Thread: 2000 ES pitfalls

hey mate
I have a 2000 model V8 ES Auto with 18 inch wheels. Absolutly love it. Bought it three months ago with the three amigo's on, took them to a local Landrover dealer and had them diagnosed as front passenger side wheel speed sensor, the dealer told me it wasnt the sensor but needed new pads and discs as they were setting off the sensor... the problem was the previous owner had done pads and discs about 2000km ago and dealer admitted they werent actually worn but it might be non-genuine pads causing the issue....

Cleared the faults from the computer, passed roadworthy check and I took ownership, the lights came back on about 1 week later for no reason on a perfectly flat surface at 10km/hr when i wasnt braking. My brother (ex LR mechanic) replaced front wheel speed sensor with the updated 'long loom' model which has no joins in the line to the ABS ECU and for the last 2.5 months there have been no issues, taken it offroad, engaged abs, used hill descent and traction control.

I think the only other thing i need to address is a sluggish passenger side front window, which i dont really use, and it just needs the door trim off and a lube (common problem as grease dries out and then things break under the stress).

Aside from that, they all seem pretty good vehicles (i looked at about 10 ES's) i think its mostly about how people care for them - mine was looked after, always garaged and so forth.

I love the sound system as its pretty good for factory, i cleaned up all the leather with a leather cleaning kit from a furniture shop (about 30 bucks) and it looks great again, bit of a wear mark on the steering wheel which is common but nothing to get too concerned about.

From my brother, the ES Series 2 are pretty good in terms of electronics as long as you arent sinking them in river crossings,etc... I certainly havent had any issues with climate control, sound system or any other electronics aside from the wheel speed sensor issue which I can understand as they take alot of crap being down there near the hub...

Headlights: I got some Philips Blue Vision bulbs, same output as the standards but a whiter light, they have made a big difference to light output... otherwise you can get a loom upgrade (do a bit of a search) to put higher wattage in them.

I installed some ARB side steps the other week, next project is a bullbar and new shocks all round.

Love the ACE and SLS has been handy when towing the horse float. I dont have it but if the one you looking at has the rear aircon, its apparently pretty reliable as well.

Andrew

Hi DiscoDan.

Gotta 99 D2 TD5 purchased from another forum member late last year, really happy with it.

From my experience things to check / bear in mind.

1) Has a CDL actuator been installed.. the 2000 has the diff lock mechaism in the transfer case. If not and you feel inclined slide underneath with a 10mm spanner to activate it and go for drive the vehicle a few meters to ensure that it engages (If on tarmac keeping real short or you'll do damage, a gravel road test would be better)

2) If this still has the original spring and shocks, probably time to replace.

3) In Qld Air suspension raisers aren't permitted so 3 options are available i) replace with springs ii) Nicks on the GC can re-programme the SLS to give an extra 25mm of lift out of the current bags or iii) buy longer bags.

4) If you aren't a fan of bullbars then a nudge bar is about you limit... not too much available as the D2s have airbags.

5) Check everything electrical even with the lights on... on mine the radio only has 1/4 of the buttons lit. Nothing worse then the instruments aren't visible at night.

6) As soon as you go to look at the vehicle, raise the SLS back end that way you have some time to see if there is any sagging whilst you are going through everything else.

7) If you can also get it to a Landy specialist to do a pre-purchase report... could be money well spent.

As for the motor etc with 220Ks, someone else might be able to assist

Hope this helps......

Thanks guys, it seems the series two has not got too many issues with the fruit only all the stuff they share thru-out the range.

I get to have a closer look this weekend at the ES, I do hope it is good as the wife is interested as well, which can make all the difference.

Howdy DiscoDan,,
its nice to see you going from D1 to D2

The D2 with ACE has better articulation in the front than a D1,(or a standard D2) with SLS has the same exit height as a D1,
they are also wider,,,
agree with the comment about pump the rears first thing,,
they seem to have a life of around "now",,,

You know the common problems the TD5 has,, check service history.

I dunno about the mileage,, saving 5 grand on the purchase price in exchange for 100,000 kays,,,

I'd spend more and buy MUCH lower kays,,
but thats me,,

good luck with it and let us know how you get on!!!

Hey Astor - when were the long looms installed as standard. I have a late 01 build, complianced 02 model...had the ABS modulator replaced at about 60,000k and since then abolutely no (touch wood) amigos. I circ the fluid a fair bit to keep the shuttle valves working and I do the brake fluid about every 40-50kk.

Cheers

Thanks for the tips Pedro,

I also thought about the km's as well, However I spoke to the mechanic (Rick's) and he seems to think the kms are not an issue, more on how the car has been maintaned and used. It was his company car and then passed over to his wife and he changed over to a Jeep. I will find out who has been serviceing it on the weekend but they live out the back of Ipswich, worked in the city and this accounts for the higher km's.

I also wanted a manual but would make the exception for an ES. In England they sell the ES with a manual box but we were not as lucky in Australia.

I like all the bells and whistles but didn't know I would get more wheel travel in the bargin. The owner told me the rear air springs have been replaced but not sure as to what else has been done. He has a complete service record but I am as yet to see it. (stuck in sydney this week)


The things I have found going wrong on my car lately have been age related not usage. Saying that though the engine only has 20k on it as it was rebuilt last year by Ricks and it has had extensive work done under the bonnet. After I get off all my good gear I will have it up for sale.

Thanks to all for your input

Danny

Originally Posted by ozscott

Hey Astor - when were the long looms installed as standard. I have a late 01 build, complianced 02 model...had the ABS modulator replaced at about 60,000k and since then abolutely no (touch wood) amigos. I circ the fluid a fair bit to keep the shuttle valves working and I do the brake fluid about every 40-50kk.

Cheers

hey mate, i dont really know, i think technical bulletin was from mid 05 so maybe never on the D2 or D2a, good chance they all used a loom with connectors as theoretically its less work to change the sensor over - which is a part which is subject to abuse and wear - hence the need to make changing it easy. My brother had never installed a long loom sensor before as he got out of LR's about 18 months ago and he just hadn't chanced to do one in his final few years, but he said it was a bit more difficult than doing a normal short loom one but he could see the benefit.

Andrew

Well I had a look today and it wasn't an ES

Mind you it is a 7 seater with leather and ACE.

Service record wasn't flash and the car came from Sydney (one owner) and most the km's put on down there (so I don't know if it was city or hwy driving)

Worst point It has been the fmily car and shopping trolly for the last couple of years and it shows, mant carpark dints and inside the car was kiddie heaven.

It drove nice though, better than some of the lower km ones I have been in, and none of the lights came one except

giving it a fang in low range I changed to high on the fly, do this all the time in the D1, however this caused the auto to go into limp mode. Pulled over turned off and restarted problem gone!!

The owner is keen to unload, he was offered under 10k as a trade. I nearly offered that myself but not overly keen on it (looks to much like my D1 as it is the same colour)

I guess the search continues