Viewing aDisco to buy, this will be my first, please can I have some advice. Thanks

I am going to view a TD5 to buy, if I describe it could someone tell me what they think please. This will be my first Land Rover after hankering for years.

2003, on a 53 plate. 7 seat TD5 xs with 115000 miles, service history upto 90000.

Current owner has owned since Sept 2011, has put 5000 miles on it and has had it serviced at his local garage who are well versed in all things Landrover.

He has also put a new diff on it, rear discs and pads and had the air suspension removed. Disco has also has new General Grabber AT tyres fitted.

He says the body and paint work is spotless, as are the wheels (standard alloys)

Disco will come with a fresh MOT and six months tax.

It has half suede/leather interior with cd stacker.

The car is quite far away from me, so I want tobe prepared, rather than have a wasted journey..

And he is asking £5000.

If it is as described,do you think this would be a fair price?

Will there be any problems with the ACE system having had the air suspension removed.

Anything else I should be asking him? And anything I should be looking for when I get there.

And lastly, this disco has constant 4x4? Are they all like this at this age, if not, what is the pros and cons of such a system.

It would be a massive help to me to hear your thoughts on these matters, It has taken me a long time to convince the wife that she needs a Land Rover.

Save me from another Renault Espace, please...lol

No comments from storm 99 please, thankyou.

If the Disco is far away from you is there no one on here that could have a look on your behalf, there are members all over Scotland who I'm sure would oblige.

There is loads of info on here about buying. Have a Search

(FYI - All Discoveries are permanent 4 wheel drive)

I would also say if its a manual make sure buy now the clutch has been changed including the flywheel.

The ACE system is separate to the Air suspension, why was the air removed its one of the easier systems on a Disco to fix and in my opinion far better than coils.

Where is the Disco?

I'm down in Edinburgh so if it's close I could either have a look for you or tag along and help you out.

Like Bigeeeee said there are more of us around in Scotland so could help out.

minidod said:

Where is the Disco?

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Acoording to his other thread the disco is in Altnaharra, bit of a drive from Edinburgh but a beautiful drive if you fancy it

Thanks for that, the Disco is in Altnaharra which seems to be quite far away from anywhere, if there was a mamber up there to cast his knowing eye over the vehicle, that would be great. The air was removed because the compressor was on its way out, this is niggling me a bit. If the comp is still in place, is it easy enough to set up the air suspension again, I understand it may complicate insurance.

Thanks again for your help.

Hi, thanks for your offer to have a look, but as has been pointed out, the Discovery is a long way away from Edinburgh, But it is a wonderful drive.

Thanks again..

Eddie

Eddiedisco said:

No comments from storm 99 please, thankyou.

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This is one my favourite quotes of all time I think

I have just spoken to the current owner, he has said that the spring conversion was done by Frank Ogg of Elgin (Land Rover Dealer) He also said that the pipe work and faulty compressor are still on the vehicle as he wanted the option there to restore the air system in the future. The system went faulty with him when he was driving home, and he booked it in to the garage and stayed over night to allow the garage to do the work. He was quoted £500 ish for a new compressor or £350ish for the conversion plus labour costs.

I was persuaded to change from air to coils on my LSE on cost grounds, and because if we renewed failed airbags then there was no telling when any other component in the system would go. The difference in cost was a lot more than you mention.
It was the stupidest decision I`ve ever made and I ended up selling the car because that "riding on air" feeling is pretty unique.
Having said that you have the "advantage" of not having had a while driving the car on air so nothing to compare it with - but to make sure it is an advantage, why not try to drive one which is still on air and see if the difference bothers you ?
As a general rule I never, ever buy the first thing I see and spend some time establishing some decent points of reference so I can tell good against bad, so if I were you I`d rewind a bit and do that. If you miss a gem then so be it, but I take the view that its more likely I`d buy a lemon if I rush into it ?

Thanks for your reply, I know what you mean about looking around, but I kinda loosely know the guy selling it, and he is not the sort to diddle folk. I am also able to do a deal with him for a wee Skoda I have at my disposal, so this might work out in my favour cost wise.

Thanks again,your advice is appreciated.

Eddie

ace works as well on both air or coils ,and is a real positive on the disco in handling unlike air springs,disco air to coils is an easy cheap fix less than a £100 for a kit ,air suspension is over rated imo having driven both and i remove it if possible,but some like the ability to drop rear end for attaching tow bars,all discos defenders etc are permanent equal 4wd ,this is good and helps with handling,its the reason they have center diff in transfer box,disco 2 have good rot free bodies but can suffer with chassis and attached parts rotting ,benefit from a good clean asnd waxoyl or similar if not done to stop it rotting in the first place,disco 2 is imo a joy to travel in and with higher rear seats isnt too bad for rear passengers too ,its hard to be certain about a vehicle but check engine bay fluids for signs of trouble

I think some caution is going to have to excersized when viewing Disco, after speaking to the current owner today, he has said SH only goes as far as 54000, and the mileage is now 125000, I think this is not a £5000 pound land rover. Thanks for all your pointers so far.

Eddiedisco said:

I think some caution is going to have to excersized when viewing Disco, after speaking to the current owner today, he has said SH only goes as far as 54000, and the mileage is now 25000, I think this is not a £5000 pound land rover. Thanks for all your pointers so far.

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So its already got a service history for the next 29000 miles..brill!

storm99 said:

So its already got a service history for the next 29000 miles..brill!

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Storm99

Can’t be sure, but I think I specified in my post that I did not want any more contact from you? Obviously you find it hard not to show your insecurities through trying to belittle others. You must have a massive void in your life if you have time to sit of an evening and try and appear witty, when really all you are doing is proving to all just how immature and needy you are.

Please try and grow up, find something constructive to do with your time.

Kind regards

Eddie

storm99 said:

So its already got a service history for the next 29000 miles..brill!

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Numpty...

eddie - chill - or yu wil be told to go forth and dig snow .

yu cannot specify who can or cannot post on yo thread.

My apologies..i failed to read the entire contents of your first post as i died of boredom.

However, calling me a numpty is a bit rich coming from someone who says their vehicle has a full service history to 54k when the speedo reads 25k. Were you the one who wasnt bothered about the chassis as long as the cd player worked. Good call.

PS. Will you be my new pet?

Insurance issues with a 7 seater air to coil conversion I think. Need to check that out. Shame about losing the air springs IMO. Discos are permanently 4x4.

Good luck!

I love your manliness.