Which one??

At the moment I am driving a Series 3 but due to arthritis it is getting painfull so I am looking to buy a Discovery 2 Auto with either V8 on LPG or Td5. I have been looking for weeks but there are so many special models I could do with some advice and opinions of which is the best one for around £4000. Thanks in advance for any replies.

The best one around would have full service history, relatively low mileage on it and have been well maintained, with no rust on the rear chassis especially after the rear axle, regardless of trim type Yes, it's how long is a piece of string time... sorry. Obviously if you go for a model without sunroofs then they will not leak in because they ain't there!
A 7 seater might, might have an issue on insurance if it has had a coil conversion on the rear to replace the air bag suspension. The Active Cornering Enhancement (ACE) option can become costly to maintain once it springs a leak etc. I believe it's damn good when it's working properly though.

A Disco is like any other Landy - you can mod it to your hearts content, so don't worry about getting one with/without leather - it can all bolt in later if needed. Condition is important. Mileage isn't too much of an issue, my Td5 is approaching 160k and still pulls like a train and runs very smoothly. Don't spend all your cash on the Disco - you WILL need to do repairs.

I can only mention Td5 specifics, but check for the following issues:

• fuel pressure regulator leaking
• oil in injection loom connector (red connector, on the ECU)
• leak from the fuel return pipe - chaffs on chassis near fuel tank
• steering box leaks
• PAS pump leaks/noises
• broken springs
• leaky dampers
• leaking ACE - pump, pipes, actuators
• leaking airbags if fitted
• leaking sunroofs
• nose from crankshaft pulley
• noisy turbo
• worn suspension bushes
• central door locking intermittent (locks need changing, no repair poss)
• worn ignition lock (engine can cut out without warning)
• poor c/locking remote range (receivers die if sunroof leaks water into them)
• rust on rear chassis - rear axle back
• rust at join of bulkhead and front inner wings (there is soundproofing foam on the bulkhead that holds debris causing holes)
• heated seat elements fail frequently (element breaks and can arc causing fire in seat foam)
• U/Js wear - need replacement every 100k along with rear prop donut
• check all electrics
• there should be no body rust - they just don't rust unless accident damaged
• roof rails readily corrode and lose paint

I think thats covers the main items, but there will be more lol. Check any prospective purchase over very carefully, and ideally take someone with a diagnostics unit to check the recorded fault codes.

Once sorted, the D2 is a great truck, worth the effort IMHO

HTH

edit - MPG wise, the V8s get 10-20mpg, the Td5 22-35.

edit 2 - forgot to add these. Spec sheets from brochures. First one is pre-facelift, second one post-facelift.

Brilliant info Thankyou very much

Re the special editions, there weren't many on the pre facelift. Facelift ones include the Landmark (similar to ES), Adventurer (similar to GS but with unique wheels and whacky Indiana Jones two tone leather interior) and Metropolis (fully loaded with every extra, very desirable). There will be others, but those are the ones that come to mind.

HTH