Questions about purchasing a Discovery?

[twotter_lad]

I am thinking of purchasing a 94-96 or so Discovery. I know alot of you on this site have rovers so what are they like for reliability, parts costs and in general what are like to own as a whole?
Any advice on certain years(models) to buy,good mechanics to take them to,etc would be great.

Thanks ahead of time...

Jason

[rico_vancouver]

Jason - if you're worried about the costs with a Discovery, you probably shouldn't buy one. That said, if you have your heart set on a Disco, I'd recommend a '97 and newer. Here are the thoughts that I went through. BMW bought Land Rover in 1994, and it took a few years to inject some of their quality control procedures etc. into LR. So when you hear about the "quirky" electronics in the older Rovers, it's usually '96 and older. By 1997, the quality had improved significantly.

Sure I've had problems, but most have been mechanical, not electrical. I've had a bad window lift and a window motor (both were fixed under warranty) and I have a nagging oxygen sensor problem (when I go up past 1,300 metres, the "check engine" light comes on and doesn't go out until I return to sea level for a few days).

Lately, it's been oil and filters; I have a "weeping" engine block, and will likely be in for something big in the next few years.

My two cents.

Rich

[DaveB]

I don't own a Disco, however my thoughts, anyways...

I think you'd be better off with a late Series I Disco, which is similar to what Rico is talking about. The Series IIs have a long rear overhang, which limits them off-road, and no diff lock for several years, also a limitation.

But if you don't plan on taking it off-road anyway, get the one with the most complete service book possible.

Dave

[Bill E.]

Hi Jason, I sold my Discovery a couple of years ago but owned it from new in 1997. It was a great truck in almost all respects. I had it dealer maintained which is very pricey when out of warrantee. My only real complaints came from the costly replacement of oxygen sensors and the all too annoying idiot lights that rarely indicated any real problem! I also hear that post 1996 trucks are more trouble free, this seems to be backed up by anecdotal reports in the editorial and letters sections of the Landrover Mags. On the other hand, if you look hard you may find a manual transmission version in the earlier years, ultimately it was driving an automatic that made me switch to an ex-nato 90. :)
Bill

[exmod90]

The latest Land Rover enthusiast magazine [ July 2004 ] has a Discovery six page buyer's guide for model years 1989-2004 . You may find it useful .

Gerry B

[rico_vancouver]

Hey Bill - saw your note, and I'd be interested in your feedback automatic vs. 5-speed; Disco vs. D90. I've been wrestling with the idea of changing for a 110 (after getting 11 mpg pulling up the Coquihalla with by boat on top and a trailer behind).

I've always had a standard (Landcruiser, 4-Runner, F150), and the Disco is my first automatic - ever. It's great for city driving, and what I found is that it makes for very "comfortable" low-range grinding. With a standard, I've found that the direct linkage made 1st gear very jerky... the instant you let off the gas, the vehicle lurches. With the automatic's viscous coupling, you get a very smooth ride. Bear in mind that I typically have a weekend's worth of camping/fishing gear piled high in the back, and two dogs riding in the back seat; every bump and sudden movement sends dogs or gear flying.

That said, I'd love the cargo capacity and diesel consumption of the 110. What motivated your transition to the Defender? Do you spend much time highway/city driving, or is it primarily an off-road vehicle? What percentage of time is spent on-road vs. off?

Thanks for any feedback.