James Rogers

Active Member
Hi. I've recently bought a disco 1. It's a bit rusty in places but not in the main places which is the main thing. Anyway my dad has obviously got the bug and has decided to buy himself a range rover vogue 2000 V8. Just wondering if anyone has any advice on what to look out for when we view it. I'll add the link on.
 
Looks tidy.
There are so many things that can (and probably will) go wrong it would take forever to list them.
Best advice is, unless you want to work on it yourself and are prepared to spend 360 quid on nanocom, then I'd steer clear. They're fabulous motors but will empty your wallet rapidly if you put it in the garage every time anything goes wrong.
Things that fail a lot.
Switch pack for windows etc
EAS
Cruise control.
Door lock switches
Battery drain issues
Cylinder liners/cracked blocks
Head gaskets
ABS accumulator
There are plenty others.
Many things are reasonably easy to fix with help on here but nanocom, in my opinion is an absolute must if you run one and rely on it.
 
OK so what is nanocom? I'll have a look for those when we view it. Don't know if you looked at the ad but it's under 100k mileage. Might be lucky and get a good one! I may be back to ask for some help!! I'm quite handy with maintainance so hopefully will be able to sort some things.
 
Oh and he is only paying 1500 for it as it has an issue with the immobiliser. Apparently when you unlock it the alarm occasionally goes off. So this chap just doesn't lock it...
 
And if you have alarm issues is totally essential. The security system on these is very complex.
I'm not trying to put you off, I paid 1500 for mine and it's been up and down to the Czech Republic several times with no major issues. I have, however, already spent best part of £1k on parts for it. Mostly as preventative maintenance.
I think I was very lucky with mine and this forum is fabulous so you would be in good hands.
Just buy it with your eyes wide open and don't expect the 1500 quid to be the last money you spend.
Long test drive too, make sure temp gauge gets to the middle quickly and stays there even when left idling for 10 min after a long run.
Also, check for any signs of dampness on drivers side footwell carpet, sure sign that the heater orings are going which is a pig of a job.
Have a good read through plenty of posts on here to see the kind of things you'll be looking for.
 
I saw this one a few days ago....being low mileage I was intrigued, then I read about the immobiliser issue and even with my experience with Range Rovers over the last almost 20 years thought 'not today' also he states he has 2 keys (manual ones) and wasn't sure what he meant...are they just cut blanks with no electronics, or are they the full remote central locking ones....cos if they are just cut blanks, no wonder he is having immobiliser issues!
 
I, personally, would steer clear of this one. Anyone who says "it's got a problem but it never bothered me" clearly doesn't care about his car. What else "doesn't bother him"? Oil changes? General maintenance?

There are lots of p38's out there. Stick out for a good one and it will reward you, get a pig and you'll regret it all the way to the scrapyard!
 
As Brian says, everything is fixable, so stick around on here for the pi$$ taking and ribbing...but also for the most knowledgable bunch of idiots ever assembled on a Land Rover forum....We'll laugh and cry with you and your dad, but also you will not get better information and help then from Landy Zone.
 
So the chap phoned up and we are off to pick it up tomorrow. Whether that's a good thing or not time will tell. He explained the locking problem...
Apparently if you lock the door with fob when you unlock it, it immobilises. He said there was a procedure of turning the key to get it going again. I asked him if he'd ever had a flat battery and he said yes once when the lights were left on. He said it may coincide with the door problems but can't be sure!! Means nothing to me but I'm sure someone will mean something to you guys with your infinite wisdom.
 
Half a tank of go-juice chucked in..........hope it's not a hasty off-load.

But it does look quite a tidy one and as has been said everythings fixable.........ish.
 
For me, the only killer would be a dead block. Unless it's pristine high end model 4k+ to sort out the engine would be a step too far.
Hopefully your new one will be OK and as has been said, most things are reasonably easy to fix as pretty much everything HAS been fixed by someone at some point.
 

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