Thread: what to look out for?

Originally Posted by Crimdog

hello everyone,
i had another thread going a little while ago asking advice on weather i should purchase a newish base model disco 4 or go for a 2010 HSE. i have decided to go for the 2010(ish) as i only have $70 to spend.

i haven't bought a second hand car in a while so my question is, what do i need to look out for?

i will get a pre purchase inspection done on what ever car i narrow it down to but is there anything i should look for while i'm shopping around that would instantly rule out a car?

thanks
CD

A badge that looks anything like this one .................

Haha nice, thanks for the reply and for such sound advice!

From my experience check to see if it has the revised air suspension compressor. If it has not really been used much it may still be running the original which will die once you start using it. The later model hangs a little lower in front of the passenger rear wheel. Best to compare with a current model and it should be obvious. If you can mention how many kms the car has others may be able to advise on upcoming service items.

Originally Posted by PaulGOz

From my experience check to see if it has the revised air suspension compressor. If it has not really been used much it may still be running the original which will die once you start using it. The later model hangs a little lower in front of the passenger rear wheel. Best to compare with a current model and it should be obvious. If you can mention how many kms the car has others may be able to advise on upcoming service items.

I agree about the compressor, as I have just had mine replaced at 24 months service. I don't use mine often and was still only getting intermittent normal height only error which goes away after a restart. I can see how some people would not worry about getting it looked at if they don't use it much. It just happened to do it to me on the way to my service as I had the car in access height that morning and they said they code was compressor taking too long to fill the tank.

So to clarify, there 2 different versions of the compressor? (Old and new) and I should be looking for one with a new version because it lasts longer?

Can I ask all those that have a d4' what is the life span of the compressor from new with average (weekend warrior style) off road use? And what is the cost of replacement? Most of the cars I am looking at are just out of warrantee so if something fails I am up for the cost!!!

Don't be scared off by the older type compressor, I use mine for height changes everyday and mine has lasted well.
Of more concern is if the vehicle has towed larger vans / trailers be more wary of auto fluid changes every 50,000k I don't tow and still do this every 50,000 to prolong the torque converter life. The compressor you can change yourself if you have any mechanical skills for less than $900, the gearbox if not looked after might cost $8000!

Thanks Rich,
There is one for sale on car sales at the moment that has bee imported from the UK! I have had a look on TOPIx to check the build specs and there are a couple of things that concern me. The tow hitch is a swan neck not a receiver like the aus version! And it says "normal temp zones" rather than the "tropical temp zones" it usually states in aus build versions. The guy said it has a qld road worthy cert so it must be all good but....
Are swan neck tow balls legal in aus?
What do you think about the temp zones?
Anything else I should be concerned about with it being a UK build vs aus build?

All D3's & D4's are made in the UK!