Thread: new purchase checks = 1994 Discovery 300tdi auto

Hi Smokey
A few things come to mind but Im sure others will chime in.

300000+ on the auto is nearing the average life of these boxes - has it had any work done?
Most important thing is does it have a documented service history?
Does it steer well - indicative of condition of suspension and steering linkage bushes
Check A frame ball joint - if it clunks badly goingover a speed bump it probably needs replacing
Black smoke at start up is normal but it should be basically smokeless otherwise
It should start easily
Oil leaks on the oil cooler lines is very common unless the lines have been replaced-often drips onto the top of the frt diff.-a few hundred dollars to have this done.

What is the asking price?

Good luck with it.

Linds

Look at the auto fluid and start off from dead cold in "D" and see that it changes gears appropriately. If it hangs on to first gear to high revs on a light throttle, run away ,as this is one of the most expensive fixes on an old Disco at maybe 4K.
Regards Philip A
All the suspension stuff is cheap and will make a man of you or alternatively give you a hernia.

Unless its dirt cheap, get one with less K's and you be fine.

Or buy dirt cheap and spend some money on it, that way you will know what you are getting too.

Hi and thanks for the info,

I was hoping to buy a cheapy and build it up, provided it has some strong points like a good body or mechanicals. (one or the other)

• This one in question has no documentation of any work being done, owner mentioned the previous owner had auto gearbox work or issues.
• it leaks everywhere.
• the airbag light is always one.
• and there is rust around the gutters and the sky lights. ( not to mention the dinged in roof and rear quatter.

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY TURBO DIESEL REGO AUTO AIR BAGS - eBay, Passenger Vehicles, Cars, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 19-Oct-10 11:52:33 AEDST)

(am i shooting myself in the foot?)

Cheers

No history, walk/run while you can.
Cheap is $1500 and than maybe but with rust and electrical issues also.
High mileage etc.
Also the coolant tank either contains water(clear) or is very low.
They are hard to see at times but be careful.
Original tank is black and they are crap, it has been changed because he is careful or because it split they the black ones do and he over-heated the thing and that is big $$$.

The auto will probably need freshening up by now and heads probably also.
Who actually knows what else has to be spend on it.

Wait and be patient, a good one will come up.

Originally Posted by smokey

(am i shooting myself in the foot?)

yep...

the brake fluid is very low also, if the fixes only require finding the loose connection and spraying WD40 then they would have fixed these before putting it up for sale.

wait for a better one.

Originally Posted by duncanw

yep...

the brake fluid is very low also, if the fixes only require finding the loose connection and spraying WD40 then they would have fixed these before putting it up for sale.

wait for a better one.

Cheers, i keep looking then...

i know in perth you can get much better condition and less km's for about that price, i only assume sydney is not much different..

keep your eye on the paper and net for a few weeks and something will pop up