Should I buy Land Rover Discovery 2.5 (2003) as my new home?

[stefi]

Hello Landy community!
Here is a "young" Swiss woman who is new to the Land Rover Discovery world.

In a few months I want to leave everything and go on a long trip with an off-roader (nothing extreme) and I am more and more convinced to go on this adventure with a Discovery.
After months of searching I have finally found something. But the question is: Should I buy it or should I stay away from this offer?

Land Rover Discovery 2.5 (2003)
212'000 km
Diesel
Manual transmission
about 3'700 pounds (too cheap???)

I'm worried about the 212'000 km and I don't know the details of the vehicle.
Is a Discovery with so many km suitable for a long trip (Caucasus, Central Asia and Africa)?
To buy or not to buy? In Switzerland it is really hard to find anything with manual transmission.

Thanks for your opinion!
Best regards
Stefany

 

[Turboman]

Hello Landy community!
Here is a "young" Swiss woman who is new to the Land Rover Discovery world.

In a few months I want to leave everything and go on a long trip with an off-roader (nothing extreme) and I am more and more convinced to go on this adventure with a Discovery.
After months of searching I have finally found something. But the question is: Should I buy it or should I stay away from this offer?

Land Rover Discovery 2.5 (2003)
212'000 km
Diesel
Manual transmission
about 3'700 pounds (too cheap???)

I'm worried about the 212'000 km and I don't know the details of the vehicle.
Is a Discovery with so many km suitable for a long trip (Caucasus, Central Asia and Africa)?
To buy or not to buy? In Switzerland it is really hard to find anything with manual transmission.

Thanks for your opinion!
Best regards
Stefany

View attachment 250818 View attachment 250819

Welcome to LZ!

Td5 is probably one of the better Landrover diesels, and if it is well maintained, there is no reason it should not be reliable at that mileage.
If it hasn't been well maintained, it is likely to be trouble.
Then there is the question of rust. Check the rear chassis and wheel arches carefully. Use a small hammer. Give the suspension, brakes, and steering a good once over as well.

I wouldn't say that is terribly cheap for an 18 year old vehicle, or at least it wouldn't be in the UK. Maybe they cost more in Switzerland.

Bear in mind that auto trans is gentler on an engine and drive train than manual, and if that has been well maintained, there is no reason that should be less reliable either.

 

[Larry365]

Hi.

The mileage of the vehicle isn't an issue in my opinion. Do you have any service history for the vehicle? The price seems fine if it's it good condition and well serviced. Certainly not too cheap.

Get the vehicle checked by a professional. Make sure they have a good look for rust on the chassis.

This Discovery is one of the best vehicles for adventure. Plenty of space and comfortable. Fast enough when doing long stretches between destinations.

Once you've found the right Disco, go on some short trips into the Alps etc to really get to know it. You'll come across the issues whilst still close to home and know what improvements to make before venturing further.

I have a Discovery 2 for sale in Croatia (Zadar). It's UK registered though and right hand drive. Probably not right for you and might be very expensive to import into CH but thought I'd mention it anyway.

 

[Ian M in France]

Welcome to LZ!

Td5 is probably one of the better Landrover diesels, and if it is well maintained, there is no reason it should not be reliable at that mileage.
If it hasn't been well maintained, it is likely to be trouble.
Then there is the question of rust. Check the rear chassis and wheel arches carefully. Use a small hammer. Give the suspension, brakes, and steering a good once over as well.

I wouldn't say that is terribly cheap for an 18 year old vehicle, or at least it wouldn't be in the UK. Maybe they cost more in Switzerland.

Bear in mind that auto trans is gentler on an engine and drive train than manual, and if that has been well maintained, there is no reason that should be less reliable either.

If body/ chassis is good then it is a good price for a LHD here one in that order with that mileage would be 7000€

 

[stefi]

Nice to get replies so quickly! Thanks a lot for your opinion and suggestions! Well … in Switzerland everything that is “cheap” is suspicious and this one is rather cheap and also a rarity here.
Automatic transmission: I think need more maintenance and when there are some problems or get broken, in remote areas can be a big problem. Maybe I’m wrong, but a manual one is ‘easier’ to repair everywhere in the world and maybe more safe by river crossing.

Welcome to LZ!

Td5 is probably one of the better Landrover diesels, and if it is well maintained, there is no reason it should not be reliable at that mileage.
If it hasn't been well maintained, it is likely to be trouble.
Then there is the question of rust. Check the rear chassis and wheel arches carefully. Use a small hammer. Give the suspension, brakes, and steering a good once over as well.

I wouldn't say that is terribly cheap for an 18 year old vehicle, or at least it wouldn't be in the UK. Maybe they cost more in Switzerland.

Bear in mind that auto trans is gentler on an engine and drive train than manual, and if that has been well maintained, there is no reason that should be less reliable either.

 

[stefi]

Hi.

The mileage of the vehicle isn't an issue in my opinion. Do you have any service history for the vehicle? The price seems fine if it's it good condition and well serviced. Certainly not too cheap.

Get the vehicle checked by a professional. Make sure they have a good look for rust on the chassis.

This Discovery is one of the best vehicles for adventure. Plenty of space and comfortable. Fast enough when doing long stretches between destinations.

Once you've found the right Disco, go on some short trips into the Alps etc to really get to know it. You'll come across the issues whilst still close to home and know what improvements to make before venturing further.

I have a Discovery 2 for sale in Croatia (Zadar). It's UK registered though and right hand drive. Probably not right for you and might be very expensive to import into CH but thought I'd mention it anyway.

Hi.

The mileage of the vehicle isn't an issue in my opinion. Do you have any service history for the vehicle? The price seems fine if it's it good condition and well serviced. Certainly not too cheap.

Get the vehicle checked by a professional. Make sure they have a good look for rust on the chassis.

This Discovery is one of the best vehicles for adventure. Plenty of space and comfortable. Fast enough when doing long stretches between destinations.

Once you've found the right Disco, go on some short trips into the Alps etc to really get to know it. You'll come across the issues whilst still close to home and know what improvements to make before venturing further.

I have a Discovery 2 for sale in Croatia (Zadar). It's UK registered though and right hand drive. Probably not right for you and might be very expensive to import into CH but thought I'd mention it anyway.

Thanks Larry for you message. Yes absolutely, I will ask a professional check and ask about the history of the car. It’s a big travel project and I absolutely want something reliable.
Price: in Switzerland this price is quite cheap and I got suspicious. LRD are quite rare here and with manual transmission are really very difficult to find.
Yes, import a car in Switzerland is quite challenging and right hand drive even more but thanks!