help need advice

[bermentmcdowald]

I am on the verge of purchasing a 1996 2.5L 300 TDi manual shift detox diesel, WHICH HAS 95,000KM ON THE CLOCK for about $11,000 USD. I have been to many review forums (mainly American)--whom are speaking to a 4L machine and have little that is good to say about Land Rover Discoveries in general.

I presently own a series 111, which had been butchered by a sucession of expensive quacks until I found the right mechanic, whom is a senior unwilling to accept any new customers or vehicles.

I am a person of relatively modest means and need a vehicle for basic transport (with a view to building a home in the country in a few years). Can you give me some advice please?

Bermentmcdowald
Trinidad and Tobago W.I.

 

[Pskhaat]

Trinidad and Tobago W.I.

I'm not up to speed on the Rover products, but love your country and the other W.I. isles. Welcome

 

[Schattenjager]

Welcome!

Glad to see you made it over to this forum! I think you will be impressed by the folks here - yours truly not withstanding...

As mentioned at the UK forum - if the Disco passes a careful exam and you take care of it, you should be very happy with the deal! They are quite capable out of the box.

 

[gjackson]

How many miles are on the vehicle? Make sure that the timing belt was replaced when necessary and that all cylinders have good compression. The 300tdi is not prone to overheat, but if it does it can cause significant damage. The head being alloy can warp, hense the compression test.

Otherwise check for rust, lack of grinding in the transmission and full function of the transfer case.

I also highly advise a thorough check by a qualified mechanic. If that is all good, I think you should be in good shape.

cheers

 

[Brian McVickers]

Welcome Bermentmcdowald!

Graham, and a few others, probably know more about rovers than most so I can't add much. One thing to keep in mind regarding the US web boards you mentioned is that diesel Discos are rare in the US so most may be referring to the gasoline V8s in their comments.

On another note, It would be great if you could share Trinidad and Tobago W.I. with us with some pictures. A few years ago my wife and I made it all the way from Florida to Grenada and back. We sat our hurricane season in Grenada for two months, always thinking of making the hop over to Trinidad and Tobago but we never did. I wish we had! The W.I. is a wonderful area!

Brian
2001 LR DII (NAS)

 

[bermentmcdowald]

ADVICE on PURCHASE OF DISCOVERY--PLEASE HELP

I am on the verge of purchasing a 1996 2.5L 300 TDi manual shift detox diesel, WHICH HAS 95,000KM ON THE CLOCK for about $11,000 USD. I have been to many review forums (mainly American)--whom are speaking to a 4L machine and have little that is good to say about Land Rover Discoveries in general.

I presently own a series 111, which had been butchered by a sucession of expensive quacks until I found the right mechanic, whom is a senior unwilling to accept any new customers or vehicles.

I am a person of relatively modest means and need a vehicle for basic transport (with a view to building a home in the country in a few years). Can you give me some advice please?

Bermentmcdowald
Trinidad and Tobago W.I.

Hey guys!

Thank you very much for your very helpful advice: I still haven't done a thing but your encouragement has steeled me a bit. I hope not to turn into a dittering slobbering mess at the moment that the cheque has to be handed over. This Thursday or Friday will be purchase day.

In my lucid (or is it insane) moments I think about the incredible difficulty that I had with the 1984 series 111 that I bought 5 years ago for $3,000.00 (USD) and the at least $6,000 (USD) subsequently spent on it. Eventually, I converted the engine to a NISSAN TD-27. Compared to the gas guzzler a beauty! At least, the engine conversion helped to lessen my wife's disdain.

Just last week we discovered that the rear drive shaft was butchered (beaten up with a sledge hammer to put it in) by a previous mechanic and that the guy whom retensioned the leaf springs did a terrible job. Over tensioned on one side and that the other side had a leaf left out.

Although I don't seem to have much mechanical instincts and aptitude, I am wondering if I should be learning to do at least some of my own repairs. I don't think that I can do some things as badly as they have.

The vast majority of mechanics in Trinidad think that I am a lunatic. Although I was able to speak to two today, whom are Land Rover specialists--they gave me hope. The only independant rock solid support that I have comes from another Land Rover enthusiast--the spare parts man, whom I am certain is too sincere to hold his own self-interest higher than good advice. HOLD MY HANDS GUYS!

The fact that my Series 3 always seems to need something dosen't help.

As soon as I resolve this issue I will respond to all of the specific requests that you have made.

Thank you once more


bermentmcdowald
Trinidad W.I

bermentmcdowald