Am I being too picky?

[john656]

Evening,
As per the title. My mum is potentially going to be getting shot of her 95 300tdi Discovery in the near future. Shes owned it for around 10 years now. On the surface its very nice 89k on the clock good tyres interior etc. One of the problems is that a dealer has offered her 1700 quid for it as is. As it is im not willing to give her anything near that.
Bad bits
One word RUST.
The boot doesnt look too bad at all but, behind the plastic still covers at the rear at least, both sides, and in the wheel arch on the back of the box section is well... swiss cheese. The common places by the rear doors/arches arent too bad how ever i put my screwdirver through the os/r arch today as i was going to have it off her.
Second thing was it sounds like the gearbox is on it way out again (3rd one) 2nd n 3rd crunch unless you give it a second before engaging them and bearings somewhere along the drive line sound nackered as well as the release bearing, just hoping its not the diffs (not looked into it though). Im not too bothered about the box etc its just the welding thats putting me off as i know from work they can go bad quick once the tin worms in them.
Brakes need doing all round but thats not really worth mentioning.

Am i being too picky about these vehicles at this age?

Ill be swapping from a 2000 1.8 focus that I know wont need anything for the MOT next year, but I would like a project like this once I've finished my kit car.

Regards

John

[Disco-andy]

I'd tell your Mum to that the 1700 as that a very good offer, if you what a project disco you will get a similar but new disco 1 for half that. Or an mot fail of the same age that needs some welding for 300-400 with out to much looking, half that for a v8. 

[mattyme]

once the corrosion has set in theres no stopping it and when you start to replace sills etc youll have to think about how far youre gonna go in replacing bits.
when one bit goes the rest is sure to follow. you may find you have lots to fabricate and weld on.... a lot more than you can see too!!

it has to be said that an offer of 1700 from a dealer is a very respectable offer and like was said above, if you want a project you can look round at many other trucks rather than thinkin about the work you have in front of you on the one truck.

alternatively... if its a project youre after. you can always replace the sills on mine for me!! lol its a job i need to do before the end of the decent weather!!  :-k :-k :-k

[LiftedDisco]

I'd let the dealer take it and look elsewhere...

There's much newer stuff going through Brightwells (the auction) and struggling to reach that sort of money (R reg at £1100, anyone?  :shock: )

My bit...

[john656]

I dnt realise that they could be picked up that cheap.... the dealer price is PX on a 12 month old freelander so basicly "scrappage value" for this one. Putting age asaide what are the major differences between the 200 and 300 tdi. I've not had both apart so am unsure to the differences.

Cheers

[LiftedDisco]

200's are virtually bomb proof but now getting old with rust and mileage commensurate with age...

300 is a much more civilised option - but there are more relays and general electrickery stuff so the potential for grief is always there.

Usual (and best) advice is to look at a lot and get the best you can find (rust, body condition and interior, in that order...) rather than getting hung up on age.

Hope this helps - good luck in your search!

[mattyme]

good advice. lifted disco!!

[Disco Matt]

Some of the relays on the 300 are pretty useful - the ones that control the full beam headlights for example, meaning that you don't get voltage drop or melted switches like the 200...  :lol:

There are two versions of 300TDI too. Up to 1996 have mechanical fuel injection pumps, after that they were electronic.

[discodunk]

Tell your mum to snap his hand off, then if you want it wait a couple of weeks then go and offer him silly money as you know all its faults :lol: :lol:

[Disco Matt]

There is nothing wrong with being picky. I keep hearing about immaculate rust-free 300 TDI XS models with a good service history going for £2k. It's just a case of finding them. They're not rare yet.

In fact, if you wanted a project I'd be tempted to buy something like a tidy MPI, then the engine and gearbox from a rusted V8 and combine the two.

[john656]

I'm in no rush as I have a car and am building a kitcar so I have something that I can pour money into but that doesnt mean if something came up I wouldnt. I think i'd rather a tdi, no idea why. How do v8's cope with water etc?