discovery advice please

[spivvy]

looking to buy a discovery is there anything i should look out for and what to steer clear of

thanks in advance for any info

[bluespanner]

Are you looking for a diesel or a petrol? What is your budget?

[spivvy]

diesel or petrol around 7500

[bluespanner]

For this money you should pick up a mint series 1 or an average series 2 disco, in petrol or diesel forms.

300tdi:
-Cambelt
-Headgasket (they go at the back, if you can hear a tapping, put your hand behing the block to feel for the air being forced out)
-Body mountings
-Sills
-Boot floor
-Saggy rear door
-Gearbox output splines (rock back and forth and listen for a knock)
General tired bushed and suspension.

V8: as above, plus
-Camshaft. These wear out, and by the time you hear it rattling it is totally knackered.
-Head gaskets- look for usual signs, mayo and scum in the expansion tank.
-Signs of overheating - has the vehicle had a recent new red? if so tread carefully.

Series 2 shape: engines much better, but check everything thoroughly.

If there is an annoying buzzing behind the dash, this is a clip on the engine, easy to fix but to be used as a haggling point.

ACE, if fitted: look for corrosion on hydraulic pipes. Often corrosion on one leads to them all being replaced.

Air suspension, if fitted: does it sit level? Does the compressor work/switch off as it should?

Vehicles equipped with ACE handle much better than others, and (imo) unless you tow, air suspension should be avoided as it gives a harsh ride.


Have a day out here: www.brightwells.co.uk and pick up a barain!

[greenlandy]

bluespanner said:

V8: as above, plus
-Camshaft. These wear out, and by the time you hear it rattling it is totally knackered.
-Head gaskets- look for usual signs, mayo and scum in the expansion tank.
-Signs of overheating - has the vehicle had a recent new red? if so tread carefully.

VERY THIRSTY

[bluespanner]

greenlandy said:

bluespanner said:

V8: as above, plus
-Camshaft. These wear out, and by the time you hear it rattling it is totally knackered.
-Head gaskets- look for usual signs, mayo and scum in the expansion tank.
-Signs of overheating - has the vehicle had a recent new red? if so tread carefully.

VERY THIRSTY

But cheaper to buy. You have to work out the overall cost according to mileage.

[bluespanner]

And alot of V8s are lpg, making them no more economical, but a hell of a lot more affordable.

[greenlandy]

I'm not a fan of LPG'd Rover V8's. I used to work in a 4x4 place and at least once a month I'd be removing a kit that'd trashed an engine .

[spivvy]

bluespanner said:

300tdi:
-Cambelt
-Headgasket (they go at the back, if you can hear a tapping, put your hand behing the block to feel for the air being forced out)
-Body mountings
-Sills
-Boot floor
-Saggy rear door
-Gearbox output splines (rock back and forth and listen for a knock)
General tired bushed and suspension.

thanks for your feedback a couple of questions
cambelt is easy to change ?
is this headgasket failure the same as on the K series or normal where and tear ?
if the rust damage is visiable is it best to walk away or is it easily repairable ?



is the diesel engine more reliable than the the petrol ?

[greenlandy]

300tdi canbelt is a lot easier to change than 200tdi TD5 has a chain

[bluespanner]

Cambelt is easy to change.

Head gasket failiure seems to just happen - replace it and it is fine.

Rust - a vehicle towards the top end of your budget should have no serious rust, although general surface rust of chassis and axles etc is acceptable; test with a hammer!

There are many happy customers of both the petrol and diesels. I will say though, when a diesel fails, it will usually be more expensive (injector pump, turbo, etc)