Thinking about buying a disco - is it worth it?

**james0724** · 13th November 2014, 08:02 PM

Hi

I've just had a look at a 2000 model Discovery TD5 manual for sale.

Its done about 212K's and the bloke wants 7K + plus RWC costs for it. The exterior is alright, with a few nicks here and there. The interior is good, minus the drivers seat and handbrake / gearstick gaiter which are fairly chewed up.

It drives really well, and the service has been stamped and filed out regularly up to 202K.

My only worry is that he's had the radiator recently cleaned out and flushed & has had the water pump replaced. Could this have been a sign for a soon to go headgasket?

Other niggles being that there appears to be a bit of a leak near the oil sump . Is this standard for a landy though? And a bit of surface rust near the bottom of the bullbar.

Price seems a little low, but the bloke is moving back to the UK so I can understand his wish to be rid of it.

He didn't know whether the front prop shaft has been recently replaced, but in my quick drive, there weren't any strange noises or vibrations felt in the cabin.

Does it sound like a good buy? Any advice greatly appreciated

**gusthedog** · 13th November 2014, 08:12 PM

Sounds pretty good to me. Are you going to get a mechanic to check it for you? Radiator and water pump are just service items so I wouldn't worry too much. IMHO they are nor predictors of a head gasket failure. That could happen anytime

Handbrake gaiter is an easy fix and some seat covers will sort out the seats. My sump has been weeping since I bought mine.

Not enough to worry the oil level between changes so I'm in no hurry to replace it. Service history is important so sounds good there too.

**james0724** · 13th November 2014, 08:16 PM

I'm debating on it really, I've heard there's a decent land rover garage in town, so I might give them a call and see how much they charge.

**d2dave** · 13th November 2014, 08:38 PM

And if you do buy it don't rely on the front tailshaft being ok just because there is no vibration.

Many have let go with no warning and some have had catastrophic consequences.

**Davetd5** · 15th November 2014, 11:37 AM

I would want to know why the radiator etc was replaced. Was it a routine 'about time' thing? Was there a leak? Did it overheat?
At 200,000km its about due for a head gasket and a harmonic balancer replacement. So add another, oh, 5-6k to the price.

**gusthedog** · 15th November 2014, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by Davetd5

I would want to know why the radiator etc was replaced. Was it a routine 'about time' thing? Was there a leak? Did it overheat?
At 200,000km its about due for a head gasket and a harmonic balancer replacement. So add another, oh, 5-6k to the price.

Fair enough re the radiator. But not so the harmonic balancer and head gasket IMHO. And if you monitor your water and oil and get to a head gasket before it's too late then you'll be fine. Harmonic balancer is a bit more difficult to judge. If your mechanic is charging 5-6k for these jobs though, it's time to shop around and go somewhere else

**Davetd5** · 15th November 2014, 07:36 PM

"If your mechanic is charging 5-6k for these jobs though, it's time to shop around and go somewhere else"

Lol!
I don't actually know how much it would cost as I am a qualified mechanic and I do all my own work.
What I'm saying is that at those km's with unknown history you've either got to allow for some big jobs ahead or you've got to be willing to gamble.

I did my head gasket two years ago at 185k due to pressurising, and parts and machining were $2700 including a new radiator, maf, engine saver, egr kit etc.
It started to have a squeak when turning off so I pre-empted trouble and bought a new genuine crank damper for $550 off Gumtree and fitted that, no more squeak and it smoothed out vibrations I hadn't even noticed!

You can ask here for advice and that's great but you get such varied accounts about people's experiences you may as well flip a coin! (Don't choose heads). For that money its still cheap and probably worth a punt.

**copba** · 16th November 2014, 10:47 AM

There're two independent Landrover mechanics in Cairns, I'd give them a ring and see if they would give it a good look over. Then base your decision on what they say, radiator and water pump are normal service items at that age and may not neccessarily mean head gasket.

**worane** · 16th November 2014, 10:58 AM

Also get them to asess the clutch/fly wheel life left.

**Roberto** · 16th November 2014, 05:49 PM

James

You are getting a lot of vehicle for $7k. To run a Disco of this age you need to have mechanical aptitude, and access to reasonably priced expert assistance. This forum will be invaluable for advice and problem solving.

It is a bit of a gamble. You might be lucky and nothing serious goes wrong, or you could be unlucky, and spend as much as you might spend on repayments on a new $50k vehicle for a year.

If you love cars, and don't mind having to get deeply involved in maintenance/repairs, the Disco can be a very rewarding car. If you are looking for something that just gets you from A to B then perhaps the Disco isn't for you.

Bob

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