| Author | Message | ||
     Kyle S. (Flkyle) New Member Username: Flkyle Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2003 |
Hi all, Here's the story: I'm in the process of selling my '98 Disco. The potential buyer wanted it checked out, so she took it to the local LR dealership for the "140 point used vehicle inspection". Most of the findings were cosmetic (Visor light bulbs out, needs wiper blades, etc) but here's the scary results: •Tail door loose on striker •transfer box wont shift into diff lock •coolant leaking on drivers cylinder head gasket •power steering box leaking •oil leaking from cylinder head gaskets •oil pan leaking •rear main seal leaking •transfer box leaking HOLY mother is it really that bad? The dealership also provided an "estimate" to my now-terrified buyer, at the tune of about 4 GRAND to fix everything. I told her they were robbing her, but is all this really serious? The car runs perfectly, has always been reliable, and never a problem... Does this all really have to be "fixed" before i'll be able to sell it? Thanks so much for your insight and tips..... HELP! | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 2428 Registered: 02-2002 |
The first is a quick adjustment. The second is a common problem for a vehicle that wasn't used off-road. These need to be used to prevent that from happening. The rest, all leaks, are "normal" for a Rover. Some of us wouldn't bat an eyelash at 'em, but the typical shopper who expects it to be a Toyota wouldn't touch a Rover because leaks are normal. FWIW..... -L | ||
| Kyle S. (Flkyle) New Member Username: Flkyle Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2003 |
Thanks, That's kinda along the lines that I was thinking. It's not like anything's "broken" and has to be fixed, but the buyer is typical, and thinks they have to be fixed.... I just hope someone who understands comes along looking for a great car... | ||
| Kenny Bissett (Jetson) New Member Username: Jetson Post Number: 7 Registered: 07-2003 |
Kyle, I'm in the same boat with my 99. After 6 months of talking to a handful of potential buyers, I'm convinced that it will have to be sold to a LR enthusiast. Mine's down to $15,500 and very little interest...sad really. Kenny | ||
| D. Howell (Blackandtan) Member Username: Blackandtan Post Number: 76 Registered: 04-2003 |
Thank you Leslie. I dove in and bought my '96 with a pared-down list but one that definitely included oil leaks. In the end, they kind of made me reminiscent about my old beloved Jeep. The really important stuff appears in great shape, and it's an exceptional vehicle that wanted to come home with me. I'll say it again - I saw a lot of beat-up or un-cared for Rovers with high price tags, all sorts of driving issues and decaying interiors. I am very happy with my acquisition. | ||
| Curtis N (Curtis) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Curtis Post Number: 579 Registered: 05-2002 |
All of that sounds pretty normal for a 5-year old vehicle. God-forbid a Rover seeps some fluid. The fact that your CDL does not lock is proof you never took it offroad. This alone should add $ - not take them away. | ||
| Alan Greening (Alan_g) New Member Username: Alan_g Post Number: 33 Registered: 04-2003 |
There not really leaks, just Land Rover's ACPS (Automatic Corrosion Protection System) The Dicovery system is quite good, but not as good as my Series III. | ||
| Brent (Silly_me) New Member Username: Silly_me Post Number: 33 Registered: 07-2003 |
>>>I'll say it again - I saw a lot of beat-up or un-cared for Rovers with high price tags, all sorts of driving issues and decaying interiors<<< No kidding! I was apalled by the condition of the landies I was looking over. And they were all low mileage. A 1996 D1 with 57K miles (rear air and seat) looked as if it had been to hell and back. The steering linkage had been scraped against something nasty, as had the anti-sway bar. All rubber trim was cracked and shrunken. The paint was oxidized badly, and the rain gutters appeared as thous someone used them for a walkway. The cabin was hideous as well. The asking price? $15,500!!! I couldn't believe my eyes. And this was at a LR dealer. A disco in good shape is hard to find. I did not even consider leaks as a major concern when I was looking for mine, just wanted something that had been loved previously. | ||
| Will Weatherford (Wweatherford) On Probation Username: Wweatherford Post Number: 66 Registered: 02-2003 |
Kyle - FWIW My garage sez that all those gaskets (head, valley pan) typically have a life span @2-2 1/2 yrs. To do heads, gaskets, bolts, etc. + labor is @$1,200..."if it ain't leakin, it ain't a LR!" Most of these European cars leak... not much R&D $$ goes into stuff like gasket design... | ||
| Will Weatherford (Wweatherford) On Probation Username: Wweatherford Post Number: 67 Registered: 02-2003 |
Oh, and buy some engine degreaser! lol | ||
| Bill Bettridge (Billb) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Billb Post Number: 918 Registered: 02-2002 |
"head, valley pan) typically have a life span @2-2 1/2 yrs" "European cars leak... not much R&D $$ goes into stuff like gasket design..." Beg to differ: #1 European laws and regs are much much stricter than anything ever seen in the USA regarding all emmissions - -tailpipe, leakage of any fluid, and noise. Penalties in several European countries are very severe for even a minor leak (one so minor you'd not even notice it here). Don't compare a 40 year old V8 design to something produced today for worldwide consumption - there are relatively very few V8 Rovers sold outside the US. #2 - much work goes into gasket design worldwide for all engine seals - automotive and heavy truck for the reasons noted above. Sealing systems are literally being redesigned every minute every day. #3 - head gaskets only lasting 2 1/2 years is absurd. Bill | ||
| Kyle S. (Flkyle) New Member Username: Flkyle Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2003 |
Thanks for all the input from everyone. I just hope someone who understands will find my Disco and take care of it like I have. It's pretty much in mint condition (aside from the usual leaks) ;) Thanks again! | ||
| Will Weatherford (Wweatherford) On Probation Username: Wweatherford Post Number: 73 Registered: 02-2003 |
Well Bill, you are obviously from across the pond. No offense mate, it's not absurd, but a statistical fact. Tell that to all the drivers and mechanics in here who are routinely having gasket failures of all sorts...It can be due to a number of factors, no doubt, but tin gaskets aren't much to write home about. Another factor may be having work done at a "LR rate shop" garage on warranty items tends to have work done "differently" ...at least is my opinion. The mid-90's D1 were in need of some real help. 1996 to 1998-99 D1 4.0 engines are terrible oil leakers: cylinder head gaskets, intake gaskets, front seals, oil cooler lines, oil pans, rear main seals and valve cover gaskets. Ask any mechanic here on the no. of trucks (all V8 models) that came thru for head work - under warranty... It is here in the US (admittedly the largest market) that has prompted gasket materials to change so as to remain competitive. I certainly am not comparing our V8 to the 60's Buick engine. But you know how this engine has matured and been redesigned - if everything was so well engineered, then we wouldn't be writing all of these stories. | ||
| john radzik (97m2000s95disco) New Member Username: 97m2000s95disco Post Number: 2 Registered: 08-2003 |
just wanted to chip in about the condition of the landrover's for sale. i recently went to the local landrover dealer to see a 96 se7 with 185,000 mi. it was listed for 3995.00. i'm was just looking for a rig for the winter and something i could enjoy off road so i didn't want to spend alot. the rig was the worse thing i've ever seen in my life. anyway ended up with a 95 disco with 155,000. always garaged kept with the interior and paint being a 8 out of 10. the previous owner spent all kinds of money on those landrover acc. front and rear brush guards, lamps, dog guard, rubber mats all around. i'm totally thrilled with the rig and i picked it up for 4300.00. the point is there are deals out there. just a pain in the ass to find. | ||
| JPinson (Jeffro0502) Member Username: Jeffro0502 Post Number: 82 Registered: 02-2003 |
I paid 6K for mine...and it had a few problems when I bought it a year ago...is a 96, replaced plug wires, VSS, TPS, plugs and waterpump, and replaced all vacum lines on the cruise control. Now runs perfect at 132000 miles. I probably paid too much and now have a grand total of only 6500 in it, and is the 4th Rover I've owned. So far I'm happy with it. I still think I should have kept my first Rover. It was a beat up 87 RRC, but it purred like a new car. |
