Need help with buying a disco

Hey all, I just looked at a disco 1 300tdi auto that I’m thinking of buying and there are some things I hope you can help me with.
When it changes gear there is a “kick” or jolt to the car, is this normal? It is very stiff going in to lo range and dif lock, is this bad?
What do I need to be looking out for with the car?
Thanks for any help

oh and its dun 150k. the guy whants to no if i want it by 3.30 so and help will be gr8...

did you buy it?
diff lock problem is normal if it has'nt been used on a regular basis,there should be a slight jolt as you put it when you put the car into gear but not exessive,does the car change gear smoothly? if not it may need an oil change or the prop shaft rubber doughnut may be split,millage is ok if you have a service history with it showing regular oil and filter changes, mines just coming up for 160k and it still pulls like a good un

i have put the guy off till monday. it jolts a bit on every change up or down. its a auto by the way

mines an auto also,if your near leicester you can have a ride in mine and then compair the two,but by the way you say it jolts up and down the box it may be on its way out,theres alot of disco's for sale take your time and buy the best.and don't forget buy with you head and not your heart.if your mechanicaly minded don't forget to check out the salvage yards in the back of the auto trader, buy catagory d as theres more hassle involving the vosa if you buy cat c,
good hunting
adie

clarkie said:

mines an auto also,if your near leicester you can have a ride in mine and then compair the two,but by the way you say it jolts up and down the box it may be on its way out,theres alot of disco's for sale take your time and buy the best.and don't forget buy with you head and not your heart.if your mechanicaly minded don't forget to check out the salvage yards in the back of the auto trader, buy catagory d as theres more hassle involving the vosa if you buy cat c,
good hunting
adie

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"buy catagory d as theres more hassle involving the vosa if you buy cat c,"
Excuse my ignorance but what does that mean?

stiffness is usually just a sign that the low range has not been used much.
the jolt could just be summat simple like the rubber donut on the prop or a uj.
good luck.

thanks for the help guys. i dont think i'll go for it i'll keep looking. mechanicaly minded? me? your joking rite? lol

n00b said:

thanks for the help guys. i dont think i'll go for it i'll keep looking. mechanicaly minded? me? your joking rite? lol

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Good decision. My auto is as smooth as silk through the changes, mind you, I am comparing it to my old Saab 900 auto!

Check for water ingress at the seal areas (windows, sunroofs, alpine glass). Obvious places are the front windscreen and tracks down the rear pillar post, where the speakers are. Also check under the carpet in the boot. Suggest to the prospective seller that you both take the car through a car wash; if he refuses, walk away!

Bubbling under the seals is easily fixed (I did it myself, and I'm no mechanic!). Remember that the body of the Disco is aluminium, and the roof is steel.

Also check under the car. Look for major rust/corrosion.

Don't be overly concerned if you see oil seepage in the engine bay. Most Disco's have leaks of some sort, but if its obviously more than a seepage, be wary. Most of these leaks are cheap to fix, and if you have a good Disco mechanic nearby, you'll be OK. You might want to start your search for such a person, so that you can create a good rapport with him, before you besiege the guy with your numerous queries!

Disco's are known for their interior shakes and rattles, so don't be put off by odd noises. I have numerous issues in mine, but they are difficult to locate when you are driving yourself!

Make sure the car you are looking to buy has good service history. Don't take the guys word for it; if he has serviced the car himself, then he will have kept the receipts for oil, filters, etc.

Finally, as I am a new Disco owner, I have probably only touched the surface of things you need to check for. Take a look through this site by using the search tab. You'll find a lot of good gen!

I know of a nice 94 Auto disco if yer still lookin......well worth a look...cheers....Rog...

Roger.A said:

I know of a nice 94 Auto disco if yer still lookin......well worth a look...cheers....Rog...

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where is it? is it a tdi?

Brighton south coast ye 200tdi Auto silver nice it is

i think i'll need to take a look at it.... you got a price in mind?

n00b said:

i think i'll need to take a look at it.... you got a price in mind?

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i wouldnt bother n00b !
have you tried askin the big bloke upstairs????

works wonder http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f20/walk-light-ministries-south-africa-33848.html

ye mate sure no worries send me a personal message and ill get your Email and send you some....there might be some in my profile or gallery...Rog

ye there is one in my profile......Rog

mondo said:

i wouldnt bother n00b !
have you tried askin the big bloke upstairs????

works wonder http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f20/walk-light-ministries-south-africa-33848.html

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Sorry you lost me there...

when buying a discovery check the boot floor is not roten and sills etc make sure all the gears etc are working ust check for root

check for root?

isnt that standard issue for old series ones, checking for growing roots?

Jason2 said:

"buy catagory d as theres more hassle involving the vosa if you buy cat c,"
Excuse my ignorance but what does that mean?

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ok,both are insurance write-offs that they can't be bothered to repair for what ever reason,
cat d, is lightly damaged and should come with the registration documents or they can be applied for from dvla,repair it,mot it,insure it and your on the road,
cat c,now this is a different kettle of fish,you don't get any registration doc's(we'll come back to them later).when you've bought your car and repaired it(you will have to provide all recipts for parts bought to repair,so if you buy second hand of e-bay make sure you get a recipt you don;t have to paint the car but it will help pass the examination) you will need to get it checked over by the vehical inspectorate(vosa) you only get ONE chance to pass this inspection, altho you can apeal,test is about £50,if it passes either they can mot the car or you can take it away and do it yourself,if you have'nt already done it.oh you can't watch the examination.if it fails and you lose the apeal then all you can do is break the car for spares.if you pass then you apply for the registration doc's from dvla and they will be marked as a damaged repaired vehical and this can not be removed at all,tax,insurance and bobs your uncle fanny's your aunt and away you go.if you do this the best thing to do is run the car untill its scrap cause resale value is crap,oh and don't forget to haggle with the salvage yard hard not everyone wants to repair a write-off but they need to sell.
e&oe
adie