Some advice please

[MuddyMary]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking at getting a Discovery now I have some pennies saved. I am looking at this one:

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 1994 L Reg LAND ROVER Discovery 300 Tdi
5 Doors, Manual, Station Wagon, Diesel, 114,217 miles, Blue. Alloy wheels, Central locking, Electric windows, Extra seats, Power assisted steering, Remote locking, Towbar.Insurance Group:12, £2,995

I have been to see it and all looks good. The rear passenger elec window doesn't work from the back but does from the front.

Underneath looks in good nick, don't think it has seen much mud or off-road use mind you.

There are rust areas on the joining parts of the front bumper

When I drove it the clutch had to come right up before there was any bite. Salesman said that is normal for Disco. Is it?

What are your thoughts on this?

Are they asking too much? Not enough?

What things should I be checking?

Any advice appreciated as last car I bought ended up scrapping as multitude of things needed doing but only found out too late.

Thanks everyone. Hoping this is the one so can get back off-road but if you think I should stay clear, I need to know.

Mary

Is this an ok deal?

[winchman]

Mary I bought the same spec  but with 88,000miles on it 11 months MOT, I paid £2600 which I thought was expensive but you dont see many 94 300TDis, the trim etc is much better  than the 200 and looks more modern.
If you are unsure book it in for an inspection at a garage and ask them to give there opinion, I have taken them for MOT in the past and told the tester I was looking at buying it and for £40 its a good idea of its condition.
I looked at 5 and most needed welding for the next MOT or had very high milage and needed a few jobs which when you look at the list of little jobs start to eat in to your time and cash.
I wanted a seven seat twin sunroof car with central remote locking and got it set your self  a spec and stick to it.
If its from a trader with some sort of warrenty ( read it carefully) its not bad but with no part ex it should come down to £26-2800
I feel its best to buy one thats ready to go and dosnt need work.
Good luck

[MuddyMary]

Thanks for that. It has just passed its MOT this month so just tax to get.

I was thinking if all ok to offer £2500 but am now wondering if overpriced  :roll:  :?

Interior is tidy and well kept, no tears in fabric that I could find.

I know that Discos are renound for bits needing doing so think would get a garage to have a look at it for me.

Thanks again

[Budgie]

Check the rear floor, under the carpet & sound proofing, and around the alpine windows in the roof for rust. Also the rear body mountings just in front of the rear bumper.

The clutch is the same as any Land Rover so if it's not bitting until it's at the top of the peddle movement then it may need replacing.

Does it have any service record with it? The early 300 TDi's had a problem with the timing belt and there was a kit that sorted the problem. Ask when the timing belt was last changed.

Mileage isn't really a problem on these, as long as they have been well serviced. Mine has 166k miles on the clock and still going well.  

[Range Rover Blues]

I'd agree that you want to be paying more like £2,500 than £3k.  You need to go over the car, don't trust the MOT particularly if it's been done by the dealer.  Anything you find wrong, including the clutch, needs to come out of the asking price.  Corrosion and leaks are one of the worst parts of the Disco, the engine if cared for will go round the clock twice, it's the gearbox that will show signs of abuse first but it should be the stronger R380 anyway (reverse below 5th).

Think about looking at some others whilst you are negotiating this on, just to compare.

[freeagent]

i'd say £2995 is a bit steep, i bought a similar one 2 months ago for £2200, with 100k on the clock, mega service history, great condition... but it was a private sale, so no dealer profit to pay.

thats rubbish about the clutch, theres no reason to think its on the way out, but they don't all bite right at the top of the pedal travel... i wouldn't trust the MOT 100% either, although there are less bent ones around since the computerisation came in...

I'm not a fan of car dealers, as i don't need to pay someone a grand to paint the tyres black and give me a warranty thats not worth the paper its printed on...

i'd say its worth £2500.... condition is more important than milage, proper service bills more important than a mickey mouse warranty, and don't trust anything the salesman says...