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cf1388

Member
Hello all apologies if this thread has already been answered I'm new here and looking for some help and guidance on buying a discovery 2. I am looking to purchase one with the intention of taking it off roading and green laning as well as using it to go camping with my family, ( I drive a 2 door coupe that we can't get much camping kit in and the missus and kids hate it as well because it's only got 2 doors 😂).
I am torn between buying a standard untouched one and doing/getting work done to it, although my mechanical skills are limited and I genuinely wouldn't know where to start, or buying one that has had the work done to it already. I wouldn't be using it as a daily only really at weekends. Any help tips advice or guidance would be very much appreciated. Always wanted a td5 since they came out just never actually got round to it thank you all in advance for any help.
 
well...
apart from all their other weaknesses....
The chassis rots, especially at the rear, so look at that first.
Well, don't just "look", attack it gently with a screwdriver.

And welcome to the forum!:)
 
IMG_20240923_175304~2.jpg
 
If you buy something already “modified”, beware of it having had a hard life. Better to buy on overall condition and not lots of toys and extras bolted to it. Best to take someone with you who knows these vehicles if you can and look at quite a few to get an idea of what is good and what isn’t.
 
Absolutely check all the places for rot and hidden holes under waxoil or hammerrite style stuff, I speak from experience, what looked clean and rot free, turned out to be a tad holey, what I assumed wrongly would be a couple of patches, was two full outer sills and some rear hangers and a couple on the inner wings.. thankfully , my Landrover garage does these in his sleep.. at least it’s done now. Be aware!!
 
Don't buy one with a 4" lift, oversize tyres and a "popcorn" tune because everyone will think you're a ****.
Green laning is not off roading, big difference.
Apart from that buy the tidiest one you can afford, also buy a workshop manual and some tools for maintenance.
Post up some photos of any you find so we can give our advice and help.
 
Anaconda said:
Don't buy one with a 4" lift, oversize tyres and a "popcorn" tune because everyone will think you're ****.
Green laning is not off reading, big difference.
Apart from that buy the tidiest one you can afford, also buy a workshop manual and some tools for maintenance.
Post up some photos of any you find so we can give our advice and help.
Click to expand...
Absolutely buy the workshop manual, can pick them up on eBay and Amazon, 52mm socket, breaker bar and a decent 1/2 socket set , torque wrench with some big sockets, you’ll be fine , oh and a mix of metric and imperial sockets too.. think mine was made on a Friday at 4:55pm, my bolts I thing are what ever was left over in the montego and allegro parts bin!
 
EBay , 35 quid in printed form, better than usb in my opinion, can flick between the pages instead of faffing on a computer
 
If you want it as a daily driver and for taking wife and kids on holiday then don't get something that's been messed about with eg lifted. It does nothing for the handling or comfort.
A d2 in standard form is very capable. Just get the best example you can afford, it will save you time money and tears in the long run
 
Wow, thankyou all for your advice it's very much appreciated!!!
I was looking at this one I've checked it's mot history it has a fresh mot with no advisories. It's on a 130k, their are bo pictures of the inside or underneath on the advert only from outside. On the tools front I have a acces to a multitude of tools, gonna literally order the handbook now. Apart form what was mentioned earlier in regards to looking for rot at the rear is their anywere else on them that is more susceptible to rot? And does any1 have a sort of checklist of what you would go through when buying one of these? Thank you all again for the advice!
 

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As above advice!

But I would pick up stock Td5, pre or after facelift!
And start to add what works for you for Greenlaning and off roading?

Start to pickup tools as you go? Will not be long before you become a qualified Land Rover fix-a-upper/vehicle mechanic.

Worlds of experience on here! Also lots of pics to see too?

Kev
 
cf1388 said:
Wow, thankyou all for your advice it's very much appreciated!!!
I was looking at this one I've checked it's mot history it has a fresh mot with no advisories. It's on a 130k, their are bo pictures of the inside or underneath on the advert only from outside. On the tools front I have a acces to a multitude of tools, gonna literally order the handbook now. Apart form what was mentioned earlier in regards to looking for rot at the rear is their anywere else on them that is more susceptible to rot? And does any1 have a sort of checklist of what you would go through when buying one of these? Thank you all again for the advice!
Click to expand...
That looks clean…
 
Badger688 said:
As above advice!

But I would pick up stock Td5, pre or after facelift!
And start to add what works for you for Greenlaning and off roading?

Start to pickup tools as you go? Will not be long before you become a qualified Land Rover fix-a-upper/vehicle mechanic.

Worlds of experience on here! Also lots of pics to see too?

Kev
Click to expand...
True, you do become quite handy doing bits on them, did both front wheel bearings , hub seals, prop, all on the drive with axel stands, big stuff’s easier to work on as well, they’re pretty easy to work on, and like you say, plenty of knowledge on this site too.
 
cf1388 said:
Wow, thankyou all for your advice it's very much appreciated!!!
I was looking at this one I've checked it's mot history it has a fresh mot with no advisories. It's on a 130k, their are bo pictures of the inside or underneath on the advert only from outside. On the tools front I have a acces to a multitude of tools, gonna literally order the handbook now. Apart form what was mentioned earlier in regards to looking for rot at the rear is their anywere else on them that is more susceptible to rot? And does any1 have a sort of checklist of what you would go through when buying one of these? Thank you all again for the advice!
Click to expand...
Check the mot history notes thoroughly, and if you go to view then inspect through and through, if you're not sure what you're looking at then take someone with you. To say it has no corrosion is unlikely given the history
FY04WKH
 
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