What to look for when buying a Land Rover Discovery
#41
Great thread appreciate the info. I am looking at a 2003 SE with 101k miles. The Vin number is in the bad range on the oil pump. What does this mean? I really like this car but I am terrified with all of the horror stories. I do not have a ton of money to put in repairs down the road. Any input would be appreciated. Not sure whether to pull the trigger or not.
#42
I am buying my DII 2004 this week and would like to get all this fixed and done before it has a chance to fail.
Thanks again!
#44
In the market for 00-03 Discovery <$7k <100k miles
I am currently looking for a Discovery in the 2000-2002 range with fewer than 100k miles and for less than $7k. I am seeing a lot of vehicles that meet my criteria but I have learned from my BMW M5 ownership experience that the boards are the best place to go for the real story.
Besides a clean carfax report, and proper servicing of the driveshaft and coolant, what services should have taken place on a vehicle with that mileage? What specific questions should I ask a seller?
*Anyone know of a reputable board member who has something matching my criteria??? CASH.
Besides a clean carfax report, and proper servicing of the driveshaft and coolant, what services should have taken place on a vehicle with that mileage? What specific questions should I ask a seller?
*Anyone know of a reputable board member who has something matching my criteria??? CASH.
#45
#46
What is the cause of the 3 lights being on simultaneously? My guess would be something ECU related. Is there an easy fix, or is it an expensive fix? Also, lets say I picked one of these things up and the HG did go bad, how hard are they to replace? and how much are the parts generally? Also, are there related issues such as a warped head after the gasket lets go?
Also, are there any DTC's related to a blown head gasket, or any DTC's that I should specifically look for when looking at one of these? Should I worry about checking compression or checking oil pressure, fuel pressure, transmission line pressures in an Auto etc...
thanks,
Sean
Also, are there any DTC's related to a blown head gasket, or any DTC's that I should specifically look for when looking at one of these? Should I worry about checking compression or checking oil pressure, fuel pressure, transmission line pressures in an Auto etc...
thanks,
Sean
Last edited by sstockton; 05-09-2010 at 09:58 PM.
#47
The 3 amigo's is brake related, could be caused by anything from excessive brake dust to a bad hub to a computer problem.
Its not if the head gaskets go bad, its when.
~$500 DIY, start Fri and finish late Sun. (assuming you have rented/bought all the tools and have all the parts needed.
With a ALL aluminum engine if it is severely overheated you will be buying a new engine.
Random misfire codes are a good indication of a blown headgasket.
But a bad tuneup will also throw those codes.
The need fort a tune up will also throw O2 codes.
Just stay away from the '03's.
Check it out just like any other used car you were going to buy.
Its not if the head gaskets go bad, its when.
~$500 DIY, start Fri and finish late Sun. (assuming you have rented/bought all the tools and have all the parts needed.
With a ALL aluminum engine if it is severely overheated you will be buying a new engine.
Random misfire codes are a good indication of a blown headgasket.
But a bad tuneup will also throw those codes.
The need fort a tune up will also throw O2 codes.
Just stay away from the '03's.
Check it out just like any other used car you were going to buy.
#48
What to look for when buying a Land Rover Discovery
CHECK OIL PRESSURE
I’m a careful kind of guy who looks before he leaps.
After 6 months of research including reading this forum, I educated my self.
My choice was a 98 DI with good records and lots of new parts/tires/ etc. at a reasonable price. (I passed up a very good deal on another Disco with unknown history for this car with a proven condition report and history).
For $200, I was able to get a full inspection, but the mechanic asked me what I wanted checked. (My first mistake).
The inspection showed that I had a leaking power steering hose and the drive shaft U joints had a little play. All the other work had been done. I found a great car.
However, I did not ask to have the oil pressure checked (very cheap to do), and I did not have the oil filter removed and opened to look for crud. This is now the problem that I have. It could be cheap to fix or it may mean finding a replacement engine. These V8 aluminum engines have a problem with curding up if the oil has not been changed on schedule and/or a low grade gas was used.
We get smarter with experience.
Hope you have better luck with the Rover Gods.
I’m a careful kind of guy who looks before he leaps.
After 6 months of research including reading this forum, I educated my self.
My choice was a 98 DI with good records and lots of new parts/tires/ etc. at a reasonable price. (I passed up a very good deal on another Disco with unknown history for this car with a proven condition report and history).
For $200, I was able to get a full inspection, but the mechanic asked me what I wanted checked. (My first mistake).
The inspection showed that I had a leaking power steering hose and the drive shaft U joints had a little play. All the other work had been done. I found a great car.
However, I did not ask to have the oil pressure checked (very cheap to do), and I did not have the oil filter removed and opened to look for crud. This is now the problem that I have. It could be cheap to fix or it may mean finding a replacement engine. These V8 aluminum engines have a problem with curding up if the oil has not been changed on schedule and/or a low grade gas was used.
We get smarter with experience.
Hope you have better luck with the Rover Gods.
#49
advice
Hey guys,
I'm glad I found this forum, I have learned a ton of valuable information, thanks!
I've been in the market for a DII for about 6 months now, and have yet to find what I want: A 2004 discover SE7, white exterior, tan interior with the black piping with less than 80k miles for 12 grand. I'm beginning to become very impatient because I just can find one that meets the criteria. I find plenty of decent 03s but no SE7 04s. Here's what I'm currently looking at:
1. 2004 DiscoII HSE, black ext. w/tan leather, 56k mi. price: $15,995
2. 2003 DiscoII HSE7, black ext. w/tan leather, 85k mi. price: $10,999
***this 03 is not in oil pump failure range
3. 2004 DiscoII HSE, silver ext. w/tan leather, 61k mi. price: $12,500
Assming they were all in the same mechanical/cosmetic condition, what would you guys do? Are the HSE much nicer than the SE? Please help because I need a new vehicle asap.
Thanks a million!
-Akash
I'm glad I found this forum, I have learned a ton of valuable information, thanks!
I've been in the market for a DII for about 6 months now, and have yet to find what I want: A 2004 discover SE7, white exterior, tan interior with the black piping with less than 80k miles for 12 grand. I'm beginning to become very impatient because I just can find one that meets the criteria. I find plenty of decent 03s but no SE7 04s. Here's what I'm currently looking at:
1. 2004 DiscoII HSE, black ext. w/tan leather, 56k mi. price: $15,995
2. 2003 DiscoII HSE7, black ext. w/tan leather, 85k mi. price: $10,999
***this 03 is not in oil pump failure range
3. 2004 DiscoII HSE, silver ext. w/tan leather, 61k mi. price: $12,500
Assming they were all in the same mechanical/cosmetic condition, what would you guys do? Are the HSE much nicer than the SE? Please help because I need a new vehicle asap.
Thanks a million!
-Akash
#50