Need advice before buying first LR DI

[Rovertrader]

did you refill it? ahhhhahhhahhh.....(sorry Dendy, too easy)
OP, learn quickly things like a rear main may leak, and the fix is a $3 part, but the labor involves dropping the tranny et al. See above for reading as much as possible as there is not just one or two things different about Rovers- or Britts for that matter. Not bad things, just different- that is what makes the world so interesting to travel...

 

[celsius]

Ok thanks, I shouldn't worry too much then on this, just hope that the parts can be found here and not too expensive. I managed to upload some pictures in an album I just created: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=998

Does everything look ok?
Also I am quite concerned about the price,is 9000 USD correct or 4000 USD (this because here Land Rover don't have a good reputation....) as advised by the mechanic is its real value?

Thanks very much.

Thanks

 

[dcwhybrew]

FYI Link doesnt work. Also to clarify, is the sale price $9,000 USD? It's hard to value a vehicle in another country based on US valuations. Too many variables.

 

[celsius]

Yes the sale price is 9000 USD, but the point is that here the value of a landrover Disco I is about 2500-3000 USD. It is very difficult to sell due a lack of parts and also because they are known for their engine problems. You can actually see a bunch of dead discoveries (no diesel one though, like this one) on the street or at mechanics. I guess people didn't maintain them well and the cost of parts was so high (you have to import them) that they just abandoned it once it died.

Well, the owner, who bought the car at a high price since he imported it, seems to don't want to lower the price too much.

Here are the pictures (I wasn't sure what to take so I took random shot):

So how does she look? Any diagnosis?

Thank you.

 

[dcwhybrew]

I think I would walk away from it. If parts are hard to get and the owner doesnt want to negotiate a seemingly rediculous price, then it isnt to be had.

Also, your pictures still arent coming through.

-----------------------------

EDIT: I see the pictures now. The engine bay and undercarriage look clean. How does the rest of the frame/chasis look? Any surface rust or leak spots?

 

[celsius]

Thanks for your wise advise and that is probably what will happen. This being said, I met with other land rover owners (expats) and they bring the parts from outside Timor when they go home or order them from abroad. What is expensive is if we have them ordered by the mechanics.
I know I might sound stubborn or crazy, but I really enjoyed the feeling in this car and it's look. It felt really a powerfull truck and so confortable. I imagined I could take this car on a long expedition (may this is all the history of the land rover and the image I saw when I was a kid) and already imagined the route. I tried also a Pajero, they are nice but the feel is totally different and all very small like a plastic toy.
So, I think to myself before I try to negotiate it strongly (or perhaps after some time the owner might call me back since it has been some time the car is for sale and no one bought it), I want to make sure to know exactly what I should change so I can make an offer that is honest. This way I will have tried until then and if it is not man to be I will surrender...heheheeh and I will buy a disco once I move to another place where parts are more accessible.
Regarding the pictures they appear on my laptop....so I don't understand why they don't appear. The album is set to public now (that's may be why the link did not appear initially). Here is another try, please let me know if you see them and what you think if possible.

Thank you very much...

 

[celsius]

and here is the last pix....

Thank you.

 

[celsius]

EDIT: I see the pictures now. The engine bay and undercarriage look clean. How does the rest of the frame/chasis look? Any surface rust or leak spots?

Well, I did not see any rust or leak spot, but I did not crawl under it neither as I had very little time with it. As you can see, I am trying to get as much information as I can so I can propose a price that is honest and based on facts. After it will be in the hand of the owner. What do you think about the wheel (bearings/shaft? I am trying to build my vocabulary here with the technical terms and in english...but surely willing to learn). What other things do you think based on the pictures I should particularly take care of first? Timing belt, hoses...etc.

Also, since I just brought my swiss knife, what main tools do you suggest I get.

Cheers.

 

[Nonimouse]

There is a plastic cap missing off that wheel hub - it needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

It's a buyers market, haggle.

From what I can see it looks reasonable - but you need to check it thoroughly

And to be honest if parts for a Pajero are cheaper then buy one - the whole joy of owning a Land Rover is based on knowing that although bits do wear out they are cheap to replace...

 

[celsius]

Thanks.
Yes parts of a Pajero are probably less expensive and more accessible. The point is that a Pajero (5 doors) with 130'000 km will cost about 12 to 14'000 US$ and not sure any maintenance have been done, but will be easily sold.

My thought is the following, the car cost less than a Pajero and if I invest let's say 3 to 4000 for the maintenance it can last longer (taking into account that the owner did not use it wrecklessly and I even doubt he went for any expedition). I can find ways to bring parts in myself and learn the mechanic...What do you think?

Cheers.

 

[celsius]

Hello,
just got back from the mechanic for a more in depth check. The engine seems fine but they advised to change the timing belt. The oil that is leaking could be taken care by replacing a joint. Besides this it seems that all the joint or seal - well the caoutchouc part (not sure about the correct term) need to be replaced as they are wearing off. Also the back brakes needs some change. It was quite difficult, because the guys that looked at it did not speak English so they pointed to me what should be replaced and I took pictures with the cell phone.
Well is this complicated to do? It doesn't seems so, and where could I order them? I know someone here that order in the US and it comes through DHL....As I mentioned they cannot be found here in Timor....or you guys think I should just let it go?

Thank you.

 

[celsius]

here are the last 3 last.
Thank you very much!

 

[Ohlins]

update??

 

[Gren_T]

Hi there,
All your pics show common wear items for the LR range and should be considered service items that would have been picked up if the vehicle had been serviced correctly.
the oil leak is most likely the vacum pump gasket needs changing. all these parts can be bought in the UK and sent out to you, check paddock spares / john cradock etc.
when buying bushes only buy genuine rubber bushes. believe me it is worth it.

the chrome swivels on the front axle should not have scrapes or rust on the chrome & should be "wet" eg have a smear of grease/oil covering them, the ones in the pics look ok as there does not appear to be oil dripping off the bottom of the swivel housing which would indicate swivel seals are ok.

I doubt rust will be an issue so if you are taken with the car use the problems in the pics to drive the price down, the parts shown in the photos are cheap and easily done by yourself or any competent mechanic so may be an indication the car has not been looked after.

check all the switches.!, aircon, door locks - central locking, windows and door hinges for play, if it has a sunroof check for staining on the headlining as they are notorious for the drain channels becoming blocked and causing leaks.


regards all
Gren