Newby question - how to buy a rust free Disco?

Failcon · Jul 22, 2009

Perhaps this is a really dumb question, but I am new to all this and just trying to do some basic research before taking the plunge. Current fancy is a 300 TDi Discovery.

Everyone seems to comment that the boot floor, cills and inner wings/door pillar bases rot and the Disco 1 is notorious for this. There are also adverse comments on sunroof leaks and electrics. So how should I set out to buy one in good condition?

Will all 300TDis have rusted in this way by now and if I want a good one I must look for something with a replacement boot floor and inner wings? If I go to a reputable specialist will they have fixed any outstanding corrosion issues when they prep the car? And lastly will undersealing keep the rot away or does this just slow things down (a bit).

Leaks - is there a definite fix and then its Ok or does this keep reoccurring?

Many thanks for your advice!

mjltigger · Jul 22, 2009

my sunroofs don't leak (touch wood) and the corrosion on my boot floor is only just starting to become evident from underneath. the wings on the back doors are getting steadily worse but notwhere near fatal yet.. mine is a '98.. I expect if I get time to do some remedial work with rustaway or somethign similar quite soon I can stop it from becoming terminal pretty easily and get another few years out of it.. also look at the bottom of the bott door.. they go there too

stretchie_ · Jul 22, 2009

Mines seems alright, there is minimal rust, I pulled the carpet up, rubbed the rust back, treated with Kurust and painted over the areas.

Took the sills off as many people said they corrode, and there have been some very bad examples on here with pictures. Again not bad at all, a few small areas where the paint was bubbled, so rubbed it back, treated and repainted.

I think you have three options

A: Buy one that's never been off road, look for one where the diff lock is seized ha haa
B: Buy a Japanese import one
C: Buy a brand new one

: )

pete5570 · Jul 22, 2009

I bought my 300 tdi (p reg) off ebay for a grand, was expecting a right **** tip!
Its got 197k on the clock and pulls really well. The chassis is good and there is only slight surface rust on the boot floor, there is some bubbling on the bodywork, but nothing to worry about. I've only had to do a few small jobs on it up to now. Just make sure you check all the obvious places, and try to get one with a good service history (doesn't have to be landrover history), and take it on a really long test drive.

[JP] · Jul 22, 2009

its goin to be hard to find...

altough my mechanic just serviced a 300tdi with absolutely no rust, bought by an old lady just to walk her dogs...
was imported from japan not long ago!

Paul D · Jul 22, 2009

I agree with Stretchie ...

Mine ('96/'97 'P' 300 Tdi) has very minimal rust, bit of rubbing back, Kurust (whatever!) Hammerite (whatever!) and all's well. I reckon the sills will last a couple of years more, but I'll have done them before then, the boot floor's fine, the wings are fine and as mine's a 3 door (cheapest spec. available) doesn't have the sunroofs or electrics to worry about ...

discool · Jul 22, 2009

There's lots of areas to trap mud and stuff under the boot floor although they were under sealed when new.
If the disco has been offroad and in the mud then it's likely the there will be rust somewhere unless it's power washed every time
If the disco is used for road use and waxoyled it should be ok, on my disco you can still see the black underseal underneath and no rust.

pete5570 · Jul 22, 2009

Like some of the poster have said, it will be hard to find a perfect one. Get some help from someone in the know and look at a few (there are still plenty 300s around). Don't be afraid to lift the carpets etc. Ideally you want to get one from an enthusiast who has really looked after it, but expect to pay top dollar though. If you find a few niggles, and you will! Use it to get the price down. I got 200 quid off because the fuel gauge wasn't working and the doors didn't open from the outside (the dreaded spring problem), Both were done very cheaply.

symun · Jul 22, 2009

I saw a perfect condition 97plate 300tdi when i was looking for mine, it was a an import from japan.
Absolutely mint with low mileage, hence the 5 grand asking price.

Was actually challenged by the dealer that if he gave me a hammer and i could break any of the subframe then i could have it for 2 grand.

mjltigger · Jul 22, 2009

how big was the hammer?

what's a disco with a boken sub frame worth?

Archimedes · Jul 22, 2009

If you manage to find one that hasn't already been plated-then the chances are pretty
soon it will need to be. You could start looking for one that has had this work done in
recent times-by someone who knows how to weld to a decent standard,hopefully this
will give you a solid disco for quite a while.My '96 300 tdi had new boot-floor and new
sills all round before I purchased it,together with water tight sunroofs and a low milage
she's quite a decent old girl. One thing I missed when I bought it was a knackered rear
door lower hinge--easily replaced-but a fairly common defect at this age .

Disco Moneypit · Jul 23, 2009

A rust free Discovery????

Sorry. Does not compute.

I suspect that you have more change of finding this weeks winning lottery ticket than finding a rust free Disco.

trax99 · Jul 23, 2009

as stated before -get one that has had a loving (!!!!) owner who cherish ed it and did everything it needed, preferably with LR parts..

so don't come near mine as I ain't that person

discool · Jul 23, 2009

Rust! oh dear.

vivnap · Jul 23, 2009

if you want a decent disco 300tdi then i might have just what your looking for ! new inner and outer sills both sides, new boot floor new rear arches and all the paint work that needs sorting sorted new rear tyres new vacume pump ! and a fair bit of other stuff done.

any inspection ect welcomed, when its finnished that is

Richard Martin · Jul 23, 2009

stretchie_ said:
Mines seems alright, there is minimal rust, I pulled the carpet up, rubbed the rust back, treated with Kurust and painted over the areas.

Took the sills off as many people said they corrode, and there have been some very bad examples on here with pictures. Again not bad at all, a few small areas where the paint was bubbled, so rubbed it back, treated and repainted.

I think you have three options

A: Buy one that's never been off road, look for one where the diff lock is seized ha haa
B: Buy a Japanese import one
C: Buy a brand new one

: )

The difflock was seized on mine when I bought it, but the usual places where still rusty

PASTMASTER · Jul 23, 2009

Buy Jap import. End of story.

pete5570 · Jul 24, 2009

It depends how much you are prepared to pay! I've just been looking through a magazine, and there are specialists selling really good 300s, but they can be pricey. If you do buy from a specialist, you get new cambelt, service etc, and you can give it a really good inspection and test drive.

discomania · Jul 24, 2009

Failcon said:
Current fancy is a 300 TDi Discovery.

Give me a PM in about a year and I will have it done for you.

discomania · Jul 24, 2009

vivnap said:
if you want a decent disco 300tdi then i might have just what your looking for ! new inner and outer sills both sides, new boot floor new rear arches and all the paint work that needs sorting sorted new rear tyres new vacume pump ! and a fair bit of other stuff done.

any inspection ect welcomed, when its finnished that is

Where did you get your replacement sills.

Newby question - how to buy a rust free Disco?

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