Land Rover Repair: 1997 Land Rover TDi Turbo diesel 4 cylinder, window switches, queensland australia

Question
Hi
We're looking at buying a 1997 TDi Landrover 4 cylinder turbo diesel but have never owned a 4x4 before. This one came across our path. The price is great and we've had the mechanic check it out and he could find nothing wrong with it. It's been regularly serviced etc. Can you give me some indication of the maintenence and servicing costs and fuel consumption on one of these. We're not really in a position to be able to spend a lot on a vehicle if it breaks down etc and have been spoiled mechanically with our current car as it's never had a problem. It's just too small for the family now. Any information you can give regarding ownership of one of these would be appreciated. We live in Queensland Australia. Cheers

Answer
Hi Michelle,

the 97 Disco TDi is a somewhat solid vehicle.  The engine is good and the security within this 4x4 is excellent.  BUT when you talk about maintenance you should expect high costs for almost all components.  Even if purchase rebuilt parts, they will be more expensive than what you are use to.  Dealers have various reputations and most owners prefer to avoid them when they can.  Many will do the work themselves and rely on the dealerships when all other options have run out.

Besides the dealerships, common problems with series I Disco's are electronics failure due to corrosion, water ingress, window switches not working, key fob failure, door lock and latch failure, rear door hinges failing, a continuing failure to solve ABS braking problems.  

All of these problems require long investigative labour and expensive parts.  I've rarely gone to the dealer without paying out less than $500 CDN.  

If you're on a budget you may want to consider taking the TDi to an independent LR mechanic for a thorough inspection.  Local garages don't have the LR testing system or the experience that can reveal hidden vices.  

Heres a contact that may be of more help to you:

Maxi Drive Engineering - Malcolm Story
4 Ryecroft Street
Carrara, Queensland Australia
+61 (0)7-5530-3934

http://www.4wdworld.com.au/products/maxidrive/maxidrive.htm

e-mail: maxidrive@bigpond.com.au

This shop has a good reputation and you can contact them for advice 'closer to home' than what I could offer here in Canada.   If he's not in your area, perhaps he knows of someone closer to your home that he could refer you to.

I hope all of this helps.  It is a fine 4x4, perhaps one of the best - when its working properly.  The moment components start to fail, the cost to repair goes up and the satisfaction gets jolted.   

Regards,

JohnMc