Looked at a cheap Disco 2 and walked away. But should I reconsider?

Hi all.

Well pretty much decided I want to get a Disco 2 td5 as a daily and winter hack for me and the little lady to share.
Found a 2000 'Millennium' edition 7 seat on ebay local so went to have a look.

Nice looking truck, quiet engine, half leather interior in good nick, few marks on exterior but nothing major.
137k on the clock with 2 owners and current private trader who took it in part ex.
Problems I found were, been converted to coils at the back and pipes leaking where they were cut and taped up.
Small section of rear chassis covered with some sort of putty, 6-8".
5 matching 16" tyres but 2 badly cracked and one heated seat not working.
but major part for me was lack of go. Auto box seemed to slip massively trying to get up to 30 mph.
But bit plus point was the £1600 price tag.

In the end I walked away as it's the first one I've driven and I thought the box might be a headache but have I been too hasty?
Sorry for he long post but thought I'd get some advice from people in the know to help me decide if it's worth a punt.

cheers chris.

Somebody came to my house not long back in an auto diesel d2, had to floor it to pull off, I thought "that's not very good' and came on here for a look. It seems some people think that the td5 engine and the auto box fitted don't form a very good partnership.

Yer this was really crap to pull away. More searching around says they benefit from a decent exhaust and a remap.
But whether I do that or look at a manual in the £2.5k price area that most seem to go for.

Somebody came to my house not long back in an auto diesel d2, had to floor it to pull off, I thought "that's not very good' and came on here for a look. It seems some people think that the td5 engine and the auto box fitted don't form a very good partnership.

A lot seem to be 'chipped' but if it can pull a manual easily it shouldn't be struggling with an auto, should it? Personally I'd have the v8 but then again I only drive 80 miles a week.

Co-Pang-Yang said:

Yer this was really crap to pull away. More searching around says they benefit from a decent exhaust and a remap.
But whether I do that or look at a manual in the £2.5k price area that most seem to go for.

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Drive both manual and auto and decide for yourself.
I've owned both, they both have pro's and con's. If I was to buy another, would prob be a manual. Auto REVVS and REVVS and doesn't seem to go far, manual is hard work in first and second IMO. Fuel economy is very noticeably better with the manual.

HTH

Yer it's the fuel economy that made me want a manual. But it was the £1000 saving that drew me to this one.
Problem is my insurance in up at the end of the month and really want a new car for then to save hassle.
Got a week before I can go back anyway but maybe I'll save a bit more and get a manual instead.

Yes Rob really want to drive another auto and a manual. Hopefully I can find a couple more to view next weekend to give me a better idea.

Its the putty like stuff on the chassis that would worry me. I have an x reg disco though I was looking at 04 plates but this one had by far the best chassis. I saw a lot that had gone, been welded for the nice new MOT and covered in thick underseal.

Yer it did concern me a bit. Could be a small patch but could be a lot more.

Co-Pang-Yang said:

Yer this was really crap to pull away. More searching around says they benefit from a decent exhaust and a remap.
But whether I do that or look at a manual in the £2.5k price area that most seem to go for.

Click to expand...

In the last 2 months I've bought, in the UK, 2 TD5 manuals - the first one for £1240 and the second, an ES for £1400. The first I spent almost nothing, the second needed a pas pump and a water pump, so £200.

Both had good workable chassis, both passed their Contrôle Technique without fault.

Good cheap ones are out there, but you do need patience and the willingness to travel.

The TD5 auto's that I have had have one thing in common - the Torque Converter is not good enough. I've tried one with an upgraded TC and it's the world of difference. No more reving like a loony and lost power - much better overall.But it costs about £300 for the part plus fitting.

Dave

Where the hell do you find them lol.
The one I could have for £1600 needed pas pump, air suspension re fitting and programmed, bit of chassis attention and auto box was a slow to get up to 30 mph. And was an early 2000 model.

Think is I like the idea of an auto for lazy, smooth motoring but not at the expense of the pace of a manual.

Who supplies uprated torque converters?

Prices I've seen mostly are £2.5-3k for pre face lift and £4-6k from face lift.

Co-Pang-Yang said:

1. Where the hell do you find them lol.
The one I could have for £1600 needed pas pump, air suspension re fitting and programmed, bit of chassis attention and auto box was a slow to get up to 30 mph. And was an early 2000 model.

2. Think is I like the idea of an auto for lazy, smooth motoring but not at the expense of the pace of a manual.

3. Who supplies uprated torque converters?

Prices I've seen mostly are £2.5-3k for pre face lift and £4-6k from face lift.

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3. Ashcroft Transmissions :

Ashcroft Transmissions


Dave

Ah cheers Dave. Good to know.

Discokids said:

Somebody came to my house not long back in an auto diesel d2, had to floor it to pull off, I thought "that's not very good' and came on here for a look. It seems some people think that the td5 engine and the auto box fitted don't form a very good partnership.

Click to expand...

I'd agree, I did an alternator on one for a friend, took it for a quick test drive and was bitterly disappointed at how gutless it was and how it needed to be pushed to get it to go. Having also driven a TD5 manual I thought this thing was broken.

Interestingly enough the 2.7 Disco 3 auto is the same, lots and lots of noise and not much happening at low speed.

Hmmm really not sure to go for a manual or auto now.

Ive just been offered a TD5 ES, 2000(w) 130,000miles, 3 Owners, auto, full leather,sunroof leaking and needs rear chassis welding (I can sort that) for £1800

Not a bad price. How bad is the chassis?

Not to bad only advisory on mot, has light guards , factory front spots, and nudge bar around front fogs

Tempted myself lol