Buying an older Discovery

Hi all

Sorry, yes done a search of older posts but still not got all the info I'm after, appreciate some help

I'm looking at getting an older (c. 96 ish) diesel disco. Its going to be mostly used by my partner for short mileage, occasionally by me for my carpentry business (bad weather, remote agricultural contracts). Just want to know what the main things are that I should check before I buy. Things that would cost a lot to put right. Also, automatic vs. manual? My partner learned to drive an automatic, took the automatic test and was awarded a full manual license by mistake! So we either teach her how to drive a manual or get an auto. Whats the rough cost of replacing/repairing a bust auto box, and is there a significant difference in fuel economy? I appreciate that 30mpg is about as good as I'll get though! (My normal works vehicle is a Peugeot Bipper Van, returns no less than 65mpg, so no I won't be using the Disco for business that often).

Thanks all,

Simon

rust, rust and more rust.

chassis, bottom of A pillar, rear door closure at c pillar, boot floor, front inner wings, body to chassis mounts, rear seatbelt mounts.... all these areas rust.... most will be MOT failures.

Find one with sound metal, everything else is easy to swap!

rusty bits are easy to fix - YRM do most bits - just time consuming

simonafloat said:

Hi all

Sorry, yes done a search of older posts but still not got all the info I'm after, appreciate some help

I'm looking at getting an older (c. 96 ish) diesel disco. Its going to be mostly used by my partner for short mileage, occasionally by me for my carpentry business (bad weather, remote agricultural contracts). Just want to know what the main things are that I should check before I buy. Things that would cost a lot to put right. Also, automatic vs. manual? My partner learned to drive an automatic, took the automatic test and was awarded a full manual license by mistake! So we either teach her how to drive a manual or get an auto. Whats the rough cost of replacing/repairing a bust auto box, and is there a significant difference in fuel economy? I appreciate that 30mpg is about as good as I'll get though! (My normal works vehicle is a Peugeot Bipper Van, returns no less than 65mpg, so no I won't be using the Disco for business that often).

Thanks all,

Simon

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96 isn't old.....

Richard Martin said:

96 isn't old.....

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Well, in four years you will get a telegram from the queen.

The Mad Hat Man said:

rusty bits are easy to fix - YRM do most bits - just time consuming

Click to expand...

Whats YRM mate?

gil said:

Whats YRM mate?

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Doesnt matter, finally found it on google. Wish i would of known about that earlier! just welded up some new sills and rear shock bracket, very time consuming!