Hi All,

new here, and looking at buying a used discovery here in the middle-east. Found a used one in good condition, but conflicting details.

1. The owner says its a 2004 (the registration says the same, as do the headlamps) but the VIN says it has a 4.0L V8 (VIN is SALLTGM144A832216). Don't the 2004 models have the 4.6L V8 engine with CDL stock ? If it indeed has a 4.0L engine, how can it be a 2004 model ?

2. During the test drive, the Differential lock did not engage and i assumed that the linkage was stuck due to non0use (i did a bit of reading here about stuck diff locks), but then if it is a 2003 model, it means that there is no CDL at all !! right ? Thats a deal breaker for me as i was interested in this car because of the better design of the 4.6L engines and CDL on the 2004 models.

here's a few pics of the car. Can some one confirm (from the pics and from the VIN above) if its indeed a 2004 model and with 4.6 or 4.0L engine ?





The original ad is here

really appreciate some quick responses as i need to take a call on this one by tomorrow.

thanks much
Vicks

 

All 03 and 04's have only 4.6 engines.
Did the t/case shifter actually have the high and low lock along with the regular high and low?
How did you try to engage it?

 

The Transfer case shifter had two stickers up-front, one showing regular Low & High ratios and the other showing the Differential Lock in Low & High.

I put the auto-transmission in N and pulled the transfer case shifter to the left. I tried this with the Transfer case in N as well as High & Low,and while moving slowly as well as stationary.

 

The roof rack rails seems to be a 2003, the wheels look like for 04 but not 100% with wheels.

 

Looks like an 03 to me, but the VIN says it has a "4.0 litre V8 petrol, low compression, catalyst" and is a 2004 model. My guess is that was an option available in overseas markets? Not sure why it would have the skinny roof rails.

 

If i assume that i somehow made a mistake while noting down the VIN and if you change the VIN from SALLTGM144A832216 to SALLTGMJ44A832216, then it fits in correctly as the 4.6L V8 engine.

Is there any way of telling a 4.0L engined 2004 D-II from the 4.6L ones ?

 

the car has :

- almost 110k miles
- no service record, but owner swears that it was regularly serviced and there has been no break down, ever.
- prop shaft will need re-build with greasable U-joints
- rear window does not work
- no funny noises/smells from engine
- drives/brakes well
- presence of CDL is questionable (see original post)
- front seats are bad (foam/covers will need replacement)
- no proof of 60K, 100K mile maintenance

is it worth buying ?
if yes, is it worth 10K$ ?

 

That vehicle is probably a 2003 HSE or possibly with HSE wheels. The roof rails are a dead giveaway. Run as fast as you can for 10K.

 

When I was out there in Oman in 1995 cars were sold as 1995 but had been in Oman at the dealers for maybe 12 or 18 months but were only registered in 95. You might find that disco is the same brought in to the middle-east in 2003 but sold late 2004, also I noticed that cars out there had strange specs.

 

u mean run away ?

I don't think it is a HSE, cos its got no CD changer, no SLS, no Navigation system etc. Looks like a bone stock version to me. Unfortunately, the owner claims he doesnt even have the owner's manual for the car he is going to sell !!!



That is a possibility, but the VIN says its a 2004 model ie., it was manufactured in 2004 and the car reg document says 2004 too.




Is there are way to find out what engine a car (other than a VIN check) has and if it has the CDL (other than the sticker on the T-case shift lever) ?