1999 TD5 manual, buying advice needed!

[Benji]

Hey all

Going to look at a 1999-T TD5 manual tommorrow.  Im always a bit dubious about buying a car from the first year of a new model, im a bit worried about teething problems etc!  

Anyone got any tips and what i need to look for?  

Mileage is at 72K and he wants £10650 (ES spec)

Thanks guys

[muddyweb]

As ever... check for service history..  if it is complete then hopefully all of the recall bits were done.

The price seems a little on the high side, so don't be a fraid to haggle.

[Benji]

Thanks Tim,

the price is about average for this area but he said he has factored in a respray for the bonnet as the laquer has started to peel a bit from a bodged main dealer respray 3 years ago (and i will check for crash damage!)

Any idea what the recall items are and will Land Rover have info as to whether the work has been done on this vehicle?

[Jimbo]

The recalls that I can remember are:

ACE high pressure hoses being replaced
Round disc things fitted to top of ABS pump
Handbrake mechanism retrofit
Rear fuel line chafing against ABS/water sensor harness - they drop the tank and fit a sleeve on the fuel pipe.

Other than that,  on a vehicle thats done 72k the head gasket may be on the way out (mine went at 69k on a 'W' plate) - check for overheating and the expansion tank venting coolant after a 10 minute 70mph blat.

Jim

[speedfreak]

Check that the clutch doesn't judder, clutch pedal can feel heavy, PAS pipes can make a strange noise when turning the steering. If low range hasn't been selected for a while, the circlip that holds the selector cable can break if the transfer box lever is forced. Window regulators may as well be made of chocolate (they always break).
The discos i look after have got between 70 and 140 thousand miles on them. Had no head gasket problems but have had a few with new engines fitted (damaged due to driver abuse)...

[LOFTY]

Check its full of coolant before test driving, then do long test drive, work it hard, then check under bonnet to see if any coolant has been forced out of condenser bottle. If it has, your head gasket has gone, i got caught with that one, as if water is very low in system, temperature gauge will just read normal, but your engine is roasting. :(

[Benji]

Thanks guys.

Well i bought it!

He offered me a good part-ex for mine and the car was perfect as far as i could tell.  It was owned by Land Rover for the first two years so hopefully the recalls will have been done but i will do some investigative work to check!

I had heard about the head gaskets but i will certainly do the coolant check when i get it lofty!

It comes with a years warranty. Its a specialist 4x4 warranty from 'Auto Trust' and the head gasket is covererd but theres no mention of the suspension. It doesn't say it is covered....or it isn't!  Already emailed the garage to get them to confirm that.

Im hoping to pick it up on Friday. I can't wait now!  My 300 has been getting worse over the last 6 months, vibrations, whining, worn shocks etc and its becoming a real chore to drive. Ive probably made it worse recently knowing that i'll be changing it soon!

Its temting to have one last trek along some green lanes but knowing my luck i'll trash it!   :?