| Author | Message | ||
     Brendan Kearns (Howboucha) Member Username: Howboucha Post Number: 111 Registered: 01-2003 |
Howboucha! I just cannot handle it anymore. Not owning a Disco (yes, the convertible has a new home-Thanks Greg Davis for the referral, much appreciated) is killing me. I bought a piece of crap Montero (actually it is sort of cool) and my coolness factor is at an all time low. I need another Rover! So here is my situmation. I am meeting a guy on Saturday to look at a 97 XD with 27K miles that is as close to perfect as you can get. But here is the kicker. I get a phone call today from a honda dealer friend that just aquired a 96 SE7. I picked it up today for an evaluation and will be returning it tomorrow. Here are my concerns that I would appreciate any advice-input on. It is an extremely clean, fully loaded unit but it is a 5-Speed. I recall that 5-Speed's have some issues, but I don't recall what they are. The unit has 86K miles and of course no manual, and no service records. It is very tight, suspension is good, brakes are fine, good tire tread etc, but the Service Engine light is on (I know, could be anything, I will check the codes). Also, the exhaust system is somewhat rusted and is leaking around the resonator and the big thingie right behind the cats (muffler?). There is hestitation at the 3K to 3.5K RPM range in all gears, It almost feels as if the ignition is retarding. I thought it may have been the usuall VSS problem, but would like to hear what you think. I can probably buy this in the $7k-$8K range. It may be a good buy, but I have to decide whether to buy a fully loaded 96 with 87K and a 5-Speed or an XD that is basically new for twice as much. I will be making my decision tomorrow, so please let me know your thoughts. Here is what the wife said. "Buy the 96 for you and buy the XD for me." Am I lucky or what? I have finally converted her, even after destroying my beloved 95. Great to be on "the board" again. I missed you guys.  Brendan Currently discoless, but will have something soon. | ||
| Gordon Turner (Gordo) New Member Username: Gordo Post Number: 18 Registered: 07-2003 |
gordo here... I recently acquired my first disco (94) but have been into rangies for several years. My understanding of the 5 speed problems are the synchros go bad in the trans, making it difficult to shift in one or more gears. Not sure if they have a new and improved type now but that is what Ive always heard. If they are bad you may notice grinding or difficulty shifting. Try some higher rpm shifts while you got it. The 96 also had the valve problems so beware there. Might be worth getting it checked out. 7k isnt a bad price if its clean though. As to the hesitation it could be a number of things. Could be why the check engine light is on? Since it is at a certain rpm you might suspect the TPS or perhaps a week fuel pump. Before I bought it I would probably at least do a compression check on the motor and run a car fax too. | ||
| Douglas McMillan (Mcmillan) Member Username: Mcmillan Post Number: 62 Registered: 06-2002 |
I've a 94 disco and the syncros were shot by 90k and consequently so did 2nd gear. I bought a replacement transmission that had been rebuilt and the synchros had gone on that previously, hence the rebuild on that. The 5 speed manual transmissions do seem to be crap. However after 96 the build quality of the rovers improved. So I don't know if the transmissions also improved or not. | ||
| Norm Orschnorschki (Norm) Member Username: Norm Post Number: 91 Registered: 02-2003 |
Depends on how it was driven. My wife drove my '95 5-speed like a Lamborghini but it didn't really effect it until I put in a 4.6. I got a rebuilt Ashcroft 5-speed which is supposedly alot stronger and have had no problems after @ 30K miles. If your '96 has a "K" R-380, it is an improvement over the earlier "J" boxes. A manual transmission is definitely more FUN to drive. I've heard from some knowledgable people on this board that the 97-98 D1s have the worst build quality and most problems. If the '96 has a distributor, it's a lot easier to fix in that regard that the first GEMS systems which had problems. ---Norm | ||
| Shaun Power (Shaunp) Member Username: Shaunp Post Number: 140 Registered: 05-2003 |
The R380 box has 2 main problems, as it has been said worn syncros are problem mostly this is caused be running them on ATF, secondly the early ones had a problem with oil feed to the main-shaft into the transfer drive gear. Most of the effected mainshaft cars would have been fixed by now. This is easy to check any way,you just remove the PTO cover plate on the transfer case and check the splines and see if it has across drilled drive gear fitted. I know a Defender 130 tray back that has done 400 000 km and it has not had a problem with the r380 and syncros are fine,but it was run on gl4 oil from new. | ||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) Senior Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 280 Registered: 02-2003 |
Make your wife happy, buy both | ||
| gp (Garrett) Senior Member Username: Garrett Post Number: 2267 Registered: 10-2001 |
yeh...do it for the wife man. be the better person here. | ||
| Brendan Kearns (Howboucha) Member Username: Howboucha Post Number: 112 Registered: 01-2003 |
We bought the XD and may I say it is in perfect condition. If you want to see it, go to: http://www.redbirdsra.com/discoxd.htm And get this, when I asked about the service records (did I tell you it only has 33K on the clock) the seller said, let's talk about it and the issue was drum roll please.......THE VALVES! He had a complete valve job done this month! Thank goodness that is out of the way. One less problem to worry about. So on the way home, the discussion was whether or not to go ahead and buy the other one too. I am so happy my step-dad is an excellent bankruptcy attorney, I may need his services soon. | ||
| Geoff 93 RRC (Geoff) Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 88 Registered: 11-2002 |
Yes, but did he get the computer updated with the revised chip to prevent the valve problem in the future? Check http://www.robisonservice.com/. They have done a few and could answer questions. | ||
| Brendan Kearns (Howboucha) Member Username: Howboucha Post Number: 113 Registered: 01-2003 |
Good call, I will call the dealer on Monday and inquire. Your input is tremendously appreciated Geoff. Thanks, Brendan | ||
| CALM (Gumarcel) Senior Member Username: Gumarcel Post Number: 913 Registered: 11-2002 |
Congrads Brendan so might you hit the trails now, just in time for me to be off to college. Looks nice, I can't wait to get my yellow 90. If you are looking at one I know a guy (kinda) who is selling his, a 94 i believe. I could get you more info if you wanted it. | ||
| Brendan Kearns (Howboucha) Member Username: Howboucha Post Number: 114 Registered: 01-2003 |
Howboucha Chris! This one is staying on-road. It's almost perfect and I don't want to destroy it. One a year is enough. When you get the D-90, we will have to go for a spin. B.K. | ||
| CALM (Gumarcel) Senior Member Username: Gumarcel Post Number: 917 Registered: 11-2002 |
I can't read very well Brendan, you poseur you! Ha, looks good. I will be getting it in May or sometime around then. |
