I'm sure this question comes up a lot, but thinking about purchasing an 02 DII...SE7 trim and would like some opinions on the rig and price. On Facebook marketplace for $3,800 with 170k miles. Owner lists the following things replaced while he owned it...head gaskets, radiator, oil pan gasket, master cylinder, water pump, valve cover gaskets, intake gaskets, oil pump. Looks in decent shape overall from the pics and video he sent. Planning to check it out in person this weekend.

This would be my first disco, and have been reading the forums a lot lately on what to look for. I'm not a mechanic but like wrenching on older vehicles and fixing things that are not beyond my capabilities. Just had a 97 Jaguar XJ6 that I fixed up and sold, so ready for more punishment I guess. Any thoughts on this one at $3,800 and what else to look for on the rig?

 

What are your plans for it? 170K miles seems like a lot if you want to drive it every day. If it is a fun weekend car that only gets 3-4K miles a year then that is a different story.

If the head gaskets and oil pump were done properly those are big.

3 things to look for:

1. Engine - not rocket science here. Does it make any abnormal sounds. If so walk away.
2. Body - paint jobs are expensive. Anything other than the roof needs painting you may want to walk away.
3. Rust - depends where it has been, if there is a lot, walk away

Everything else can be fixed, repaired or replaced will out too much expense or time if you do it yourself.

 

Thanks for your thoughts on it. It would be a third car, so around town driving for the most part and less than 5k miles on it per year. Haven't seen under it yet, so not sure how that looks yet. The disco is in the Midwest, but has Texas plates. Owner said it was a clear title.

 

I would run the carfax on it if I were you, if it spent any time in snow country you need pics of the rear frame rails.

 

what year? some have locking center diff and some don't......

look for leaks at the hubs....

 

It's a 2002. The guy hasn't been real forthcoming on correspondence. I asked for more detailed pics than the ones he posted, and whether there were dash lights on, and clean title. He responded with "no dash lights on", and actually sent three videos of a walk around. Engine was running and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, but it's coming from a cell phone. It's about a 3 hour drive from my place, so wanted to get a good idea of condition before making the trip.

I think it's been on marketplace for quite a while, but that may be a common length of time for older Land Rovers to sit on that site.

 

Take a ODB reader with you and check for codes
Make sure it goes in and out of low and CDL lock if installed
Drive then open the hood and listen and take a look at the coolant bottle
Get a print out of the the dash lights, turn the key and make sure they all light up everyone
Ask about water leaks into the cab

 

For that price, I wouldn’t be worried about 170K even for a daily driver. If he actually did all of the maintenance that you mentioned, then the block should be sound for some time. I would take that over an untouched engine with under 100K any day.

 

I like to offer mine as reference......
I bought my 2002 with 199k miles on it for more than he's asking.
The previous owner had a long list of maint, including everything yours does and some more.
I've only done minor maintenance in the 25k miles I've owned it and I quite literally drive it everywhere. Before the pandemic, I was driving to work 25 miles one way, 3 days a week plus biking on the weekends etc driving at least an hour to/from my biking destinations.
I believe its Best4x4 thats commented multiple times - high mileage is less of an issue as it means ****s been done to it, like the list you have.
Long story short, mileage is good given the maintenance and I wouldnt let that be a deciding factor at all. Just use the OBD to monitor coolant temps as suggested and let it idle after your test drive.
With a 185 degree thermostat in mine, the highest temp I've ever seen is 210 while idling in the Brusters drivethru for like 30 mins in 90+ degree heat.

 

Being an 02, it probably doesn't have CDL toggle on the transfer case. If you want to add a CDL to the transfer case you would have to change out part of the transfer case and add the CDL lever from a 2004. Mid 2001 and earlier models have the CDL toggle on the transfer case, just not the lever to engage it.