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-thanks
Second, I am wondering if anyone has had any problems with rust on their DII. To make a long story short mine was just partially repaired at an independent body shop (arranged through the LR Center where I leased). Part one of the problem that I had was noticeable rust "seeping" from the corners of the black seals under the windows on all doors. The problem wasn't major, and was really only visible when you opened the doors, but it was still a concern given the vehicle is a 2001 model year. The LR dealer says that the paint job around the top edge of the door openings was apparently not up to standard thereby leaving some of the galvanized steel exposed. This was the part that was repaired.
Part two of the problem is approximately 20-30 little pin-hole sized dots of (what look to me like) rust on several places of the body. LR says that these spots are NOT rust since some are on aluminum parts of the body which cannot rust. They also say that they are not covered under warranty because they are caused by an external agent (such as road debris).
As you can probably guess, I am not completely satisfied with the outcome. In general it seems odd to me that the rust under the doors could be a manufacturing defect while the other spots are not. (BTW, I just noticed another spot on a piece of metal INSIDE the fuel door -- clearly no road debris can reach inside there with enough force to remove the paint) I will be seeking a second opinion through another body shop but in the meantime I was curious if anyone else has had either of these problems.
I also have the same pin-hole sized dots of rust on my '99 Series II and also rust inside the fuel door. It is all over the top and hood of my truck.
I haven't taken it in yet but will at my next maintenance service. What color is your truck? Mine is white and it is totally noticeable. Let me know if you are able to get LR to fix it.
my Disco is also white. I just went through the LR dealer last Friday (5/17) to get the rust under the door seals fixed, it wasn't until I picked it up that I found out that they weren't going to repair the pin-hole size spots. At that point I requested a letter from the service manager indicating that the spots are NOT rust and that those (aluminum) panels will NOT develop rust spots. Hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday I will get to another body shop to get my second opinion.
As I mentioned previously, the spots on my Disco are not very noticeable, you would have to look closely in order to see them.
I'll provide an update after I get more info.
When I was on the test drive, I asked if the new disco would be anything like the new Rover. The tech said it would have a similar front light config. and would ride very close to the quality of the new Range Rover. He said he drove it and it is a night and day diff. from the DII to the 2003 disco.
If the 6 Spoke wheel is standard on the HSE model only, what style wheel will be on the SE? Same wheel as 2002 DII SE?
Kevin
And by the way - THANKS for all your help to all of us - you should be paid for all your services!
I took it in to my dealer and had them look at it as a warranty issue. They acted like it may be a problem for LR to cover under warranty but they "would try anyway" (keep in mind my truck is only 18 mos old). I was ready to go ballistic but figured that I would wait to hear. They called me back and acted surprised that LR would cover a re-paint of the entire rear door so I stayed calm.
I made an appt and they kept it for 3 days to refinish the door. It worked out alright but the experience left a bit of a funny taste - like something wasn't right and all of your posts seem to confirm it.
MO
As far as I know the '99 uses the same ZF transmission as the '96 and that is one bulletproof tranny. My mechanic here said he's only seen one transmission problem in all the Discos he's worked on.
Hmmmmmmmmm, if it was traded in at 28k miles then there may be some long-term issues the prior owners weren't willing to deal with. Have the service history printed out and look for repeating problems they were trying to solve. Chances are it's something minor and can easily be fixed before the warranty expires.
Good luck, -Bob
Thanks for the reply! I remember reading some earlier posts on this message board about the importance of keeping the engine reveved on these V-8's and the one I test drove goes a little to quick to the highest gear in "D". The rpm goes down to about 1300-1400 rpm, by the tach, @ about 38-40 mph. Is that normal (computer shifting problem?) or should you shift to 3rd range and get the rpm up over 1700-1800 rpm to keep from lugging the engine. I remember so mechanics thought that might cause valve problems. Thanks for the any help this.help.
did the guy tell you when the new 2003 disco would be out and any additional diff. besides the larger engine and lights? my car is up on lease on june 30th and i've been waiting for this car to arrive. i've talked to some dealers here in chicago and they might give me a loaner until it comes. Also, does anyone know how much negotiating power i will have on the new model? i do have a ford x-plan which gives me the car at 4% over dealer invoice but am trying to get the car even better. am i wishing for too much?
Thanks
Try Hal Moses at 1-800-933-9190 for a extended warranty quote.
I drive mine in '3' all the time in town, speeds up to around 50mph. Surprisingly, it doesn't affect the mileage much; these have "learning" computers and they soon adapt to that. You'll have much better power and throttle response.
If you have the luxury of getting your OBDII reset by the factory laptop, notice how sharp your ignition timing is when you pick her up; she'll be right on the edge of pinging under throttle. If you don't burn top grade fuel you'll soon start pinging and if that happens for long the ECU backs off the timing and the party is over... you're down quite a lot of power. I don't believe the ECU will step the timing forward again once it backs it off. I believe this is the culprit behind many complaints of these engines feeling sluggish. When they're tuned sharp, they just rip and tear to redline.
I have been told by many a Rover mechanic these engines thrive on frequent hard use. Every time I fill up I drive her HARD up thru the gears, I find opportunities to climb hard, stuff like that. But I make sure my engine is good and hot before I do. No sense running her hard when the oil is sluggish!
Shifting to produce 1400 rpms at 40mph sounds right... no computer problem there. Remember these are luxury trucks and people want minimal noise, vibration and harshness for something this expensive. It IS a clever transmission though, and that cat will try to make you happy if you squeeze her tail. But sometimes we ask for more than the standard offering, and that's where '3' comes to play.
Bottom line: buy GOOD fuel, keep your lubes very fresh (all of them from front to back) and drive her hard once a week. She'll adapt to your style in a month or so, and will just get better with time.
Best regards, -Bob
I got a e-mail from Land Rover about the new website supporting the 2003 Disco. They mentioned that there will be a choice of wheels. Is this true? When will the 2003's hit the sales floor and do you expect price increases over the 2002 models?
I am concerned that this may mean there is some corrosion in the block and head, given they are both alloy.
Has anybody heard of this block having corrosion problems at all? I would be grateful for any feedback.
My wife and buddy Jack road along, we were met by my instructor, Greg Nicholas who walked us around the 2002 Discovery that we'd be driving. They keep their trucks stock except for a small winch bumper carrying a Warn9000. Stock suspension, stock tires... I was surprised. They only keep their vehicles for 5k miles, and then they get sold to dealerships as demos. Despite their hard use, they are quite sought after since they are impeccably maintained and all the lovely 4x4 bits get a regular workout.
We started out with Greg driving through the terrain of the school's private 4x4 playground. He explained about approach, breakover, and departure angles, demonstrated proper left-foot breaking, and showed how the various electronic traction controls and hill decent control works. The motto was "Slow as possible, Fast as necessary."
I think it is too bad that the Discovery has such a Soccer-mom rep because these trucks are ridiculously capable off road. They have a course set up with huge woopdeedoos, deep holes and off setting hills that put us in teeter-totter positions with the pass-side front and drivers-side rear wheels hanging in mid air with the other wheels on top of hills. :-D There were also off camber side hills that have you staring straight down at the ground. Despite being a tall, narrow vehicle, the Discovery carries 80% of its weight below the midline of the door. This allows for a safe, but panty-twisting 30+ degrees of side-hill travel. Yikes! My wife said that this was the only time she was actually scared.
Then we went on to some hill-climbs. These really let the traction control shine staying steady on the throttle and letting the truck just pull you up an over. Amazing!
Hill decent control is freaky. You put the truck into 4Low, and first gear, push the button, use some left foot breaking to ease over the crest, then take your feet off the pedals . All you see is sky.. sky.. sky then finally you are pointed 45° down the hill and weeeeeeeee . :-D The traction control uses the ABS and gearing to give you a slow, steady decent that is free of skidding and let's you steer the whole way. It's actually a bit faster then you initially feel comfortable with, but once you learn to trust the system, it is amazingly efficient.
We talked a lot about the advantages of the newer traction controls (99.5+ Discos) over the older Discos with locking center differential. He feels it is 6 of 1, half dozen of the other. Both do their jobs, and both will have scenarios where they will work better or worse then the other. He actually prefers the older, Series 1 Discos(94-98.5) for their mechanical simplicity, tidier dimensions, and larger aftermarket. He said the newer machines are FAT better put together and MUCH better on-road.
For our trail ride we headed to a local mountain trail to tackle a rockslide. This was a steep trail with many rock ledges along the way. Pinpoint tire placement and steady momentum would be necessary to avoid using the ledges in front as wheel chocks, and stopping our accent. Due to the narrowness of the trail, sidestepping the back end could also get us good and wedged in. Greg spotted me up, but 1 big bump caused me to back off the throttle and we were stuck. Lot's of slight back and forth didn't help and we had to winch over the biggest ledge. I wish I'd made it, but it was cool to learn how to properly use a winch.
Overall, it was a great afternoon. It showed me what a properly driven vehicle can do, even when stock. It gave me solid knowledge that I can use when I get my own 4x4, whatever it may be, and I gained even more respect for the British marquee that so vexes me. :-D
I have about 40 minutes of video as a keepsake and a roll of film. I'll post some pictures when I get them developed. I'm off to cruise the eBay Land Rover pages. :-D
A few other random LR notes from Greg
• The Freelander is a hoot to drive ON-road, almost like a rally car, but can't handle the sort of heavy terrain that the Discovery and Range Rover does. He says you'd be surprised by where you CAN get it though.
• He just got back from CA and driving the new Range Rover and it is amazing. They are doing a big launch of it at the school and I'm hoping to get invited.
• His personal vehicles? Two Jeep Wranglers, based on cost and ability, nothing comes close. He's actually looking for a Series 1 Disco now that his newest Jeep is paid off.
• He started offroading in the Army, and has been doing it ever since. Teaching and guiding at the School is his full-time job. I meant to ask him how to get a gig like that but never did.
• He said most people are nice, but they get some real stinkers at the school too. He hates it when people don't listen and he even had one guy call him "Khaki-boy" once. He seemed happy to be out with just some "regular" folks.
If I remember right I think he said the 2003 Disco should come out shortly after the new RR. June/July I guess. He said it was going to be "greatly" improved. Hope this helps.
I will be getting an SUV summer 03 for my wife and we really like the Discovery but sine I am buying and this is no a cheap car, I want it to last and so my question is whether the 03 model will be greatly changing in the next 4 years, meaning since the 03 model is only slightly different from the 02 model (engine and lights) I do no want to have the 03 model and have totally redesigned as the Range is being redesigned for 2003, also what will be the HP on the 4.6 engine? THANK YOU.
217 hp @ 4,750 rpm
300 lb-ft @ 2,600 rpm
the center diff lock is now back
I think the Series lll are due for 2005 and it's a complete redesign.
BTW - I have a 2001 DII and have enjoyed every moment of ownership (yes she goes offroad all the time)
Well, after having gone back and forth for the last six months trying to decide between a Freelander SE and a used (circa 1999/2000) Discovery II, I finally pulled the trigger this morning. I've always lusted for the Disco but just could never justify it. Then I started looking at the Freelander and it seemed perfect but in my heart I still wanted the Discovery.
I've just returned home from signing the papers for a brand new White Gold/Beige Discovery II SE. They were unloading it off the truck when I left and I can pick it up tonite at 6:00. I never thought I would have been able to get a new one but apparently there are some new incentives that just started in June so I was able to to get a very attractive lease. They were going to let me have the one that the office manager had been driving. It had 1500 miles on it but it was a Silver/Smoke combo. So even though they were giving me $1900 off MSRP for it, I really wanted White Gold/Beige.
I just wanted to thank the regulars for all the helpful advice/comments you give out, both good and bad. It really helped my decision making process. I'll probably stay in lurk mode most of the time but if I have something to contribute, I'll pipe up. You guys probably never realize how helpful you are for folks like me.
One last thing, the Disco won't be lonely for long. My wife's new MINI Cooper (Indie Blue/White Top) is due in on the 19th. It's currently on a cruise in the Atlantic somewhere. So our all German garage will become all British. With a bit of German ancestry of course. I'll post a picture of them side by side when it arrives.
Cheers,
-Skip
Steve
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Also for future reference, how big a camper would you pull with a discovery?
Would you be willing to tell me what kind of lease structure you were able to get? I am waiting for the 2003 and just was curious of your lease structure. AT $1900 off MSRP, thats a great deal. You can e-mail me at ATK952@HOTMAIL.COM if you would like to talk offline. Thanks
Kevin
without trailer brakes 1650lbs on road and off road
with trailer brakes High Range 5500lbs on road and 2200lbs off road
with trailer brakes Low Range 7700lbs on road and 2200lbs off road
max tongue weight 350lbs
hope this info helps
Thanks!
Thanks.
Any Idea what could be clicking in the converter and am I gonna end up replacing it?
P.S. Thanks Tin Cup. Very helpful
thanks
As some of you may know, fishing season has just started here in the Northeast, (Bass can legally ride home with you in your Land Rover) and it is now that I will really start racking up the miles on this truck! Vehicles reliability and any problems will be reported here as the milage increases! A great summer to all!
Best Regards,
02.
Dangit. I was going to post tongue-in-cheek about some silly little complaint and call it a **COMPLAINT** and raise a little hysteria. But try as I may, I can't think of anything my truck does wrong! Sitting here grinning, I mean literally I can't think of ANYTHING wrong! She is flawless. And this is with 71k HARD miles on her... being used as she's meant to be used.
I did stop for a cup of coffee on the way to work this AM (not riding the bike this week) and the lady at the coffee stand has another new Dodge pickup. I asked her about it, her last one barfed its transmission (again) so she traded in... on another one. Her boyfriend just had his replaced, for the 2nd time in 12 months. She asked me how the engine and transmission are on Rovers and I told her the truth: bulletproof.
Now then. Give me some time, there has GOT to be something I can complain about with Anuqa. Hmmmmmmm. Okay, I got it! There are BRUSH SCRATCHES ALONG HER SIDES!!!! The HORROR!!!
Bob