The ABS on a DI is not needed and why in the hell anyone would repair it I have no idea, it sucked from day one, it was never very good and always problematic.
It was added as a after thought and was only added so the truck could be sold in the US, ABS and airbags were not ever a option in the rest of the world until '99?
Hell, the DI still came with the 3.9 and a dizzy until the DII came out in '98 with the Bosch engine management.

NAPA is over priced on most things.
Duralast Reman/Brake Caliper - Front (C9828) | 1997 Land Rover Discovery 8 Cylinders 2 4.0L MFI OHV | AutoZone.com
$75 for a caliper for a DI.
Keep in mind that 98% of all DI parts fit all DI's, so a caliper for a '94 also fits a '98 DI.
Duralast/Brake Pads - Front (MKD520) | 1997 Land Rover Discovery 8 Cylinders 2 4.0L MFI OHV | AutoZone.com

The parts that are going to kill you are the ones that last forever and when rebuilt last for a day, like the alternator.
The DI alternator is made in Italy, it is water proof, it is $600 brand new but it tends to last 200,000 miles.
The rebuilts are pure 100% grade "A" junk, I went through 4 in 2 years and finally settled on a used one.

DI's are built like a farm tractor, solid, easy to work on in the field and they last forever.
For what you are looking to do I think a DI with some good tires would be perfect, but then I am biased.

 

Don't forget to check out the Land Cruisers too. The FZJ80 from 93 to 97 is a great model and similar to our Rovers.

 

That's great info Spike. I didn't realize the later stuff will fit mine. That will sure help a lot in the future.

Is there a resource that can be utilized to see what parts are interchangable?

My parts shopping just happen to land on brakes since any used vehicle likely needs brake work and it was easy to do the side by side.

To the OP: sorry to hi-jack your thread. It appears you are doing your pre-purchase research properly. I've been knee-deep in my Rover for a couple months now and it's been fun figuring out all of its little quirks and fixing stuff (both big and small). My original purchase price was only $300 and I have about another $1000 in it now.

Best of luck in whatever you decide. Matt

 

As far as engine components go, like water pump, no, you have a dizzy, the '96 and later have electronic ignition.
Basically all engine components and management will only work with other 3.9's for your truck.
Everything else works, except the manual seats.
Or the transmissions, the 3.9 does NOT have a crank sensor and the 4.0 does, so if you use a 3.9 trans in a 4.0 truck it wont work but you can use a 4.0 trans in a 3.9 truck from what I understand.
T-case, all year Disco's upto the '02. '03-'04's use a different length transmission so you must use those year t-cases in those year trucks.
Axles, brakes, diff's.....all same same.
Even DII diffs fit all year DI's as well as Range Rover diffs IF they have the 24 spline axles, Defender too.
Land Rover used to have 2 factories, one for engines, one for everything else.
Virtually everything was made on the same rolling chassis, the new Range Rover is made in the same factory that the first Series was made in back in '48.

 

hh65flyer: no need to apologize. I'll learn from your questions, so please feel free to ask as many as you have.

Everyone else: so tomorrow I'm going to go look at this Discovery (Carfax report is here). What should I be looking for on this?

Also, I don't have a mechanic that I've worked with before. I used to have one but he retired last year. How do I go about finding a mechanic to inspect this vehicle? Is there a list of things I should bring along asking him to look at?

 

That looks like a nice truck for the price, and the I think the price is fair.
Looking at the Carfax it was mostly serviced at the dealer or repaired by a Rover shop.
The last owner was questionable but thats no big deal, he only had it for 2 years.
It is the base model and it is the last year for the DI.
Check the oil and trans fluid levels, drive it nice and long, test the cruise, windows, seats, wipers and washers.
If you have cash plop down $2500.

 

Looks like a gem. Let it idle for a long time after your very long test drive. Turn everything on like A/C headlights, radio, seats, etc. See if the electrical system is up to the task and the cooling system as well. Crawl underneath it and look at everything. Dealership may have access to a lift, ask them to put it up and let you take a look.

And since this whole thread started with a discussion of 4WD and CDl...might as well try those out too! ;-) Good luck, have fun and don't be afraid to walk away!

 

Do I need to take a Disco to a specialized mechanic for pre-purchase inspection?

 

Either put it on a lift or get a creeper and a good light and go from front to rear top to bottom with your own eyes. Pretend you are a Gynecologist and she is a new patient or it's after closing time and you just picked her up as you were both kicked out of a bar. Check it out well, looking for any fluids dripping from her bottom, both front and rear end. Wear eye protection as you don't want to get that stuff in your eyes!

 

No you do not need a Rover specialist to look it over, it is just a car.
If the mechaninc says "hey, what about this" or " I'm not sure" then ask us.