Discovery 300 TDi newbie - any tips?

[deeen]

Ooops, I seem to have just bought a Disco as my daily driver. R reg but 180,000 miles, so what could possibly go wrong?

Actually don't answer that! Just any top tips for looking after the old lady so she will see me through the winter? And any recommendations for a specialist near Gatwick / Crawley, so I am not paying main dealer prices if I find a screw loose?

Thanks, Dean

[mister.t]

Your main enemy will be rust and water leaks. Properly serviced, the engine and box (later R380) will go on for far longer than 180k miles. Sunroofs leak (if you have them), 'alpine' windows leak (again, if you have them), so best to get these dealt with fairly soon.

Rust on inner wings, rear of the chassis etc. shouldn't be a big concern if it's just a winter hack, but worth bearing in mind.

I'm afraid I can't help with specialists in your area, but I'm sure there are plenty in the area

[deeen]

Ok thanks Mr T. Lots of little details to sort, as expected for this price / mileage. Would love to hear about anywhere locally that could do a basic service, without paying main dealer prices? Or maybe I need to sniff out a land rover forum, and ask there? Cheers, Dean

[piecost76]

Try www.lro.com/forum

[hidetheelephants]

Has the cambelt been done? I think the guideline is 5 years or 60k, whichever comes first.

[Sarge 4x4]

If you need bits we have a yard full of 300tdi's.

[deeen]

Ah great, thanks all. Yes cambelt was done but due again. I will check the forum. Thanks sarge, starter for 10, how about a front drivers seat? Sand fabric, not electric? Or a front pair of any colour that will fit the same holes? Actually I will check your profile, thanks.

[deeen]

After a week's use, any tips on how to engage diff locks? 2 hands and all my weight won't do it... should I tie the car to a tree and winch the lever across?

Also has anyone experimented with tyre pressures? Seems a bit odd that they recommend fronts softer than rears, I'm sure there must be more weight on the front wheels, unladen?

[hidetheelephants]

deeen said:

After a week's use, any tips on how to engage diff locks? 2 hands and all my weight won't do it... should I tie the car to a tree and winch the lever across?

Also has anyone experimented with tyre pressures? Seems a bit odd that they recommend fronts softer than rears, I'm sure there must be more weight on the front wheels, unladen?

You really want your rear tyres to grip better than the front? The diff lock/hi/low lever is prone to seizing if not used once in a while, and if there's slop it can be hard to move it unless you drag the clutch a bit. It may require just a squirt of WD40(other release agents are available) or some percussive maintenance. A garage with LR experience will sort it easy if that doesn't loosen it.

Edited by hidetheelephants on Friday 26th October 19:34

[deeen]

Ok thanks Mr Elephants. Anyway the Bork has landed in the form of the door window not closing, I think it's jusst trying to keep me occupied so I don't interfere with things that don't concern me!