Baldrick Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 I'm looking to buy a Land Rover Discovery II, ideally a TD-5 of a 2000-2002 vintage. I'd appreciate any advice from forumites on WHERE to buy from. There look to be some good deals at Brightwells 4x4 auctions in Herefordshire. Even that well known auction site throws up some interesting examples. Then there's local independent dealers, the classifieds in LRO etc. Also, based on an article in Land Rover Monthly in Feb, I did a bit of digging on ex-Police vehicles. Whilst ex-Police Discos have very high mileage, they are (allegedly) maintained to a high standard, the article claiming that these vehicles remain as safe and reliable on their last day in service, as on their first day. Yes, the white colour is a minor gripe, but is it worth investigating? What would you guys recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decroyffe Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 it's all about saving a few quid, if you go down the dealer route expect to pay, bear in mind also, that the dealer will have bought it from the aution so cut him out and go yourself. Take someone who knows the business and stay clear from the 300 tdi. there's also ebay like you said, for the money have a AA inspection done. Get one with service history and low milage and you should be laughing. The police vehicles will be a good choice, wouldn't care too much about the milage on those or the colour white, end of the day, everything on those vehicles is top spec parts, and more often than not those parts are replace long before there due. i was looking last night cos r-gerts after one, you get a lot for your money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted April 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 Sadly most of the Discos and P38A Range Rovers from ex-Police sources are 4.0 litre V8s. My pockets are unlikely to be deep enough for the fuel costs. I have wondered whether investing in an LPG conversion would reduce the long-term fuel costs, while giving near-full power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodmedod.one Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 stay clear from the 300 tdi. Why? The old 200Tdi's were gutless and prone to head gasket failure. The 200's and 300's have got weak gearboxes (I know cos I have had one of each and they both ended up having the gearboxes replaced). I know someone with a TD5 and he swears it is the worst piece of junk he has ever had (suspension and injection pump problems top his list). Lurcherboy should be the man to ask. He is a Land Rover fetishist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted April 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 I'm hoping LB will surface at some point soon and add some insight. My query's more about where to buy, not what to buy, so I'm hoping the collected wisdom of PW can help me out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 You can't have it all Baldrick. Cheapest place appears to buy Autotrader but you will have to check out the vehicle on the side of the road and have someone with you that has a laptop and the appropiate programme to check out engine management etc. I am currently driving a 2001 def 90 td5 with 111 k on the clock, it's as smooth and a guiness and has no issues that I am aware of. Currently doing around 125 miles on £20 of squirt but I wear trainers when I'm driving. Hope that helps you. LB PS. nothing wrong with having a fetishist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted April 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 I appreciate I can't have it all! I'd forgotten to mention Autotrader in my introductory gibber. I'm keeping an eye on that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA Shaun Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 I drive a disco 1 with 206K on the clock, still pulls like a train. And the 200tdi is a lot stronger than the 300. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted April 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 I'm going to opt for a TD5, I reckon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 Dunno. I was thinking about Land Rovers and then I realised that I liked my free time and didn't want to get on best name terms with my local RAC representative. Before I took a client up on an offer not to be refused for his old 4x4, I was sniffing around these: Page 3 of the webby - 2001 Y Reg JEEP CHEROKEE 4.0 Litre Classic http://dealerservices.autotrader.co.uk/Get...48&pageid=2 For example - 2001, 1 owner, LPG conversion, 46k miles and £3750. Obviously they don't have the Land Rover brigade cache however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decroyffe Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 stay clear from the 300 tdi. Why? The old 200Tdi's were gutless and prone to head gasket failure. The 200's and 300's have got weak gearboxes (I know cos I have had one of each and they both ended up having the gearboxes replaced). I know someone with a TD5 and he swears it is the worst piece of junk he has ever had (suspension and injection pump problems top his list). Lurcherboy should be the man to ask. He is a Land Rover fetishist nowt wrong with the 200 tdi or the td5, it's the 300's you have to watch and that trouble with the heads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted April 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 I've whittled my list of potential 4x4s down to the Disco II. The Cherokee fell off the list very early on. I simply don't like them. I preferred a Trooper or a G-Wagen, but the Disco seems to tick all the boxes for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA Shaun Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Td5 is a good bet mate. But so is the Isuzu trooper they are pretty bullet proof. G-Wagen's are great but personally I wouldn't buy an old one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted April 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 I'm living in London at present (am moving back to rural Essex in a few weeks), so I am surrounded by rich kids driving top-of-the-range G-Wagens. They are impressive, if ugly cars: the 5.0 litre supercharged G55 AMG is very special. God, I can't wait to be rid of London........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted April 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Am I deranged thinking that the Disco V8 is worth consideration. Is the 17mpg outweighed by the increased acceleration and satisfaction from that glorious engine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krazykayaker Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 I'd avoid a police vehicle if i were u, have u seen how they drive them on police camera action Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Am I deranged thinking that the Disco V8 is worth consideration. Is the 17mpg outweighed by the increased acceleration and satisfaction from that glorious engine? Fork out £1200 for the gas conversion and you have half price fuel Baldrick LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA Shaun Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 Am I deranged thinking that the Disco V8 is worth consideration. Is the 17mpg outweighed by the increased acceleration and satisfaction from that glorious engine? They need serious looking after mate, don't touch one without service history. Remember if you convert to LPG you will be getting even less MPG than that, probably around 15mpg, so do your sums and work out how many miles you will get for £20 of diesel and how many you will get for £20 of LPG, with prices for fuel in your area. This is what I did and it worked out cheaper to get the diesel. Also its worth remembering that LPG burns at seriously hot temps, so think of the extra stress on the engine components. Food for thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted April 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 That is food for thought, Shaun, thank you. I had been looking at LPG conversions and a lot of the sales pitches from various fitters stated that engine wear is actually reduced...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA Shaun Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 I think they say this because it is a cleaner burning fuel, which is true - residue wise, but its the temp it burns at that worries me!! But I think your main issues are the ones I mentioned above - Which is really cheaper for you in terms of MPG? and V8 discos have got to be well looked after or they are trouble! Get a goodun and it'll last forever - Have always fancied a G4 myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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