96 disco (looking to buy it) - Land Rovers Only

raymondh · 07-31-2006, 03:15 PM

I just test drove this discovery The outside looks like a 10 year old car that has been taken care of but there are a couple corner dents (pretty small) and a cracked windshield. The interior is really nice.

The car starts right up (the engine was cold, I checked) and goes right into a smooth idle. The transmission shifts fast and smooth. All the electricals work. The tires are well past their usable life.

The main issues I have and I hope you all can give me some advice on are as follows:

1. The rear diff clunks when going into reverse. The owner told me about it and had me go listen while he shifted. He said it needs to be reseated (whatever that means.)

2. It wanders on the road. I had to constantly correct the steering. He said that he's used to it so he doesn't really notice it. He said that it may have something to do with the oversized tires.

3. The ABS light was on and he said it has been on for over a year.

I'm taking it in to a rover shop for a prepurchase inspection so I'll find out more info in a couple of days. But I was hoping someone here has some insights.

Thanks!

Ray

Disco Mike · 07-31-2006, 03:35 PM

Ray,
Beware, unless you can steel that truck, I would not be in a hugh hurrry.
How many miles on it?
The truck amy need a lot of suspension work plus and alignment and a set of tires.
As for the ABS, could be pricey, have the codes read to find out what is wrong with it.
What is he asking for it?
Mike

96owner · 07-31-2006, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

What is he asking for it?

4400

raymondh · 07-31-2006, 04:03 PM

It's going into the shop for a pre-purchase inspection. I'm not in a big hurry but I like it because it doesn't have sun roofs. It has about 121k miles on it. It's got a fairly new 2.5" OME lift.

And yes, the tires need to be replaced. I was going to take the cost of tires off the asking price if I make an offer.

Disco Mike · 07-31-2006, 05:06 PM

The tire could be the cheap part of the repair. ABS can easily run $500 to $2000, suspension $400 plus up thru $1500.
Don't want to pop your bubble, just be careful.
Mike

raymondh · 07-31-2006, 05:13 PM

Oh, don't worry about popping my bubble! I bought a 86 mercedes a few years ago that was just beautiful! 6 months later, I had spent more at the shop then I did on the car... So my eyes are open!

I asked the mechanic to pay special attention to the wandering steering. He told me that if it's been lifted it may need a radius arm. Something about not being able to adjust caster or camber or something like that.

He said he can track down the ABS light issue. Trust me, what ever the cost of the repairs, I'll take off my offer. If it's not accepted, I'll find something else. I'm in Portland, Oregon in case anyone knows of a nice one for sale!

Disco Mike · 07-31-2006, 07:29 PM

You won't nee to correct the radius arms for a 2 1/2" lift. Most likely your have some warn steering parts and the swivel joints beed to be serviced and reset.
Let us know how it goes.
Mike

RageRover · 07-31-2006, 08:16 PM

Check out the track bar in the front, the bushings maybe bad and can cause the front axle to wander making you have to correct the steering most of the time, not good for alignment and tires.

To add to that, the tie rod ends on the steering arms, check those out see if they need replacing.

Oh and what kinda Mercedes do you have? We have a 420 SEL, also an 86'.

raymondh · 07-31-2006, 10:18 PM

It was a 500 SEL. It was in the shop getting a new transmission installed and the mechanic took it for the final test drive and ran a red light. He T-boned a full size Ford and totalled both...

raymondh · 08-01-2006, 01:40 PM

I just got back from the shop and this is the summary.

There were two columns of things he found (after 2.5 hours) but most were lightbulbs that were out.

The issues were as follows:

1. lots of oil underneath. He said that there was too much build up to pin point it but that there was some ATF mixed in with it. He said that it could be the rear main or the pump(or sump, or something) from the tranny. He said that it would be 800 to replace both of those.

2. panhard arm bushings are shot. he said this is contributing to the wandering but because of the lift and oversized tires, I should expect some wandering.

3. power steering lines are leaking.

4. clunk when going into reverse when in low range (he said it was pretty loud but not out of the ordinary for this age/miles) more than likely from a worn output shaft.

5. the abs light was on but the current owner had them change the sensor that was bad and that fixed it.

The other things were stuff like the fenders have been cut to fit 33 inch tires, the rear diff is a detroit locker (he listed things that were changed from stock). Some small dents/scratches, mud in radiater consitant with be off road. Vacuum lines for the cruise control were missing.

He said the panhard rod (or arm) and the oil leaks are things that should be fixed if I were going to purchase it.

The owner said he would fix the panhard arm bushings, hook the cruise control up, and replace a missing trim piece on the passenger door if I would pay $4000.

He also has a nice set of 33 inch tires (about 90%) on blacked out rims in his garage that he said he would sell for $500 and a pair of rock sliders that he took of the disco that he said he would sell too.

I'm thinking about seeing if I can swing a package deal for the truck, tires, sliders but I'm just not sure about the real value of the truck.

With the issues I listed above, what's a reasonable offer?

Are these issues unusual?

phantom phan · 08-02-2006, 03:45 AM

raymondh
if you havnt bought it walk away now, there will be otheres in better condition out there,
it seems that the vehicle as been subjected to some abuse, and some serious off roading, i seem to read that the seller is not being honest with you and believes you will buy it as seen
regards
phantom phan

k12 · 08-02-2006, 05:55 AM

Play hard ball. Tell him to fix the bushings, add the trim and hook up the cruise first, then come talk to you. If he says no, walk. If he says yes and does so (ask to see receipts for the bushings), then offer him a one-time last best offer of 4k to include the other set of wheels and tires installed on it, the stock set too in the back of the truck, and have him put the sliders back on.

I think that would be a good deal. You will get what should be a great trail rig with good equipment for a decent price. If he doesnt want to do it, give him your number and tell him to call you if he changes his mind. As the truck sits right now, its not worth more than 3k, IMHO.

As for the oil/fluid leaks, thats normal to all discos.

Keep us posted.

Kieran

07-31-2006, 03:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
raymondh Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 10 Gallery: 0	96 disco (looking to buy it) I just test drove this discovery The outside looks like a 10 year old car that has been taken care of but there are a couple corner dents (pretty small) and a cracked windshield. The interior is really nice. The car starts right up (the engine was cold, I checked) and goes right into a smooth idle. The transmission shifts fast and smooth. All the electricals work. The tires are well past their usable life. The main issues I have and I hope you all can give me some advice on are as follows: 1. The rear diff clunks when going into reverse. The owner told me about it and had me go listen while he shifted. He said it needs to be reseated (whatever that means.) 2. It wanders on the road. I had to constantly correct the steering. He said that he's used to it so he doesn't really notice it. He said that it may have something to do with the oversized tires. 3. The ABS light was on and he said it has been on for over a year. I'm taking it in to a rover shop for a prepurchase inspection so I'll find out more info in a couple of days. But I was hoping someone here has some insights. Thanks! Ray

07-31-2006, 08:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
RageRover Crazy about Rovers and more... Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Westland, MI Posts: 2,888 Gallery: 0	Check out the track bar in the front, the bushings maybe bad and can cause the front axle to wander making you have to correct the steering most of the time, not good for alignment and tires. To add to that, the tie rod ends on the steering arms, check those out see if they need replacing. Oh and what kinda Mercedes do you have? We have a 420 SEL, also an 86'. __________________ Pat Albaugh, Midwest Moderator "Diffage" -the point at which the truck's differential makes contact with the ground. http://www.cardomain.com/id/RageRover42Visit my RRC and others here!(updated as of September 15, 2006) 1995 RRC LWB -LT265/75R16 Pathfinder All Terrains -RTE 2" Lift Springs -Pro Comp ES9000 Shocks (from DAP Enterprises) -KMC Front Diff Guard -4 Desert Fox 55 watt Lighting -Radio Shack CB Radio (never know when signal fails on a cell phone) -2 Halogen Super Sport 100 watt forward lights -Custom slim style front bumper w/ integrated bull bar -Lowe's Special "Homemade" Snorkel -T-Case out of an 92' RRC

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07-31-2006, 03:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Disco Mike Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Parker, Colorado Posts: 5,329 Gallery: 0	Ray, Beware, unless you can steel that truck, I would not be in a hugh hurrry. How many miles on it? The truck amy need a lot of suspension work plus and alignment and a set of tires. As for the ABS, could be pricey, have the codes read to find out what is wrong with it. What is he asking for it? Mike

07-31-2006, 04:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
raymondh Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 10 Gallery: 0	It's going into the shop for a pre-purchase inspection. I'm not in a big hurry but I like it because it doesn't have sun roofs. It has about 121k miles on it. It's got a fairly new 2.5" OME lift. And yes, the tires need to be replaced. I was going to take the cost of tires off the asking price if I make an offer.

07-31-2006, 05:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
Disco Mike Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Parker, Colorado Posts: 5,329 Gallery: 0	The tire could be the cheap part of the repair. ABS can easily run $500 to $2000, suspension $400 plus up thru $1500. Don't want to pop your bubble, just be careful. Mike

07-31-2006, 05:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
raymondh Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 10 Gallery: 0	Oh, don't worry about popping my bubble! I bought a 86 mercedes a few years ago that was just beautiful! 6 months later, I had spent more at the shop then I did on the car... So my eyes are open! I asked the mechanic to pay special attention to the wandering steering. He told me that if it's been lifted it may need a radius arm. Something about not being able to adjust caster or camber or something like that. He said he can track down the ABS light issue. Trust me, what ever the cost of the repairs, I'll take off my offer. If it's not accepted, I'll find something else. I'm in Portland, Oregon in case anyone knows of a nice one for sale!

07-31-2006, 07:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
Disco Mike Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Parker, Colorado Posts: 5,329 Gallery: 0	You won't nee to correct the radius arms for a 2 1/2" lift. Most likely your have some warn steering parts and the swivel joints beed to be serviced and reset. Let us know how it goes. Mike

07-31-2006, 10:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
raymondh Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 10 Gallery: 0	It was a 500 SEL. It was in the shop getting a new transmission installed and the mechanic took it for the final test drive and ran a red light. He T-boned a full size Ford and totalled both...

08-01-2006, 01:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
raymondh Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 10 Gallery: 0	I just got back from the shop and this is the summary. There were two columns of things he found (after 2.5 hours) but most were lightbulbs that were out. The issues were as follows: 1. lots of oil underneath. He said that there was too much build up to pin point it but that there was some ATF mixed in with it. He said that it could be the rear main or the pump(or sump, or something) from the tranny. He said that it would be 800 to replace both of those. 2. panhard arm bushings are shot. he said this is contributing to the wandering but because of the lift and oversized tires, I should expect some wandering. 3. power steering lines are leaking. 4. clunk when going into reverse when in low range (he said it was pretty loud but not out of the ordinary for this age/miles) more than likely from a worn output shaft. 5. the abs light was on but the current owner had them change the sensor that was bad and that fixed it. The other things were stuff like the fenders have been cut to fit 33 inch tires, the rear diff is a detroit locker (he listed things that were changed from stock). Some small dents/scratches, mud in radiater consitant with be off road. Vacuum lines for the cruise control were missing. He said the panhard rod (or arm) and the oil leaks are things that should be fixed if I were going to purchase it. The owner said he would fix the panhard arm bushings, hook the cruise control up, and replace a missing trim piece on the passenger door if I would pay $4000. He also has a nice set of 33 inch tires (about 90%) on blacked out rims in his garage that he said he would sell for $500 and a pair of rock sliders that he took of the disco that he said he would sell too. I'm thinking about seeing if I can swing a package deal for the truck, tires, sliders but I'm just not sure about the real value of the truck. With the issues I listed above, what's a reasonable offer? Are these issues unusual?

08-02-2006, 03:45 AM	#11 (permalink)
phantom phan Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: BARNSLEY, U.K Posts: 53 Gallery: 0	raymondh if you havnt bought it walk away now, there will be otheres in better condition out there, it seems that the vehicle as been subjected to some abuse, and some serious off roading, i seem to read that the seller is not being honest with you and believes you will buy it as seen regards phantom phan

08-02-2006, 05:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
k12 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Carlisle, PA Posts: 144 Gallery: 0	Play hard ball. Tell him to fix the bushings, add the trim and hook up the cruise first, then come talk to you. If he says no, walk. If he says yes and does so (ask to see receipts for the bushings), then offer him a one-time last best offer of 4k to include the other set of wheels and tires installed on it, the stock set too in the back of the truck, and have him put the sliders back on. I think that would be a good deal. You will get what should be a great trail rig with good equipment for a decent price. If he doesnt want to do it, give him your number and tell him to call you if he changes his mind. As the truck sits right now, its not worth more than 3k, IMHO. As for the oil/fluid leaks, thats normal to all discos. Keep us posted. Kieran

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