Discovery buying advice
Discovery buying advice
Author
Discussion

drew.h

Original Poster:

526 posts

213 months

Sunday 12th May 2013
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Any reasons why I shouldn't buy a '98 V8 with LPG conversion?

drew.h

Original Poster:

526 posts

213 months

Monday 13th May 2013
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I'll take that as a no them smile

2nd Question, how much should I offer for one in fair condition?

Nick1point9

3,920 posts

204 months

Monday 13th May 2013
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Well you haven't given any reasons behind wanting to buy one, so it's impossible to say whether or not you should buy one.

drew.h

Original Poster:

526 posts

213 months

Monday 13th May 2013
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Fair point. I need a car to get me to work, one to get me about in the winter no mater what the weather, a car good with steep single track roads (including the odd dirt track), a tractor for paddock maintenance and something to tow the odd horse trailer. So thought a discovery would be ideal.

I quite like the sound of a V8 and LPG. Found one I like, but just wondered if there was any problems with the LPG conversions on a Mk1, also what I should be paying for a fair condition one.

bakerstreet

5,005 posts

189 months

Monday 13th May 2013
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Are you familiar with the usual issues with Discovery ownership?

As far as LPG goes, multi point injection is best. Off roaders like the tanks in the boot and people who aren't so bothered about off roadyness, don't mind them being attached to the chassis rails.

Advantages of them being in the boot is they aren't open to the elements, but you loose half your boot space.

drew.h

Original Poster:

526 posts

213 months

Monday 13th May 2013
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I'm not well up on Discovery ownership, but I do have a TVR Chimaera with a RV8 engine, so use to bleeding knuckles. The tank on this one is in the boot, I'd prefer under the floor, but ones around that are in my price range tend to be automatics.

I'm viewing the car on Wednesday (hopefully) so any advice on what to look out for is welcome.

A.J.M

8,340 posts

210 months

Monday 13th May 2013
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Lift the boot carpet and check the floor underneigh, they rot here badly as the Alpine windows in the roof leak, plus the 2 metal straps across the underside rust and rot the floor out.

Check everywhere else for rust, doors, wings both inner and outer, the chassis.

Then usual tests for engine and gearbox and suspension. Check the paperwork and if you can, check it's mot history online as it will tell the story of how it's fared in it's life.

LFB531

1,269 posts

182 months

Monday 13th May 2013
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I adored my D1 V8, was a '97 ES with all the toys and an auto box. I was lucky and had no rust issues at all but the advice given by others is spot on...look hard, it'll be there somewhere!

Had some silly electrical issues that were easily sorted but did everything I asked of it, much of which ties in with what you've listed. No gas on mine so can't help there, always struck me as something with scope to go wrong but buying with it already in place is a decent plan.

I changed to a D2 TD5, that was a way better car but the V8 noise was seriously missed!

Graham

16,378 posts

308 months

Monday 13th May 2013
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I had a 94 300 series v8 for a couple of years 98 -99 and then my wife had it for a few more it never missed a beat and when it went it had 130k on it. i've had my current td5 since new in 03 and even with a 200bhp upgrade ( from 2 weeks old !) i still miss the old v8