Discussion
I've seen a 200Tdi Disco on a 'J' plate advertised locally for £1295 but with 192K miles. It seems quite cheap, and I intend to test drive it tomorrow. I only want to use it for off-roading (and getting there and back, of course) so what could possibly go wrong (eg knackered engine) and what is worth looking out for. I suppose brakes etc could be worn on any car. The bodywork seems OK as does the chassis. It's at a garage so I suppose they'll stick a year's ticket on it. It seems a better car than my ageing Series 3!
Engine, gearbox, transfer box, diffs, swivels, chassis rot, body rot, electrics, leaky windows, sunroof, rotten boot floor.
But don't let me put you off. It can all be fixed lived with, just go in with eyes open. Make sure you get underneath it as well to check for rot and damage.
If you take it off road, you may invalidate any warranty.
But don't let me put you off. It can all be fixed lived with, just go in with eyes open. Make sure you get underneath it as well to check for rot and damage.
If you take it off road, you may invalidate any warranty.
'Engine, gearbox, transfer box, diffs, swivels, chassis rot, body rot, electrics, leaky windows, sunroof, rotten boot floor.
But don't let me put you off. It can all be fixed lived with, just go in with eyes open. Make sure you get underneath it as well to check for rot and damage.
If you take it off road, you may invalidate any warranty.'
I was going to make sure the engine sounded OK and didn't smoke (so it can be got through MOTs), and the gearbox/transfer box/dif lock all worked. I'm not too bothered about most things working (eg windows)and can seal the sunroofs with mastic, as it's only an off roader, and I'm used to a Series 3!
I've heard of boot floors rotting out on these - I assume they're steel and easy to weld in?
I don't think the warranty will be a problem as it's only £1300 and probably won't have one. If I buy it it will soon have sone proper tyres and the front valence and foglights removed, so this would probably invalidate the warranty anyway!
The chassis looks OK as does the bodywork.
How much would a reasonable rebuilt engine be?
But don't let me put you off. It can all be fixed lived with, just go in with eyes open. Make sure you get underneath it as well to check for rot and damage.
If you take it off road, you may invalidate any warranty.'
I was going to make sure the engine sounded OK and didn't smoke (so it can be got through MOTs), and the gearbox/transfer box/dif lock all worked. I'm not too bothered about most things working (eg windows)and can seal the sunroofs with mastic, as it's only an off roader, and I'm used to a Series 3!
I've heard of boot floors rotting out on these - I assume they're steel and easy to weld in?
I don't think the warranty will be a problem as it's only £1300 and probably won't have one. If I buy it it will soon have sone proper tyres and the front valence and foglights removed, so this would probably invalidate the warranty anyway!
The chassis looks OK as does the bodywork.
How much would a reasonable rebuilt engine be?
test run,
including a mile or so of motorway.
the last heap we had, was owned by an 'enthusiast'
who must've just like sitting in it and making the noises.
It overheated terribly on anything but a run to supermarket an back.
went through all the usuall checks for faults, traded it away in the end
H.O.S
buy a toyota come to think of it save your money instead
>> Edited by rich 36 on Friday 17th March 20:45
including a mile or so of motorway.
the last heap we had, was owned by an 'enthusiast'
who must've just like sitting in it and making the noises.
It overheated terribly on anything but a run to supermarket an back.
went through all the usuall checks for faults, traded it away in the end
H.O.S buy a toyota come to think of it save your money instead
>> Edited by rich 36 on Friday 17th March 20:45
I have considered an old Rangie!
The main reason for the Disco is for comfort - the Series has no power steering, suspension or speed, and only does 15mpg - but is tax excempt! I calculated that a diesel Disco would pay for its tax and extra insurance after about 2000 miles, but cossett me better!!!
It turns out that the Disco is not indeed £1295 but the price tag has disappeared - and they want £1750 plus the price of the MOT, and all this without any warranty at all!!!
I will probably make my Series more sound-proof and keep it for a while and see how long the Disco stays in the garage before they're desperate to shift it! They've had a V8 in for ages and that's dropped about 20%.
The main reason for the Disco is for comfort - the Series has no power steering, suspension or speed, and only does 15mpg - but is tax excempt! I calculated that a diesel Disco would pay for its tax and extra insurance after about 2000 miles, but cossett me better!!!
It turns out that the Disco is not indeed £1295 but the price tag has disappeared - and they want £1750 plus the price of the MOT, and all this without any warranty at all!!!
I will probably make my Series more sound-proof and keep it for a while and see how long the Disco stays in the garage before they're desperate to shift it! They've had a V8 in for ages and that's dropped about 20%.
Hi Madmini,
there's definitely a Mini thing going on there!
You appear to have the same taste in cars as me - Land Rover, Subaru Wagon, and we've recently sold a Mini 1000 HL in a lovely 'sand' brown colour!
I'm trying to decide whether to keep the Series 3 (especially as I got my free tax disk again today) or to upgrade to something more comfy (or to use the Wife's 'good' Disco for off-roading).
there's definitely a Mini thing going on there!
You appear to have the same taste in cars as me - Land Rover, Subaru Wagon, and we've recently sold a Mini 1000 HL in a lovely 'sand' brown colour!
I'm trying to decide whether to keep the Series 3 (especially as I got my free tax disk again today) or to upgrade to something more comfy (or to use the Wife's 'good' Disco for off-roading).
Hello Chris, I noticed that too about our profiles. And the Herald as well. That's the first car I remember my dad having when I was little so have alwaya had a soft spot for them. If I had a classic that wasn't a Mini (or a landy) I think I would like a Mk II Vitesse 
Have only had the wagon for a few days and it's the reason the Disco has to make way.
Andy
Have only had the wagon for a few days and it's the reason the Disco has to make way.
Andy
Hi Andy.
Spooky, isn't it.
One reason I'm thinking of keeping the Series 3 is because it's a classic. The Herald is a long way off being finished, and I have considered a Vitesse Convertible in the meantime. I'm also trying to persuade the Father-in Law to sell me his 1970 Mini, but I'd have to put seatbelts in the back for the kids!
I've only had my Wagon for 3 months and I'm till coming to terms with 18mpg, though I did get comp. insurance for £420!
Cheers
Chris.
Spooky, isn't it.
One reason I'm thinking of keeping the Series 3 is because it's a classic. The Herald is a long way off being finished, and I have considered a Vitesse Convertible in the meantime. I'm also trying to persuade the Father-in Law to sell me his 1970 Mini, but I'd have to put seatbelts in the back for the kids!
I've only had my Wagon for 3 months and I'm till coming to terms with 18mpg, though I did get comp. insurance for £420!
Cheers
Chris.
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