2001 DHSE Advice

Hi

I've been offered a 2001/51 plate 2.5 DHSE Rangey in Blue for what I think is a very good price (likely to be less than £8k)

Not had a Rangey before (had a V8 Landy a while back though) so looking for advice really - what to look for, what toys I'm likely to get on it etc....

Thanks in advance....


Rob

Me again...

I've got the final price on the Rangey - its £7500 with 87k on the clock.

Someone out there must be able to give me some advice! Purlease!!

Well that price is by no means a bargain, I don't think that there is a strong demand for 4x4s at the moment, and that mileage is getting on a bit, so unless you have fallen in love with it already then you should be able to knock a lot off that price, at least a grand or more depending on how good you are at haggling. You won't be able to sell it for half that amount in a years time.

You should look out for all the usual used car buying points, FSH, condition, MOT, etc. The DHSE (check it is a genuine one on the V5) should be fully loaded with toys, and that means you should check every single piece of equipment, it would probably take you an hour to do so, but would give you points to raise with the dealer on the inevitable broken bits. The air suspension, HEVAC, ABS, lo/hi gearbox, all electrics and so on need a good check, read the manual beforehand so you know how things should work.

A dealer warranty is essential, as is making sure you are near to the dealer in case of a fault occuring. Some warranties are better than most, the claim limit is important, £300 no good, unlimited is best.

Just noticed the vehicle year, 2001! Check whether it's pre March 2001 and is not banded for CO2, it depends how you feel about paying £400 a year in car tax, but it would surely hurt resale value if it is just inside.

Well, apart from reading as much as you can on this forum, I'd start by starting it from cold, ign. on, wait for the red 'coil' light on the dash to go out, then start it.It should immediately fire up & settle to a smooth tick-over.
While running & doors shut,push the suspension button in the centre-dash, try 'up' first,it should go straight 'up' & the top light will glow, then the bottom one, again, it should drop smoothly & quickly, & again, the lower light will glow. If its slow to rise, then the compressor may be getting 'tired'.
While in neutral, push the 'hi-lo' button, the dash loght 'Low-Range' will light up, then 'Hi' again the light should show 'High'.
try all the windows for normal & 'one-touch', mirrors & isolator switches on the switch-pack.
More difficult will be the heated screens, for, although the dash lights may come on, only a frosty day will show how good it works!!
Take it for a run, enough to get it up to working temp if possible, as most DSE's tend to run BELOW the centre-mark on the gauge.
Check the spare wheel-well for water, another common problem is a leaking boot-seal, resulting in a wet well.
Look under the left seat, & around the carpet-well, this is where the main ECU is located & leaking heater 'o'rings can wet this area & cause nasty electrical probs.
Whith theengine running, switch on the air-con, it should throw out ice-cold air straight away, it wont work at all if theres a leak or the gas is low, then whack it up to 'max' heat, again, if all the flapper-motors are working ok, you will be able to mix & match air-flow from all the outlets.
heck the central-locking works on all doors & tailgate, both remote AND with the key, the No. 2 key would be nice as well!! (only got 1 with mine)
check the rear seat backs unlock & re-lock ok, the buttons on top & very flimsy & I've had to correct both on mine.
there's probably loads more to check, others will soon letv you know, but this will hopefully get you going!!
Good luck.

Fantastic chaps - keep it coming....!

Its a 2001 / 51 plate, so would be banded for the CO2 based Tax - can't say I'm massively impressed about paying that but I like the motor!

LANMJDUN - you say to check if its a real DHSE - I know it is (its coming from a finance company that my mate works for...) so what toys would it have?

my dhse has: electric and heated front leather seats, sat nav, climate control, air suspension, heated electric side mirrors, they should dip when you put it into reverse to show you the kerb. Seat and mirror settings can be programmed for each on the two keys. the rear view mirror is auto dimming. the stereo is harman kardon with 6 disc changer in boot next to sat nav system. it might have a bluetooth phone loom wired(popular modification). 18 inch alloy wheels. wood trim, (laughable) sport button on gearbox stereo and cruise controls on steering wheel which may be matched to leather seats. puddle lights below doors, tinted glass another popular option. towbar fitted, colourcoded bodykit, side steps, genuine LR footwell mats.
if you've got all that you're doing well. there may be other things that i cant remember right now
cheers

Not sure about the Bluetooth kit but it definately doesn't have SatNav (not fussed, I have TomTom and a spare Bluetooth kit! Everything else sounds about right though

Is there any way to check the Service History by contacting LR with the chassis number?

as far as i know, if it has genuine full service from LR they should be able to confirm it

I was probably a bit low on value estimate, thought it was a '99 DHSE not an 01, but who can say what will happen to future car values, and 4x4 will be the worst hit.

Sorry to contradict Rodent, but LR HQ may not be very helpful with your service history request, nor may some dealers, what do they care?

If it's from a finance company is that a company car or a repossession from someone who couldn't afford the repayments let alone servicing? If you don't get the service history in your hand will you still buy it?

Its a repossession from a company - its apparently been very well looked after (although needs a bit of a clean).... The docs are being chased from the 'owner' - and the price has been negotiated down to £7k...

I'll take a good look at at (subject to the Missus approving the potential purchase!) and go from there.

01 DHSE, for £7k... what did you say was the phone number of the seller again?

Yes, go and see it and with your eyes open - because right now you're thinking of buying a repossessed undervalued car with no service history, high-ish mileage and which needs a 'bit of a clean'.

What about warranty, usually on trade terms from finance companies aren't they?

Oh I will definately have my eys open - I'd never buy any vehicle without giving it a good going over....

Its only undervalued because its my best mate that has the responsibility of shifting vehicles like this - he has an awful lot of leeway for reducing prices - as long as the selling price covers the outstanding finance capital (plus costs if possible) then his Boss is happy... Its amazing what he gets hold of.

The documents may well be coming back too - the guy it was repossessed from is cooperating nicely (and hasn't had to have any bones broken yet!)

As for needing a clean - I've got a load of pictures of it and it looks like its just dirty. The report from the repo company says the bodywork is fine just could do with a wash....