Land Rover Discovery and Discovery II

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Comments

  • intmed99intmed99 Member Posts: 485
    I have heard that the SLS decreases rear wheel articulation due to the thicker anti-roll bar. This is actually from my brother's LR salesman.
  • photodiscophotodisco Member Posts: 17
    I have a loved 2001 se7 disco with ACE that i had to give to my newlywed wife to drive because she's pregnant. (marriage priveledge) I am now so glad i did. Last week i was following her home one evening in the rain and darkness and suddenly not one but two deers ran in front of her @ 60mph. She didn't have time to brake or swerve (luckily so) so she hit them head on. One in the butt and the other in the front body. The front of the car has some damage on one side but not nearly anything that is considered major. I have seen what deers can do to cars and i was very impressed with how "tuff" this vehicle is. My poor grille guard took much of the damage and bent back and the front right fog light got ripped out. As soon as she hit the deer she pulled over and i ran out of my car petrified to see what i would see. I asked her if she's okay, she said it just felt like a "small thump". - amazing.
  • dealmkrjjddealmkrjjd Member Posts: 32
    Trust me get the FACTORY ROOFS! I bought my DII without the roofs and had them installed by a dealer & factory author. installer and they suck! They use a solid sun shade that rattles horribly. I thought that the solid shade was a bonus in the hot summer, but like I said they rattle. It has been to the shop several times and they fix it and then in less than a week there back to rattling. They finally addmitted that there is a design flaw that a clip comes loose with time and there is nothing they can do about it.

    I had a loaner with the factory roofs and no rattles. ORDER THE TRUCK WITH THEM INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY OR YOU WILL BE SORRY!

    Otherwise I love my Disco and have had no real issues other than the one mentioned above.
  • garywgaryw Member Posts: 116
    Just sharing....I own a 2000 DII with 21,000 trouble free miles. Just brought it in for oil change and to check squeeky brakes, My experience is that you risk the rotors if you don't get to the pads soon enough.

    Sure enough, the pads and rotors were within the tolerance levels that allowed the service team to replace all at no cost. The tech showed me the numbers and said I had 50% of pad left and the rotors were not grooved - but they replaced them all as "a service to the customer".

    Lesson to all - always, always assume pads on new cars are only good for 25-30K miles. If they squeek take it in. Next time it will cost me.

    Also had been fighting my steering wheel being off-center at 2:00. They re-aligned what was necessary (under warranty) and what a difference.

    BTW, my 1996 Volvo 850 sedan has had all the same issues. As did my 1997 Grand Cherokee. Jeep never did get my steering fixed. These are not Land Rover specific isues.

    I love this rig and I wish that I could have an 03 for myself.
  • lupin10lupin10 Member Posts: 10
    Thanks for the response guys on the DISCO 03. I think I will make that decision and go with the 2003. Now I need to figure out which dealer give's me the best price and service in the Washington DC area!
    Suggestions??
  • nanuqnanuq Member Posts: 765
    Holy smokes, it sounds like you've got a disenchanted service person there. I guess it can happen.

    Many people with Discos have electrical weirdness. Lucas electronics didn't earn the moniker "Lucas, Prince of Darkness" for no reason. But Lucas electrics pretty much disappeared with the SeriesII Disco like yours. The nice thing about electrical weirdness is, once it's fixed it tends to stay fixed. So a history by VIN will reveal if this is something your potential truck has going on. Almost all the SII Discos have Bosch electrics, and that was a nice improvement. Look at its history by VIN.

    Radiator leaks? Holy mackerel. That's a $50 solder job at Joe's garage. I've never heard of one leaking.

    Engine trouble: again that's nearly always an electrical problem. Some had leaky head gaskets: your warranty had better cover that! Likewise the '96 Discos (like mine) had sticking exhaust valves. Mine were fixed under warranty.

    The Disco is one of the only trucks available with a gear-driven transfer case. That is massively strong. It will not fail. The transmission is the same one sourced for the high end Mercedes coupes... they DO NOT FAIL period. The differentials and axles on your SII are much simpler and stronger than those on my SI and I use mine hard with locking diffs front and back. I've never broken anything offroad. The suspension is probably twice as stout as anything else in its class, and the chassis is like a tank. The engine in the SI came from the old Buick Fireball V8 and I believe the SII engine is from BMW. With Bosch electrics.

    I cannot believe the $1000-$3000 per year for repairs. Since my warranty ran out (3 yrs after purchase) I have had one failure, for a viscous coupler on my engine's fan. That's all. It died at 92,000 miles. The only wear items have been brake pads. I have performed maintenance on my own and have replaced the serpentine belt, air filter, and of course oil and oil filter. I replace all fluids annually and still it is FAR less than $1000 just for the maintenance.

    This truck gets used hard, offroading and taking my Scout troop camping all over Alaska at least every month. I have had it in snow up to my headlights more times than I care to admit, in mud over my tires, in rivers, on glaciers, nearly upside down 100 times, and it has never hiccuped or failed. I can't imagine EVER getting rid of this truck.

    As for longevity, talk to Mike Green at West Coast British in L.A. Last time I talked to him (about 2 years ago) he had 650,000 miles on his '96 Disco. With one engine rebuild.

    The flip side of the coin is, of course, you could get a bad Disco and everything I've said is useless. The VIN history should point out any chronic issues. But if you get a GOOD one like I did, then you're in for a treat.

    Take a look here... I haven't posted this in a long time. It's a piece by Matthew Parris. Enjoy! It's what got me turned on to Rovers.

    With best wishes, -Bob

    http://www.nanuq.net/Arnolds/bob/LandRover.html
  • nanuqnanuq Member Posts: 765
    Photodisco, I'm glad everyone is safe. It's the same reason I keep my family in a Rover.


    Take a look here, this is an amazing story of how strong these vehicles are:


    http://www.landroverclub.net/Club/HTML/Wrecks_Cliff_jumper.htm

  • mbeigheymbeighey Member Posts: 2
    Has anyone purchased an 03 Discovery HSE7 with the ACE? If so, what was the MSRP? Thanks!
  • mightyrealmightyreal Member Posts: 2
    Like the few posts before me, I am wondering about what kind of deal I can expect on an '03: SE7 with rear air-end of month purchase time frame. I live in Texas (DFW area) where there are 3 local LR dealers, two of which are affiliated which each other (Dallas & Frisco), the 3rd is independent (Fort Worth). Scrolling back through the posts in July/August, it looks as if $1000-1500 off MSRP is reasonable. Can I expect more of a price break since LR is already offering a 4.9% buying incentive on a 3 month old vehicle? Any input/buying experiences would be helpful!
  • 26psiboost26psiboost Member Posts: 15
    I can say from experience that dad has retailed his Rover's when their time came and everyone asked if they had dual roofs and you would be surprised how many felt it was the end of the world that they didn't have them. The '01 has them strictly for resale and they have never been used by dad!

    I would do a little homework and see where Rover's aren't popular. I was just in Detroit for two days and only saw one! Nearly everyone drives a GM, but if there is a Rover dealer there I bet he is hungry. New '03 Accords were advertised $2000 off sticker in Detroit because they aren't in demand (we saw five Honda's in two days). Rover's are all over Atlanta, so I probably wouldn't start there.

    Anything with incentives is not worth retail and I don't care if it is 0%. The fact is they can't sell something without the financing so I wouldn't buy one until I could find one for $200-500 over. Take a NADA with you and show the sales manager that resale doesn't justify paying sticker or $500 off. Email every dealer that you could cost effectively drive or fly to for a quote.
  • bobf8bobf8 Member Posts: 5
    Hi All,

    The Disco comes with several tire sizes. Why, as a consumer, do I care? The sales person I spoke to said it did not change the clearance, if 16" or 18". So why do I care?
    Any insights would be appreciated.
    Thanks.
  • nanuqnanuq Member Posts: 765
    16" tires have much taller sidewalls which work better offroad and are easier to replace off the beaten track if you cut a sidewall. They aren't as good on-road due to increased squirm and less precise handling. 18" tires/wheels work better onroad but are terrible offroad; you'll gouge your rims and flat your tires over unseen obstacles much easier than 16" tires/wheels. The overall diameters are the same, hence the ground clearance... but you trade an inch of rubber sidewall height for alloy. I believe the ACE trucks come with 18" wheels to further enhance the onroad manners.

    I hope this helps, -Bob
  • nanuqnanuq Member Posts: 765
    Thanks!!! I tried to write back but your email account says you've been a bad boy. ;)

    It went right into my greasy library. Much appreciated!

    -Bob
  • lupin10lupin10 Member Posts: 10
    MightyReal,

    These incentives that you mentioned (4.9% on 3 month old 2003), is it just for LR of DFW, or a nationwide incentive?
    Know of any in the Washington DC area?
  • photodiscophotodisco Member Posts: 17
    Something interesting that i thought should be known. About 3 months ago i bought one of those tree air freshners for my disco II and since i don't like to see it dangling from my rearview mirror, i put it in the 2nd most logical place - the neat little hook next to the passengers leg on the center console. After about 1 week i took it off because the smell was gone and was surprised to see that the plastic on the console was peeling off. I took it into the dealer not mentioning the air freshner and they said they would warranty it (only 13000 miles on my truck) they ordered the part and when i took it in and they kept me there 2 hours before they told me that they would not warranty it because the air freshner had caused it (they could tell because the peeling area smelled like vanilla). They gave me an estimate of $550 for the console(they have to change the whole console for a silly plastic panel) and $200 for labor. I didn't argue and left. I just wanted to know from tincup if LR headquarters would do anything about this and to let all you other disco II owners be careful before you hang those stupid freshners on that hook.
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    but there is not much info on it...is this the precursor model to the Discovery series???
  • waskowasko Member Posts: 103
    Bob: Glad to have found a home for the manual. I'm sure it will provide you years of happy service :)
  • mightyrealmightyreal Member Posts: 2
    I actually found the 4.9% finance rate offer for '03 SE Discos on the Edmunds site. Just type in your zip where prompted and it will locate dealer/finance incentives for your area. I'm unsure if this is nationwide or in hard-to-move areas.

    Also, FYI to all: in case you haven't been there in a while, the official LR site has finally been updated so you can build your own '03 Disco (or any other LR vehicle). Adding your zip will search/locate local dealers' inventory...
  • mrwhipplemrwhipple Member Posts: 378
    The Defender 90 was only brought over 4 years. '94 – '97. The '96 didn't have any changes and I think it was still considered a '95 model. It's more of a bare-bones off-roader. Shorter overhangs for climbing over rocks and such.

    A great vehicle, especially if you like to dip into the dirt. They are a bit pricey used because there aren't many of them around. Most had manual trannies, but later ones had auto trannies as well. They aren't nearly as cush inside as a Discovery, but they are better off road.

    The standard soft top model had a bench seat in the rear. The hard top wagon style had 4 jump seats that faced side to side in the rear. These are harder to find but really nice.

    I'm sure someone else on here has more detailed info on them for you.
  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    Was brought in three years,94,95,97. There were no 96 vehicles imported. 94 and 95 model years were manual transmission vehicles, 97's were all automatics. The soft top came standard as a 2 seater, the rear bench seat was a dealer installed accessory. These vehicles are in general selling for more than they originally cost as there were less than 10,000 sold for all three model years. This is in direct contrast to what they sell for in the UK as they are quite common there and do not command a premium price. Very utilitarian interiors with very few creature comforts. A/C was also a dealer installed option.
  • mrwhipplemrwhipple Member Posts: 378
    Thanks for details. I new someone would know more. I didn't realize there weren't any imported for '96.
  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    Most of those say right on the package to not let it rest directly against interior plastics. So I'm not surprised they won't warranty it. Sorry. :-(
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I've heard that those air fresheners are pure formaldehyde. I wonder what they do for one's lungs?

    I'm not trading in my permanent press shirts though....

    Steve, Host
  • willow97willow97 Member Posts: 5
    The hood on my 97 disco won't open. I pull on the release lever and nothing happens. Has anyone had this problem? ANy suggestions for a quick fix?
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    C4?
  • nanuqnanuq Member Posts: 765
    Well of course it won't, it's a "bonnet". *grin*

    Look under the dash with a flashlight. There's a cable attached to the hood release lever. Is it broken at the lever attachment? Or when you pull the lever do you see the cable moving too?

    If the cable broke at the lever, you can grab the cable with vise grips and pull hard to pop the hood open. If the cable broke at the other end (the latch under the hood) then there's got to be another trick to release it.

    I hope this helps.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    C4?

    C4 = Compound 4. It's a high order explosive used primarily by the military.

    tidester, host
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    ahem, I believe Bob was suggesting, with his singular tongue in cheek fashion, that the judicious application of some C4 could pop the bonnet on that recalcitrant hood :-)

    (There's just something about Bob/Marsha7 that brings out the $2 words in me).

    Steve, Host
  • kullenbergkullenberg Member Posts: 283
    "that the judicious application of some C4 could pop the bonnet on that recalcitrant hood :-)"
    Not to put too fine a point on it, but I think we have a highly honed, redundant phrase here (bonnet on that recalcitrant hood - bonnet and hood?) Couldn't resist LOL
    Cheers
    Pat
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Yep, I can be redundant in American and English! Not to mention Canadian, eh?

    Steve, Host
  • nanuqnanuq Member Posts: 765
    Hva betyr "bonnet" paa Norsk?!

    Alright, I'm innocent... it was someone else who suggested C4 to pop the bonnet. If it was ME, I would have suggested a half dozen pints of Guinness... that'll open up ANYONE.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I would have suggested a half dozen pints of Guinness... that'll open up ANYONE.

    A half dozen pints of stout and you won't CARE about the blasted bonnet!

    tidester, host
  • nanuqnanuq Member Posts: 765
    Has anyone seen this month's issue of Car and Driver? They test the 2003 DiscoII and say it has better road manners, meanwhile saying it is still the offroad champ. Way to go Solihull!!
  • mrtoad3mrtoad3 Member Posts: 68
    I was wondering if you can import older Rovers even though they are not sold new in the USA anymore?...i.e. Defenders
    I know they stopped importing them due to safety restrictions etc...
    They used to let them in so why not let someone have just one more if they are the same specs as ones imported before 1997? I know you can apply to bring them over for temporary use. Why not permanent use?
    It would be nice to have a Defender but skip the exorbitant price of used ones in the USA? Thanks for any info.
  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    The U.S. Govt. regulates the importation of vehicles, even for personal use. There are at least two different agencies that get involved, DOT and EPA. It is quite a complicated and expensive propostition to bring a non-US spec vehicle into the country, not something an individual can accomplish alone. Most European vehicles require modification to meet US specs.
  • smarticussmarticus Member Posts: 37
    As Tincup mentioned, in the UK Defenders are very common but V8's are quite rare. Virtually all are diesel engines here, indeed the v8 isn't even an option now. The defenders are mainly used as farmers vehicles and work hard for their living. Anyone who offroads will also use a defender. Some very old discos and RR are used offroad but they pick up too much damage in the rough stuff. Olders discos are now quite cheap here (circa £3,500 or $5,000). These can be "bob tailed" quite easily by cutting off most of the last 21/2 feet of the vehicle and moving the back door forward. No overhang means far better offroad. If anyone can work out how to import a used defender into the US I can source them in the UK at about £5,000 - £10,000 for a V8 manual box.
  • waskowasko Member Posts: 103
    Mr Toad:

    US Regulation states that only vehicles >25 yrs old can be imported. That means you'd be looking at 1978 and older.

    Depending on what you're looking for, there are some great Series IIIs on www.lrx.com - many are being imported from mid-seventies and older.

    SIII is the predecessor to the Defender, but is even rougher and more utilitarian. No radio, no AC, 4 speed manual 4 cylinder 2.25L engines with a super low gearing and a top speed of 50-55mph (if you don't have overdrive and free wheeling hubs).

    They've got tons of character though and are a bundle of fun to drive - true Landies!

    I owned a 1997 D90 for a little over a year and sold it for $500 more than I bought it for after putting 6,000 miles on it - they definitely hold their value and are expensive (I loved the truck, but not the pmt). A good 97 D90 will set you back $32-45k, while a well sorted 75 SIII will cost you around $8-15k.

    Thx and good luck, wasko
  • smarticussmarticus Member Posts: 37
    Hey, I can get you any number of Series 3's for between £1,000 and £2,500 in the UK. As Wasko says - they are quite basic. Leaf spring's (not coils) and a lot of them are now just sheds on wheels. Having said that, a well looked after or reconditioned Series 3 running on parabolic leaf springs can be an absolute delight to drive, remarkably capable (if a wee bit under powered) off road and certainly a true Landy ...
  • ejohnsejohns Member Posts: 9
    I recently purchased a '99 DII with 42,000 miles. Unfortunately it didn't come with a book -any suggestions as to where I might be able to locate one.
  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    The Owner's Wallet for the 1999 DII is available through any Land Rover retailer. Part number is LRNA1999D2CW and it has a suggested retail price of $25.00.
  • ejohnsejohns Member Posts: 9
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Lots of them on eBay. Of course most of them are $35 - such a deal!



    Steve, Host
  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    A lot of those wallets originally retailed for $110. For some reason there was a good deal on the 99,2000 model years.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    So is a "wallet" the same thing as an owner's manual?

    Steve, Host
  • waskowasko Member Posts: 103
    Steve:

    Your 'wallet' is something you lose when you buy a new Landie :)
  • 26psiboost26psiboost Member Posts: 15
    You can expect the hood release cable to break on any series I or II as everyone dad has owned has broke and they usually break within 50K. the funny thing is the replacements don't seem to break.

    Here is something else interesting. Not long after we got the '96 dad washed the motor (it was cold) and of course it wouldn't crank. It was towed in, warranted and we were told not to wash the motor again. This is after we watch the LR video on these stock units mud bogging and forging rivers.
  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    The Owner's Wallet is the complete Owners Manual, Passport to Service (service records) and all other documentation included in a very nice leather binder. There are also paper bound owners manuals available for vehicles that LRNA has run out of wallets.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Nice - mine's vinyl ;-)

    Steve, Host
  • jwill_smithjwill_smith Member Posts: 1
    I read on the edmund's buzz that the Disco will be redesigned for 2004 or 2005 ... not quite sure which it is from the post. Has anybody heard what they will be doing to it as I am considering purchasing a Disco at the end of the '03 model year.
  • nanuqnanuq Member Posts: 765
    You will not believe this. Anuqa's been running absolutely flawlessly for 4 years. Not a hiccup. So I write the last payment check (YESSSSSS) and mail it. The NEXT MORNING I go out and start her up, and hello... what's this? The "ABS" light on the dash stays on.

    ARGH. All this false bravado and Lord Lucas has got me. But I'll show him, I'll drive her without ABS! I prefer it that way anyhow.

    BE WARNED! Never ever ever pay your truck off! Get down to about $100 owed on her, then pay it off a dime/check... forever.
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