Thread: Disco questions

hmm, a sad early D2
or a pristine real late D1


check all the driveshaft joints on the D2,
check for rust under the rear floor and in the Alpine windows on the D1
There is a problem with slipped liners on SOME D2 V8s,, a ticking will be heard,,
front rotors an a D2 seem to last about 70000kays,, would pay to measure them.
An Auto D2 must drop into 4th around 60kph at light throttle in NORMAL mode.
Check for dash lights after start-up on D2
should be a nice black dash


then theres this--
http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-car/...a/2331110.aspx

maybe not so sad,,,

I would be looking at the v8 manual from 94-98.

This will put you into the series one update model. If you are a techno phobic then look at the base model, it has no air bags or abs. Usually you can pick these by the lack of the roof rails. I drove a v8 once and the motor is very flexable 15km/h to 110km/h in third gear.

I currently have a 97 diesel auto se7 and have not had a problem with the airbags, however the abs i found to come in to early, and now it is disconnected (a fuse and lack of fund/willingness to repair)

Rasing more than 2 inches tends to destroy the rubber coupling on the rear tailshaft, and tyre size depends on which state you are in. Qld still hasn't followed the rest of Australia in the tyres sizeing (15mm max larger in diameter, 50mm is new rules coming in but still have't) . So legally we can only run 245/70/16. However my play tyres are 245/75/16. I ran these when the car was at a standard height and only had to reshape the lower inch of the rear guard to stop the tyre touching. only takes 10 blocks to do a body lift, again in Qld 2 inches is the max. (not done on my car due to airbags)

The reliability issues have been made up by Jap car owners Infact the most unreliable cars that I have owned were Toyota's 2x cruisers and 1x fourunner (however these was not the cars fault and the previous owners had not looked after them) and even though I have shelled out some money on my Disco, I am not nice to it and have put 140k on it in the last 5 years. So in my book i am happy.

Find a good mechanic to work on it if you don't have the time.

Welcome to AULRO. Here's my 10c:

Originally Posted by Coupland

I am looking at purchasing a Land Rover Discovery, my prerequisites are:
Petrol
Manual or Auto
Looking at spending between 10-15k (not including mods)

Petrol? oh well no accounting for taste. Unless you like stick-shifting and/or live outside a metropolitan area I'd recommend the auto.

What things should I be looking out for when test driving/viewing?

Rust as others have mentioned, documented service history, state of the chassis and drivetrain, worn suspension. Typical used car stuff.

What model/year should I go?

1998 was the last (and best) of the D1's after which the D2 came out. For the money you're spending I'd have thought you could go an early 2000's model.

I was intending to raise the vehicle and fit larger tyres etc… what problems may I encounter?

In a D1 you will have to cut the rear guards. In a D2 you won't but you will need to check what kind of suspension you have as that may complicate a lift. (Search the forum for specifics)

I often hear of reliability issues with Discos, what are the main ones and how expensive are they to fix (I am handy with a spanner)?

What reliability issues? There are things that require regular maintenance, e.g. timing belts on 300Tdi, and there are things which need monitoring carefully e.g. coolant levels in a D1 but I'm not aware of any glaring reliability problems.
Let us know how you get on.

Originally Posted by Coupland

dI am looking at purchasing a Land Rover Discovery, my prerequisites are:
Petrol
Manual or Auto

were there other type of gearboxes I havent heard of?

again PM turtle.. hes got a good disco for grabs. but its a diesel.. Tho with the work hes had done to it Id put it up against a stock d1 v8 for daily driving without hesitation..

the issues with the disco are same same issues across the board for all 4x4s they need their lovin from the spanners and oil cans a bit more regularly, watch for noisy transmissions esp in the early manuals Id be warey of the rubber donut on the rear drive shaft of some of em but thats a fairly easy fix.

check out the aircon and the heater before hand as they can be a PITA to get to for working.

Originally Posted by Coupland

Hi all

I am new to AULRO (cheers LandyAndy for putting me onto the site), looks like a great site from what I have seen so far.

I am looking at purchasing a Land Rover Discovery, my prerequisites are:
Petrol
Manual or Auto
Looking at spending between 10-15k (not including mods)

It will be a daily driver for awhile, need to tow occasionally a camper trailer and be used for the odd long tour or a weekend of 4wding.

What things should I be looking out for when test driving/viewing?
What model/year should I go?
I was intending to raise the vehicle and fit larger tyres etc… what problems may I encounter?
I often hear of reliability issues with Discos, what are the main ones and how expensive are they to fix (I am handy with a spanner)?

Sorry about the long list of questions.

Thanks

Coupland

I'd be looking at a 93 Disco Automatic, no Catalytic converters, no coil packs just single coil, electronic dissy, get a good one for $5K to 7k, fit a decent set of wheels, springs, shocks and a Unichip for the 3.5 V8, decent exhaust, extractors, and even an ARB air locker diff and Maxi Axles for around $10 to $12k you have a very nice bit of gear, do all the proper things and get vehicle checked by someone in the know, Good luck, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by Tank

I'd be looking at a 93 Disco Automatic, no Catalytic converters, no coil packs just single coil, electronic dissy, get a good one for $5K to 7k, fit a decent set of wheels, springs, shocks and a Unichip for the 3.5 V8, decent exhaust, extractors, and even an ARB air locker diff and Maxi Axles for around $10 to $12k you have a very nice bit of gear, do all the proper things and get vehicle checked by someone in the know, Good luck, Regards Frank.

I got a 1994 V8 manual which is the updated D1 with a heap of extras which I've listed before on this site and have since fitted a rear ARB locker and the total cost is still under $10k.

I use mine for all the tasks you've listed. It's a pleasure to drive on and off road.

For 10-15k i would recommend a pristine D1 as opposed to a more tyred D2, unless you find a bargain. Having said this there are some nice D2's around but will have between 150-200000km i would imagine.

There are still some really good D1's around with low km's, one with close to 100000km could be had quite easily for not much more than 10k, if that. Petrol Disco's dont go for much these days simply because of increasing fuel costs, nothing more.

If you go for the D1 get a 97-98 model these were fitted with bosch electrics so pose fewer problems than the Lucas fitted models before them. For you budget you wont be looking older than 97 anyway, unless its been garaged since new and hasnt been driven anywhere.

Reliability is a load of crap, that just toyota and nissan driver miss-informed gossip. Make sure you look hard and find one that has been looked after, a poorly maintained cruiser or patrol would suffer as many problems as a poorly mantained rover. Find one that has a service history or reciepts to prove what work has been done and then look after it yourself and you will have a top car. I bought mine (all be it a diesel) 2 and a bit years ago and it hasnt missed a beat, anything that has been done ha either been me wearing stuff out quicker off road, breaking something or general wear and tear.

For the money you wont find a better 4wd anywhere. If you were buying a similar aged patrol or cruiser you would pay heaps more and the car wouldnt be as nice to drive. Matt

having had two discos, i reckon they're pretty damn good and even better when i just cruise past some twit, bogged to the gunwales in a NOT LAND ROVER thing. (it was their choice and they blew it).

A few minor issues but it always goes and goes -


to the next petrol station



and it just goes and goes...

Put it this way, if the disco was never invented (or its siblings) I'd probably have a Holden Overlander, or an OKA.

GQ