Please take a look at this ad, and let me know your thoughts on price and trouble spots to check for.

So far the owner (private sale) tells me there are no leaks, no knocks and no ticking. It has heated seats, no jump seats.

Thanks in advance,

Andy
http://lancaster.craigslist.org/cto/3389022670.html

 

Link is broken.

 

Ad is not there anymore. (at least that's the message I got)

 

Ad is there, looks like a fake ad very plain. Basic info

 

Sorry, the first time I put the ad link in it seemed not to be in the post.
I have had contact with the owner, he is local to me.

I did some other reading too, what's the VIN range of death?

 

It applies to a narow range of Discos, the front cover and oil pump did not mate well with each other, and usually by 50,000 miles the engine was killed. So if high miles, may not be an issue. A manual oil PSI test is a good idea, and a pre-purchase inspection by a shop that works on Landys is worth every penny, if you are spending more on the truck than a basic flat screen. Also, at anytime, an oil pump could be cracked on any Rover and being no oil gauge, you may not notice the lack of full pressure. Pix of a cracked pump gear.

The tech alert that went out had this wording:

2003 Discovery Series ll OIL PUMP FAILURES

Discovery Series ll(LT) 3A771801-3A808362

Situation

Oil pump failures on 2003 Discovery Serias ll vehicles may be the result of a manufactuing error. Locating dowel pins may be slightly misaligned permitting assembly of the oil pump to the block, but placing stress on the pump housing which can ultimately lead to leakage or failure.

Resolution

Whenever an oil pump failure is encountered on vehicles within the above VIN range the ONLY EFFECTIVE REPAIR currently available is REPLAEMENT OF THE COMPLETE ENGINE ASSEMBLY including the front cover/oil pump manufactured to the latest tolerances. Use the following components to affect a repair.

LBB112301 4.6 Engine assembly LEV
LBB111461 4.6 Engine assembly NON-LEV


Read more: Land Rover Diso ll RECALL!? - Motor Trend Motor Trend Garage Forum

 

Thanks for the info, Savannah. So at a 100k, even within that VIN range it's not a show stopper. i.e. it would have blown up by now.
How about the price?
I have contacted a LR specialist to help assess condition.
Andy

 

Here's the working link:

2003 Land Rover Discovery

It's a northeast truck, so check everywhere for rust, especially the frame rails next to the cats. If there's a maintenance history to go with the truck, and everything works, $6500 is on par. If not, adjust your offer accordingly.

*edit*
It's missing the cross bars on the roof rack, FYI.

 

Price is always negotiable. VIN range issues, leaks of any kind, plug in your own scanner to read codes and coolant temp (why? Because some sellers have painted over or cut out check engine lights, etc.). The lights come on as bulb test at crank up and go out in like 3 seconds. Me? I am so cheap that I squeeze each nickle and make the buffalo jump.

Most owner that want to sell a Rover are motivated by high impending repair costs, high cost of fuel (14 - 18 mpg - down hill), and lack of need for 4WD (Disco sales in the snow belt at this time of year with winter coming on - why would you get rid of one?). But there are all kind of reasons, and member RoxieMoxie bought a D2 for $2k, kept in a garage by an eccentric owner, with 117 miles and oem gasoline in it...

Note - the roof bars may be in a long plastic bag inside the truck.

 

Thanks guys, will keep you informed.
Hopefully next week I can make a deal on it.
Andy