What should I look for?

Ok so I must need my head examining (I think weve been there before!) But I am seriously considering venturing into the Disco World once again.

Having looked in fleabay and autotrader, It seems I can get a 2001 ES for about 4K or even less with lower spec. 5K and we are talking facelifted 03 models.

Apart from airbags, leaky sunroofs etc, what should I look out for. I know rust is always an issue is it the same places on the S2 - inner wings, rear arches and boot floor?

I told you not to sell your old Disco! You sold it because you said it was to expensive to run.Now you want a td5 that do less to the gallon than a 300.Are you a bit potty ?:hysterically_laughi

A good idea would be to test drive a few to get a feel for what they are supposed to be like when running well. Even go to a Stealer and get a drive in a low mileage 2004 car , to get an idea on the power, steering feel etc.

My TD5 was down on power when I bought it. I had no idea as I had nothing to compare it with. Thankfully, it was easy to put right with giving the sensors a clean and freeing up the turbo wastegate arm.

There's so many about it should be easy to get a lower mileage car with a top spec.

My 2000 car is pretty solid underneath and seems rust free. There's just some bubbling above the wind screen rubber.

Overall I think it's a great vehicle.

Cheers

Andy

rollin danny said:

I told you not to sell your old Disco! You sold it because you said it was to expensive to run.Now you want a td5 that do less to the gallon than a 300.Are you a bit potty ?:hysterically_laughi

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The thing is 300s finish at 98 reg and use marina door handles and have major rust issues generally. I only want a TD5 cos it is a later model with a lot of refinements. Ideally a S2 with a 300TDi in it would be great but I guess such a machine doesnt exist. A reasonably priced Jap import 300 might be an idea.

The more I think about it the more I realise I made a big mistake. When you consider all the work I did and how much I sold it for I guess it was about a £2000 loss in all. You can buy a lot od diesel for £2000. Besides I only do about 8-9K miles annually so its not too much of an issue. The main thing now is how much I can get for the C max.

revjames said:

Ok so I must need my head examining (I think weve been there before!) But I am seriously considering venturing into the Disco World once again.

Having looked in fleabay and autotrader, It seems I can get a 2001 ES for about 4K or even less with lower spec. 5K and we are talking facelifted 03 models.

Apart from airbags, leaky sunroofs etc, what should I look out for. I know rust is always an issue is it the same places on the S2 - inner wings, rear arches and boot floor?

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Having followed the saga of your last one with enjoyment, I'm a bit concerned Rev.
The TD5 is not, on the whole, a machine you can repair yerself. Everything is controlled by electronics and sensors.
The engine is a complex brute and quite prone to cracked heads.
The airbags should be OK - faults are usually down to the big yellow connectors needing a bit of twiddling.
Mine is quite reliable by LR standards, but it has still broken its ACE, blown a head gasket, cracked a head (possibly as a result of having the gasket replaced by a dealer under warranty), needed a replacement radiator and two hubs.
All of these can cost you hundreds if not thousands.
Be very sure you want to invest in that.

I may be the only person on this entire forum who would wonder whether a Freelander might be a better bet? Mine was trouble free and not a bad car really....

I'd love to say get a V8 James you know you want one, but mine is back in Valley with stupid bloody faults again.

Andy.

PASTMASTER said:

The airbags should be OK - faults are usually down to the big yellow connectors needing a bit of twiddling.

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Ah, you meant the SUSPENSION airbags dincha? Don't know coz I don't have any.

revjames said:

The thing is 300s finish at 98 reg and use marina door handles and have major rust issues generally. I only want a TD5 cos it is a later model with a lot of refinements. Ideally a S2 with a 300TDi in it would be great but I guess such a machine doesnt exist. A reasonably priced Jap import 300 might be an idea.

The more I think about it the more I realise I made a big mistake. When you consider all the work I did and how much I sold it for I guess it was about a £2000 loss in all. You can buy a lot od diesel for £2000. Besides I only do about 8-9K miles annually so its not too much of an issue. The main thing now is how much I can get for the C max.

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Never could understand why you sold the Disco .You obviously loved it ,spent loads on it and posted on here everyday.Anyway your officialy forgiven I know what you mean about these old 300's.Mine drives like a dream but underneath its a rot box.Sills will need doing for m.o.t and god knows what else.good luck with your Disco hunting

Now I am worried about TD5s. My head says keep the sensible focus my heart says get a disco! I have seen Jap Import 300TDis county spec (same as ES)) for 2.5 - 3K for a clean 96 model. Perhaps that would be the way to go.

I have looked at freelanders and I don't like em. Smaller inside than the focus for a start. The one feature of the disco is the sheer size inside. I remember filling my disco up at the builders yard with bricks and paving slabs and bags of cement. It looked a bit low at the back but I drove home. I weighed the bricks and worked out I had nearly 3/4 of a ton in it!

revjames said:

Now I am worried about TD5s. My head says keep the sensible focus my heart says get a disco! I have seen Jap Import 300TDis county spec (same as ES)) for 2.5 - 3K for a clean 96 model. Perhaps that would be the way to go.

I have looked at freelanders and I don't like em. Smaller inside than the focus for a start. The one feature of the disco is the sheer size inside. I remember filling my disco up at the builders yard with bricks and paving slabs and bags of cement. It looked a bit low at the back but I drove home. I weighed the bricks and worked out I had nearly 3/4 of a ton in it!

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Agree entirely about Freelanders. Mine was reliable and drove well, but it was too small and just didn't feel right. It towed brilliantly though, if you have a trailer for all those bricks...
From what I remember about your (significant!) mechanical skills and desire to fix it yourself, I'd look for a late rust-free TDi. That would give you a nest-egg for the inevitable repairs too....

Good advice. Thats what I'm looking for thanks.
Can't help thinking this was a bargain for someone though.
as far as imports go this caught my eye. Its been on there a while, I would imagine if its still for sale theres a deal to be done on that price. All depends on me selling the C Max for the right price.

Rev.. the TD5 has a curry hook... aint that enough to want to buy one???

Mmmmm... curry

Hmmmm - not sure I get that one. Although I am partial to a chicken Tarka. You ever tried it?

revjames said:

Good advice. Thats what I'm looking for thanks.
Can't help thinking this was a bargain for someone though.
as far as imports go this caught my eye. Its been on there a while, I would imagine if its still for sale theres a deal to be done on that price. All depends on me selling the C Max for the right price.

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The 'import' looks clean, there's a dent on the filler flap and a small one on the panel and the o/s wing looks a different colour to the door, also it looks to be sitting a bit high going by the gap above the a/t tyres, the tyres and wheels look good. Go and have a look.

That jap import says its a manual but the window sticker says automatic. So what is it?

Emailed the bloke and he says its manual. most imports are autos.

Just stuck my motor in Aototrader for 3 weeks. Less than 4K for an 04 Cmax 1.6 diesel that does 60mpg. The phone should start ringing this week hopefully. As far as my next motor goes, I reckon a really clean 300TDi ES UK spec on a 98 or Jap import model. I have seen good examples around £2.5K Otherwise a TD5 with FSH and less than 100K on the clock around the £4K mark would do.