Hi All,

I've been lurking here and other LR forums for quite some time. After 2 years of playful consideration, I've finally gone crazy and am seriously considering buying a DII.

I've done the usual research, searched the forums, understand the common issues etc. However, I'd love a few more opinions on a vehicle that I'm considering + what you all think a fair value would be.

For context, any vehicle would not be a daily driver and will spend a good amount of it's time garaged in wine country for occasional weekend use on and lightly off road. It will also probably make some trips to Tahoe in the snow.

That in mind, what do you all think of this 2004 DII?

Below is the Carfax glossary as well. I like that its a CA car, only 2 previous owners, and has been relatively well maintained by a dealer. It also looks like a few of the common issues have already been addressed. Also, it's been in dealer inventory for 5 months so I can imagine they are motivated to sell OR there is something lurking.

I'm planning on going and seeing the vehicle and taking it to an LR mechanic for inspection, check codes/pending codes, as well as the usual before and after drive fluid checks, etc.

I would love to hear what you all think and thanks, in advance!

Detailed History


Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
11/28/2003 14 Service Facility Pre-delivery inspection completed
06/23/2004 16 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
San Rafael, CA Title issued or updated
Loan or lien reported
Titled or registered as corporate fleet vehicle
06/29/2004 17 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
07/23/2004 923 Service Facility ABS system checked
12/24/2004 7,975 Service Facility 7,500 mile service performed
01/28/2005 10,186 Dealer Inventory Vehicle offered for sale
02/25/2005 10,273 Service Plan Co.
South San Francisco, CA Service contract issued
02/25/2005 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
South San Francisco, CA Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported
04/19/2005 Land Rover Redwood City
Redwood City, CA
650-569-4777
landroverrc.com Vehicle serviced
06/08/2005 Land Rover Redwood City
Redwood City, CA
650-569-4777
landroverrc.com 15,000 mile service performed
ABS system checked
Wheel bearing(s)/hub(s) replaced
Oil and filter changed
11/30/2005 Land Rover Redwood City
Redwood City, CA
650-569-4777
landroverrc.com 22,500 mile service performed
Wiper arm(s) replaced
Oil and filter changed
08/03/2006 Land Rover Redwood City
Redwood City, CA
650-569-4777
landroverrc.com 30,000 mile service performed
Engine checked
Oil and filter changed
Wiper arm(s) replaced
11/02/2006 British Motor Car Distributors
San Francisco, CA
415-776-7700
bmcd.com Maintenance inspection completed
Radio replaced
Tire repaired
09/13/2007 Land Rover Redwood City
Redwood City, CA
650-569-4777
landroverrc.com 45,000 mile service performed
Leak detection pump replaced
Valve cover gasket(s) replaced
Oil pan gasket replaced
Clock light bulb replaced
Oil and filter changed
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
03/27/2008 55,809 Service Plan Co. Service contract claim
Cooling system serviced
Electrical system serviced
03/28/2008 Land Rover Redwood City
Redwood City, CA
650-569-4777
landroverrc.com Recommended maintenance performed
Throttle body cleaned/serviced
High mount brake light bulb replaced
Oil and filter changed
05/01/2008 56,690 Service Plan Co. Service contract claim
Electrical system serviced
05/02/2008 Land Rover Redwood City
Redwood City, CA
650-569-4777
landroverrc.com Ignition switch replaced
02/24/2009 64,356 Service Plan Co. Service contract claim
Cooling system serviced
02/26/2009 Land Rover Redwood City
Redwood City, CA
650-569-4777
landroverrc.com Anti-theft/keyless remote(s) reprogrammed
Throttle body cleaned/serviced
Water pump replaced
Cooling system checked
11/05/2009 73,496 Service Plan Co. Service contract claim
Engine serviced
11/11/2009 Land Rover Redwood City
Redwood City, CA
650-569-4777
landroverrc.com Maintenance inspection completed
Light bulb(s) replaced
Oil pan gasket replaced
Fuel filler cap replaced
Cooling system checked
Intake manifold gasket(s) replaced
Oil and filter changed
03/08/2010 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
South San Francisco, CA Title issued or updated
Loan or lien released
04/12/2010 77,948 Land Rover Redwood City
Redwood City, CA
650-569-4777
landroverrc.com Oil and filter changed
Brakes checked
05/18/2010 79,313 Land Rover Redwood City
Redwood City, CA
650-569-4777
landroverrc.com Vehicle serviced
07/22/2010 81,536 California
Inspection Station
South San Francisco, CA Passed emissions inspection
07/27/2010 81,699 Land Rover Redwood City
Redwood City, CA
650-569-4777
landroverrc.com Maintenance inspection completed
Evaporative emissions vent purge valve replaced
07/05/2011 99,042 SPEEDEE OIL CHANGE
San Bruno, CA
650-952-5178
Recommended maintenance performed
Tire condition and pressure checked
09/14/2011 103,839 Land Rover Redwood City
Redwood City, CA
650-569-4777
landroverrc.com Vehicle serviced
12/20/2011 108,260 SPEEDEE OIL CHANGE
San Bruno, CA
650-952-5178
Tire condition and pressure checked
Oil and filter changed
04/02/2012 Land Rover Redwood City
Redwood City, CA
650-569-4777
landroverrc.com Vehicle offered for sale
05/26/2015 112,638 California
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
07/16/2015 Dealer Inventory Vehicle offered for sale

 

Looks like a nice clean truck. Dealer maintained is nice, but leery that the HG's have yet to be done. Id be in for around $5k considering you have a $2500-3k repair in it's near future. Also I do not see the Front DS as ever being serviced. Would keep an eye on that as well.

 

you bring up a good question why has it been in inventory for 5-months, normally if a dealer does not have a market for a vehicle or it sits on the lot more than say 60-days they wholesale it.

 

Thanks Erik!

I'll follow up with the seller to see if it's been done, see if I can hear any tea kettle/sparrow sounds, and have an LR mechanic take evaluate. I think I will likely wait for one that has already had HG and DS replaced unless I can get a relative deal on one without.

 

Front DS is easy and only $220. It is the HG that could be an issue down the road, especially in an 04 as the 4.6 motors loved to drop their liners faster than a prom dress.

FWIW, I have 3 D2s right now, and my best running one has 213k miles on it. The higher the mileage, the more that has been sorted. Don't be afraid of high mileage as long as it was maintained properly.

 

Dealers yes. But with a name like Trax Auto Wholesale Im gonna guess that he is a used car lot and Im guessing he bought this truck at auction. I doubt he would run it through again after 60 days and take a potential loss.

 

Yeah, I'm happy to tackle the HG if that's the route I decide to take and the price makes sense. Are there any other telltale signs of imminent failure that I should look for?

Correct - it is a used car lot. I'll do some research of what these are going for at auction so I can do this guy a favor and take it off his hands at cost

 

How long of a test drive will he let you take? If he will let you run it through a tank of gas, you'll get a better idea of any noises/issues and how hot she gets and if she loses coolant or not. Also, get a scan gauge that tells engine temps to see where she sits when idling in traffic, climbing a hill and at highway speeds. At 112k if the watts link hasn't been serviced, you may be in the market for that too. Check bushings on the radius arms and trailing arms for wear or dryrot/cracking. Check the rotoflex for the same. Visually inspect the t-case for leaks. Engage the transfer case from high to low and also engage the CDL to see if its operable (probably is fine since you do not see rust like we do)

 

plan on these repairs.

1. saggy headliner

2. A/C blower motor stops working fuse block or melted wires at the motor connection.

3. Head gaskets

4. 02 sensors

5. lock actuators

6. multiple oil leaks engine and transfer case.

7. coolant tank and radiator leaks.

 

In addition to what everyone else mentioned that you check, you need to check, and no doubt replace, the steering tie rod ends, and 4 front ball joints, none of which have grease fittings, and wear out before 100,000 miles. Fit in Moog tie rod ends, with grease fittings, and keep greased, and they will last you as long as you have the vehicle. By the way, once ball joints wear to extreme, the wheel can and will fall off, so Beware. I have 2004, and maintain it well, so know what has worn out on mine, and approx. age those parts wore out.