Disco 2 Seperate ignition switch possibly engine replaced

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Irish4x4

Member
Posts
88
Location
Malmo, Sweden
Dear All,

I would like your advice with my hunt for a new Discovery 2 facelift. I have come across a car for sale, a 2004 Td5 295k km in Holland that possibly indicates the engine has been replaced. I have not seen the car as I live in Sweden. I am no mechanic but do my own repairs to a point. I have researched a lot online and there are tell tale signs that I would appreciate verifying with this group before I walk away from the purchase.

The engine bay wiring protective sleeves are in a mess, the centre console has been removed and reinstalled quite poorly, the hand brake is sitting very high in the park position and most suspicious of all is a separate ignition switch installed in the cabin ashtray. I have been informed the key needs to be turned and then the button pressed to start the car. I have no idea if the steering lock, alarm, or immobiliser works. I asked for the engine number as I understood the Td5s had a 15s or 16s prefix however this number does not?

My gut feeling is the dealer is reluctant to be drawn into a deeper discussion about the points I raise and I feel certain he knows far more than he is telling. Language is a bit of a problem but I have a contact in Holland who is Dutch and he is taking this dialogue just now.

I am attempting to attached a few photos but the site says I dont have permission? I dont understand how to attach pictures so I will post this text first and pictures after.

I appreciate any advice or insight you can provide me.

Kind regards
 
Can someone advise how to attach photos because the Upload a File button below gives me an error "You do not have permission to view this page or perform this action"?
 
Walk away too many if's but's and problems that point to a bodged vehicle that will end up throwing up problem after problem with you throwing money at it...
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Dear All,

I would like your advice with my hunt for a new Discovery 2 facelift. I have come across a car for sale, a 2004 Td5 295k km in Holland that possibly indicates the engine has been replaced. I have not seen the car as I live in Sweden. I am no mechanic but do my own repairs to a point. I have researched a lot online and there are tell tale signs that I would appreciate verifying with this group before I walk away from the purchase.

The engine bay wiring protective sleeves are in a mess, the centre console has been removed and reinstalled quite poorly, the hand brake is sitting very high in the park position and most suspicious of all is a separate ignition switch installed in the cabin ashtray. I have been informed the key needs to be turned and then the button pressed to start the car. I have no idea if the steering lock, alarm, or immobiliser works. I asked for the engine number as I understood the Td5s had a 15s or 16s prefix however this number does not?

My gut feeling is the dealer is reluctant to be drawn into a deeper discussion about the points I raise and I feel certain he knows far more than he is telling. Language is a bit of a problem but I have a contact in Holland who is Dutch and he is taking this dialogue just now.

I am attempting to attached a few photos but the site says I dont have permission? I dont understand how to attach pictures so I will post this text first and pictures after.

I appreciate any advice or insight you can provide me.

Kind regards
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upload_2023-4-18_21-20-54.jpeg
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I have just done the same bodge on my Ford van last week when it wouldn't start...fitted new starter as the one fitted was cranking slowly and then nothing new starter exactly the same no crank so took push button off my Landy 101 that I fitted and wired to van starter and back up running again...but the problem is still there between ignition and starter Iv'e just by-passed it and it works...I have a share in a garage with a mate who is a diagnostic auto tech...cobblers shoes spring to mind we never fix our own cars just keep them running...lol
 
Is the only reason you are considering this one because there are no straight ones for you to buy?
Because it ought to be!;)


This is the reason.

I live in Sweden and there are very few Disco 2s for sale. In the UK there are many D2s for sale but sadly this is not the case in Sweden. Those that are for sale are in poor condition. I have spread the net to the rest of Europe but still there is a limited supply of good vehicles.

Lets say I am throughly investigating this possibility together with a friend in Holland. Its a learning curve also and each car I pursue I learn more and more about what to look out for. This is about the sixth or seventh car I have been researching.

I will get there in the end hopefully ;)
 
This is the reason.

I live in Sweden and there are very few Disco 2s for sale. In the UK there are many D2s for sale but sadly this is not the case in Sweden. Those that are for sale are in poor condition. I have spread the net to the rest of Europe but still there is a limited supply of good vehicles.

Lets say I am throughly investigating this possibility together with a friend in Holland. Its a learning curve also and each car I pursue I learn more and more about what to look out for. This is about the sixth or seventh car I have been researching.

I will get there in the end hopefully ;)
I take it it is impossible to import one from the UK then?
Good luck with your searches.
:):):)
 
So to close this thread.

I had a Dutch friend call the dealer and they were shady as hell. They would not answer any questions about the engine or log book. We surmise the engine was replaced, probably for an earlier version. The loom was most probably not compatible and therefore this explains the bad cabling and the seperate ignition switch.

They are attempting to dress up a G4 and bank some cash. If it was a like for like engine it may be ok but I fear it was dirty deeds done dirt cheap.......

On top of all that they photoshoped the car in the advertisement. The body work looke immaculate in the ad but a later picture revealed all.......

So once again I must walk away in search of pastures new.

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Not impossible but I want a Left Hand Drive not a Right Hand Drive.

Lets just say I dont want to be of the verge side of the car if I hit a 700kg moose :eek::eek:
Can't think why.
I drive our RHD Discovery in France steep mountain roads etc 6 months of the year, no problem. And I have a friend whose wife prefers to drive the right hand drive Range Rover round the narrow lanes in centrral France as she feels she would be safer if she got hit by an oncoming vehicle.
Shame you can't try one to see how it feels.:(
 
So to close this thread.

I had a Dutch friend call the dealer and they were shady as hell. They would not answer any questions about the engine or log book. We surmise the engine was replaced, probably for an earlier version. The loom was most probably not compatible and therefore this explains the bad cabling and the seperate ignition switch.

They are attempting to dress up a G4 and bank some cash. If it was a like for like engine it may be ok but I fear it was dirty deeds done dirt cheap.......

On top of all that they photoshoped the car in the advertisement. The body work looke immaculate in the ad but a later picture revealed all.......

So once again I must walk away in search of pastures new.

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View attachment 286432
They look like a right pile of sharks.
Best stay away.
 
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