Thread: Guidance for buying a D1 '98 or '95?

Originally Posted by Robmacca

Gents....

I went to look at a D1 Tdi that I saw on Carsales. It is a '98 model with 209k on the clock & they are asking $8980 for it.
IMHO, a lot of money for a D1 with quite a few niggly (although common) issues
It turned out to be a car wholesaler & we I arrived to look at it, it had yet to be cleaned up. From looking at it I found the following:

1. Fuel leaking from the under the Injector Pump
cannot help you with that one as both my D1s are V8s

2. Power Steering Pump leaking
maybe large $ to fix, so be wary it has been done properly and not some "mechanic in a can" stop leak stuff

3. Small engine oil leak

4. Had the White radiator overflow bottle (Black ones are the better ones ??)
Nope, white ones are the good ones.

5. NO service History with it
What, none whatsoever

6. Transmission/T'fer had a small leak

7. The 2 passenger Electric Windows would not go up/down
Probably needs the window ECU re-soldered as they do suffer from dry joints

8. All doors did not open cleanly, needed assistance from inside to open.
May need the small springs in all the doors replacing.

9. Alpine windows had what looked like severe sun damage/glazing
check for rust around the windows as well as on top of the rear wheel arch opening when the back door is open


Good point2:
1. Interior looked in good order
2. Exterior looked in good order
3. Motor sounded pretty good

Obviously the salesman said all those issues would be fixed for roadworthy b4 it would be sold and I'm assuming once all those issues are fixed, they would be asking more for it..... maybe...
To me, any issues with the injector pumps & you're looking at BIG dollars, unless it's a simply gasket, etc

Questions (Photos attached):
1. On injector #4 (closest to the firewall) there seemed to be a pipe w/o a hole connected - is this normal?
2. "Sensor" close to Driveshaft with wires attached - what is this for?
Is it fitted with aftermarket cruise control ??

Injector.jpg

Drive-shaft.jpg

The other vehicle I want to look out is a 1995 model, what differences is there between a '98 and a '95 models (if any)? I really want white in colour and they are few and far between & these are the only 2 I've seen locally...

Your thoughts and helpful comments would be much appreciated
(The '98 model might not be worth pursuing in my thinking I think you are correct & I'm yet to look at the '95 model)

cheers....
RobM

There are quite afew around, so don;t jump at the first one. Also check along the top of the front windscreen for rust. There may be a small weep/track mark down the inside from the top of the screen.

The second picture is a magnet for measuring speed.
Usually for after market Cruise Controls.
I fitted heaps of these in the early90's.
First pic....dunno

Originally Posted by discovery39

The second picture is a magnet for measuring speed.
Usually for after market Cruise Controls.
I fitted heaps of these in the early90's.
First pic....dunno

Cool, that explains it.... It did has aftermarket Cruise Control.... thanks

Originally Posted by pop058

There are quite afew around, so don;t jump at the first one. Also check along the top of the front windscreen for rust. There may be a small weep/track mark down the inside from the top of the screen.

Paul.... thanks for that advice, I'll had that to my list of what to look for.....

I was really hoping for a white one so pin striping is not so prominent after a day in the bush....

I popped around to talk to another mechanic I know & he informed me that they have weak running gear (ie Diffs / axles)... and that they can snap/break when offroading.... IS this correct?
I would have thought it comes down to how u drive..... if u sit there continually spinning/bouncing u vehicle in trying to get over/up something, then I would have thought u would be asking for something to go bang.....

Originally Posted by Robmacca

Paul.... thanks for that advice, I'll had that to my list of what to look for.....

I was really hoping for a white one so pin striping is not so prominent after a day in the bush....

I popped around to talk to another mechanic I know & he informed me that they have weak running gear (ie Diffs / axles)... and that they can snap/break when offroading.... IS this correct? I would not have thought they were that bad. Does your mechanic drive a Cruiser or a Patrol ?
I would have thought it comes down to how u drive..... if u sit there continually spinning/bouncing u vehicle in trying to get over/up something, then I would have thought u would be asking for something to go bang.....

I do not do the off-roading thing as a hobby/pastime, so I really cannot help you too much with that. Others will be along with more experience that me. I do however do a lot of heaving (3tonne +) towing using both my wifes V8 auto and my V8 manual and have not had any issues so far.

If you flog any vehicle it will eventually break something, so as long as you have respect for the thing that has got to get you home in one piece, I think Discos are fine.

They do not have weak axles or diifs! That is Horse....manure.

At the risk of sounding a bit negative, it sounds like a huge rip off. That price for all the issues you have listed is steep.

I popped around to talk to another mechanic I know & he informed me that they have weak running gear (ie Diffs / axles)... and that they can snap/break when offroading....

HAHA. No. If you're running even remotely standard vehicle, this is not true. If you modify it enough, yes something will eventually break. I run slightly large diameter tyres, fully loaded vehicle almost every time we go 4WD'ing in our '95 Disco without issue. Factory suspension too I might add. I have once been told the same thing by a mechanic when I first bought it. He insisted I carry spare axles if I was going off-road. Ha! It was obvious he was anti-Land Rover and nearly 5 years later I'm glad I ignored him in every way.

To qualify that properly, what size tyres are you planning on running? What modifications are you planning?

Originally Posted by Robmacca

Questions (Photos attached):
1. On injector #4 (closest to the firewall) there seemed to be a pipe w/o a hole connected - is this normal?

RobM

This is the fuel return line and looks like part of it is missing.
Spill rail hose Land Rover Discovery 300 Tdi MJN100910

Also there was a Timing belt repair kit that should have been fitted to the 95.
300tdi timing cover

Also the White radiator overflow bottles are the good ones as its the black ones that split.
Cheers
Mark