Disco 2 advice

I'm based in Ireland and looking to purchase a 2000-2004 Disco 2 with a max budget of 5,000 euro.

Over here we don't have a huge selection of LR on offer so kinda limited and IR government add an extra tax onto imported vehicles which doesn't make it worth while for something that age (estimate 1700e vat on top for 2004).

I want it mainly for everyday driving and most of the roads I travel here in West Cork are poor and I travel a couple of miles each day on single lane hilly roads with grass down the center. So you can imagine its a lot of squeezing by oncoming traffic and reversing into field gates and during winter traveling roads often lightly flooded or covered in muck from the wheels of tractors leaving fields. I only occasionally go off road but need something that can carry 5 people and 3 large dogs.

Just wondering what I should be looking out for when purchasing a Discovery 2, whats acceptable mileage, how can I check the engine is serviced would a worn engine have visible signs, is rust an issue and how do I spot it, ( although in ireland roads are not salted as much as in the UK ), How can I check gearbox etc. suspension issues,

Some people I talk to here advise me to stay away from them because they are trouble but i have had 4 x Volvos over the last 15 years from a 2 year old to a 10year old (S80,2x V70 & a XC70) all of which have caused me serious issues which I believe were somewhat due to road conditions. Also my wife's 2 Renaults fell apart.

So any advice on a change of direction with a Disco would be appreciated.

Thanks

John

Not sure what the market is like in Ireland but in England your budget would allow you to get a pretty decent late-model D2.

Its a landrover so the usual things to look out for... water getting in to where it shouldn't be. Particularly check the headline, the carpets over the rear wheel arches, and the boot.

If going for a post-facelift model, check that its a genuine post-facelift model or, if its been converted, check that its been done properly. When looking I came across a converted specimen where so much of the front end had been hacked about it looked like a butcher had been in there.

As for mileage - I wouldn't worry too much if its got high mileage as long as it has the service records to go with it. A properly maintained TD5 will keep going forever. Mine is on 160K (although the gearbox and clutch have only done around 30K)

As above, but really check the chassis for rust, mainly around the rear, next to the fuel tank.
Ask the vendor if he minds you tapping it with a screwdriver!
Check the engine for oil/water leaks.
It should start first turn from cold, if its warm when you arrive to look at it, it could be as sign of poor starting, so the vendor warmed it up first!
Take it for a test drive on a good road, listen for lots of noise, if the vendor comes with you, dont let him demonstrate how good the stereo is!
Noise could indicate wheel bearings/gearbox/propshafts may need looking at.
Look for smoke on acceleration, some smoke is not unexpected just not too much.
Smell the dipstick, if it smells of diesel, the injector seals may need changing. The oil should be clean, if its black be wary.
Service info with proper bills, not just service stamps, is a must.
I think you can import a commercial Disco without the tax/registration penalty.
Check the tyres, a sign of running on a tight budget is well worn tyres that dont get changed until an MOT fail.
Dont know if Ireland has the same thing as the UK, in that you can check the MOT history, if you can, do it.
Not much wrong with the TD5, it has/had issues with the head, mine needed a new one, at €1500.
Just remember that the youngest D2 is now 12 years old, its a heavy, (sometimes) complex ageing vehicle that will need TLC from time to time, but once the little bits are sorted, (usually injector seals!) it should give you good service.
Ask more questions, plenty of info on here.
Mark

Thanks guys,

The main online car site here has only about 5 LR's I would consider, one 04 GS with under 50K miles but its almost 7k which I think is too much, I believe importing cars 1-3 years old is good value and commercials are also good but to import from estimates using our revenue website its 1700 euros extra for an 04 disco which is almost 1/3rd my budget so I will drop that idea.

So will check for leaks, oil smells, rust around wheel arches and service records although garages here aren't very good at updating the books.

Let you know how I get on.

J

My advice is- its not the sort of car to own unless you're prepared to get the spanners out occasionally. Had my one 13+ years now and it's a great tool. But does need fixing here and there. Age/mileage irrelevant as if it's old everything that will go wrong has done so already.

Disco DJ said:

My advice is- its not the sort of car to own unless you're prepared to get the spanners out occasionally. Had my one 13+ years now and it's a great tool. But does need fixing here and there. Age/mileage irrelevant as if it's old everything that will go wrong has done so already.

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Totally agree with this! I've had mine 4 weeks (although its spent 2 of those parked up while i've been away). Already had the spanners and screwdrivers out to fix most of the little niggles that it had when I bought it. The previous owner was selling it because he was the sort of person who took the car to the garage whenever anything went wrong and it was getting too expensive... realistically though he seems to have had most of the likely expensive jobs done over the last two years (major repairs to the ACE System, new suspension airbags, new gearbox and clutch)

The remote on the both keys was completely worn out... needed new buttons soldering on and a new casing. He didnt want to do it as he'd been quoted nearly £100 per key by the garage to replace the keys. I spent £5 on parts online and half an hour of my own time. If you're willing to do the repairs yourself many of the jobs can be done quite cheaply. If you plan to use a garage for everything the costs will soon add up.

Also take spray bottle with water and washing up liquid spray rear air bags to see if they are leaking air from the walls good bargaining chip as easy job to do.