What to buy?

I'm interested in buying a discovery. But I'd like to know what engine mileage is acceptable? And which engines tend to be the most reliable?
Also Im thinking of buying one already kitted out with snorkel winch springs etc.
Just after general advice really as I've got no idea on land rovers.

Hi ,

A budget would be nice....

Cheers

Well it's not for a while yet so not sure on that. But it will be a tight budget of no more that £2000. I don't mind buying something for cheap and doing a few repairs either.

all 3 of mine have over 200K miles and just carry on.

200 or 300TDi seem to be most reliable, but the TD5 is pretty good.

Well,

You can but a D1 or D2 for that price.
D1, pretty much a good , But do be careful 300tdi. body rust can be well hidden.
D2, you will be able to get one, but then allow £300 for a diagnostics unit, unless you know someone with one already.

Ref the D2. there is a buying guide here.
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/handy-buying-alarm-info.311291/

Good luck. if nothing else take someone who has lived with one for a while.

Cheers

I would go for a 300 tdi but as stated they do rot badly. My 300 tdi engine has only had cam belt changes has done 260 K miles, and runs like a dream.

You asked about mileage, bear in mind that the newest possible D2 will be a mid 2004, that's 13 years old. Taking the average mileage of 10k per year, anything under 130,000 miles can be claimed to be "low mileage".

Using that criteria our 2003 is low mileage at 110k.

For £2000 you could buy a very good disco 1 300tdi. Or a reasonable D2. Just be aware you will need a plentiful supply of tools and money....

With that budget a rust free D1 will suit you well and parts are cheap/sensible money even an engine isnt earth shattering price wise.
Of course finding a rust free one may take you some time, theres also a good chance if its got all the kit on its been well used and abused, better to go std and mod as and when you want/can afford to.

...unless its all just for show?

Our 300tdi has done about 140k miles, i think. Its a '96, so old enough to be rusty.

Be aware that they need constant (cheap) maintenance. Does your £2k budget include a welder? If not, spend £500 on a welding setup, and £1500 on the car, and it will be cheaper in the long run...

I'm coach mechanic and we have all the gear ND tools. Welder. Lifts and I have a full tool box of everything you'd ever need. I don't mind putting hours into just not loads of money

Then a D1 is the car for you all the later stuff can get expensive D2/3 etc
So long as the D1 is not an EDC engine (all autos 96 onwards) all will be good.

All the issues are simple and cheap to fix, but beware rust really is the killer of the D1 motors, they can look cracking from the outside and be u/s underneath, take your overalls and inspection light with you when you go to look at one.
Some of the rust aint the end of the world but bulkhead to chassis mounts are going to be fun, but if you can fix buses it will seem like a doddle!

If you have all the gear and workshop facilities a 300 tdi is the way to go. Just make sure you have a really good poke about underneath. I had to remove the rear tub on my defender 110 csw to do some chassis repairs, you don't want that with a disco.

Keep a couple of hundred quid back to buy a welder...

I've got an argon welder. A decent one so I'm all good there. The guy has assured me the chassis is in top condition so going to have a look tomorrow hopefully.

d1,s rust bad on the body ( rear door shuts, sills, a & b pillars, inner wings etc etc etc ) disco 2,s rust on rear chassis but are very good bodywise
ive had a 200, 300 & a td5 - wouldnt go back to a 200/300 tdi as the td5 pulls so much better - i bought a td5 very cheap & am in the process of doing it up as i go - luckily the chassis is quite good - each to theyre own but i wanted a td5 but couldnt afford a decent one so bought a solid ( ish ) one that needs mechanical work i have quite good mechanical knowledge & i enjoy touching her so its all good
i suggest looking at all models & test driving them all to see what suits you best

James Rogers said:

look tomorrow hopefully.

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So are you going to make us guess what you are going to look at???

Cheers

offroadmad said:

i have quite good mechanical knowledge & i enjoy touching her so its all good

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Thats just a tiny bit weird....

I bought one!! A 300tdi not very rotten at all just a couple of tiny holes in rear wheel arches but solid chassis, body mounts, sills etc. Rear boot is like new. The chap I bought it off got it standard 2 years ago from someone he knew who had owned it 17 years. So 2 previous owners. 170k miles on a 1997 manual. Drives well. No smoke whatsoever. It's got a lot of mods on which i will investigate. Needs the handbrake adjusting. It has leaked in the sunroofs but they've been removed and sealed up. So the interior needs sorting. I'll post some pictures tomorrow.