I need advice on buying a Disco

[chops]

Looked at a Defender and couldn`t get in it easy. Wife couldn`t get in at all. So it`s going to be a Disco 300TDi, and a lot cheaper than I thought. It appears there are a glut of TD5s onthe market. I have just been looking on auto trader and you can get 80k mile R reg for about £5.5K trade and an 64K mile S reg. with loads of goodies for £7K.
I have been to a couple of 4x4 dealers and had a word with mechanics about the waxoiling as all their vehicles are sold waxoiled. They wash the underneath off and if there are any bubbled bits they scrape them off and then waxoil. I am wondering is this good enough to stop rust and corrosion, or just covering it up for the sale. Also these specialist dealers seem to be asking £1K to £2K more for their vehicles. Do they specially select them and are you getting a better vehicle. Sorry to ask so many questions, but I havn`t bought a second hand car for over 30 years. I have had company cars and then I bought a Grand Vitara 3dr new.
I have looked at private sales and these don`t seem any cheaper than dealers and I would feel more comfortable buying from a reputable dealer and knowing that I wasn`t buying a stolen car etc.

[NomadABC]

Are you sure you know the difference between a Td5 and Tdi? You seem to be using the terms interchageably. Waxoyl is good providing it is applied well.

Buying from a dealer always gives you more security as they can no longer claim a vehicle is "sold as seen". I understand you can return it within 28 days and get your money back if it is faulty. IMHO, if you are unsure of what you are buying, then get it from a decent dealer and accept you'll pay more but get more security.

Don't be too open and tell others you bought one of Japan's finest on here, you might get accused of cutting hair for a living:D

[Lacy]

It appears there are a glut of TD5s onthe market. I have just been looking on auto trader and you can get 80k mile R reg for about £5.5K trade and an 64K mile S reg.


Those prices are fairly high. If you fancy a day out, pop along to one of these auctions (http://www.brightwells.co.uk/vehicles/4x4/tabid/199/Default.aspx)..........take a look at the auction results on the web site and you will be surprised at how good the prices are......Disco prices are hitting the rocks at the moment as there are so many of them around second hand at the mo.

As stated, waxoyling is great if done properly but most garages will waxoyl to hide the grot.....and there can be a lot of grot on Disco 1s!....at least with the auction motors you will be able to see what you're getting and the prices you will pay means you will easily be able to afford to take a knowledgeable bod with you for the day to crawl all over it and repair any surprises you might find.

[chops]

Are you sure you know the difference between a Td5 and Tdi? You seem to be using the terms interchageably.


Don't be too open and tell others you bought one of Japan's finest on here, you might get accused of cutting hair for a living:D

Sorry for the confusion. I know the difference between the TDi and the TD5. What I was trying to say was that because there was alot of TD5s on the market, this has brought down the prices of the TDis. As for the Jap imports, they all seem to be autos and the wife not keen on autos so won`t be getting one. It`s safer that way because if and when it needs repairing for what ever reason, it will be my fault. :D

[Roger Whittle]

....................................... As for the Jap imports, they all seem to be autos and the wife not keen on autos so won`t be getting one. It`s safer that way because if and when it needs repairing for what ever reason, it will be my fault. :D


While not saying yea or nea for Jap imports, I have to say the Td5 Auto is very good. What are you going to do with it? If you are towing anything - and after all, what are Discos for? - it is definitely the transmission of choice. Although I hate to admit it, the automatic makes you look good when you drive off road. Toppa and Ada110crew said some very nice things about me taking mine up a rocky beck, but the engine/auto combo made me look better than I know myself to be.

Roger.

[chops]

The auctions look very interesting Thanks Lacy.:)

I like autos, but wife drives it as well and very fixed in her ways :D Thanks anyway Roger.:)

[chops]

In this sales discription it says, computer. I thought it was only the TD5 that had computerised systems ?.


1998 S Reg LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 300 Tdi GS 5dr 7 seater
5 Doors, Manual, Station Wagon, Diesel, 74,000 miles, Metallic Gold, MOT-07-2007, 1 Owner. 6 Disk Changer, Front and back sunroof, ABS, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, CD Multichanger, Central locking, Computer, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Immobiliser, Metallic paintwork, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, Remote locking, Radio/Cassette, Alloy wheels. 7 Seater with Land rover service history. £5,290 ono

[TEMPL4R]

The reason Trade Vehicles cost more is to provide for the warranty. We give 90 days, so if your gearbox goes, you want it fixed, so we have to take the money from what you paid. As a majority of our vehicles are Trade ins or through the Trade, we don't know their history, (and in reality, a lot are being traded because there is something wrong with them, we aren't that stupid, but it reflects in the price we give for it. ;) ).

It's a kind of Insurance. If you want to haggle with the Boss, he will let you have it for an agreed price and that is it, a Trade Sale and you sign to say that is it. We Sell lots of cars that way to other Dealers and Garages.
A Private Buyer can buy that way, as long as he reads the Paperwork and signs to say he understands that there is no Warranty Expressed or Implied. It should be sold in a Roadworthy condition, unless it is bought as Salvage, which would be put on the Paperwork, obviously.

Chris

[chops]

Thanks Chris. It`s all down to peace of mind and thats what I want. So thats the way I`m going to go. It`s got to be a dealer that actually gives the warranty though and does the work themselves. There seems to be too many not covereds and sorry thats wear and tear reports on the insurance ones.

[chops]

I have looked at quite a few discos now and up to now the only ones that are any good have been at specialist 4x4 dealers. There are only two of these local to me who offer a decent warranty ( not a pay for insurance type :eek: ) and one that offers a 28 day warranty. This one as a nice S reg in 1 previous owner and immaculate 85K miles. The only thing that worried me was that on the back wheel arch/door frame, where the arch meets the upright part, there is very slight bubbling. The mechanic said it wasn`t anything to worry about. Can anybody educate me please. I am thinking its reaction of steel against aluminium.:)