Buying 2003 SE7

[tex599]

I am getting ready to purchase a 2003 SE 7, if it check out alright at the PPI. The vehicle has 48K miles on it and is priced at $17,900 has third row, rear air. I think these are the only options it has. Does this price seem good? Also it has the oil change sticker from Land Rover dealer in Shreveport, LA, showing it needs to be changed at 50K. I was looking at the books and it only has one stamp in for the 7,500 mile service. So I do not know the service history, but I can assume since the most recent oil change was done there most likely the other service was done there as well. Can I call that dealer and can they verify what service they did? I think the first 6 services where free, correct?
Thanks,

 

[jhmover]

Good if you don't off-road, no CDL in the transfer case. Were I going to get another D2 I'd go for the 04 unless I just used it for a mall crawler.

 

[GoodJava]

My wife's '03 is a mall cruiser. How much $$ can one expect to drop for a CDL installed on a '03?

 

[Nanbakat]

If you give the VIN number to Land Rover North America they can probably pull up the vehicle history. This assumes, of course, that it was serviced at a Land Rover dealership and not at Joe Blow's Truck Barn.

Alternatively, get a vehicle history from CarFax.

That price seems very fair to me especially if it is in very good condition.

 

[jhmover]

Ummm like putting a cdl in an 03 is major bucks, like you need transfer case swap.

 

[pdogg]

Good if you don't off-road, no CDL in the transfer case. Were I going to get another D2 I'd go for the 04 unless I just used it for a mall crawler.

I get tired of hearing these broad remarks like " don't buy a D2 if you plan to off-road , no CDL"

I run my '02 with just ETC though some pretty nasty shit here in AZ, it's a different technique for sure to drive it off-road, but it's still a pretty damn good off-roader and impresses me every time..

I agree it's not the ultimate set-up for the rock-crawler types.. or lifted and running 33's... but c'mon..

 

[brianhoberg]

My wife's '03 is a mall cruiser. How much $$ can one expect to drop for a CDL installed on a '03?

Well, CDL new is ~$1200 - $1400, used you can get from $400 - $650. Having it installed? Yeah, that's the pain in the @$$.

I have a really nice CDL and nice knob assembly from Will Tillery, but as far as when the CDL is going on my '03....it's the last mod I plan to do as you need a jack to get the beast up in there. I hear it's 9 - 12 hours of work to swap it out.

 

[jhmover]

Not a broad remark, I ran my D2 with no CDL, went everyplace I wanted it to. However, I ran with people with the CDL and watching how much easier they went up things I'd reccomend the CDL, but you can live without it. I"d also consider you may have an easier time selling the 04 vs. and 02 or 03 with no CDL, especially on here.

 

[pdogg]

I hear ya... I have my eye on a buddy's '04... for 2 reasons... 4.6 and CDL

 

[ajh]

I bought a 2003 before I realized... if I was you I'd look for a 2004 or 2002, really... a new case is a horrible hassle.

Regarding off-road without a CDL/lockers well, put all 4 wheels in 8" of mud and try using TC to get up over a 12" embankment... that was my first winching experience... and without CDL/lockers and good mud tires if I didn't have the winch I'd still be in that creek.

 

[Loydster]

I did my t case swap for less than $1000 including case and install by my local shop. $1100 including the cost of the 04 linkage.

 

[jeffro0502]

I have an 03 that has the nipple, I'm told I have the good case, eventually I'll get the pieces together so I can acutally use it. Till then the TC seems to work well for what I need so far.

 

[Barry]

I have an 03 that has the nipple, I'm told I have the good case, eventually I'll get the pieces together so I can acutally use it. Till then the TC seems to work well for what I need so far.

Interesting... could you please check your driver's side door and give us the build date?

 

[SDD2]

Told by whom? the guy who sold it to you? Get up in there when things are not hot and find out for yourself ...

I have an 03 that has the nipple, I'm told I have the good case, eventually I'll get the pieces together so I can acutally use it. Till then the TC seems to work well for what I need so far.

 

[AwarLaw]

having owned both, I would recommend you drvie then see. My '03 was such a better quality build, I sold the '04. I don't miss the CDL here in AZ and, although CDL is nice, for the 99% of the time I don't need it. Once I get really into offroading, I will find a wrecked '04 and grab the tcase.

-Aaron

 

[jeffro0502]

Interesting... could you please check your driver's side door and give us the build date?

Just checked it....build date: 08/02

 

[jeffro0502]

Told by whom? the guy who sold it to you? Get up in there when things are not hot and find out for yourself ...

When I bought the vehicle I was told that and I did a lot of reading on here and found out where to feel....low and behold when I didn't finally crawl under and check; it was there. It did make me feel good about buying it, because once I had entered the deal and put money down on it is when i found out not all of them had the CDL. That is when the original owner informed me that this one in fact had the good case, just had never checked till a few months ago. The previous discos I had were all D1s well all two of them, before that I had a few RRs. I have always done trail riding in all of them nothing major though and too date all i've done with this one is pull boat to water and take trips.

 

[gardrover]

Beware issues with the first batch of facelifted DIIs, a good friend of mine's got an 12/02 build 2003 DII that just got a new 4.6 while on the last month of its warranty and only 36k.... I believe it had to do with a porous block or a lifter issue, either way i would personally shoot for one of the last 04s..........

 

[jeffro0502]

Beware issues with the first batch of facelifted DIIs, a good friend of mine's got an 12/02 build 2003 DII that just got a new 4.6 while on the last month of its warranty and only 36k.... I believe it had to do with a porous block or a lifter issue, either way i would personally shoot for one of the last 04s..........

So far so good...I'm at 69K with no issues. I guess with these from what I read it's a risk you take driving one. Just keep oil in it and don't let it over heat. I'll keep fingers crossed for now. I just returned from a 5k trip that in my avatar pic took us to the geographic center of the united states and didn't have one problem.
opcorn:

 

[DAG DISCO 03]

I just picked up an 03 and thought they all had the CDL case but with no linkage. I'm going to take a look this weekend. My bigest question is how well will it work in the sand without the CDL? Cape Cod sand dunes? Thanks