93 TDi disco 330,000 kays.some advice for a novice

[james]

Hi,
my first post after almost a year of membership!

i am after some advice, want to get back into 4x4 (i used to have an old shorty cruiser)

i have been looking for a disco for some time now and have found a 93 tdi model that seems to be in great nic,
the kays (330,000) are a concern to me so i was wondering what are some things i should look for or any advice from high k disco owners,

At 5 grand would you buy it ???

interior is great and clutch is fine, nice paint job no dints in the fuel tank etc...
starts easily first time and is quite aside from usual TDi sounds etc

any thoughts appreciated

thanks everyone.


[EDIT] almost 2 years..! wow

[RaginRover]

Now I have no direct experience with these but I have these observations
from my time around TDI Landrovers. I know a few guys who have them and a few guys have looked at buying and bought some.

The TDI engine is excellent and produces good power for not much money in fuel cost of maintence over its life (in real terms anyway).

But when they get to the end of their lives they cost a boat load to get the back up and running.

$5K - no I would not.


IMO the TDI is only good for 300,000 or so Ks before they experience
failure. As a rule the head cracks, the pistons disintegrate and the injector pump ususally cark it.

If you bought this you should factor in a replacement 300TDI motor in the next 20 - 30,000K if that.

I will be interested to see what the other diesel boys say, ISUZU Rover, and the others will no doubt have some advice based on more hands on/personal experience
than mine.

Cheers

Tom

[Loanrangie]

If you can stretch your budget a bit, i would be looking in the $9-$10k bracket as there are a few around with 100k or more less than the one you have looked at- there is a nice looking 94 4dr in the for sale section for $9k with 221k on the clock that would be a better buy. At $5k i would be tempted if the rest of the vehicle is good but you would still need to factor in a replacement engine in the not too distant future. It will most likely be a 200tdi motor being a 93 model.

[andrew e]

Get a expert or landrover specialist to do a pre purchase inspection. It may cost 1 or 2 hundred bucks or so but they go through EVERYTHING. if you cant find a landrover expert, try nrma or someone normally advertised in the classifieds. we had one come out and do an inspection on a 200tdi 110 we were selling a few years ago and he went over it mechanically with a fine tooth comb. He even did a coolant gas test and compression test.

Andrew.

[james]

Well thanks for the replys, not exactly what im looking for but what i expected..

in regards to replacement engines what would the engine cost and where would i source it from?

If anyone is aware of a landrover wrecker or simillar, that would be great

im still not convinced i shouldnt buy it...

thanks again

james

[Davidh]

I'd be a bit suss on a 93 model for $5k.
If you got it checked out, i'm sure they'd find some problems that relate to the bargain sale price.

That bargain could end up costing you $$$$.
Just like mine did....

[morkz]

i'd leave that disco alone....

i used to have one and even at 200k + the head needed doing and more and more things were starting to go.

i'v seen low km TDI and as long as they have a service history and vehicle inspection your better off spending a bit more at the start then having to spend your money repairing the damn things.