Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Does anyone own a Land rover discovery turbo diesel, and if so what are they like as i am thinking of buying 1 second hand. Any tips on what to look for in engine and gear box/costly repairs would be greatly appreciated.

I bought my 98 tdi auto last july and love it, economy is great and the auto just matches the tdi nicely. What year are you looking at, get as late a model as possible and check for service history. Timing belts must be replaced as per the manual or risk of engine damage is almost gauranteed, also check signs for overheating as the tdi heads once badly cooked are a throw away and are $1200-$2000 to replace. Check for rust around the alpine windows on the sides of the roof and front carpet for heater core leaks. If well maintained they are a solid reliable comfortable car.

I bought a 95 Series 1 update 300TDI. Ive only had i 4 months but it is nice to drive. They r a little underpowerd below 2000rpm but otherwise it pulls my 15ft fibreglass boat fine. I dont know much about rovers but they do have electrical problems (i know already). Just make sure everything works. Good luck.

Totally agree re servicing, this is essential, and getting someone who knows Rovers to look at it before purchasing. For example, recent example I saw - 98 TDI, 400 000K and motor like new. Reason, regular servicing by someone who knew how to service the vehicle.

Just got mine, 2001 td5 manual. ( wife wanted a manual) payed $19990 from a stealer. Came with, Bullbar, Cargo barrier, Snorkel, towbar, GME UHF. Standard it has Traction control, Hill descent, ABS brakes, 2airbags, power windows etc...
A lot of car for the money.
Look for, factory recalls have been done, leaking fuel regulator, leaking radiator, Some models don't have CDL(centre diff lock) and if they do, don't have any way to lock it.
The Guy who owned mine before me, had most things fixed/replaced so I'm hoping it will be trouble free. (touch wood ).

Hi,

I am a diesel mechanic and own a Tdi 96 mod these are the things you should look for:

*2nd gear syncro goes check for crunching when changing up to 2nd
*Make sure your timing belt has been replaced cosly job about $900, plus there is a modified crankshaft timing gear
*check the front axle hub seals for oil around the disc
*check oil passing through the turbo by removing the hose into the intercooler
*check for rust around the back top little windows
*if a manual ask when the clutch was replaced
*listen for any knocking when driving from the back, there is a ball joint there wears
*diff pinion seals go
*also with the gearbox, if you are handy with the tools, you will need a T55 torque bit to check the gearbox level and oil, they run ATF fluid and some people put normal gearbox oil in the them. Also they can transfer oil into the transfer case mixing different oils.
*also the back windows have a habit of stop working

Mine has done 289 000km still running good, the 2nd gear synco is gone but I can double clutch it or delay the change. Engine has the normal oil leaks which I am going to repair, the front hub seals are gone, diff pinion seals are leaking.

But the really good thing about the discos is that the parts are really cheap I got my timing belt kit delivered from the UK at half the cost of buying one here. ALso my disco only cost $6000, very cheap compared to the nissans and toyotas.

Good luck

I purchased a 1996 LR Disco Tdi Auto with 68500k's for $15,000 from the Peugot dealer in Canberra about a month ago, the best thing I ever bought!
The only thing that was missing was the log books, but I am a plant mechanic by trade, and everything else indicated that it was kosher. Go to the newsagents and get this month's Aust 4WD Monthly, sorry, Action. They have a Buying A Used Disco article in it. Get a TDi Auto Disco, you wont be sorry.