It's nearly time to buy ...any advice please

hi all, I know there's a lot of knowledge out there so I thought I'd try and tap in to it before I spend my hard earned pennies (that's the creeping bit done). Seriously we're about to buy our first discovery. Our budget is only around 4k and we want a Disco 2 for the forward facing seven seats. I'm looking at a 3.9 V8 with LPG or possibly a TD5 (I already run an LPG car and am a big fan)? This car will do less than 6k miles per year. My main questions are.

1. What is the highest mileage I should consider - at what stage to the big bills start to come?

2. What are the main things I need to look out for / be wary of, I'm aware of the sun roofs for example?

3. I've noticed more than a few which have had replacement engines around 100k, would this be head gaskets going?

4. I read some forums which suggest the auto box is a safer more reliable option than the manual?

I can't wait to start looking and the wifes car it's replacing is already up for sale so hopefully it won't be long now. Any advice you could give would be really appreciated thanks.

time spent searching on this forum will answer your questions....

Air suspension can be problematic for some owners, a seven seater will have air suspension, check the history that they have been changed (recommended every 5 years) if not budget £200 to change them (easy to do yourself!) ...a stitch in time and all that.

Rust...!

cant vouch for the V8 but the TD5's are strong engines... so look at overall condition and attention to servicing, more than low milage.

Rust..!

head gaskets are more prone to go on Pre 2002 model TD5's, and will set you back the thick end of a grand to get replaced.

Rust..!

a stiff transfer lever is usually a sign of little use, this equates generally to little off road abuse.. so dont be put off if it wont shift into Low too easily...

Rust..!

Any scratches running the length of the car is a sign of passing closley to tree's in off road or laning scenarios...

Rust..!

Check all the tyres are the same size, model and brand, the 4wd setup of a discovery wants the same boots each corner... if they're not...What else has the previous owner skimped on???

Rust..!

less than 6k a year id get V8.

well i am gonna sell mine havent advertised it yet, its a td5 2003 7 seats, i have own it a couple of year had loads of things replaced like spigot, wiring harness in engine, fuel line etc etc all common faults with these veichcles, the airbags on my rear suspension need replaced but cannot be bothered i am selling it the way it is.

Hi, I bought my first landy in Nov. last year. 2003 TD5 GS auto 7 seat. :kiss:Very nice car and would'nt change it for anything. Prob. not had it long enough for anything serious to go wrong. But deffo reccomend to everyone. I get about 310 miles to the tank and thats mostly school and back for the missus. Does 85 forever on t'm/way. Good luck.

youve got to be realistic, you buying a 7 or 8 year old car and anything of that age will have issues, its just that these change dependent on what make you get, nivaras for instance trash the engine and blow intercoolers

your also paying about 3 or 4 grand less than a similar age x5 or merc which have more expensive issues of their own,

dont buy at the top of your budget , leave a few hundred quid just in case and dont buy of anyone who appears to live on a farm


buy on condition in side and out no scratches dents , scrorps on bumpers and rust bubbles ect

pay particular attention to the upholstery interior trim, if its been off roaded there will be signs inside( people who off road almost never clean the inside properly) also look at the door jams and underside of front spoiler for dirt or damage,

also look underneath for signs of mud

and as a general rule if they cant be arsed cleaning it dont buy it

also look underneath for signs of mud, dents and bodges and the engine bay for dirt or oil, if it looks well looked after it probably is

check carpets arnt damp, and that ALL the switches work, heated seats and mirrors included

lift the carpet in the boot, if its going to rust any were its the boot floor

take it for a good 20 mile test drive to get it properly warm and see if any warning lights come on or any strange noises develop

when you get it back check the hot start

ive had mine a month and the only issues is the gear selector switch which which im having fixed tomorrow, a couple of hundred and the passenger side heated seat which doesnt affect me at all

Thanks for your input I appreciate your time. Thanks Battenburg (I'll be checking for rust then) and Jobo. I'll be spending some more time looking through the forums and will let you know when and what we end up going for.

Thanks again