life. Happens to all cars.
And number 6 on your list is not the LR's fault.

[Pippin]

Flat bedded only once in 9 years with failed fuel pump and only because I ignored the warning signs.

Nick

[DiscoDB]

Flat bedded only once in 9 years with failed fuel pump and only because I ignored the warning signs.

Nick

Same here, once in 13 years due to fuel pump failure. As with Nick I failed to take action when I noticed it was becoming louder and seeking attention. So I put this one down to my fault.

[newowner]

flatbed now 315k, need a new transmission, cut my losses still not decided 2002 td5. in good shape otherwise i guess, will check tailshaft is that a propshaft?, so is it worth buying yes but you will be up for a transmission auto on td5 anytime after 250k, so keep a little aside for that , it will happen!

[Wasa57]

Newowner, did you get any warning signs before your auto crapped itself?
My td5 auto is at 308K now, running sweet, but I don't want to be caught out while towing a camper in the back of beyond.

-Wasa

[donh54]

ie, the wife needs a reliable car, she has no mechanic skills, given my experience, i wouldn't be getting her a land rover.

My wife has no mechanical skills, either, (in fact, she hasn't got much in the way of driving skills, either!) So I bought her a freelander Xedi! 7 years of troublefree motoring, it is now awaiting my next holidays, when I'll put in a clutch, and do the timing belt. Been a great car, never let us down. Had S2 & 2a, County 110, and now a D1 300tdi. All good, but they do require a bit more hands on than the Japanese stuff, but I grew up with Vanguards, Triumphs and Royal Enfields, so always had spanners handy. :rolleyes:

Sent from my HTC One XL using AULRO mobile app

[Statusquo]

Flat-bedded once.. the key gave up ! Otherwise with the combination of weekly fluid/belt checks and a rudimentary understanding of mechanics, access to a great forum and a top notch mechanic mine just rolls on...5 years and still my best car

[jskerm]

D2's are no more unreliable than any other make of car. There are just twice as many features in them which mean there are twice as many things to go wrong. I'm sure a toynota with SLS, ACE, ICE, TC, ABS, TSP, Electric everything, 3 zone air conditioning, and all the rest of the great gadgets that make a D2 a D2 would spend just as much time in the workshop, maybe more.
The only options available in a toyota in the years that D2's were in production were air conditioning, and a membership to the 'my toyota is unbreakable' club!

[rich67]

Just bought a 2001 V8 and couldn't be happier. Yes it has a few small issues but I feel that I have got a lot of car for not a lot of money. My previous car was a 92 Pajero and the Disco feels much more solid and is much smoother to drive.

[newowner]

Newowner, did you get any warning signs before your auto crapped itself?
My td5 auto is at 308K now, running sweet, but I don't want to be caught out while towing a camper in the back of beyond.

-Wasa
well wasa, i really guess i am too in exprience with these machines to say was there a warning , have spoken qualified experts on landys, non quali experts and qualified non landy mechanics, all say the same but different ! just be sure to have fluids changed and noises /vibrations thoroughly checked, i didnt! if there are leaks its not good either, check quality of atf when changing it and ensure the mech or you follw the correct procedure for refill, there is a way to do it right and a way to do it wrong so i have been told! did my mech do it wrong? who knows, but a forum on here somewhere suggests that new trans is likely to occur from 250k onwaards , but there are always exceptions, good luck and i hope i havent worried you!