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Comments
What I experience is that if you accelerate and then remove your foot from the gas and allow the vehicle to slow down and the engine to reduce its rpms, you must carefully and with some finesse reapply your foot to the gas to again accelerate or you get a noise and a jerking of the vehicle.
I have been told that this is due to the torque that the engine generates...it seems to be a fairly common event on all Discos but I am sure that on some it is more noticeable than others.
I have learned to accelerate and decelerate with care to avoid the jerking...
2nd Question: My CD player seems display "no disc" when there is a cd in there. Randomly I go through this. I run the CD check and sometime only one cd will work and the others in the magazine won't. Do you think it is a loose wire?
ROO 1
Here are some things rattling around in my head:
1)The last year of the Disco II (was it 2003?) looks appealing because they apparently worked out many of the bugs yet retained the solid axles, etc. Problem is, I don't want to spend 20K and don't need the 4.6 engine.
2) Everyone says to buy a car with good maintenance records but by the time a car is 6 -7 years old and at 80K the records are probably no longer being kept nor the car being serviced by your local friendly "LR Centre". The engine hasn't seen Mobil 1 in years and the car is now on its third set of mix 'n match tires. So, since at my price point we're not going to find good maitenance records, lets move on.
3) Given the cost of fixing the auto tranny and the inability to even check the fluid (no dipstick), let alone change the ATF (apparently you need to use a PortaPower to press the chassis rails apart to change the fluid), I'd love to find a stick shift version. Afterall, how much could a clutch, pressure plate, and t/o bearing cost?
Problem is, I think they last offered a stick shift in '95. Is that correct? How would I find a stick shift version?
4) Are Disco I's simpler and more reliable than a Disco II? Would a Disco I have less in the way of complicated chassis electronics (ABS, etc.) and engine management systems? I don't care about highway handling, just simplicity, ease of maintenance and the ability to haul wet dogs and lobster pots.
5) Were I to pick up a used Disco, is the ol' Buick V8 an interference engine where you have a major service to change the timing belt or else the valves and pistons get very acquainted with each other? Can I pick up new shocks, rotors, pads, etc. in the aftermarket?
I have a 2003 Disco SE7 that I bought new in 2003. So far I have been extraordinarily blessed not to have any real problems; however, it is still under warranty. I do know that if you do the maintenance, and I mean religiously, you will reduce the likelyhood of real problems.
If you buy one go ahead and buy a LandRover extended warranty (covers most of what the factory warranty does). They come in a variety of flavors depending on the deductable.
Also, it depends on the specific vehicle. I know someone who also had a 2002 Disco SE that LandRover bought back because it had no end of problems. On the first day the truck was put in the new owners driveway...it leaked out all the oil in the engine and ruined their driveway-- which by the way LandRover paid to have re-stoned. Later the engine caught fire while sitting at a stop light.
(betcha that truck was a Monday build)...
If you are prepared to do the maintenance and love your Rover then go ahead and take the plunge...these are incredible trucks...but, they do have their own personality.
http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/7503D2.cfm
Two fronts and one back for $34
Good luck!
I have a question regarding how a disco brakes.
The dealership just told me that my rear brakes were in need of replacing; but, that my front brakes were fine.
I thought that was strange since the brakes on the truck are all the same age. The servicewriter told me that discos brake from the rear first and therefore the rear brakes take most of the wear.
Does that sound right?
Should a disco generally need brakes replaced after just 20,000 miles?
Richard
Odiopus
Odiopus
later
This vehicle has cost us $4,200 since Feb 2005, and that is not including the car note.
The engine runs fine...it is all the other things that break. I will list everything that was wrong with my vehicle from the time I took ownership - June 27,2003
(1) Radio not working properly..would not pick up AM station - had to get changed out
(2) Transmission - shifting was rough
(3) Driver's side window went down and never came back up
(4) Shade clip broke
(5) Rear wiper assembly broke and had to be replaced.
(6) Rotors and brakes repaired. Front and back
(7) The door lock - rear driver side - had to be fixed twice. Although I purchased the extended warranty, I still had to pay the "copay"
I can't remember what is was, but soon after I purchased the extended warranty, I need a $2,000 repair job - I had to pay $100 of that.
Just yesterday, when I went in for my $200 - 60 mile service, I was informed that my spark plugs and wiring are disintegrating. Because of how the wires are situated, (around the manifold or something - at this point, I stopped listening) it cost me $1,600 to replace 3 of the 6 plugs.
Luckily I was able to trade my vehicle got $18K for it - not bad at all. The Kelley Blue Book listed it for $18,074 in excellent condition.
I now have a Lincoln Zephyr. I have never been so disappointed in a vehicle as I was with the Land Rover.
Its unfortunate that you had these problems but I don't see $4200 of work here unless you are counting the $2000 that the insurance picked up. Moreover, I'd love to learn more about the $1600 for three spark plugs. Did they install a new exahust manifold? Remove the engine? Please tell us more than you "simply stopped listening."
Finally, and not to pile on (really), before you congratulate yourself on the Disco trade, its difficult to evaluate the trade in price you received without knowing how much you paid for the Lincoln. In other words, I'd give you 18K for your Disco provided you bought something from me at an inflated list price. The bottom line is what matters, not what someone will give you for an antique clock if you buy a painting from him. Rolex watch dealers offer to their customers to always buy the Rolex back from their customers at a great price IF they later buy another, more expensive one at LIST price. With the dollar weakening and Rolex prices rising, this is a safe bet.
The brakes needed to be replaced as well as the rotors REPLACED. The rotors on a land rover cannot be turned because they are so slim, so I had to purchase new rotorS - $1,200
the extended warranty $1,505
The spark plugs. There are 8 on this vehicle. The wires to the plug were disintegrating. This was found out as I took the car in for its 60,000 mile service. We responded to replace the ones that HAD to be replaced (that was three) the others, the hell with it b/c it was at this point we decided a trade was in order. The spark plugs themselves were 47.00 each. It was the labor that was expensive...it was my understanding that they had to remove the exhaust manifold and the engine because of how the car is wired. $1,600.
Everytime something breaks, even if it is under warranty, you have to pay the copay of $100 per visit. That was two visits. $200
So I am up to what - $4,305?
I AM congratulating myself because I got out of that damn car. The Kelley Blue Book for the 2003 Land Rover in Excellent condition is $18,074. I had high miles (61, 000+) and got $18,000 - I think that is good. We used the USAA negotiating service and got the Lincoln for $1,100 over invoice so before tax, title, etc. the cost was $30,084.
blckislandguy - you totally lost me on the Rolex analog :-)
And yes, I stopped listening to the explanation as to why I am going to have to pay $1900 (the $200+ I was expecting to pay for the 60,000 service + the $1600 to get the spark plug wires replaced) because it was at that point I realized that I cannot afford to operate or maintain this vehicle any longer and I was on to plan B.
Hope this explains the situation a bit clearer.
Cheers!
Despite my random moments when I think I want to get one for use on Block Island, the maintenance costs and issues amaze me.
My 2001 V8 Landrover Discovery Series II has engine problems after approx. 130,000 kms. I bought it new and it has been serviced by Landrover dealers its whole life.
The car was idling a little rough one night driving home, so minor that anyone else would not have noticed it. The car would not start the next morning. Turning the key you got a loud clunk. The RACV eventually jump started it after 20 or so tries.
I was advised to take it to the dealer and get the battery and starter motor checked. I started off and the car over heated within 1 km. The car was then transported by truck to the dealer.
They say they have found coolant in the number 5 cylinder. It seems that the cylinder sleeve is leaking, which means a change over short motor.
I am absolutely disappointed and appalled that a modern engine that has had an easy life and been well maintained can give up the ghost with no warning at all and at such a relatively young age.
Is this a common problem with the 4.0 Ltr V8 engine?
Has anyone successfully resleeved an engine?
Has anyone successfully gotten Landrover to come to the party and help with the repairs?
I dont know, I am a honda accord owner, and I appreciate the reliability. I just get in and go, no worries...and i plan to keep it as my daily driver, but I need an SUV/truck to tow my boat, and I have a good deal $16,500 for a 2003 with 65,000 miles on it that has been meticulously maintained, is super clean and has all highway miles (harly ever been offroad). I only plan to drive it 5000 miles per year, and mostly while I am towing my boat, and I hear it is a great hauler. My other options are an Expedition or Explorer or Tahoe or something along those lines. Not nearly as luxurious and all have reliability problems in their own right!! Any thoughts? I like the fact that this vehicle has been 65,000 with little problems and works great...but I dont want everything to crash down on me right after I buy it either!! thanks!!
HOWEVER, it says in the Extended Warranty, that the warranty is VOID if any work is done on the vehicle by other and a LR shop. You know, with the troubles we have had with the car, we did not want to take the chance.
Although this is a FORD vehicle, it is made by Great Britain standards and Engineering...trust me there is a difference
You know I did enjoy that car. it could pull anything, get itself out of a ditch, and when i cleaned it up it still looked elegant enough to take to the opera. It was a dream.
But pain of operating and maintaining it was too much. I am thankful I've had an opportunity to get my dream car.
I just went to the dealership website to see if it is on sale yet - yup it is, for 21,985. They gave me $18,000
Here is the link:
http://www.donjacksonlincolnmercury.com/index.cfm?action=dealerlink&Link=75054">link title
It is kinda weird seeing your former "baby" out on a lot.
No replies yet.
Anyone on this thread know anything about importing diesel Defenders into the U.S., or what a 1998 Defender is worth, diesel motor?
I use my '03 Discovery for work all the time and I am now 100 miles away from deciding if I should purchase the Extended Warranty. Does anyone have any suggestions? It is $3400 with a $100 deductible for each service. I don't want to throw away money...but don't want to be stuck spending more than that if this car has a history of repair issues. Any advice is great!
Steve, Host
Next time, check out the Extended Warranties discussion for recommendations. And here's a timely story:
Did You Want an Extension With That Warranty? (NY Times)
Steve, Host
Steve, Host
Second, did BMW continue to use the old Buick V8 in the Disco II's? I understand that this engine had problems with the cylinder sleeves cracking and causing engine failure. I have read in one place that this is indeed that old engine, but the cylinder sleeve problems were corrected in 2000. I am very curious because I see this being a painful problem in the future.
I love this truck. I think quite highly of Land Rover, as I have seen with earlier postings on this forum, most other owners feel the same.
Thank you in advance for your help.
-Nathan
Now the Check Engine warning light has come on and off a few times. When I started the engine a few days ago the Check Engine light came on with chimes. I'm scared to go to the dealership and pay an enormous amount for a check up! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Lupe
Odiopus
Odiopus