disco buying help please

hi guys just looked at a 1997 r plate metallic blue 300tdi discovery mot and tax recent timming belt,waterpump,mid section of exhaust and service.
150,000,7 seats 2 tone alloys and a/c etc.
i was looking at a p38 but thats now sold and a member on here said "if you want relaibility buy a discovery"it had bubbling around tailgate arches that im told is normal due to chemical reaction. a small scrape to the n/s/r and x2 cracked but not leaking head lamp glasses.
the guy said he gets 28ish to the gallon do you agree and how much would you guys say its worth?
what should i look out for?

gti power said:

had bubbling around tailgate arches that im told is normal due to chemical reaction.

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It's a chemical reaction commonly known as 'rusting'

DTZ said:

It's a chemical reaction commonly known as 'rusting'

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There e goes, bafflin us with science agin

Aye the bubbling is a chemical reaction.. It's called rust??? check out the rear body mounts R reg ones seem to be quite prone too rotting round them. also check the floor along side the front seats as they rot out there as well.

The sills behind the plastic side skirts can go a bit squishy and the bottom of the door posts and the boot floor

i must agree with redhand on the rear chassis mounts i smashed mine flat not knowing they were rotted outer cills also rot but if there are side steps fitted with the plastic sill covers on it pays to have a real dig around and check the inner sills while your there !!!!

bugger u beat me too it !!!!!

how much should i look to pay?
is it mainly body/corrosion more than mechanical?

Look on ebay for similar examples to yours and see what they go for.

Check the rear floor under the insulation very carefully, they rot very badly.
The rear crossmember under the rear bumper.
The seatbelt mountings inside the rear doors.
The inner wings in the engine bay, look at the tops where they join the outer wings.
Stains on the headlining indicating water leaks. Stains around the sunroof seals.
Have a good look at the chassis, and look up at the floor from underneath at the rear.
Body mounts, these rot as well.

Blue smoke on start up.
Check that the transfer lever moves.
Drive for at least 15 mins and make ure that the temp gauge is not in the red.
Check oil cap for creamy deposits.

A really key question is - what should he be paying for a 150k miles Disco?

I vote £1250, assuming I found no real bad rust.

I bought a '98 Tdi 300auto with 76K miles, two owners and full service history for £2200, last December.

Cheers
Dave

the price is slowly dropping this one i found is sold now but look what it made

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f37/discovery-61068.html

I watched two 200tdi 3 doors last week L & M reg one went for £291 the other for £365.

robint said:

the price is slowly dropping this one i found is sold now but look what it made

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f37/discovery-61068.html

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Fashions come & go and the days of 4x4's being "fashionable", are over.

If you've got cash and looking to buy a Disco, negotiate hard because believe it or not, nobody wants 'em nowadays.

Except us of course !!!!

Cheers & good luck

Dave

Have a look into the import discos, theres know rot on these discos and you get more spec for your cash and low mileage compared to the same year as an uk spec..

Avy, you're right about the bodies being good on the import ones, but people are still looking for 4-5 grand for them at least - it's just too much unless you're planning on keeping it forever. Then you need to get that bloke who advertises in LRO to do the special waxoyl job for 460 quid, or today's shiny import will look like a cullinder in 5 years anyway, just like the rest of ours do .....

Avy said:

Have a look into the import discos, theres know rot on these discos and you get more spec for your cash and low mileage compared to the same year as an uk spec..

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But you don't get a better deal with these imports !!

There are too many hands in the chain all wanting their cut.

I've recently seen Tdi 300's with about 50k mls, jap imports, for about £5000 !!!!!!


I bought my UK '98 Disco with 76k mls for £2200.

I really don't see the appeal for the imports, they're often no/dodgy service histories with them. I admit that they're like to be clean but I would maintain that with the inherent disadvantages of buying an import there are not sufficient advantages - and they're not cheap !!!!!

Are you sure the reaction he's talking about is not aluminum corrosion. I had that on my discovery, rub the paint off and loads of white powder came off too but the aluminium panel was actually fine, if it had been a metal panel it would have been pitted badly. Then i simply resprayed and its never come back.

Before you buy, compare with these. Older perhaps, but with good mileage & hopefully years of life left.



Auto Trader UK - LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 300 Tdi XS 3dr Diesel Station Wagon


Auto Trader UK - LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 300 Tdi ES 5dr Auto Diesel Station Wagon

Auto Trader UK - LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 2.5 TDi

admittidly they are good mileage vehicles but its still a lot of money for there age there are good discos still around if you look hardenough its worth looking for ones that might have failed there mot on not to major points if your handy with a welder and a set of spanners you could quite easily get your self a bargain just keep looking in the usual places autotrader and ebay the advice what has been given here in this fred is of great value to a new buyer to check all the usual problem areas dont be afraid to poke a round if they ave nothing to hide they wont have a problem with this