n00b said:
thanks for the help guys. i dont think i'll go for it i'll keep looking. mechanicaly minded? me? your joking rite? lol
Good decision. My auto is as smooth as silk through the changes, mind you, I am comparing it to my old Saab 900 auto!
Check for water ingress at the seal areas (windows, sunroofs, alpine glass). Obvious places are the front windscreen and tracks down the rear pillar post, where the speakers are. Also check under the carpet in the boot. Suggest to the prospective seller that you both take the car through a car wash; if he refuses, walk away!
Bubbling under the seals is easily fixed (I did it myself, and I'm no mechanic!). Remember that the body of the Disco is aluminium, and the roof is steel.
Also check under the car. Look for major rust/corrosion.
Don't be overly concerned if you see oil seepage in the engine bay. Most Disco's have leaks of some sort, but if its obviously more than a seepage, be wary. Most of these leaks are cheap to fix, and if you have a good Disco mechanic nearby, you'll be OK. You might want to start your search for such a person, so that you can create a good rapport with him, before you besiege the guy with your numerous queries!
Disco's are known for their interior shakes and rattles, so don't be put off by odd noises. I have numerous issues in mine, but they are difficult to locate when you are driving yourself!
Make sure the car you are looking to buy has good service history. Don't take the guys word for it; if he has serviced the car himself, then he will have kept the receipts for oil, filters, etc.
Finally, as I am a new Disco owner, I have probably only touched the surface of things you need to check for. Take a look through this site by using the search tab. You'll find a lot of good gen!