Disco 2 Buyers advice

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Davey_b

New Member
Posts
5
Location
Lesmahagow
Hi folks.

I liv out in the sticks and am thinking of getting a disco 2 to let me get out and about in the winter when the snow is bad and also to have a vehicle that I can use as a bit of a rougher car as we've built our own house and I regularly make a total mess of my mondeo estate getting suff or doing work. I'd like to have a disco as well that I can knock about in when needed.

I've had a bit of a read and I'm aware that you need to be pretty careful of bad chassis and stuff like the suspension etc but I'm just looking for people's thoughts and experience on what to look out for.

I'm looking to spend between £1500 and £2000 and I'm in no rush. I think I'd ideally want something that has been on the road most of its life, has been taken care of with a good service history and the ones with leather look like the interior has worn better. I'm happy to do most mechanical work myself ongoing but I can't weld so would be keen to keep away from anything that needed that.

Thought / experience / advice grateful received

Thanks
 
Do you mean a range rover? I'd be open to getting a range rover but I'd be keen on getting a diesel as it's a bit of a trek to the nearest lpg garage.
 
we live out in the sticks too, and I would suggest that a D2 isn't the ideal vehicle unless you can sort the electronics yourself. You'd need to factor in the cost of same into your plans too. I would suggest that without this, the inconvenience of "it" breaking, and needing someone with diagnostics to come out to you will soon wear thin...

For us the damp winter climate high in the peak district seems to cause all sorts of electrical gremlins, and it affects our neighbours too.

If you can handle a manual, or the cost of conversion to auto, then a defender is a better option, especially for load lugging duties.

However, even with a 'fender, you're gonna need some welding doing at some point. So, IMHO, £2K isn't gonna cut it, unless it only has to last till the next MOT.....

We run D1's, but if you can't weld, then I wouldn't advise bothering with one...
 
I've got friends that can weld so if it needs welding then I can get it done it's just not something I can do at this stage myself.

Electrics should be OK, I have worked on electrics on previous vehicles. What sort of problems with your electrics have you had?
 
Davey_b said:
I've got friends that can weld so if it needs welding then I can get it done it's just not something I can do at this stage myself.

Electrics should be OK, I have worked on electrics on previous vehicles. What sort of problems with your electrics have you had?
Click to expand...

If that was for me, then "none" :)- D1's don't much in the way of complex stuff, and nothing in the way of full authority engine/powertrain management.

D2's have a series of issues :rolleyes: - a search on here, for the "three amigos" or "XYZ switch", or BeCM issues will show you some of the issues. it's your money, and your call, but I wouldn't look at a D2 without the right diagnostic kit - the kicker here is that the generic OBDx ones won't work.....
IIRC, the favourite seems to be nanocom (?) - but I am not the right person to advise you on such things;)
 
I had a d2 td5 auto and wouldn't have another. All the suspension tricks are like tits on a bull. All it ever needed was stiff springs and anti roll bars. Besides that the engine was shìt and the auto seemed like it would prefer a v8 in front of it.
If I ever had another it would be a 300tdi manual but I wouldn't, ID have a v8 rrc but that's just me
 
IMHO, the RRC is the ultimate LR - and the V8 the best engine - they do have their problems, but they are absolutely superb - the older ones, without all the electronic "stuff" are a brilliant tool.

A D1 is, of course, a very very similar vehicle.
 
So what's the general consensus? Stay away from the disco 2 and get either a disco 1 or a range rover? I'd be really keen to go down the diesel route if possible.
 
Disco1BFG said:
we live out in the sticks too, and I would suggest that a D2 isn't the ideal vehicle unless you can sort the electronics yourself. You'd need to factor in the cost of same into your plans too. I would suggest that without this, the inconvenience of "it" breaking, and needing someone with diagnostics to come out to you will soon wear thin...
Click to expand...

I've had my Discovery 2 for 13 years now and not once have I had problems of the electronic variety. Have on 2 occasions problems with the suspension but to change a sensor and be back on the road takes 10 mins. I always carry a spare and a small socket set in case one goes, other than that not a problem with the lecky.
Since buying firstly the Hawkeye and later the Nanocom, I've not needed either.
 
biggeeeee said:
I've had my Discovery 2 for 13 years now and not once have I had problems of the electronic variety. Have on 2 occasions problems with the suspension but to change a sensor and be back on the road takes 10 mins. I always carry a spare and a small socket set in case one goes, other than that not a problem with the lecky.
Since buying firstly the Hawkeye and later the Nanocom, I've not needed either.
Click to expand...
Cool! :)
Genuinely pleased for you - we had a neighbour with a D2 who had more trouble than I could believe was possible, and we had some jap crap which was gonna cost £15K to get through an MOT, so, I might suggest you have been very lucky or fortunate or ???
We decided electronic stuff is not for us - not really that surprising given the above:rolleyes:
 
I'm with Biggeeeee on this. I bought a Nanocom when I purchased my Disco 2 and so far I've only used it on a mate's Disco.
So far as the lecky stuff is concerned, there appears to be a number of threats to smooth working; age caused oxidization of contacts, the occasional failure of an electronic component, the more often failure of electro/mechanical devices such as motors, switches, sensors and relays, the ingress of moisture (the biggest threat) and modifications done by those owners who think they know what they're doing!
If you find a Disco 2 with all the lecky-tricks working, look after it.
 
RRC v D1 what's the difference?

Same chassie
Same running gear
Different panels

LR developed the disco to be a lower cost production so used thinner metal than the same age RRC on chasie and body which is why they rot so quickly but once it's had the key points done they go for years and years.
Pre 92 RRC is made of the thicker metal so more sturdy but they're all, welded by now so should be a good buy, if it needs further welding all parts are available.
my 87 had a year long body overhaul and no issues since. Electrics are simple.

Have a look for a VM powered classic, quite old but good engine for its day and puts a 300tdi to shame!

Only other difference is a RRC lols cool, no disco ever dos that:D:p
 
pete1987RRC said:
RRC v D1 what's the difference
Click to expand...
When I owned an r plate d1 v8 and a k plate rrc v8 I noticed the d1 seemed more top heavy and rolled more (steel roof / lots of glass)
It was also slower than the rrc despite having an r380 manual gearbox vs zf auto advantage.
Subjective I know - cam condition, softer springs etc could be to blame.
Point being range rovers are chos cos I says so end of :D
Davey_b said:
Stay away from the disco 2
Click to expand...
If you decide on one, definitely avoid auto,
definitely avoid ACE equipped (unreliable hydraulic system pushes arbs to counter roll).
Make sure it isn't hissing out of expansion tank after a test drive
 
brian47 said:
I'm with Biggeeeee on this. I bought a Nanocom when I purchased my Disco 2 and so far I've only used it on a mate's Disco.
So far as the lecky stuff is concerned, there appears to be a number of threats to smooth working; age caused oxidization of contacts, the occasional failure of an electronic component, the more often failure of electro/mechanical devices such as motors, switches, sensors and relays, the ingress of moisture (the biggest threat) and modifications done by those owners who think they know what they're doing!
If you find a Disco 2 with all the lecky-tricks working, look after it.
Click to expand...

I doubt the OP will get much of a D2 and a nanocom within his 2K budget ..

+1 on the looking after it:)
 
Davey_b said:
So what's the general consensus? Stay away from the disco 2 and get either a disco 1 or a range rover? I'd be really keen to go down the diesel route if possible.
Click to expand...
id get a d2 td5 auto because i prefer the auto,that id looked over well ,ie all underneath, body as well as chassis,if its got ace check the pipes well from the ram to the block, engine for head gasket issues ie weak coolant or non dirty expansion bottle etc td5 is a long living engine and can do some serrious miles as long as serviced regular, ive seen some very reasonable d2s for 2k generally not the most cosmetic,budget an extra 200 for a full service and complete oil and fluid change
 
Disco1BFG said:
Cool! :)
Genuinely pleased for you - we had a neighbour with a D2 who had more trouble than I could believe was possible, and we had some jap crap which was gonna cost £15K to get through an MOT, so, I might suggest you have been very lucky or fortunate or ???
We decided electronic stuff is not for us - not really that surprising given the above:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
One explanation may be since owning the motor i have garaged it every night. Even if I return home for just an hour it is put inside. I did have a problem with the leaky sunroofs when I was on holiday but sealed them when I returned home.
For what is now at least a 12 year old model there are still a hell of a lot of them around so something must be good about them. Far too often all we hear are the negative side of things.
Im in the process of finding out about a rechassis for mine, the one fitted is ok but as I'm planning on keeping the vehicle see this as preventative maintenance.
Money spent on the chassis wouldnt buy much in the way of a replacement
 
Some D2s have problems; others don't. I've had mine (2001 ES auto Td5) for nearly 7 years and had no major trouble although have needed a few things - fuel and water pumps, suspension compressor, turbo etc. But for a 150,000 mile 15 year old vehicle I don't think that's bad going.

Your main problem is your £2K budget as at that price you're looking at fairly well-worn examples.
 
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