Thread: 97 disco in my sights

Hi Guys,
Im new to this landrover stuff so need a little help.
Got my eyes on a Discovery 97 v8 on gas 180000kms which seems to look in good condition,Im looking for some advice, am i going down the right road with this one if i am what should i be looking for in the way of problems visually and on a road test.
Thanx Matt.

Okay there will be lots of people chiming in but I'll kick it off.

First a bit of rust which goes for any disco no matter the engine...alpine windows (the skylights), in the top of the A pillars (the ones at the front that the windscreen is in beetween I think thats what it's called), and under the boot carpet. And anywhere else you think it might be really. It should be okay but you wouldn't want a nasty surprise later.

Check leaks and stuff, get under the car and have a look yourself and don't trust the seller (unless he's a forum member here, they're not likely to swindle you)...I say this because when I bought my v8 it got sold with a RWC and a year later I'm going to sell it myself with a RWC only to find that the leaks that were on it when I bought it were road worthy items and now I have to fork out big money to get the fixed. Power steering hoses and rocker cover gaskets, not big jobs but they add up pretty quickly.

Basically get it looked at by a land rover professional before you buy it, or any good mechanic really, but preferably a rover guy like Ritters...the will tell you pretty quickly if it's decent or not. Even if it costs $100 and some time for them to check it out it's worth it, then you'll know exactly what you're in for. I didn't do that when I bought my v8 and I should have. Don't get me wrong my car was fine and its a good one, but I just had to spend a bit of money on lots of little things that were due to happen. Would have been nice to know what I was in for when I bought it that's all.

Edit :I just saw that that you're in SA, you should see if you can take it to Bee Utey or someone like that to check it out, he's also an LPG guru. Pretty sure there are a few very knowledgeable forum members in SA who might be able to help.