Looking at buying a TD5 Disco

Hi all, we already have a Freelander TD4 but have always fancied a disco so today we went to look at one.
It's an Auto 2001 TD5.
Needs a bit of TLC but engine and gearbox seem good apart from a few oil leaks which would need looking at.
I've had a look underneath and it it undersealed so hard to see if the rust is bad but had a bit of a poke about and seems solid enough. Just passed an MOT with no advisories and no history of rust related advisories in the MOT history.

The main issues are......The rear air suspension pump runs constantly with the ignition on. Is this a major issue?

It has a sagging headlining and water ingress around the front sunroof handle and what appears to be a leak from the roof gutter leading to water pooling in the headlining above the driver side rear seat.

The main issue that's concerning me is the steering is terrible. The car seems to wander round the road and there is a lot of play in the steering before the wheels turn. The guy says it had a replacement steering box a few months ago but it didn't fix it.

I guess what I'm asking is would these issues be a sign to you guys to walk away or a haggling point with a view to fixing the issues?

Elv73 said:

Hi all, we already have a Freelander TD4 but have always fancied a disco so today we went to look at one.
It's an Auto 2001 TD5.
Needs a bit of TLC but engine and gearbox seem good apart from a few oil leaks which would need looking at.
I've had a look underneath and it it undersealed so hard to see if the rust is bad but had a bit of a poke about and seems solid enough. Just passed an MOT with no advisories and no history of rust related advisories in the MOT history.

The main issues are......The rear air suspension pump runs constantly with the ignition on. Is this a major issue?

It has a sagging headlining and water ingress around the front sunroof handle and what appears to be a leak from the roof gutter leading to water pooling in the headlining above the driver side rear seat.

The main issue that's concerning me is the steering is terrible. The car seems to wander round the road and there is a lot of play in the steering before the wheels turn. The guy says it had a replacement steering box a few months ago but it didn't fix it.

I guess what I'm asking is would these issues be a sign to you guys to walk away or a haggling point with a view to fixing the issues?

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Price?

The steering is an issue 100% as there are a lot of components in play that need to be replaced at that age to bring it all back in shape and unless you're doing it yourself it will work out to be expensive.

Headlining and leaking sunroof and are a bit meh, but it depends on how long it has been leaking and what other problems are going to be found at a later date?

Air suspension is another problem, are the air bags holding air? does the car sit level? What is the problem exactly?

Sounds like a walk away unless it is very, very, very cheap.

dieseldog69 said:

Price?

The steering is an issue 100% as there are a lot of components in play that need to be replaced at that age to bring it all back in shape and unless you're doing it yourself it will work out to be expensive.

Headlining and leaking sunroof and are a bit meh, but it depends on how long it has been leaking and what other problems are going to be found at a later date?

Air suspension is another problem, are the air bags holding air? does the car sit level? What is the problem exactly?

Sounds like a walk away unless it is very, very, very cheap.

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Thanks for the quick reply.
Price is £1900 but the guy says he's happy to consider offers. We had a look this afternoon and walked away but the wife really likes it so we've been talking it over all night.
As for the air suspension, I couldn't see a specific problem as the vehicle Sat level but to be honest we were talking about the possibility of replacing the air bags with springs as it doesnt seem that ecpensive to do?
Any ideas on what would be a 'cheap price?

That’s quite a high price given the issues and the possible severity of them, depending on the cause.

With a compressor running flat out all the time it could easily give up the ghost anytime and it’s really not cheap if you can’t do the work yourself. The sagging headlining is most likely a sign the sunroofs have, or still are, leaking. Not an issue if you aren’t bothered about opening the sunroofs as they can be sealed shut however more costly to properly fix.

Lots of waxoyl could mean someone’s trying to cover something up. As for the steering, the problem with it is it’s made up of many components that can develop only a slight bit of play. This play can feel quite bad at the steering wheel, assuming a good quality steering box was fitted and it was fitted correctly then the play is more likely a track rod end. Play at full lock is normal however anywhere else and it’s an issue.

Definitely worth negotiating the price down as in my opinion a vehicle with those faults as you describe them is not worth that price.

Elv73 said:

Thanks for the quick reply.
Price is £1900 but the guy says he's happy to consider offers. We had a look this afternoon and walked away but the wife really likes it so we've been talking it over all night.
As for the air suspension, I couldn't see a specific problem as the vehicle Sat level but to be honest we were talking about the possibility of replacing the air bags with springs as it doesnt seem that ecpensive to do?
Any ideas on what would be a 'cheap price?

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I wouldn't bother going back for it, despite the wife liking it!!!

Lots of problems and all pointing to it being another money pit after a few hours, oh erm, I meant months, yes, months, maybe even years.....

Ok guys, Thanks for the replies. I think I'll pass on this one then

Elv73 said:

Thanks for the quick reply.
Price is £1900 but the guy says he's happy to consider offers. We had a look this afternoon and walked away but the wife really likes it so we've been talking it over all night.
As for the air suspension, I couldn't see a specific problem as the vehicle Sat level but to be honest we were talking about the possibility of replacing the air bags with springs as it doesnt seem that ecpensive to do?
Any ideas on what would be a 'cheap price?

Click to expand...

Replace air bags with NEW air bags

Elv73 said:

Ok guys, Thanks for the replies. I think I'll pass on this one then

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Unless around £1000

Wandering steering will be a joint gone, could be one of 4