Time for a new one.

[PeppermintGreen]

Hi guys,
Decided that it's time to start looking at buying a new(er). Got a budget of 4-5k and looking on ebay and autotrader that amount will get me anything from a basic X plate to a top of the range 53 plate!!! All of course series 2's. I've only ever had/shopped for Series 1's before so can anyone give me any pointers on common faults to look for? (Like the boot floor etc in series 1's) Are the early ones best avoided? Any spec to aspire to/avoid?

Should mention that it will be a diesel!

Many thanks in advance.

Rik,

[PeppermintGreen]

That should have course have read....

Decided that it's time to start looking at buying a new(er) Discovery!!!!!

:-)

Rik,

[V8_Disco]

There are a few issues with the TD5 - but I am not best placeed to answer those ones,

Air Suppension is an option, worthwile if you tow or go ofroad, not that expensive to fix but air springs to fail as does the compressor, all very esaly fixed

TC/ABS/HDC should all light up and go out, can be expensive and timeconsuming to fix as its all computerised

ACE transformes the handaling of the car, but the pipes can rust through, I think its in the front pasanger wheelbay, touch wood mine have been fine

there are lots out there esp TD5 take your time there are some very nice cars out there, somepeople want to much for them!

Aidan

[MAB]

make sure you get a warranty if you are not buying from someone you know and will look after you. had mine since 15-11-08 nothing but trouble with it misfiring or hunting for fuel Dealer as still not managed to sort it yet. But I must admitt for the few days it has run ok . It was fantastic to drive.just hope they can sort it.
checks to make Drive it and drive it hard ,wobbless clucks knocks etc usual LR checks.Happy shopping.

[PeppermintGreen]

Thanks for all that! So there's no particular ages or specs to avoid then?

Cheers,

Rik,

[andymach23]

Hi

If you are interested in a remap down the line, the earliest cars have a non flashable ECU. To get them chipped you need a new chip actually soldered into the ECU. Not a big deal, except that you cannot swap fuel maps with a Nanocom diagnostics tool. With the flash type it's harder to tell that the car has been done and would be impossible to tell if the ECU was opened up and checked visually.

If I was buying one again I might consider one without sunroofs. They all leak and are a hassle to fix but not really a show stopper. My carpets are all out of the car as they were wet and started to smell. I will be tackling this job in the spring.

A model without SLS air suspension would also be an option, although I like this for towing and the airbags are cheap enough. If it came with coils it would be one less thing to have to fix down the line.

It would be great to get a drive in one that was known to be running well. Maybe go to a stealer and get a drive in a low mileage, 2004 car which would be a useful benchmark against an older higher mileage one.

When I got mine it was down on power due to issues with engine sensors. I had no idea though. Pretty much sorted out now and running well.

As already suggested, give the car a good thrash and make sure it revs cleanly with no misfires or vibrations coming in.


Cheers

Andy

[PeppermintGreen]

Thanks Andy! My Brother has a 53 plate TD5 so I have a benchmark. I know it won't be the same as my 300tdi!

Went to see one at the weekend. Pretty basic spec Y reg, but almost full Land Rover service history. (95,000 miles) Sadly couldn't drive it as it had two flat-ish tires and a dead battery! The Dealer said he'd had it since May last year and it hadn't moved! That said, he wasn't offering a great deal on it though! £4,500 with no trade in!

Think I'll keep looking!

Rik,