Disco Search

My patience is running thin! I want my new car. My search has been backwards and forwards for a month or so and now having just ditched the idea of a RR because of the potential major engine problems I'm looking for a Discovery 4.0 ES top spec for about 10 - 13K, so anything from 1999 - 2004 fav colour black with all the trimmings.

However, I need some help from the experts - you! to make sure I don't buy a dud - What tips can you give me for when I go check them out?

Also, in a quandry about one I saw yesterday, seems a bit too good to be true. £12,490 buys a 4.0 ES Premium, 53 plate, facelift, 7 seater, Helsinki light blue, 48k had 3 main dealer services 15k, 30k, 43K (long intervals) appears in pretty good nick, only has a few external scratchs and key bashes under the lock (pet hate!), broken piece of door trim, needs 2 tyres. All these the guys will sort and they'll do a service complete with MOT until Jan'08 and 6 months warranty with a claim limit up to the value of the car (pretty good). Dealer is one of those independant web only dealers, no showroom - Beck Evans, anyone dealt with them before?

5 other notes on the car: whats your advice: 1) signs the rear door hinges are beginning to rust, from what i've seen on older models this is common, not seen one without it yet. Is there an easy cure? 2) I stood by whilst he reversed it out and could hear a rattling vibration coming from under the passenger seat area, could possibly be the chrome side steps (premium spec), but could it indicate something else? 3)When slowing the engine sound sort of flutters, really hard to explain, sounds even but sort of slightly up and down in pitch in quick momentum. Just not sure as this is only 2nd one I've driven and the first definately had the idle set way too high so I couldn't hear this sound. 4) When I got home and checked the spec it doesn't have cruise (optional extra), big disappointment - but what do you think? I wanted it because I felt it would help it sell when the time comes. So, how relevant was it when you bought yours, would it put you off if buying 2nd hand now? 5) Helsinki Light Blue Like/Dislike - is it a big mistake to buy this less than macho colour?

Any help with my search would be greatly appreciated, want to know as much about the cars as possible. Good or bad.

Oh, nearly forgot, anyone any ideas how much it costs to get 1) a height adjustable towbar with single electrics, 2) Whats the best way to get bikes about other than in the boot - and how much does the kit cost? 3) How much and where could I get a nice cover for the spare wheel.

Thanks again, sorry it's so long, I have a habbit of asking every conceivable question! I'm sure the dealers can't wait to see the back of me!

Loads of questions, I'll try to help with a couple...
Firstly, the hinges on the back door...best thing is to smear a bit of waxoyl on the hinge with your finger every couple of months after you was the car, stops rust and keeps them running free.
In terms of bikes, I always fold the small section (passenger side) back seat down to keep the bikes theft-free and safe. After that the best bet is a towbar-mounted bike rack. These bolt onto the car which is more secure. If you get one which can fold down that also gives you access to the back door without unbolding the whole think, search for maxxraxx on google. Some dealers also do bike racks which attach to the spare wheel, but this could add a lot of weight.
I have the LR adjustable tow bracket, works a treat with different trailers, and was rediculously easy to fit (so long as you have some very large sockets in your spanner set), only about 8 bolts, no drilling. The electrics are a simple snaplock behind the RH rear light. Only problem is if you go offroading, the big bracket really reduces your departure angle...

Hi Martin

Sorry about all the questions, i try to be as thorough as possible with these things. I think I need to check out the costs of the various bike racks. The one that fits on the door would be best as we it'll not have a towbar until the end of the year. On the tow bar that sounds great, can i ask where you bought yours from?

Update: Have deposit down on blue Disco, decided i loved colour and cruise isn't essential. Then I discovered finance wasn't completely settled from previous owner - great. Sure it'll get sorted without too much trouble.

We have one for the rear wheel, as long as you put the bikes on and then don't open the door with them on (to heavy) they are ok, take the wheel cover off if it has one so it can grip the tyre better. If the bikes are big heavy bikes then 2 max. If you have lightweight bikes then you can get 3 on.

I love cruise control, I have it on my company car and on my 250mile commute once or twice a week, it is a godsend!

I am retrofitting cruise control to my TD5, the wiring is all there and so is the ECU programming (apparently?) All i need to do is add the switches, which I have bought from evil bay. Just need a dry weekend now to fit it.
Not sure if it is the same ECU setup for a petrol... do some research, you may be able to fit it for the price of the switches...

...remember also the disco is full time 4x4,try to change all the tyres together (if you got the money!!!)

I use the bike carrier thats mounted onto the spare wheel bracket. The mounting is there all the time and sticks through the centre of the spare wheel, all you need to do is remove the wheel cover, slot the bike carrier onto the mount, fix the padlock in place and thats it.

my towbar thread

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f8/towbar-self-fit-32550.html

my sparewheel cover thread

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f8/spare-wheel-cover-38064.html

hope these help

mat

bike carriers

Formula4 The No.1 for 4x4 Accessories, 4x4 Tyres, 4x4 Wheels and Van Accessories. | Bike Carriers

Thanks very much for the links Mat, good easy to use sites thats what I like, fed up with sites that don't show a picture of what your planning to buy. Since we'll only carry 2 bikes spare wheel carrier seems like a nice easy option.

Just need the car itself now! Can't wait!