DISCO 2001ish 2.5 DIESEL - GOOD BUY FOR SCHOOL/WORK RUN?

[A911DOM]

Simple question really but from an 'unlearned' member.

I'm looking for something to safely house 3 kids (in car seats) on the school run, and something thats pleasant to drive and get out of at the office.

These seem to be reasonable value at about 4-5k for 2001 model 7 seater load lugger... but what are the pitfalls and what questions/faults should I be asking/looking for when approaching the dealer???

All help very much appreciated!

Cheers chaps.

Dom

Edited by A911DOM on Monday 23 March 22:43

[300bhp/ton]

At that age of car you don't need to buy from a dealer, you'll get a better deal with a private sale IMO.

Overall the vehicles are very good, just check all the electonics work and that the air suspension doesn't leak. Apart from that everything is fixable.

LR's aren't really unreliable, just a little fickle. They also like TLC, so its more about maintenance than repairing.

Good thing is they are very popular so gives you lots of choice.

[Kentish]

Air suspension on a 2001 Disco, really?


When did that start - was it an option?

Edited by Kentish on Tuesday 24th March 16:39

[sunbeam_alpine]

Air suspension doesn't cost that much to replace, if you stay away from main dealers. Just paid €315 to completely renew both sides.

[A911DOM]

Thanks chaps - much appreciated.

Dom

[neil-f]

Check for oil in the wiring loom on TD5 take the plug off the ECU if you see oil(it may even have leaked out of the ECU) you will need a new loom and injection loom maybe a new ECU. Repairable but build this into the price £600 to do inc parts exc ECU or £800 with.

[Psimpson7]

neil-f said:

Check for oil in the wiring loom on TD5 take the plug off the ECU if you see oil(it may even have leaked out of the ECU) you will need a new loom and injection loom maybe a new ECU. Repairable but build this into the price £600 to do inc parts exc ECU or £800 with.

The oil can't and doesn't get into the ECU. Its completley sealed in the connectors. The only thing that you will need to change every few years is the injector loom inside under the rocker cover which will be under a 100quid or so from a LR dealer.

Once its been done just clean the loom connectors a few times and it will be fine.

Rgds
Ppete

[neil-f]

Psimpson7 said:

neil-f said:

Check for oil in the wiring loom on TD5 take the plug off the ECU if you see oil(it may even have leaked out of the ECU) you will need a new loom and injection loom maybe a new ECU. Repairable but build this into the price £600 to do inc parts exc ECU or £800 with.

The oil can't and doesn't get into the ECU. Its completley sealed in the connectors. The only thing that you will need to change every few years is the injector loom inside under the rocker cover which will be under a 100quid or so from a LR dealer.

Once its been done just clean the loom connectors a few times and it will be fine.

Rgds
Ppete

Sorry Pete but the oil can get into the ECU it runs out at the plug in points. Yes I agree if it has only just started to do this you should be ok with the injector loom which is £50 plus the gaskit @ £20, but if it has been doing this for a while the main loom needs to be replaced lots of labour and the loom is cira £300.
Once a new injector loom has been fitted you should not need to do it again every few years as this was a product fault that has since been cured.

[Psimpson7]

Sorry Neil, but the oil doesn't get inside the ECU casing. It does get to the sockets on the ecu, but doesnt get inside the casing. You just need to clean inside the connectors on the ECU.

Also the updated injector loom IME has exactly the same issue as the early one I am afraid. You will need to keep changing them.

Rgds
Peter

[neil-f]

Psimpson7 said:

Sorry Neil, but the oil doesn't get inside the ECU casing. It does get to the sockets on the ecu, but doesnt get inside the casing. You just need to clean inside the connectors on the ECU.

Also the updated injector loom IME has exactly the same issue as the early one I am afraid. You will need to keep changing them.

Rgds
Peter

I can assure you it does get in and my local indy and dealer can confirm this.
You maybe have been lucky