Considering a Disco TD5 02'

I always wanted a Discovery and now that I recently moved to Iceland there are no more excuses not too.

I have been looking at a 2002 TD5 with 119.000km (73.000 miles) on it

It's a 7 seater with the hole package, dual sunroof, leather, Active Corner etc. etc. It's really a pleasure to drive and everything is working as it should, no warning lights or dings when it start or drive.

It's currently a company car and by the looks of it, it's never seen mud or rocks. But I do plan to change all that if I get it!



The only thing I have noticed, it the rear end is hanging a bit (see photo). I double checked it after I tested it the second time by parking it on a leveled spot and drove back the day after to see if it did it again. and it did. I read into it and it could be holes in the 'airbags?' in the back that was leaking a bit and it would cost around £100 for new ones if I changed it myself.

Is there any other things I should be aware of? Things to look for?

I know LR's cost a more than a regular cars does in maintenance, I just don't want any unexpected £2k+ bills the day after I got it.

Thanks.

Hi Jens,
I bought in December an 02 series 2 td5 gs and I have to say I love it to bits. It's done 60,000 miles, same colour as the one in your picture, it has all the extras including the steps on the side, one on the back and a full tow pack. I've had cruise control fitted. To date no problems so far. A few minor quirks with the alarm system, sometimes my fault, but a weird thing it does and can't seem to get any answer from anyone and that is a few times when I come back to the car and put the key into the ignition lock, it won't let me turn it and I have to lock and unlock the car to release. Which is strange as according to the workshop manual, there is no electrical device to prevent this, I beg to differ. I suppose I'll find out what's going off eventually. I've had one red light show on the ACE but it's never done it since. Suspension is fine on mine. The car your looking at might want the sensors re calibrating, I doubt both airsprings would leak at the same time. The rear suspension is programmed to do various things at various times, including dropping the back end to help unloading. So maybe not too serious, just wants checking out, there are one or two things it might be. Did an accurate mileage check round town this month and the car is only doing 24mpg, but to be fair that's what it says in the handbook. Haven't done a good test long distance yet. It drives like a dream, engine is so smooth and quite, plenty of power. ACE is ace, brakes are brill, love the climate control. It's just a fantastic piece of engineering from Landrover. I was worried about the two sunroofs leaking, no problems on mine. Tell you how much I love it, I go out and clean it every other day, how sad is that?
Well, I hope if you buy the one you're looking at, it's as good as mine and if it is, you will also love it to bits. Only trouble is, you won't want to take it off roading. The answer is, buy an old TDI as well just for off roading.

Enjoy
RichardG

Thanks Richard!

You convinced me even more to get it! Still a little hesitating, but I blame that on the internets! The people with troubled Discos seem to be a lot louder than the other thousands that have a working one.

If I didn't have Google, I would properly just have bought it and enjoyed it without problems

I still plan to take it off the road though. Iceland is a beautiful country, but if you really want to see it all, you are forced to take into mud, rocks, sand and snow. That's part of the reason for getting it!

Hi Jens,
I'm pleased I've persuaded you. The reason I bought one was mainly because my ageing '94 200 tdi disco was starting to look and feel it's age. Having said that, I did 150,000 miles with it and it never gave me any problems whatsoever. I was very sad to see it go and if the td5 is as good as the 200tdi I will be happy. One other reason was that my Landrover mechanic, came to see me one night in his personal TD5 series 2, which he'd just bought he was like a lamb with two tales, so pleased with it. I told him that I had read horror stories on the internet about the later Landrovers including the new TD6. And he said exactly what you said, there are many more good stories than bad ones. Just the bad ones get more publicity. I was a bit hesitant, mainly because I'm into electronics and computers and I know for a fact that when you put electronics and computers into such a harsh environment as a 4x4 your asking for trouble somewhere down the line. However, the Landrover system is tried and tested and works well, so if there is a problem, there is a problem and it needs to be fixed and then the system will work again. The only thing I don't like is that the Diagnostics computer / software is extremely expensive and shouldn't be. I would like to know exactly why a particular light came on without having to rely someone else having to tell and paying for the privalage. However, I will be getting my own testbook or equivalent eventually.
If you buy, I hope yours is as good as mine.
Regards
RichardG

Thanks a lot Richard!

I just found another one.


It's a TD5 2003 with 70000km (43000miles) on it. It cost £750 more and it have less options than the other one.. no sunroofs, leather or the 2 extra seats in the back.

Should I consider it instead? I read somewhere that besides the facelift, they fixed 700 something things on it, which sounds good in my wallet!

It's a bit of a bummer, because it's 600km away, but I could fly in and drive it back with joy!

Me personally I would go with the non sunroof td5 as they are a constant pain with leaks (if not leaking now it will do). do you need all the extras? My discos have always come with side steps fitted and they are a right pain for me as I am forever catching either my shins or calfs on them, so they are removed straight away.

I was thinking the same about the sunroofs, don't really need them, or the other extras for that matter. I just want a solid Disco I can drive on/off road as it suits me.

Jens

I have an 2002 Disco 2 TD5, and I'm planning a visit to Iceland in it in June this year.

I'm actually asking advice!

The only ferry I can find to Iceland is Smyril line, and it sails infrequently...not a bad service getting from Scrabster (Scotland mainland) to Iceland (2 days), but teh return is a nightmare - 4 DAYS! And that's only to Shetland!

Any chance you have any tips on how to get a vehicle over in a timely (and reasonable cost) way???

Jens said:

Thanks Richard!

You convinced me even more to get it! Still a little hesitating, but I blame that on the internets! The people with troubled Discos seem to be a lot louder than the other thousands that have a working one.

If I didn't have Google, I would properly just have bought it and enjoyed it without problems

I still plan to take it off the road though. Iceland is a beautiful country, but if you really want to see it all, you are forced to take into mud, rocks, sand and snow. That's part of the reason for getting it!

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When we got our TD5 3 years ago I went through the same worries as yourself prior to getting one but have not regretted it. You can dig up bad reviews on practically any car so go ahead - you know you want to!

Maintenance costs are not to bad if you stay away from Main Dealers who are charging silly money for often poor service. Find a good independent specialist or do it yourself - I do and servicing wise they are quite simple to look after.

Sunroofs as said above, are a problem though, mine did leak but have fixed it however I do plan to remove the drain channels in the summer to reseal it properly - I will post up a 'how to guide' when I have done it.

Hi,

Can you tell me how you fixed your leaking sunroofs - I just bought a 99 ES with 123k on it and the only fault is a leaking front sunroof (both are actually jammed)

Any tips gratefully received.

Have a look here for sunroof info -
click here

Whatever car you buy, the FIRST thing to do is fit a EGR blanking plate!

My TD5 was doing barely 25 mpf overall before, and now it does about THIRTY mpg!

It also accelerates far better, and pulls better on hills and with trailers.

Cost is under five pounds, and twenty minutes to fit.

There are NO downsides to this.

CharlesY

CharlesY said:

Whatever car you buy, the FIRST thing to do is fit a EGR blanking plate!

My TD5 was doing barely 25 mpf overall before, and now it does about THIRTY mpg!

It also accelerates far better, and pulls better on hills and with trailers.

Cost is under five pounds, and twenty minutes to fit.

There are NO downsides to this.

CharlesY

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That is good to know - I hate the concept of the EGR valve letting all that soot back into the engine. Where did you get the blanking plate from?

Mantamad said:

That is good to know - I hate the concept of the EGR valve letting all that soot back into the engine. Where did you get the blanking plate from?

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You can get em off fleabay!

Or make one out of a bit of sheet steel-Just take your EGR off, place on piece of sheet steel,scribe around it,cut it out with a hacksaw,drill holes to bolt it on,bit of a file in vice to make it look nice dandy,bolt it back on with or with out EGR,if you want to leave EGR off you have to get a replacement straight hose with out egr connection from intercooler to manifold!!

Job done

That way is as effective as any!
But I got mine from Ebay.

Look up Discovery EGR Blanking, and "buy it now" for a fiver!

Why spend an hour hacking one out of a beans can when you can get a beautifully made plasma-cut one for the price of a packet of fags?

The effect on the TD5 Defender appears to be even more dramatic, probably because the TD5 motor is set up in an even worse way in those cars.

CharlesY

Thanks for all the tips guys

I'm going with 03' w/o sunroofs. For every sunny day we have up here, there is another 10 rainy.

Jens said:

Thanks for all the tips guys

I'm going with 03' w/o sunroofs. For every sunny day we have up here, there is another 10 rainy.

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Sounds good - as long as you have air con, you will never need the sunroofs anyway!

Update.

Both Disco's where sold right infront of my nose

But it was actually a good thing. I just bougth myself a Defender instead

It's a 2000 model with 120000km on it, recently fixed up for £2000

About half the price of the Disco, but in very good condition considering it's been in Iceland for 6+ years.

They promised alot of snow in the weekend, and for the first time I'm actually looking forward to it.

A nice choice - hope you enjoy it.