Buying an XD?

DiscoWeb Message Board: Archives - All topics: 2001 Archive - Technical Discussions: Buying an XD?
  Subtopic Posts   Updated


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Dennis Moser on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 12:34 pm: Edit

Thinking of buying our first Rover and I've recently found a 1997 Disco XD with 49,000 miles for sale...but to be honest I'm getting a little confused: I've seen, variously, that there were 230 - 250 XD's produced for the North American market. I've also seen several conflicting descriptions of what should have been "standard" for the XD.

Is there any DEFINITIVE resource that describes this critter? Or does anyone have a complete/"official" description for this truck? I want to be sure that this one has everything it is "supposed" to have been equipped with new (like skid plates, lights, etc.).

This site is a wealth of information and I am counting on someone being able to help provide a pointer or information. Thanks!

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Gil Stevens (Gil) on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 12:50 pm: Edit

Thats a tricky question. They SHOULD have a Factory Brush Bar with no spoiler (some with Safari 5000s), a hood blackout, a steering skidplate, a safari rack with ladder, black Castor wheels, waterproof seat covers, and NO sunroofs. Then there were the optional decals like the black side, the various LR stickers, and most had the Discovery and 2 oval sticker on the roof (above the windshield). Im sure there may be more, as im not an XD expert, but I have also seen them with Leather interior, Sunroofs, no decals, no hood blackout(which led me to believe the truck was hit)and all sorts of other configurations. What does the one you are considering have or not have?

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By MTB on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 05:42 pm: Edit

Dennis
I don't know much on the XD's. I have seen them for sell though and the ones I saw were more $$ than SE & other models. They look sharp I would compare $ with other model and see what it would cost to put the toys on with 49k on you may want to change the shocks & spings. If by some chance they are asking alot for it. you maybe able to jump up to a 98. Good luck hope you do a Disco you will love it like the rest of us.

Michael B
96 Disco

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Disco Infurno on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 07:07 pm: Edit

I have a model brochure from the Land Rover for the XD; it lists:
-yellow paint with black hood and black trim
-black castor alloy wheels
-safari roof rack
-wrap-around brush guard
-Land Rover driving lights
-Rear light guards
-engine protection plates
-rear door ladder
-custom XD spare tire cover
-cloth interiorwith XD waterproof seat covers
-rubber floor mats
-XD nomenclature and graphics

This is for a 97

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Dennis Moser on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 07:29 pm: Edit

Well, this is DEFINITELY the resource! You guys are great!

We went back over today and drove the truck: NO driving lights, NO skidplates of any kind, no XD tire cover. On top of that, we took it out to a grass field and tried to engage the Diff lock...with considerable difficulty, I might add (I've driven a couple of Discos, Range Rovers and D-90s before, so I know it shouldn't be quite THAT difficult to use!). The indicator light would never go back off, after we had locked and unlocked it.

When we got home (with the VIN #), I ran a Carfax report and found that it had been a lease vehicle in California for two years, registered as a priavte vehicle in 1999, and wound up here in Texas this past February.

I'm having second thoughts about it now...think we might just try and find a clean plain 97 and price adding the rack, ladder, and plates.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Gil Stevens (Gil) on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 07:54 pm: Edit

Texas has very liberal title laws from what I hear...meaning that Texas is where "dirty" titled cars go to get "cleaned" up (ie. new title). if that XD was originally sold and driven in CA, I would ask, why is it now in Texas? As far as the DiffLock goes, if not used it will very be tough to engage. On my SD, the Diff was never locked for the first 30,000 miles of the trucks life. Getting it to engage was quite a chore. Now it goes in and out with no problems (it also gets used alot more), but having it stick is not uncommon. If i were you, I would look at 98s because they still have the balance of the original warranty which was 4yr/50,000 miles. On the 97 it was 3yr/40,000miles. So, any 97 would be out of warranty. Also, but it from a Land Rover Centre, as the truck will be Certified with an additional 1yr/12,000 mile warranty, and this price will be very good, as there are alot of 98s coming off lease. A clean Certified 98 with 25-30k on the clock should run between $23,000 and $26,000 depending on options and overall condition.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 08:15 pm: Edit

After much shopping, test driving, and time spent crawling under trucks, we picked up a 1997 SD with 36k miles on it from LR as a certified vehicle for just under $20k. The extra 12k mile warranty is a very nice security blanket. As the deal sealer, we made them give us an official LR stuffed bear (my wifes demand).

It's not uncommon to find a used Disco with a difficult to use dif-lock. It's a very underutilized item. Unless you go off road, and the vast majority never do, it just sits. Linkages get stiff, etc and under lubricated. As for disengaging the center dif-lock, depending on the conditions of it's use, you will sometimes have to back up a little bit to "unwind" it before it will disengage.

From what I have seen, the XD's are very overpriced unless you specifically want to collect a limited/numbered production vehicle. If you want a good solid truck, stick to standard models and the money you save will go a long long way to getting the toys you want. If you're heart is set on an XD, then I would be patient and be willing to travel to get it.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 11:19 pm: Edit

Allthough yellow is cool, be aware that an XD is basically just a yellow SD with some extra stuff, most of which you will get rid of anyway if you are going to outfit it for any serious offroading.
If it was me, i would just get a good used Disco and have it painted yellow once the pinstripes gets too bad... They do look cool , though...

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By David on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 12:34 am: Edit

Hi,

Disco Infurno's post if exactly correct in regard to the "XD's" standard equipment. I originally was prepared to travel some distance to look at a few XD"s that were for sale, but was lucky enough to find one in my own backyard (so to speak). No doubt there is a cost preminum on "XD"s, but whether it's worth it is subjective. Some value the British AA yellow paint scheme with decals and it's limited edition status As mentioned above, one can purchase most of the XD's standard features (for install on a SD) for far less than the price of an "XD".

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By RVR OVR (Tom) on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 11:32 am: Edit

on a last note, XD's were actually cheaper from the get go. when i bought my 97 se, i looked at an XD, and it was 34K. I don't know if this is the norm, but for all that "exclusiveness" you are basically paying more money.

me, i prefer to blend in.

tom

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 12:40 pm: Edit

1) find the best and newest (98?) Disco SD you can afford, and add your own equipment to suite your needs (unless you're a collector of limited editions, like someone else said).

2) stop by the schoolhouse and pick up a can of schoolbus yellow paint :)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Ho Chung (Ho) on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 01:48 pm: Edit

as an owner of a disco XD, i can truely say it's no different from other discos besides the color.

if the tacky color is a "must have" in your list, then i have no comment.
:)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 02:06 pm: Edit

Tacky? Just as long as you don't have that flashing STOP sign that unfolds whenever you let some kids off, it's not tacky at all :)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By hehe on Wednesday, May 30, 2001 - 01:45 pm: Edit

Way "cool" color...dude...

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Wednesday, June 06, 2001 - 09:24 am: Edit

Saw this XD for sale...

Limited Edition XD model - Camel Trophy Ed, Yellow exterior, beige interior w/ waterproof seats. 32k Miles. Front and Rear brush gaurds, roof rack, Hella Fog Lamps, Skid Plates. CD changer.
See pics at http://briefcase.yahoo.com/test_email_y2k

Asking $25,000 obo
(949) 706-1532 Home
Located in Newport Beach, CA
email- yhofman@alum.mit.edu

================================
You can pick up '97 SD's certified from a dealer with similar mileage for about $20k. 32k is not bad mileage and if he has the paperwork, the price does not seem out of line depending on condition. it's certainly not the $30k plus I see guys asking for 40~50k mile XD's.

I have no idea who this guy is. The add was posted on the Rovers North board.


Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.

Administrator's Control Panel -- Board Moderators Only
Administer Page | Delete Conversation | Close Conversation | Move Conversation