My mechanic says DiscoII's untill 2002 were a problem

yes, you usually only hear about the bad ones.
but, a mate of mine in the workshop of a landy dealership did tell us when we were after a d2, not to get anything before 2003. this was mainly because all of the common problems associated wit the early ones, had been sorted in the later models.
of course, in true land rover style, as soon as they'd got the thing reliable and working properly, they dump it and bring out a new model. the d3.
now we wait to see what new f^%$#-ups they have in store.
i don't know specifics, but there has been some common problems already with the rr vogues and sports. i know one was a small part within the aircompressor for the suspension. firstly, rather than go with the proven unit of the D2's, they sourced a new compressor, then went looking for someone who could make it cheaper. one of the parts in it that was replaced with a cheaper part, is failing repeatedly.

Many thanks for all the advice, much appreciated. Especially as the only experience I have with Land Rovers is when i was 8 years old and living on a dairy farm in Sussex and was taught to drive on one (1958!), my second memory is being driven by my older sister across a ploughed field and my passenger door came open and I fell out and she didn't stop!

Now i live in tasmania and there are no TDi's or Disco II's for sale EVER, so that means finding sometging on the mainland which is tough.

Thanks again
JohnnyD

I don;t know where you are looking, but there are usually a few in the trading post, or the examiner classifieds. Not a lot of TDI's, but a few.

Hi, Got a d2 2000 with 125K v8 on lpg and have had a few minor things but no major mechanical problems, just like any car, but it has always got me home no matter what. Got no real complaints

PGF