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Thread: May buy a 1999 TD5 Disco - any tips???

  1. #1
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    May buy a 1999 TD5 Disco - any tips???

    Hi - my venerable 200Tdi Disco was involved in a head-on a week ago (Hyundai Excel approaching me on highway lost it on wet roads and did a 180-degree slide into me, but fortunately for the driver the rear half rather than front half of the Excel was compressed). Given that the combined closing speed was well north of 100kph, I was amazed at how little damage the Disco had - ARB steel bullbars are very impressive. The Disco is still looking like a write-off as it has almost 300Kk and is probably only worth about $5K. As for the Excel, well I think one photo is all the assessors will need...

    Anyway, to cut a long story short, I coincidentally happened upon a 1999 TD5 in a caryard today with 130Kk of country kays on the clock (came from Dubbo) and appears to be in mint condition with good records and single owner. I've talked them down to $15K which seems pretty reasonable based on Trading Post prices even though Redbook gives trade-in value of only $9.7-11.6K for this model and $12.8-16.2K for private sale. It doesn't have active suspension control option which is a positive in my book - prefer coils. Does this year have the locking centre diff as well as ETC or only ETC? Also, is it normal for the gearshift to be a bit notchy around second gear and is this manual box reliable (is it the R380?). Finally, the motor was very smooth, and blew bugger-all smoke even when I planted it from low revs, but it wasn't as grunty as I expected a TD5 would be - not much better than my Tdi which admittedly has exhaust and air filter and fuel pump timing mods I'm still a bit concerned about the apparent unreliability of the TD5 vs the 200Tdi (which has been fantastic), but I'm hoping this largely comes down to servicing issues. I'll also chase some extra grunt through chipping/exhaust/dieselgas mods.

    Thanks - some urgent advice appreciated so I know whether to put down the readies...and let me know if anyone wants a slightly damaged 200tdi Disco which has already been modded for off-road use - lifted and pre-scratched

  2. #2
    tombraider Guest
    He he... Country Kays...

    Reminds me of a comedian I watch on 113 the other night...

    "So what is a country kay? Are they like shorter than city kays"

    Just brought a smile, thats all...

    ACE isnt a SLS option, you can have it with coils too if your interested, they flex better offroad then.

    Sounds ok... Check ECU for Oil...
    Check for leaks around base of radiator etc...

    Yes the 99 has the CDL mechanism, but not to the inside of the cabin (easy to fix)

    If your otherwise happy, I'd give it a go...

  3. #3
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    I just paid 14 for a 99 disco V8 with 90000 clicks where was that when I was looking

  4. #4
    Rayngie Guest
    sorry i'f i'm high jacking this but i'm possibly looking into a D2 as well, not fussed on V8 or TD5, but....if it has no in cab CDL, would a rear locker be a good alternative?, cost is'nt the issue, as i understand a locker would be dearer, but how would that work in with the traction control?, would it be a better thing to have overall?

    cheers for any info,

    Ray

  5. #5
    Martin Guest
    I have a 99 Defender TD5 - it does have a CDL operated on the low range transfer case - Forward for low - left for CDL - (CDL can be used in low or high range - 4 way gate, with Neutral central position). Notchy second - is just that - notchy - with practice it will only do it once a week to remind you to be more accurate shifting ;-). I thought that my clutch was on the way out when I bought mine, but checked out okay and is still going strong.

    The price is fair - if it has full service history. It wont depreciate very much further if you keep it in good condition an stick some goodies on it.

    I would also make sure it has had its recalls. Ones to watch out for are;

    D148 - increase travel in brake travel and decrease in braking effeciency after traction control.

    If the vehicle VIN is in the following range XA145775 - XA181042 it should have had the fly wheel replaced, as some suffered cracks, or surface fragments, causing some to break under high load.

    Smooth engine and no black smoke meens it has been looked after. Sounds like a fair deal to me.

    Martin

  6. #6
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    Service history by a mechanic that knows Landies is a big help to not just the stamp from the local BP garage around the corner.

    Also those early models had plastic dowels which caused the head to move I think and the head go alltogether so check for signs of over heating, as well as no lock tight being applied to the oil pump bolt which if that goes your engine blows however this was rare but still worth investigating. Do a search here plenty on these two items.

    Other than that a great motor I love my TD5.

  7. #7
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    Can you replace the plastic dowels on the early TD5s with something more durable? Are later TD5s more reliable in general?

    Presumably the 4.0 V8s would be reasonably reliable given that they are the last incarnation of many years of development of the same block? Or is this wishful thinking with Landrovers?

  8. #8
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    Sounds pretty good, low km's no matter how the km's were added given its a near 10yr old car. Price is about right, i paid 17k for my 98 Tdi in september 04 and that was cheap then. I couldnt find a decent D2 TD5 and where for less than 25k, the cheapest was 25k but it had nearly 300000km on the clock. matt
    <a href=https://the4wdzone.com.au/wp-content/uploads/logo.png target=_blank>https://the4wdzone.com.au/wp-content/uploads/logo.png</a>
    The 4wd Zone/Opposite Lock Bathurst
    263 Stewart Street, Bathurst, NSW
    http://www.the4wdzone.com.au/
    Discounts for AULRO members, just shoot me a PM before you purchase.

  9. #9
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    i paid 21k for a 2002 td5 auto with 80k k's and full (stealer) service has sls but no ace... 5 seater.. completely un touched regarding mods and a cracked front bumper.. very cheap for what it is.. they still go on the forecourt for 29k+ over this side...

    now had it chipped.. well worth the money.. and has plenty of grunt..

    Thanks

    Steve

  10. #10
    MickG's Avatar
    MickG is offline ChatterBox Silver Subscriber
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    I have a 99' manual TD5 disco which I picked up 3 years ago with 90,000 ks on it. Love it and hate it some days but mostly love it. Get the CDL to work before your rear locker as the locker will be useless without the CDL engaged. Mine is activated electronically via an in cab switch and cost me about $600 installed - AMV one. Since owning I have had the oil in the loom replaced under warrently which I took out with the car which if you can I strongly suggest with any 2nd hand car purchase and take it out for the maximum time you can. My policy cost me $800 on top of the car and has paid for about $4000 worth of repairs like window motors, radiator, new harness due to oil, etc etc etc.
    ACE is good but if you have driven without it you will be fine. Coils all round is good in my books. Notchy gears, yeah, it happens but if you service the car regularly and change oils every 10,000ks min you will be fine. Chip it as well and you will have yourself a very nice car that will take you many places.

    Aye, Mick
    '99 Manual TD5 D2.......heap of money spent on it and it has ended

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