Any top tips

[minimatt]

Going to look at a discovery 300tdi tommorow. 1998 XS with 170k on the clock.

Any top tips on what to check? Had a 300dti before and had no end of problems with it (new short block, head gasket skimmed, steering dampner the lot!).

Should i be worried by 170k? Doesnt seem to high for a ten year old car but any advice would be very much appreciated.

Also, has anyone used BioDiesel in thiers?

[Meeja]

Although ten years old, that's still an average of 17k a year - which is 5k pa above the magical "average" figure.

My knowledge of Disco's is second to just about everyone - so no real help there!

I think standard procedures for buying a high mileage, ten year old car should apply..... use you eyes and ears, and have a good dig through the service history and receipts (if available)

And budget for the unexpected!

I bought an eight year old Range Rover recently, and although used common sense, plus a decent mechanically minded petrolhead mate on the viewing, and negotiated a price taking the problems/potential problems into consideration, I still got caught with a big bill when it was serviced/MOT'd/given a full once-over by my local indy!

Still a bloody lovely car to drive though.....

As for the high miles - I suppose if you are careful, it is nothing to worry about - my current
daily hack is a nine year old 1.8 petrol Ford Focus with 198k on the clock (40k when I bought it!) - and apart from a bit of a creak from the front suspension (needs new drop links) it behaves and drives like a car with 60k on the clock - practically worthless now, and will make a fab buy for someone when I eventually do shift it on - much of it's reliability I put down to correct and timely maintenance - which makes a check on the service history/receipts on the Disco you are viewing important.

[cpas]

minimatt said:

Going to look at a discovery 300tdi tommorow. 1998 XS with 170k on the clock.

Any top tips on what to check? Had a 300dti before and had no end of problems with it (new short block, head gasket skimmed, steering dampner the lot!).

Should i be worried by 170k? Doesnt seem to high for a ten year old car but any advice would be very much appreciated.

Also, has anyone used BioDiesel in thiers?

Don't pay too much for it - especially with that mileage!! I recently sold an 'R' plate 1997 50th anniversary with leather and aircon and under 110k miles, but only achieved £2600 for it (as a trade in value) so they are not going for much nowadays. Mind had rust around the rear wheel arches just behind the wheels, and a leaking steering box. The sun visors wouldn't sstay up eather (£60 a pair) but otherwise everything was OK. Other areas to look are the rear body and floor - get underneath and have a goodprod around the rear chassis members and floor where it loins the chassis.