Going to look at an older S1 Disco, any tips?

[Hard-Drive]

Says it all in the title really, I am off to look at some sub 2k S1 Discoveries this week, for use as a towing vehicle and occasional off roader. I know boot floors are a problem, has anyone got any other tips?

I'm realistic on what I will get for my money, it's a second car so really does not need to be perfect. I'm happy to sort smaller DIY issues, just want to avoid anything hideous with engines/gearboxes/major corrosion.

I had a Series 3 LWB ex-RAF up until a few years ago so I know a fair bit about them.

Thanks in advance!

[cpas]

The boot floors rust, as do the very rear members of the chassis (just front of the bumper). This seems to be a problem on all early Discos and hopefully is just a welding solution!!! Apparently, the cills are also a weak area. I recently paid £1100 for an H plate 5-door 7-seater with 140k miles and 'good' off-road tyres, so there are plenty of bargains out there.

[cpas]

..and I've just read your thread on idiots in the snow. Very funny indeed!!! I did take the Disco out in the snow and whilst it does get up hills better, it still slides like any other car when you're trying to stop. The idiot in the Mondeo behind me obviously wasn't happy with my 30mph progress on packed ice!!!
ps Nice to see you have an MX5 as well - good call!

[Hard-Drive]

Well thanks for the advice and the compliment Chris.

However not good news on the MX5, look at the "medical driving ban" thread I started last night...

[V8 Disco]

Don't buy an MPi - they are slooooooooooow.
Rust - chassis like your old series, plus sills and boot floor
Whining transfer boxes/knackered manuals (reputation for problems)
Lots of play in transmission on autos
ABS if fitted (If working, ABS light comes on with ignition, blinks once, then goes out at 5mph)
Cats if fitted on petrol V8 (plus lambda probes x 2 @£100+ each)
Immobiliser spider - this little addition to the alarm system is fitted between the heater and radio, behind the dash centre panel (b*gger to get at)suffer badly from dry solder joints and cause intermittent stalling/no starts
CV joints
Suspension bushes
Rear brakes - theres a balance valve that can fail, leading to no rear brakes. Look at the discs to see if they are shiny or rusty...
Swivels just like your Series
Leaky sunroofs - they all do
Electric seat switches - over £100 each if faulty, I am going to try to repair mine!
V8 engines that overheat - very bad news

Hope that helps... the Haynes 'you and your Discovery' book has a good buyers guide too. Happy hunting!

PS Call me tomorrow, next time I am in MOP you can borrow my Disco books! - it's a good exchange for those Series parts and the tow rope...

Edited by V8 Disco on Tuesday 13th February 22:33

Edited by V8 Disco on Tuesday 13th February 22:38

[Hard-Drive]

Ber-luddy hell fancy seeing you here! I was actually looking at your "fleet" thinking "that's a coincidence" before I read the last bit of your post!!

Looking at one tomorrow (lunch break!!!) I'll let you know, shame, I was in MOP today!!!

[cpas]

Sorry to hear about your girlfriend's predicament Iain (and sorry everyone for gatecrashing this topic with threads from another one!!!) Sounds like it may be worth a letter for a second opinion - especially as her indcident was 4 months ago. A I know had an actual fit and was banned for a year form that date. Best of luck with whatever happens. Back to the Disco - you may need to spend some dosh on protection - eg fromt sump guard, rear tank guard (as they're plastic), and you'll need to remove the front spoiler (and fog lights) and trim the bottom off the end caps. Removal of the towbar also helps - mine removed itself on a stubborn part of Loddington Woods!!!

[kiwisr]

Having just bought one a week ago the best part is the sheer amount of resources and forums available. As well as the fact that if anything goes wrong they are so cheap to fix.

I went for a diesel 300 TDI, for the range, wading and reliability over the V8.

[falcemob]

The main problem is body rust, just about every where. I have just fitted a new boot floor to mine but both sills are gone, the rear body mount needs doing and I had to repair the n/s rear wheel arch where the lower seat belt mounts as it had gone completely. On mine there is also rust around the front near the head lamps.
Look out for normal mechanical problems but mechanically they seem to go on regardless.

[Andy Sargeant]

If anyone is looking for Disco 1 spare parts, we are breaking about 10 at present, mostly 200's but I think there a couple of 300's, all diesel.
www.ajstyres.co.uk