MateoCR Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Want a quick word of advice from the gang here. Purchased a used Range a couple of years ago and everything that can go wrong has... so tomorrow I'm looking at a TD5 Defender for sale and am asking for any advice of what to look for... Help me build a list: Exterior rust or obvious signs of body work uneven tire wear underneath signs of the main seal weeping ball joints leaking filter and belt changes water level / condition of coolant brake boosters / slave reservoir level signals & lights working a/c - heat drive test - how quick she starts tightness in the front end clutch and tranny smoothness I know some of you guys are geniuses with these trucks so any tips on obvious problems would be greatly appreciated. She's a 2001 with real low miles (about 57k miles) Thanks in Advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike4444244 Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Sounds about right, also check the engine-ecu loom as IIRC theres an issue with oil leaking down it? Also check every switch/control works, UJs are free from play, wheel bearings, swivels, get under it with a small hammer, torch and small mirror and give the chassis a very good going over, especially the rear x member. Lift the mats in the front and check the footwells. feel the engine and make sure its cold before you start it. Don't be too worried about body condition/straigtness, they come out of the factory a bit misaligned sometimes! On your test drive its worth finding a car park/quiet road and doing the following, 30mph 4th gear accelerate hard, if the clutch is going to slip it will doing this! drive round on full lock L and R and listen for CV noises Emergency stop from at least 30mph, make sure it pulls up quickly and straight, if ABS make sure it dosent lock up. try it in low range and make sure difflock engages/disengages ok make sure parking brake works by trying to drive off with it on, be careful not to damage the brake. Sure someone will be along with a more comprehensive list but thats all I can think of at the mo! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid_From_Hell Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Records of Full service history then records re servicing once out of warranty Number of owners and for how long Does the mileage look genuine - ie 30,000 but the pedal rubbers worn away in places to metal similarly condition of seat vs mileage Evidence of respray / repair work Does the last owner live in the area ?...ie was the LR trdaed in, and sort of known to the dealer or was it just bought at an auction ? Even something as simple as check the dipstick, many dealers are lazy and will just say 2It will be serviced when you buy it" - if the dipstick is low and they haven't topped it up that speaks volumes re the last x 000s miles useage Nige Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MateoCR Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 Thanks for these responses. Some great ideas that I will certainly utilize this afternoon. One more question... does anyone know of a central computer or other electronic change on the TD5's around 2001, a friend and fellow enthusiast just told me not to buy one older than 2002 - what's the word on the street on this? Thanks again, I'm getting pretty excited to drive a Defender! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 I'm getting pretty excited to drive a Defender! Pah! that won't last! Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MateoCR Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 Records of Full service history then records re servicing once out of warranty Number of owners and for how long Does the mileage look genuine - ie 30,000 but the pedal rubbers worn away in places to metal similarly condition of seat vs mileage Evidence of respray / repair work Does the last owner live in the area ?...ie was the LR trdaed in, and sort of known to the dealer or was it just bought at an auction ? Even something as simple as check the dipstick, many dealers are lazy and will just say 2It will be serviced when you buy it" - if the dipstick is low and they haven't topped it up that speaks volumes re the last x 000s miles useage Nige [/quote This was good advice Nige definitely failed on these conditions - turns out it was a German import to Costa Rica - without A/C the seats were covered because underneath they look like work truck seats it drove pretty clunky, but I guess that's kind've normal - the only other Defender I've driven was a 98 D90 and it was the 4 cylinder turbo and the gearbox seemed a lot smoother oh well, I guess the search continues - I've got a Puma demo for the weekend so I'll be better prepared to compare the new gearbox / duritorq combo B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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