Disco 2 vs l322?

Hi guys had a freelander 2 which I had to move on as it became very problematic so went back to a estate car, now missing a Landy and looking to get back into one. Budget is £4000, iv always wanted a l322 RR 4.4v8 petrol but also unsure of the potential for big bills, though I can do a lot of mechanical myself. However iv always liked disco 2s and been offered one for £2900 on a 04 plate, the downside is it’s 180,000 miles, is that too much on a td5 auto? The guy who owned it was a enthusiast with a 90 for off roading, it’s got the big wheels along with standard wheels, snorkel, spots but no lift kit, pulls like a train and changes gear perfect. Interior is leather and in generally good nick, another mate of mine thinks it’s been a weekend toy and told me to run a mile, to me though I don’t think it’s been off road as though paint is dull and needs a polish there’s hardly any stone chips, no scratches from trees, no scrapes underneath and unusually chassis is treated and rock solid.
So does it sound worth a gamble or do I keep looking at l322s? Any advice is welcome as I’m completely torn on what to do.
Rich

How big is your maintenance budget? Unless you are prepared for some big bills then I would avoid the L322. They are great cars, but far more of the work will need to be carried out by specialists with the right tools. That said I have a friend who bought one a year ago and got an AA policy for £288 that means they pick up the first £500 of any breakdown. It's worked out well for him.
The D2 is simpler, less prone to electrical faults, far more amenable to DIY maintenance and so likely to cost you far less to run. There are lots out there of which 90% are rusting dogs. Take your time, don't buy one until you have seen a fair few and after a while you will get to know what a good one looks like. Check the rear of the chassis for rust very thoroughly and use the buyers guide somewhere in the Disco section.

Maintenance budget I don’t know until I know what to expect but could afford to have a big bill now and then just not to often, the disco that was offered to me, though it’s high mileage the chassis especially rear is rock solid, and drives great just the miles that I’m unsure off.

Iv had a d2 iv got a d3 and an l322 plus a p38 to be fair the l322 has cost me very little but a bit of maintenance and a rad hose find a good one and enjoy it. Get one on lpg and it's even better I think iv spent less on the l322 than any of the others

rich28uk said:

though it’s high mileage the chassis especially rear is rock solid, and drives great just the miles that I’m unsure off.

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A good chassis is a major plus. The TD5 is a long lived engine if well maintained and that mileage is not uncommon. Bear in mind though that the wear is also in the drivetrain and the transmission. Hopefully suspension items will have been replaced. Does it come with any history - receipts for work done or parts bought?

It’s had new air suspension on the back, original coils on front, no lift kit just big tyres, along with its original alloys. Haven’t had chance to look into invoices yet but did see a few showing gearbox oil a few times so looks like that’s been changed also pulls well from standstill and accelerates through the gears and kicks down without and clunks or noises or hesitation.

If the d2 is solid get that, although don’t pay anywhere near 4K for it

He’s asking £2900 for it.

rich28uk said:

However iv always liked disco 2s and been offered one for £2900 on a 04 plate, the downside is it’s 180,000 miles, is that too much on a td5 auto?

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Yes, plenty out there for a lot less although it all depends on condition, condition , condition!

Without seeing the vehicle themselves I don't think anyone can give you any reassurance that it is a decent purchase. Read the buyers guide, if possible take someone who knows LRs with you (particularly if they have access to a Nanocom or Hawkeye), but best of all look at lots before you make a decision. You need to know what good looks like.

To be honest I would avoid both of them, D2 td5s can be money pits so tread very carefully, mileage doesn’t matter on them though, I think you will struggle to find one that hasn’t been welded

Can’t realy avoid them both as I do want one, feel lost without the fl2, can’t run to a later model and a few mechanics iv spoke to say the newer ones can be more troublesome/ costly. The disco iv been offered doesn’t have any welding on yet so I suppose that’s a big plus, but heart still says l322.

Find a nice l322 I did

They are all nice until they are not.
With a D2 90% of the crap ones will be obviously crap when you inspect them. Nearly all L322s look wonderful and problems are often electronic, intermittent and unpredictable and can be difficult to avoid through inspection.
Buying any used car is a gamble, with an L322 the rewards are higher, but the risks are also higher and the stakes far higher.

Have you considered a D3? £4000 will get you an early one of those fairly decent condition and it will be be better than most D2's out there.

The auto box on my D2 is pretty annoying at first due to the small TC land rover fitted it with. An l322 will drive better but a D2 is better looking imho.
If you are willing to gamble a bit get one at 180k. Or you can gamble and get a lower mileage one with a knackered rear chassis, spend £1k getting it a new third chassis put in and maybe youd be in a better place? Its all a gamble though on an old LR.
My neighbor had an l322 in Monte Carlo Blue and my D2 in same colour looks more like a proper landy and has 7 seats. He had problems with his, ive had problems with mine!
6 of 1 half a dozen of the other

Definitely true, Landy or other make any used car is a gamble, looks wise I like them both, d2 for its “Landy” looks and still looks good with dents but a RR has a sort of statley look about it driving down the road they look right. Regarding a D3 iv looked but my budget gets a 2.7 which iv heard isn’t the most reliable and I’m trying to avoid modern diesel, all the emissions strangling things, egr, dpf, high pressure fuel pumps, injectors etc. 2 mechanics I spoke to said d2s are ok with nothing overly major and petrol RR are ok but to avoid D3s and RR sports. Though I do like the look of a D3.

Rich mate here is my take on it. I'm lucky enuff to own a p38 which is now garaged and will be a week end summer car only. I replaced the wifes terrano with a top spec high mileage D2 td5 which I new had issues but I sorted them all but the rear chassis which I was going todo until a D3 came my way I couldn't say no so parted with the d2 and she now runs around in the D3. It's been great I had the oil pump replaced at the same time the belts were done serviced the car and no real issues since iv blanked the egrs before they cause an issue.
Now the l322, again couldnt say no got it for a decent price took a gamble as the previous owners mechanic said it needed a new engine.......it didn't. Again bit of servicing x1 air bag it's on lpg and a great car.
Find a good one of what you want, check it over then check it again when there good there very good when there bad......well you get the idea

Sounds like most are a gamble second hand, just looking at TD5 cracked heads, anyone know how common that is? looking on forums always shows the worst of things, if its got 180,000 miles im guessing that's one of the good heads?

Does anyone know what the auto gearboxes are like at high miles? do the go on and on if looked after or go bang at a certain mileage?