IMHO if you want something really rugged, reliable, and totally capable in all weathers .. go for a Defender not a Discovery, or if you can find one .. an early 110 ... as my uncle used to say .. a proper landrover is one you take to a blacksmith to fix .. not a bloody garage or electronics warehouse ...... 
Unfortunately you won't get much in the way of a decent Defender for under £2000.
If you're looking for a Discovery around that era then rust is a major concern. Chassis mounts, boot floors, inner wings, suspension mounts, rear cross-member, wheel arches, inner wings outer sills, inner sills......the list goes on.
There are many, many Disco's 1993 - 1998 Mk1's that can be had for what appears to be a steal but you really have to do your homework & get dirty & have a look underneath them. Engine wise the Tdi 200 & 300 are quite bullet proof (if looked after once in a while
) quick they ain't!
If you get a Tdi I'd go for the manual one, just because its easier to get going, autos are dead lazy.
Looking at the one you've seen on Flea-bay, it looks smart & has already had a lot of welding to get it through several MOT's. Even so I'd be on my hands and knees looking at whats been done & to what standard.
The outer body is mostly aluminium with the exception of the bonnet & roof, this can be advantageous but it can get a bit ratty if it starts to oxidise (usually where it meets steel on the innards of doors etc.)
I've found out through ripping apart the one I've got (V8 btw) that a lot of stuff is literally bolt or stick on (yup I ain't joking rear wings glued & tac'ed) is really easy to repair /replace parts and there are loads of spares shops to go at.
So far before I did my back in I replaced all suspension & steering serviceable items, swivels, bearings and brakes with little effort and they were quite enjoyable to do. I've been lucky so far and not had to get the welder out, but I will....somewhere i'll need to, just not found it yet.
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Topic: 4x4 options?? Advice pls (Read 3937 times)