First Discovery

Hello

Looking to get my first discovery as my car is taking to much abuse on my weekend escapades.

Done a bit of research but still scratching my head a bit.

I am after a 5 door, 2.5 diesel. I think i am right in saying that a 300 is from 1994 to 1998 ish. ?

I am looking to get a 7 seater or at least the right model that i could fit the two seats in the boot, is there a set model i need to look out for or is it only 7 seaters that are suitable ?

My price range is up to about £3000. cosmetics do not bother me as it will be getting pushed through bushes ect. but mechanical issues i worry about.

What do i have to look out for, boot floor, inner arches,sunroofs and rough gearboxes the main problems ?

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers thomas

Yes, that's about the right years for a 300Tdi. £3000 should be more than enough to get a decent one.
As well as the places you have mentioned check the sills and rear cross member as well.
If you get one and don't get a service history with then it would be worth getting a full service and timing belt change done as soon as you get it.

as above, but to reiterate, check EVERYWHERE for rust.

then drive it, and issues will be obvious when you drive. if you cant feel it when driving, then its unlikely to cost you that much to repair on a disco.

when youve bought it, get it on a ramp and check for play/leaks at transfer case outputs, diff inputs and all four wheel hubs, and ideally check/re-torque wheel bearings.

and change timing belt unless recently done.

then it should be in good enough shape

Apart from those points already mentioned, I would check there are no obvious signs of leaks from the steering box, central locking is all in order and the rear door has not dropped on the hinge, pointless shelling out the thick end of three grand and getting an example with those issues to sort. Make sure the jack is present in the engine bay and the handle etc is under the back seat. Look at plenty of cars, there are loads about so there is nothing lost in walking away if you look at one without all issues addressed, within your budget.

spend 2500 on the disco..... and the other 500 on a tool kit