looking to buy first disco and looking for general pointers please

Rollinhillz said:

Haha cheers guys ! Some interesting views ?
So rust is the big point to look for ?
I'm looking closer to the £1000 mark now and definatly a manual.
I have seen an 'R' reg 300tdi xs in decent condition and no real visible body rust just the odd bubble but only small, I will get a good look underneath and inside at the weekend so I'll let you all know how it goes. It has 170k on the clock but have been told it has been looked after and serviced.
I have been told the xs are heavier on the mpg than the other models ? Has any one got any experiance of this?

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My first was an xs and as matey says there ain't any difference not that i know... I got and still get about 30/32 mpg round town and about 40 on the motorways..

Mr Noisy said:

Basically expect it to be ****ed, to be a family wrecking nightmare, hand bleeding pig and a wallet smouldering pile of ****e, if it runs for more than a week at a time you're doing well and most days you'll want to drive it off a cliff. You'll even consider remaining inside it whilst you do so, with a MIG welder shoved up your arse and a Haynes manual to read on the way down.

If yours turns out better than that you've been lucky.

Welcome

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lmao

I'm happy to hear the mpg numbers esp with the xs model, the one I've seen appears to be a good one and on the surface could be a good buy ( I might live to regret that comment lol ) I really like the extras it comes with, 1/2 leather roof bars, bumper bits etc. fingers crossed.

Mr Noisy said:

Basically expect it to be ****ed, to be a family wrecking nightmare, hand bleeding pig and a wallet smouldering pile of ****e, if it runs for more than a week at a time you're doing well and most days you'll want to drive it off a cliff. You'll even consider remaining inside it whilst you do so, with a MIG welder shoved up your arse and a Haynes manual to read on the way down.

If yours turns out better than that you've been lucky.

Welcome

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Sounds about right! I have sweet memories of my D1 and a file full of bills to reminisce on

As above really with what to look for. If you can go for one without sunroofs as they all leak at some point.
The alpine light windows also leak, check the gutters for crack in the sealant as they can also leak.
Check all the electric work as the windows are prone to failure, not always expensive to fix but could be a haggleing point.
Have a good test drive in it and check the gear change. They can crunch when changing gear, not anything to worry about as you get used to it but costly to sort out.
Chech for oil leaks and as everyone knows they all leak oil but depends on how much.
Front and rear diffs seals leak, the transfers box seals, and the rear crank seals leak.
The chassis are usually solid but check it.
The floors rot like mad so check it out properly have a good poke around.
Same with the sills, inner wings, floor pans, and body mounts.

If you can take someone along who knows discoverys.

Check whe the timing belt was changed if you cant then budget for one.

Ok a quick update on my disco progress.
The xs I'm looking at us getting better, it has had a replacement engine with 68k on it and has service history backed by paperwork plus the chassis and underside has been wax oiled and again has paperwork to back up, there is a service record for the running gear aswell.
So I'm looking at a decent motor, oh it has a 12 mth mot (well it'll be 11 by the time I get it !)
All this for £1400, it's from a guy who deals and is a friend of a friend and owes them a favour.
Can't wait to get it now in a couple of weeks time.

Sounds like a great starting point, best o' luck

Mr Noisy said:

Basically expect it to be ****ed, to be a family wrecking nightmare, hand bleeding pig and a wallet smouldering pile of ****e, if it runs for more than a week at a time you're doing well and most days you'll want to drive it off a cliff. You'll even consider remaining inside it whilst you do so, with a MIG welder shoved up your arse and a Haynes manual to read on the way down.

If yours turns out better than that you've been lucky.

Welcome

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Lol, funniest thing I have read in ages. Possibly because I can relate!

Rollinhillz said:

Ok a quick update on my disco progress.
The xs I'm looking at us getting better, it has had a replacement engine with 68k on it and has service history backed by paperwork plus the chassis and underside has been wax oiled and again has paperwork to back up, there is a service record for the running gear aswell.
So I'm looking at a decent motor, oh it has a 12 mth mot (well it'll be 11 by the time I get it !)
All this for £1400, it's from a guy who deals and is a friend of a friend and owes them a favour.
Can't wait to get it now in a couple of weeks time.

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Sounds like a good deal mate, You gonna go for that then, if you do, which you probably will... good luck with it, I dont think you will regret getting a disco1. I know i dont, and if like me you will probably love getting dirty with it with all the little bits that need fixing every now and then. Good luck and enjoy.

Rollinhillz said:

Haha cheers guys ! Some interesting views ?
So rust is the big point to look for?
I have been told the xs are heavier on the mpg than the other models ? Has any one got any experiance of this?

Click to expand...

Whoever told you that is talking out of their arse. XS is just a trim level, no mechanical differences at all.

Well I have had the XS for a week now and am totally hooked !
It drives great and is so comfortable, seems decent on the fuel as well so far, actually better than I expected.
I've spotted a few bits that will need sorting (nothing major mainly cosmetic) and a few bits id like to change/add.
Over all well chuffed.

Sweet!

It's definitely a kinda love/hate relationship we have with our discos

And by the way :nopics:

I love to hate mine, ESP when I break something on it lol

As with the OP, I am fairly new and already hooked -I think I now understand why they are called discovery - because you discover something is leaking and rusted the **** out of anything metal, or you discover that it has decided to release the contents of one of its fluid tanks over the floor.

That's part of the appeal, there is nothing more satisfying when for a brief moment - everything works and you just have fun. You forget about the blood, sweat (mostly blood) and the money and just enjoy.

J

Hi rollinhillz I'm fairly new to the forum as well and have found everyone I've been in touch with very friendly and willing to give info freely. Look around the site as there's loads of bits and stuff to get your teeth into. I bought a 200tdi twelve months ago and have had to have some welding done underneath and have another mot coming up in jan but she starts every tiMe and does exactly what I want her to but have put a sum of money aside for keeping her on the road. Most of all enjoy her she will become part of the family. I love mine to bits. Welcome to the landyzone , but only come on here if you have hours to spare coz there's so much to look at , you lose all track of time!

if yr willing to put the effort in you can end up with less to do..

got my disco without knowing much at all.. blinded by salesman... only had 3 months mot when they sed 12 mnths, but hey ho..

failed first mot on sills, welded them up and all way good..

2nd mot on boot floor, rear arches, cross member body mounts and a mount on inner sill..

3rd.. only had to re do rear arches which i did in a rush to get back for 2nd mot..

3rd one was cheapest mot i'd ever done on a car.... ever!

once ya do summat as long as you do it right ya dont have to do it again..