Hi, I've found a 2000 disco II in town with 96,000 miles for $7,425 in excellent shape in and out, I am going to test drive it tomorrow. I am completely ignorant to LRs I was a Mercedes lover since I got my license but after totaling my CLK and SEL I'm looking for something a little more robust and ford explorer resistant (both accident were exploder caused GRRRR). I'm no stranger to high repair cost but the MB dealers we excellent and were only slightly more than a German repair place which doesn't seem to be the case with the LR dealers at least with what I've read here. I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty and maintaining or fixing it myself as long as I feel I can handle it. I've been looking through the forum and I've seen a reoccurring the theme the "three amigos" and how much it costs to repair new and ways to get around that, is it something that’s not a matter of if but when? If I test drive it and the lights are not on am I in the clear or is it a ticking time bomb? Are there any other things that I should look out for? With the Benz's I knew going in that the sunroofs were only worth their weight in scrap steel and the trim over glovebox would break guaranteed etc etc are there thing like this with LR's not major thing but thing you just live with i.e. oil leaking. Lastly I've seen "premium gas" on many threads here in Colorado our regular is 85 octane midgrade is 87 and premium is 91, I know that at lower altitudes its 85,91, and 93 respectively. We also get what they call "winter blend" during the winter months that some oil exec decided we didn’t need good fuel in the snow, its absolute garbage. What are you guys using especially CO people? I’ve heard both sides of the argument that at altitude it’s a non issue and on the flipside if you don’t use premium your pay for it later. I’m very thankful for any information you can give me influencing of discouraging this deal, I think forums like these are the best way to get question answered.

Thanks again
Ross

 

WTF?

 

Ok, yes the three amigos will happen, it is just a matter of time, and it will happen over and over as the various parts fail with age. Just the way it is.
The minimum octane rating for the Land Rover is 91. Doesnt matter what your elevation is you must use premium gas.
The front driveshaft must be rebuilt using greasable u-joints.
Thepower door locks will fail, the power window regulators will give you trouble and the air ride suspension will give you trouble.
As far as LR dealers go, there are good ones and bad ones. When Ford owned LR most of the dealers were bad because Ford didnt have the money or the desire to back up their product. Now that Tata Motors own's LR the dealers seem to be coming around.
Bottom line, Land Rovers are not for everyone.

 

thanks for the input its good to know what I should look for at the test drive. Would a dealer or private inspection reveal any of these issues?

Sorry about all the computer code or what ever that was before the message, I didnt notice when i posted it