what to look for in a Disco 1?

[kokopelli]

Rust, and interior wear and tear. The majority of mechanical short comings can be addressed, rust and piecing together an interior that been abused is hard.

ding ding ding!!!

pics were deceiving...

door panels were 'melting' on the tops, cruise wouldn't set, rear sunroof sounded like it was going to explode when opened. Outside- Rear quarter window moldings were dry rotted and chipped. Windshield molding looked like it was trying to escape the painted parts of the car- 'shrinking' away almost. Leather was is excellent condition, though.

The rear under-wing area where the mudflaps should be attached were rotted away, didn't go up too far on the pass side, but driver side was up into the door sill where the rear quarter panel attached; the front drivers door sill was rusting away -bad-. The carpet was wet near the door, I pulled up on the trim and it was rust-opia.

Frame actually looked really good, mechanically sound- had new water pump, radiator and head gaskets had been done. It did, however need new o2 sensors- check engine light was on.

He said he'd go as low as 3200 on it. I would have bought had it not been for the body rust...but it was a New York car originally, so it's on its' way out I bet...

 

[5x6.5]

Tugela said

"On a test drive listen/feel for shifting issues and a clunk in the transfer case when shifting from park to drive/vice versa"

Ok, I can't think of a rover that doesnt clunk when shifting from forward to reverse or park/drive. Thats just going to confuse this guy. Even a rebuilt lt230 and trans will still do this, some times its not the drivetrain but bad a-arm ball or bushings on the radius arms, none of these are expensive to fix and you will find some if not all of these problems on a Disco that cost $1500 to $5000 with miles exceeding 60k. I've worked on D2s with less than 20k that had the clunk. Shifting issues I would agree should be something to worry about, but the clunk noise, come on really! If your telling this guy to find a D1 with no clunk noise, it will be a long search.

 

[salvvia]

Keep looking go to vehicle for sale here. Much better selection and price.

 

[blauvelt]

check diff lock operation as well as engaging low range. try to find one without sunroofs

ditto. My new '99 Disco 1 has no sunroofs. no leaks. the '96 leaked like a sieve, water sloshing around everywhere. so nice to not feel the drippy drippy on the head in the morning.

 

[ptschram]

How much did he want? Sounds like the last DI I bought and only paid $250 for it.

There are three things to look for on Discoverys.
1: Rust

2: Rust

3: Rust

The rest is just details.

 

[Nomar]

There are three things to look for on Discoverys.
1: Rust

2: Rust

3: Rust

The rest is just details.

What a coincidence.

Those are the 3 things look for in a Range Rover Classic, too.

 

[smrover1]

I agree with the rust mine is getting so bad I have just about given up on it

 

[ChrismonDA]

check diff lock operation as well as engaging low range. try to find one without sunroofs

That is the truth!! Had problems with sunroofs and the CDL would not engage. Lucky for me on the second one I owned the CDL just needed some lube...HeHe

 

[Roach]

Keys to a Defender.