Are early Disco II's a problem?

[johhnyD]

I have been told by a Land Rover mechanic to avoid buying early Disco II's, not until 2002 2003 were the problems sorted, is this true/
Cheers
JohnnyD

[Bytemrk]

I think I'd be asking for a little more detail in that statement...


I have a 2000 model V8 DII..... I've had it a little over 2 years.

It's taken me and my family on trips into 4 states of Australia Including outback SA.

In that time, other than standard servicing (which I do on time with a reputable Landrover mechanic) - it has cost me 1 x crank angle sensor and 1 x front ABS sensor...

Not really what I would describe as "a problem" :roll:

Often statements about a particular model being a problem.... come from ill informed sources. Or like what you have been told are far too general - what is the specific problem?..

Besides - if you want to use the Disco off road - I'd stay away from one without a CDL (Or at least the ability to easily re enable it)... in my mind that means 2002-2003 IS a problem...


Mark

[Slunnie]

Nah. Maybe the '99's. 2000-2002 were the best, along with the facelifted ones. I reckon they sorted the niggling probs in the first year.

[johhnyD]

mark what is a CDL? and which ones have it!?

[p38arover]

Originally posted by johhnyD
mark what is a CDL? and which ones have it!?

Centre Diff Lock.

Land Rover removed the linkage on some models so they are easily retrofitted. On later models (before reintroduction of the CDL) it was removed completely and retrofitting is a lot harder. LR believed that traction control obviated the need for a CDL. They were wrong.

Not sure when these changes took effect.

Ron

[disco_ute]

I have a 00 TD5 and the only problem i have had with it is the rear door lock getting stiff... that is hardly a reason not to buy one.....

[Bytemrk]

G'day JohhnyD,

As Ron said a CDL is the Centre Diff Lock.

I suggest do a search on these forums for CDL... and start reading.

http://www.aulro.com/modules.php?name=Foru...ch&mode=results (http://www.aulro.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=search&mode=results)

Lots of info you should have before you start looking for a DII



Cheers,
Mark

[camel_landy]

The early TD5 had a problem in that the bolts for the oil pickup pipe were not tight enough and they used to fall into the sump leading to instant loss of oil pressure!

This was corrected by setting a higher torque for the bolts and any engines that were going to fail have probably failed by now.... :?

There's a couple of other 'known' issues but these affect the later models too.

Generally, they are fairly reliable and the TD5 Auto is thought to be one of the better combinations. I personally prefer the earlier style Series II myself and if I got one it would be the TD5 Manual with coil springs on the rear (ES/GS or something...).

HTH

Mark.

[MickG]

I have a '99 TD5 manual, coils all round and it is a superb car that always produces the goods. Yes I have some small issues with it but then you get these with any car you drive....plus I have done a fair few mods which may have contributed to some of my issues anyway.

Without knowing what you are looking for and what you are going to use it for, all I would suggest is make sure you buy one that has a good service history and then maintain the services and you will not look back.

Hope this helps, Mick

[Ace]

I think it was redback who told me at the expo last year that there was a problem with the ECU in early models, or that someone had told him to avoid them. I have no idea of what the issue is or even if it actually exists. Matt