Things to LOOK OUT for when buying a TDi Disco?

**Robmacca** · 30th September 2013, 04:29 AM

Gents....

I know there is plenty of info spread throughout this forum on the various things/problems, etc of what to look for or to be aware of when buying, but I was wondering if there is just one thread where all this INFO is located. Just might save me some LONG HOURS in trying to gather all the relevant info in helping me to eventually purchase a GOOD one.....

Not sure if u could list some helpful info in this post ???

cheers.....

RobM

**Tank** · 30th September 2013, 09:33 AM

Technical Forums, go to "The Good Oil" thread, pays to look for service history, Service records and such, Regards Frank.

**VladTepes** · 30th September 2013, 10:25 AM

The short answer is No, there isn't one thread for that. It would be the world's longest thread and none of us has time to write that ....

Ther is however plenty of good infoonthisforum and I'm sure you'll get some feedback in this thread too.

**VladTepes** · 30th September 2013, 10:28 AM

By the way where are you in Brisbane? I'd alwys suggest an independent inspection by a LR specialist ! (RACQ inspection isn't worth paper it's printed on as they seem to know nothing about Land Rovers) Whatever the inspction costs it could save you a lot fo money down the track.

Check that the timing belt has been done, or when it's due as that will cost a few $.

Oh, and make sure you actually DRIVE one before buying it....

If you are in North Brisbane PM me and I can probably help with that, and run you through a coupel of things that I;d check / recommend / had to get sorted.

**Robmacca** · 30th September 2013, 10:57 AM

Thanks for that.... much appreciated... I am located on the Nthside of Brissie too

I'm hearing from various sources that the running gear on these D1 are fairly weak and if u are into the fairly hard offroading stuff, then u most likely will be breaking axles/CV's, etc.... Is this true as I thought I remember reading on here somewhere that the axles, etc were strengthen on the last of the D1 models >96 to '98 ??
I don't want to worry every time that i take it out that I might break something.

I'll be looking for an TDi Auto too, so the missus can drive it if necessary.....

Originally Posted by VladTepes

By the way where are you in Brisbane? I'd alwys suggest an independent inspection by a LR specialist ! (RACQ inspection isn't worth paper it's printed on as they seem to know nothing about Land Rovers) Whatever the inspction costs it could save you a lot fo money down the track.

Check that the timing belt has been done, or when it's due as that will cost a few $.

Oh, and make sure you actually DRIVE one before buying it....

If you are in North Brisbane PM me and I can probably help with that, and run you through a coupel of things that I;d check / recommend / had to get sorted.

**Robmacca** · 30th September 2013, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Tank

Technical Forums, go to "The Good Oil" thread, pays to look for service history, Service records and such, Regards Frank.

Thanks for this.... I'd never would have thought to look under the "Good Oil" section & hopefully this will same me some time researching....

Is this where most the topics of the problems/issues for the ALL Disco's are located ??

**Robmacca** · 30th September 2013, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by VladTepes

The short answer is No, there isn't one thread for that. It would be the world's longest thread and none of us has time to write that ....

Ther is however plenty of good info on this forum and I'm sure you'll get some feedback in this thread too.

I just thought there maybe one topic post that just contains a continually updated "Dot point List" of things to look for and not necessarily a fix for the problem.

I understand that it could get out of hand though.....

cheers.....

RobM

**loanrangie** · 30th September 2013, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Robmacca

Thanks for that.... much appreciated... I am located on the Nthside of Brissie too

I'm hearing from various sources that the running gear on these D1 are fairly weak and if u are into the fairly hard offroading stuff, then u most likely will be breaking axles/CV's, etc.... Is this true as I thought I remember reading on here somewhere that the axles, etc were strengthen on the last of the D1 models >96 to '98 ??
I don't want to worry every time that i take it out that I might break something.

I'll be looking for an TDi Auto too, so the missus can drive it if necessary.....

They arent that bad, i have never broken anything on my tdi auto but like any other vehicle if you abuse it you will break something.
And it the one you drive is really sluggish it must need work , i have rarely wanted for extra power apart from towing a medium size caravan.
Today i ran to work on 265/75/16 muds and there was absolutely no difference to the 245/70's i usually run - if anything it was quicker.

**Robmacca** · 30th September 2013, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by loanrangie

They arent that bad, i have never broken anything on my tdi auto but like any other vehicle if you abuse it you will break something.
And it the one you drive is really sluggish it must need work , i have rarely wanted for extra power apart from towing a medium size caravan.
Today i ran to work on 265/75/16 muds and there was absolutely no difference to the 245/70's i usually run - if anything it was quicker.

WOW.... my cousin who had gotten me interested in the D1's was advised to stay with the factory size and not go to 245/75/16 as he would lose the edge and would be disappointed in driving it......

Running 265/75/16 with std gearing I would have thought would definitely effect its response in a big way ??

Good to hear that u never broken anything, as I mainly want for to/from work, then weekend bush exploring trips and tackling those unexpected & sometimes difficult tracks u find when exploring through the bush....

rob

**incisor** · 30th September 2013, 11:57 AM

IMHO

mechanically, the first thing to look for is smooth..

does the engine run smoothly, does it idle smoothly, what happens when it is idling and you switch the air conditioning on.. does it slow down and run really roughly or does it slow down and still idle relatively smoothly?

when taking off does the auto change smoothly or does it clunk or jerk

when going from forward to rev and vice versa is it smooth or is there any loud clucks, a loud clunk from the back means look at the suspension rubbers and a frame ball joint

when accelerating is there a lot of harmonic vibration thru the cab or does it smoothly move thru the gears and change into top just under 80 kph

if it is smooth thru that lot, only leaks a little, and the automatic fluid doesn't have any sort of burnt smell to it then the basics are usually good and it is worth looking at further..

when you hit the brakes does it pull up smoothly or is there any shuddering or steering wheel vibration?

when hard accelerating does the vehicle pull to the left or right? if so suspension rubbers need work.

check under the floor mats for rust or rust repair.

check the rear alpine windows for rust under the rubbers and check the load space floor for rust under the mats.

does it drip oil after a run? check the front and rear main seals and the front and rear of the transfer case

check the power steering hoses near the joints to see if they leak... most weep a little

does the steering moan when you go from full lock to full lock, most do a little...

check the central locking functions from the drivers door and lifts all the doors locks fully up

make sure all the door lock levers open the doors and that the windows go up and down using all the switches.

if all seems well at the end of that lot spend the money get a local LR specialist to give it a once over...

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