Hi group.
I am thinking of upgrading to something a little more comfortable than my IIA SWB for daily driving. I am working and commuting more now, and find my series isn't quite ideal for that. I was thinking of picking up a mid 1990s Discovery, and had a few questions from those of you with experience.
My ideal would be a 1995 or 1996 5 speed, basic as possible.
I know fuel economy is the pits, but what are some of the other Pros & Cons to this vehicle? What beyond the basics should I be watching out for when shopping around? I'm fairly handy around cars and engines, but I don't have a lot of experience with any of the coil sprung Land Rovers, nor the 4.0 engine.
Finally, I know the 5 speeds are few and far between, but anyone know just how scarce they are? How is the automatic transmission offroad?
Thanks for any and all advice!
Devin Biln,
Squamish, BC
1969 88" Station Wagon
1956 107" Station Wagon (In progress)
Switch from Series to Disco! (Disco Q's)
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roverdevin
- Junkyard Master
- Posts: 160
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red90
- Defender of the World
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- Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2004 7:19 pm
- Location: Calgary
I'd import a TDI for the UK, buit that's me.
Rust. There is a lot more steel in a Disco. Floor boards, bulkhead, cargo floor.
A lot of things would be worn out on one that age unless it has money put into it like: all suspension bushings, cam and timing chain, shocks. Personally, I would plan on replacing all of these anyway and use it to get a good deal. The V8s really need an aftermarket cam and chain.
Watch for excessive slack in the drivetrain as the t. case input gear splines can wear and is normally worse in a manual than auto.
Many that you will find will have the difflock linkage rusted in place as they are never used....
Rust. There is a lot more steel in a Disco. Floor boards, bulkhead, cargo floor.
A lot of things would be worn out on one that age unless it has money put into it like: all suspension bushings, cam and timing chain, shocks. Personally, I would plan on replacing all of these anyway and use it to get a good deal. The V8s really need an aftermarket cam and chain.
Watch for excessive slack in the drivetrain as the t. case input gear splines can wear and is normally worse in a manual than auto.
Many that you will find will have the difflock linkage rusted in place as they are never used....
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roverdevin
- Junkyard Master
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- Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 11:02 am
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Thanks for the input. Can an import diesel be had for under 10k? That's near the top end of my budget, and was hoping for a little less than that.
I have also found a thread on the auto vs manual transmission issue, and it would appear that the auto performs quite well in many off road situations...I am not a rock crawler anyway. Despite my preference for maunal, the prevalence of autos as well as the reduction in wear to the driveline tell me I shouldn't discount a nice automatic if I find one... :?
I would plan on doing some modest suspension upgrades, so I'm not overly concerned with shocks and springs unless it's going to fall off its wheels in the next year.
As far as the rust is concerned...I'll check those steel panels certainly. Any areas specifucally prone? How does the frame hold up?
Also, what are the big ticket items I need to check out? I don't mind spending a little money, and I can do a lot of work myself, but I'd prefer to stay away from some huge expenses this year!
I have also found a thread on the auto vs manual transmission issue, and it would appear that the auto performs quite well in many off road situations...I am not a rock crawler anyway. Despite my preference for maunal, the prevalence of autos as well as the reduction in wear to the driveline tell me I shouldn't discount a nice automatic if I find one... :?
I would plan on doing some modest suspension upgrades, so I'm not overly concerned with shocks and springs unless it's going to fall off its wheels in the next year.
As far as the rust is concerned...I'll check those steel panels certainly. Any areas specifucally prone? How does the frame hold up?
Also, what are the big ticket items I need to check out? I don't mind spending a little money, and I can do a lot of work myself, but I'd prefer to stay away from some huge expenses this year!
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Bill E.
- Landy Man
- Posts: 933
- Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 12:30 pm
- Location: Tsawwassen BC
Hi Devin,
I owned and drove a 1998 4.0 V8 Discovery from new and sold it in 2004. It was an automatic ZF box. The truck was very reliable but as you already know they are gas hogs and the 4 litre works very hard in such a heavy truck. Biggest complaint that I had was the consumption of oxygen sensors, I think I went through six over the time I owned it. Rust was not much of an issue but the areas that caused problems for me were the top surface of the rear bumper at the interface with the plastic body to bumper gap filler and I had the early stages of alloy corrosion over the rear wheel arch when you opened the rear side doors. The chassis was as solid as the day it was built and I never had the slightest leak. I have heard that some people have had lots of trouble with leaking alpine glass and sunroofs. Lots of recent posts about OME lifts (which I had) so I'll leave it to you to look those up.
Bill :spinning:
I owned and drove a 1998 4.0 V8 Discovery from new and sold it in 2004. It was an automatic ZF box. The truck was very reliable but as you already know they are gas hogs and the 4 litre works very hard in such a heavy truck. Biggest complaint that I had was the consumption of oxygen sensors, I think I went through six over the time I owned it. Rust was not much of an issue but the areas that caused problems for me were the top surface of the rear bumper at the interface with the plastic body to bumper gap filler and I had the early stages of alloy corrosion over the rear wheel arch when you opened the rear side doors. The chassis was as solid as the day it was built and I never had the slightest leak. I have heard that some people have had lots of trouble with leaking alpine glass and sunroofs. Lots of recent posts about OME lifts (which I had) so I'll leave it to you to look those up.
Bill :spinning:
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roverdevin
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Thanks for the tips.
As for the fuel consumption, I don't think it will be much worse than my 2.25 Series Rover...15-20ish? And certainly better than my loaner Dodge Ram is getting.(15-20 gallons per mile?!) I don't commute far and do very little city driving anyway.
As for suspension I was thinking of the OME suspension eventually. A lot depends on whether i decide to sell my IIA (my first Land Rover :cry:)
I think I'm almost sold on the auto...I think there's more room to be picky without limiting myself to the 5spd.
Any hints on asessing the engine, drivetrain and cat converter?
As for the fuel consumption, I don't think it will be much worse than my 2.25 Series Rover...15-20ish? And certainly better than my loaner Dodge Ram is getting.(15-20 gallons per mile?!) I don't commute far and do very little city driving anyway.
As for suspension I was thinking of the OME suspension eventually. A lot depends on whether i decide to sell my IIA (my first Land Rover :cry:)
I think I'm almost sold on the auto...I think there's more room to be picky without limiting myself to the 5spd.
Any hints on asessing the engine, drivetrain and cat converter?
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DaveB
- Defender of the World
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- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 7:45 pm
- Location: Vernon, BC
Might I suggest looking seriously at the Discovery II? they are coming down in price similarly to the Discovery I and have many improvements, some of which are asthetic, such as the door handles and fender flares, but some are much more functional, such as easier to work on brakes, better rust prevention through redesigns of various rust traps in the body of the Series I Discoveries.
Just my two bits...
Dave
Just my two bits...
Dave
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Bill E.
- Landy Man
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- Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 12:30 pm
- Location: Tsawwassen BC
I personally never had any problems with the engine but I do know that there were a number of 4 litre and 4.2 litre engines that had cylinder liners slip downwards, especially on the back two holes. This of course caused compression loss and head gasket issues. I don't know how widespread this issue was but I personally have seen two fairly low mile engines ruined this way.
Bill
Bill
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roverdevin
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96whitedisco
I currently own a 96 disco se7 that I purchased in Vancouver at a local dealer one owner disco with low kms for well under 10 grand and I have all the service records.
I have some minor oil leaks more sweating I think.
First thing I did was change the brakes put a K&N in it went with after market pads as disco dont stop too well.
Change all the fluids and drop the transmission cross member, if its an auto and get a new filter installed. Get a fuel injection purge done this will also keep your oxegen sensor clean. After I did this it flew through air care.
We love our disco recent upgrades.
OME heavy duty suspension.
MTR's 245-75-16
Surco roof rack
Mile maker 10.000 lbs winch with custom bumper and front skid plate.
Pro comp lights.
Good hunting.
Cheers
Andrew
I have some minor oil leaks more sweating I think.
First thing I did was change the brakes put a K&N in it went with after market pads as disco dont stop too well.
Change all the fluids and drop the transmission cross member, if its an auto and get a new filter installed. Get a fuel injection purge done this will also keep your oxegen sensor clean. After I did this it flew through air care.
We love our disco recent upgrades.
OME heavy duty suspension.
MTR's 245-75-16
Surco roof rack
Mile maker 10.000 lbs winch with custom bumper and front skid plate.
Pro comp lights.
Good hunting.
Cheers
Andrew
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roverdevin
- Junkyard Master
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 11:02 am
- Location: Squamish, BC
- Contact:
1995 vs 1999 SeriesI
What are the significant differences between the 95 and the early 1999 SI disco?
I am looking at 2 similar condition cars...the newer has about 150k, and the older has signifcantly fewer. Both run very well, and seem to be very well maintained. Similarly priced. Any thoughts?
I am looking at 2 similar condition cars...the newer has about 150k, and the older has signifcantly fewer. Both run very well, and seem to be very well maintained. Similarly priced. Any thoughts?
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BCDISCO
- Junior Craftsman
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:13 am
you don't want a 95, they had a different injection system, and I have heard it is not as good as the letter ones. I am bias of course, but I have heard that the best disco's are the 99 SD D1 variety. they had worked many bugs out of the design by this point, and the SD will save you alot of electrical headpains...
this is my 99:
http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/b ... discovery/
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/b ... sco004.jpg
this is my 99:
http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/b ... discovery/
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/b ... sco004.jpg
