1999 TD5 Disco

Jus seen a 1999 TD5 Disco on ebay that has caught my eye, with 160k on. What problems would I be looking at other than the usual things to look out for. Is a rust a problem on the Disco's2. I am looking at the disco as a cheap run around, as my bmw wont do more than 21mpg around town an 32 on a run. Cheers

sounds like ur getting better fuel economy with the BMW-My TD5 gets about 19-22 around town with 33 on a run

Thought it would have been better than that. The auction has ended at £2150 but it didnt reach its reserve.

Depends how well its looked affter, i kept all my fuel recipts and logged millage for 6 mths and came back with average of 32.9, thats some towing 3 long runs and back and forth to work about 4 miles and i think thats bloody good for around 3 tons of motor, rust should not be a problem on TD5 other than surface rust on untreated chassis

Early days with ours, but the economy seems fine, especially when towing.

Look out for the usual things and you should be okay. As ever, I think condition and history are the main things to consider. Given the age and mileage, you'd be lucky to find something that doesn't have any issues at all.

Rust shouldn't be much of a problem. Worth cleaning and waxoyling the chassis as quickly as possible. Bonded glass in the rear (incl. alpine lights) is an improvement over the 200/300 series, although sunroof seals (if it has them) can be almost as problematic as the earlier models.

I think the rear suspension airbags are the achilles heel of the Series 2. Great when everything is working as it should, but a bit of a so and so if not.

We bought a '99 TD5 a month or so ago and it's been okay apart from a couple of electrical gremlins (although we're suffering a major one at the moment, which is causing a few headaches ).

Plenty out there, so don't pay over the odds.
Hope this helps.

Cheers guys, do they all have air bags in the rear suspension. Going to look at a 2001 TD5 S, which is up for £4400ono, with 120k on the clock. The trader says its in good nick, but going to take it for a good test drive. If there are no faults and it drives well, would this be a fair price for one of this age. Also being a 2001 model, how much would I be paying for road tax Thanks once again.

The 5 seaters have coils all round, 7 seaters have air on rear, if it's registered before march 2001 it will be no more than £200 to tax between now and 2010. you can check it for yourself on dvla website, think you gota put the reg no. in and it will tell you.

johnacky said:

Jus seen a 1999 TD5 Disco on ebay that has caught my eye, with 160k on. What problems would I be looking at other than the usual things to look out for. Is a rust a problem on the Disco's2. I am looking at the disco as a cheap run around, as my bmw wont do more than 21mpg around town an 32 on a run. Cheers

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Hi there are you familar with Discos and how they drive/feel?

To get decent economy they need to driven gently, are you prepared for that? If you drive it like a normal car, using it's performance, round town you'll be lucky to get 20mpg and cruising at 80mph on a motorway won't be much better.

Discos can be reasonably economical if driven lightly, but remember you are pushing around a car that weighs in at over 2 tons and the aerodynamics of a brick, so my advice would be don't buy it if economy is your priority.

Agreed - they can shift if you boot it and especially if you get the thing chipped. They can burn a hole in the folding stuff - mine has just cost me £60 and 3 points! Owning a Disco is not a matter of the brain its a matter of the heart. Do you wont a 7 (5) seater that can drive anywhere, pull most things and still be usable around town but costs you a packet. Or do you want a BMW? - I have both and neither really make much sense with the price of fuel today.