| Author | Message | ||
     David Bingham (Davidb) New Member Username: Davidb Post Number: 7 Registered: 01-2004 |
First off, thanks to all of you who have replied to my other posts. I am convinced that the Disco is what I want. I finally got to drive one last sunday. It is a 1998 Disco 1 fresh from soccer transport use. They are asking a bit much (13500 and it has 77K on it) I won't buy it at that price especialy since they have no record of any maintenance except oil changes at a quick lube using 10-30 oil and a cheap filter. I still can not convince my VW / Audi mechanic friends that this truck won't be a total hassle. I usually don't care what people think about what I drive, but my motorcycle shop is right next to both of these guys, they are like co workers in a way. What I can't find info on is what trucks are OBD2 and what trucks are OBD1. I also need to know how many of the ecu controlled functions can only be dealt with by a dealer, or independant with the land rover software (I was quoted $9600 for this so I won't be getting my own copy : ) I concern is that I get the truck, I go off road, and about half way up the north fork of the John Day river my windows get stuck down or my ABS stops working, or the injection goes into failure mode and I have to take the truck to Portland Oregon to have it fixed. Is this a possibility or am I just worried about somthing that could never happen. Basicly I need to know that no matter what, I will be able to fix ANYTHING that ever goes wrong on this truck. I am an FAA licensed A&P mechanic, as well as being factory trained on Ducati, BMW, Suzuki, Polaris, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia motorcycles. I also was a mechanic at an Alfa Romeo and Lamborghini dealer and have repaired every possible failure on most of the brand mentioned above. That said, I still can't repair a power ABS brake system on a current model BMW motorcycle with out the BMW moditech system, that is only availible to dealers. I just have not got any definate answers yet as to how many parts of the Rover will be like that. I would really like to single out a couple of you Disco owners who work on your own stuff and actually know and understand the trucks systems. I think I'll order a manual right now too. | ||
| Bill Ross (Billr) Member Username: Billr Post Number: 129 Registered: 11-2002 |
David: With the mechanical background you have, I wouldn't worry too much about a Disco. Granted there is all the electro bits these days, but if its a Disco 1, they are still pretty basic compared to other Euro-makes. I'm an IT guy but I've had 40 cars since I was 16, all Euro and including two other Rovers, and I've never had much in the way of things that I couldn't fix or figure out. Now if you are looking at a model that requires a Testbook that would be a PITA so I'd recommend staying clear; but as I said a Disco 1 or an RRC like I have...pretty simple stuff. | ||
| Bryan Crosby (Bcroz) Member Username: Bcroz Post Number: 120 Registered: 03-2002 |
Traded my wifes 97 SE with 65k on it in October and thought I got a gift with a $9000 trade value. Sold my 95 SD with 93k on it in November for $4000. Long story short, $13,500 with no service records is a little steep. | ||
| Bill Ross (Billr) Member Username: Billr Post Number: 130 Registered: 11-2002 |
Yep, pretty pricy. I think I could do better than that even here in Ontario where the price in CDN$ for used Discos is usually a bit higher. Just a couple of months ago I looked at a '97 XD with records and 90K kms for around $16K CDN. By the way, any vehicle '96MY or newer is OBD2. I paid $200CDN for a ISO-spec reader (Euros and Chrsyler products) at CDN Tire. Should be able to find something similiar elsewhere (AutoZone, etc.). Tells me as much as I need to know and it will clear the codes. Brand is Actron. | ||
| trevor griffiths (Trevorgriffiths) Member Username: Trevorgriffiths Post Number: 204 Registered: 11-2002 |
David, After 96 is OBD II. As with anything OBD, there are propriatery(sp) stuff and Federally required info available with a generic scan tool. Many of the common failures or symptoms one may encounter have been experienced by this board. I would be surprised if a diagnosis proved difficult to figure out. I have 2 Autologic scan tools specifically for Rover, for my shop, and sometimes I take one with me when we go wheeling. Only once did I take it out of the case to help with a diagnosis trailside. And, remember, "If a Rover ain't leaking, it may be empty" | ||
| Ron Boston (Rbostoncadisco) New Member Username: Rbostoncadisco Post Number: 16 Registered: 12-2003 |
David, That soccer mom's disco 1 you are looking is priced high especially w/no maint record and sign "low effort" maint e.g. cheap filter you noted. Got mine 98 LE much much lower than that. Profile shows Oregon; have you checked Craigslist Portland. Not a 98, but saw 97 for $9000 (ad drops off 14 days): http://portland.craigslist.org/car/22140287.html Craiglist Seatle has 98 for $12500: http://seattle.craigslist.org/car/22174123.html Consider flying one way e.g. Southwest Air and driving back if you look into Craigslist San Francisco Bay Area. Saw a 98 LSE $9300 (lot of miles but worth checking it out if owner took care of it): http://www.craigslist.org/sby/car/22734833.html Anyway, pricing is subject to local market and someone's circumstances! Good luck buying. In terms of OBD1 vs OBD2, I've been jeepin before owning my 98 Disco (just got it weeks ago); I have older Jeep pick-up (not made anymore/most Jeep dealer mechs are scared to touch the carb on it - he! he! Whimps!) e.g. service light comes on at 82k something miles, time for new 02 sensor, check 02 w/meter and ok, pop open panel and reset pin button (no scan tool needed). Done! However, I changed it at 100k something miles when CA DMW needed smog cert. Failed during smog test. Replaced old with Bosch O2 for $21.95 at Autozone. Passed smog. Done! Got the answer from someone who exp same problem on Jeep board. Same goes with my 96 Jeep that's OBD 1. I suppose same with my new used 98 Disco even with w/OBD2. Ask other exp owners (already benefited on one of my post where Discoweb owner pointed me to an exhuast manifold recall for my 98, and got it fixed free of charge at my local LR) plus I invested in a tech manual also. With your tech/mech background, I bet if not a problem for you to fix w/right tools, parts, resource, etc... I'd say go for it if you like the Disco; and later if you change your mind e.g. problematic. Well, you can always sell it hopefully not too much of a lost. Just get a well maintained Disco 1 and if you want to narrow it down like I did, I'd aimed for 98-99 well maint. Good luck buying! | ||
| Jack Parker (Jack) Senior Member Username: Jack Post Number: 278 Registered: 03-2002 |
"I concern is that I get the truck, I go off road, and about half way up the north fork of the John Day river my windows get stuck down or my ABS stops working, or the injection goes into failure mode..." yeah, that could happen and then on the way back home, it could all start working again  "Basicly I need to know that no matter what, I will be able to fix ANYTHING that ever goes wrong on this truck. I am an FAA licensed A&P mechanic, as well as being factory trained on Ducati, BMW, Suzuki, Polaris, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia motorcycles. I also was a mechanic at an Alfa Romeo and Lamborghini dealer and have repaired every possible failure on most of the brand mentioned above. That said, I still can't repair a power ABS brake system on a current model BMW motorcycle with out the BMW moditech system, that is only availible to dealers. I just have not got any definate answers yet as to how many parts of the Rover will be like that." If I were you, I'd go speak w/ the lead mechanic at a dealership, or with a local LR independent shop - they could provide some input. | ||
| Reid Walkenhorst (Runningmule) New Member Username: Runningmule Post Number: 26 Registered: 05-2003 |
Owming a Disco requires you to work on it. Sounds like that's what you're into. If you maintain it, it will take care of you. I enjoy the time I get to spend in the garage w/mine. Land Rovers are Marque vehicles, sounds like that's what you're used to. I live in Idaho, not a lot of Rovers here. People look at my Rover like "what the hell is that"? Taking it to Dealership 100+ miles away is a hassle, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Good luck with your decision. | ||
| Zin Head (Zinhead) New Member Username: Zinhead Post Number: 26 Registered: 12-2001 |
On a D1, there isn't anything that is terribly Land Rover specific. If you can properly install and tune a Spica, everything on a Disco is an absolute piece of cake. Our Disco has had Honda-like reliability compared to anything the Italians can put together. Just get one with a good maintenance history and frequent oil changes, plan on some initial pain when you fix what is wrong and reset the regular maintenance schedule, and then enjoy the best truck on the market for what Solohull intended it for. | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1344 Registered: 02-2002 |
You have DWeb! What else do ya need? | ||
| Joseph Bilyk (Denverrover) Member Username: Denverrover Post Number: 130 Registered: 02-2003 |
Personally I think that you are over-qualified to work on a Disco! Out of all the problems I have had on my OBDII, not one of them has left me stranded on the trail or street. However - get yourself a deal man!! | ||
| Andrew Homan (Andy) New Member Username: Andy Post Number: 4 Registered: 01-2004 |
David I know how good of a mechanic you are. You keep my Triumph running good. I think we are both worrying to much over breakdown issues on Discos. But the price they are asking is to much. I paid 7,500 my the 97 in Colorado w/ 84k and good records. Granted I haven't got it home yet but I don't forsee any problem with the trip back. (knock on wood) | ||
| Peter J. Kelly (Pjkbrit) Member Username: Pjkbrit Post Number: 76 Registered: 05-2003 |
Not woth a dime over $7500.00, for $13 and change you could get a 99 D2 which is a MUCH better vehicle. | ||
| Bill Mallin (Billmallin) Member Username: Billmallin Post Number: 109 Registered: 09-2003 |
"a MUCH better vehicle" ... here we go... |
