Discovery 2 TD5 mileage & servicing

First of all, apologies if I've posted in the wrong area, new to the forum.

I'm looking to buy a D2 TD5 with the aim of removing the rear seats and turning it into a sort of camper, so I'm trying to figure out how much I can expect to get out it in terms of the mileage and servicing. Looking around most of what I've found appear to have ~100k miles on the clock, but I have no idea if this is a decent amount that will last for as much again, with what I want to put into it I don't fancy it dying on me.

The TD5 is strong if properly looked after so you'll have to check each one you look at. Usual HPI, written off, stolen, import etc check and MoT history off the DVLA to see what and fails have been and any pattern of neglect. Then any documentation with the vehicle and then the vehicle itself there is a buying guide on the forum for things to check. Would be handy if you could take a Disco 2 knowledgeable mate along especially if he has a fault code reader. 100k is fine if there is evidence of proper servicing. Low mileage ones are out there, mine's not long paased 70k.

I wouldn't have thought the rear load space is that big for making into a camper even with just the two front seats in.

I know someone who has turned their D2 into a wild camper. Iirc he sleeps on a platform that goes above the front seats right thru to the back, has an awning affair that clips on the back.

Cheers

brianconwy said:

I wouldn't have thought the rear load space is that big for making into a camper even with just the two front seats in.

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All depends on how cozy you want to be.


Think I'd rather have the loadspace for storage and cooking stuff and a roof tent with an awning over the rear door.

Feathers McGraw said:

The TD5 is strong if properly looked after so you'll have to check each one you look at. Usual HPI, written off, stolen, import etc check and MoT history off the DVLA to see what and fails have been and any pattern of neglect. Then any documentation with the vehicle and then the vehicle itself there is a buying guide on the forum for things to check. Would be handy if you could take a Disco 2 knowledgeable mate along especially if he has a fault code reader. 100k is fine if there is evidence of proper servicing. Low mileage ones are out there, mine's not long paased 70k.

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I've had a read through the buying guide, I feel confident enough to keep an eye out for most of what is on there, but as you reccomend I'm probably going to get someone a bit more knowledgable on them to tag along as I'd rather not buy a dud. What would you say they're like for self servicing? At the moment I'm little more than a novice when it comes to maintenance other than the usual guff, but if it's doable I'm willing to learn enough to keep me from taking it to a garage, the only thing putting me off is seeing all the posts about chasis corrosion and the £3k+ fixes for it.

Engine tough but can have issues, but what doesnt nowadays? main thing has got to be chassis rust, been a few posts just recently on rusty chassis scrapping the cars.

It's been said that the Disco 1 bodywork used to rot, but they sorted that with the D2. Unfortunately they forgot about the chassis!
The back end of the Disco 2 chassis is known to cause problems due to rot, especially the rear cross member. Such problems are repairable, either with a lot of steel plates or a rear quarter or half chassis.
If you find a good one, be sure to get it cleaned off, inspected and repaired as necessary then treated preferably with Dinitrol or Bilt-Hamber as soon as you can.
Maintenance, such as normal servicing is straightforward and provided the electrics are kept dry they shouldn't present any major problems but as @lynall has already implied, any vehicle of the age of a D2 could well have some issues.