Hoping for better luck finding a decent Disco

Well guys, long story short.

I have been shipwrecked on this island fighting to find a 110 Defender. I quickly realized that in this place, to get a decent one, I have to give my first born, my left nut and a billion US dollars.

So when I was brought back to reality after thinking I could get one, I was told that I should look at a Disco instead. I wanted a station wagon or van style 110 defender for the space for gian scale model airplanes and the fact that I always loved the older boxy style looks.

So you have another pain in the arse newbie to deal with asking so many questions.

Hmmmmm say Hi you Disco Guys. Don't be smarty pants Alex and just say Hi, I know your type.

Hello newbie, what are your questions?

Hi Barbados

Seen as you've not replied yet I am going to guess your answers anyway:

Check for rust everywhere that's mild steel, mainly the floor but also look at the roof around the alpine windows and front screen.

Check the headlamp boxes, front inner wings, sills under the plastic covers, rear inner and outer wings, boot floor and all 10 body mounts (just in case).

Pull up the carpet in the boot and front footwells and check for water ingress, the foam insulation acts like a water retaining sponge and it will rot from the inside out.

All very easily repairable if you can weld, if you cant - learn.

Rear windscreen rubbers split as do the boot window ones are a tad pricey to replace,

Sunroofs leak.

TDI seems more reliable than the V8

With the rear seats folded down you will have lots of room (about 4 footX4footX4foot) but it depends how big your planes are, you can get a bit more by unbolting the rear seats and even the rear door pocket.

Having just read that back to myself I have just realised Discos don't like getting wet.

Hope that helps, if not just ignore everything I have just said.

mrnice said:

Seen as you've not replied yet I am going to guess your answers anyway:

Check for rust everywhere that's mild steel, mainly the floor but also look at the roof around the alpine windows and front screen.

Check the headlamp boxes, front inner wings, sills under the plastic covers, rear inner and outer wings, boot floor and all 10 body mounts (just in case).

Pull up the carpet in the boot and front footwells and check for water ingress, the foam insulation acts like a water retaining sponge and it will rot from the inside out.

All very easily repairable if you can weld, if you cant - learn.

Rear windscreen rubbers split as do the boot window ones are a tad pricey to replace,

Sunroofs leak.

TDI seems more reliable than the V8

With the rear seats folded down you will have lots of room (about 4 footX4footX4foot) but it depends how big your planes are, you can get a bit more by unbolting the rear seats and even the rear door pocket.

Having just read that back to myself I have just realised Discos don't like getting wet.

Hope that helps, if not just ignore everything I have just said.

Click to expand...

Hi Mr. Nice, that's very nice, nice of you. seriously Mate, that's a great lead and advice, you guessed my questions correctly. You sound like me when someone asks me about buying a used BMW, we know all the weak points.

Can't remember if it's in my intro, but I am a self taught auto tech and until December 2012 was the owner if a BMW and Porsche performance shop. My background is electronics. We worked mostly on BMWs though, building race engines and turbocharging them etc., So yea, I can weld lol.

Thanks so much for telling me what to look for, I have been asking that a sticky be made for first time buyers with info like this.

Yes the biggest disadvantage between a 110 and the Disco is the aluminum, light weight with no rotting as opposed to the steel which can rust or rot which is also heavier.

Length if my Yak 54 airplane is 85 inches. The nose can stick though between the front seats but the prop is 26 inches. I think I have to physically measure a Disco, I know where one is here at a guys work shop.

Thanks again and sorry for the late reply, came home at seven my time which I think is like 1 in the morning for you.

Thanks so much and will be in touch. Be nice now.

Giantswood said:

Hi Barbados

Click to expand...

Hi Mate, thanks for saying Hi.

No probs mate, if you need any more advice I will try to assist you, Im only a hobbyist mechanic but have owned my disco for 6+ years now so have seen/learnt a fair bit but for the more technical stuff its well worth listening to the likes of james martin and doctor evil and suchlike (just post and the clever lot will answer you).

Forgot to mention also have a look at the battery tray for rot, as you can weld and with your background and the fact you are a member of landyzone you should find owning and maintaining a disco relatively cheap and simple.

Good luck!