Help with disco.......

[gunny1001]

Ok so i just got rid of my 98 4runner and am looking to get a new rig. I am thinking of taking the plunge with a disco. I have been reading all the threads and all the answers to which is better with fewer problems is bi asst. Can you guys please give me some more info on which years you guys think are good and with fewer problems...This is also gonna be a family rig for my wife and i and our two boys ( 9 and 6months).. Tanks so much for everyone's input...Safe travels......:victory:

 

[Applejack]

As far as "reliability" you'll wish you'd kept the 4runner. Sorry, just saying. I'm not trying to stir the pot or anything, unless you have deep pockets for repair and parts costs. I tried a '98 Disco and then an '05 LR3, numerous and very expensive problems with both. Which is sad because I love the soul of the Land Rover. Later I was told should have gone with an older Disco I because they had lesser problems. Too late now though, I'm back into Toyota's again. If it doesn't have to be a DD for you then maybe it's a different story. I too would love to have another Land Rover as long as it wasn't my DD and had more money.:sombrero:

 

[Dave Legacy]

As far as "reliability" you'll wish you'd kept the 4runner. Sorry, just saying. I'm not trying to stir the pot or anything, unless you have deep pockets for repair and parts costs. I tried a '98 Disco and then an '05 LR3, numerous and very expensive problems with both. Which is sad because I love the soul of the Land Rover. Later I was told should have gone with an older Disco I because they had lesser problems. Too late now though, I'm back into Toyota's again. If it doesn't have to be a DD for you then maybe it's a different story. I too would love to have another Land Rover as long as it wasn't my DD and had more money.:sombrero:

I agree, but I'm about to buy my second Rover regardless. 2004 Discovery II is your best bet... Stay away from 03'. 2005 LR3s are notorious for being riddled w/issues.

 

[UnfrozenCaveman]

My '94 Disco (owned from new) has been darned reliable with exception of alternators and (lately) power steering pumps.

But, thanks to "lifetime guaranteed" parts from NAPA, these two are really pretty quick replacements when they start to fail.

Personally, I'd tell you to either stick with a 94/95 OBD1 vehicle or the latest, lowest mileage, best maintained '99 you can find.

...this opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it...:costumed-smiley-007

 

[AxeAngel]

What made you sell the 4 runner? What's the purpose of this vehicle - grocery getter, mall crawler or expo rig.

Sorry to hear you had problems with the rover. If you don't mind sharing what kinds of issues did you have. That way we can isolate whether they are vehicle specific or common to all models.

I'm trying to purchase a 98 4runner from my gf in addition to my disco (and a range rover to the fleet) Both are great rigs, just different in what they are good at. As for reliability the 4runner has been very reliable. You really need to be on top of maintenance with the disco. Only problem I have had with my disco was the dreaded 2003 oil pump failure. It happened close to 120k miles though.

-Sam

 

[gunny1001]

What made you sell the 4 runner? What's the purpose of this vehicle - grocery getter, mall crawler or expo rig.

Sorry to hear you had problems with the rover. If you don't mind sharing what kinds of issues did you have. That way we can isolate whether they are vehicle specific or common to all models.

I'm trying to purchase a 98 4runner from my gf in addition to my disco (and a range rover to the fleet) Both are great rigs, just different in what they are good at. As for reliability the 4runner has been very reliable. You really need to be on top of maintenance with the disco. Only problem I have had with my disco was the dreaded 2003 oil pump failure. It happened close to 120k miles though.

-Sam

I had a 98 4runner lifted 3",roof rack,hellas front and top, ome suspension etc... . I live in the mountains in north ga and it was a dd but a weekend expo vehicle. I had to let her go for some personal issues and now its time for another rig. I really like the discos but want something that will be a dd as well as a capable rig thats reliable...Also want something the family can enjoy together.....

 

[Howski]

I use my 04' as my DD. It will require more preventative maintainence than most cars. That being said, the only problem I've had that has stranded me is the coolant resivor had a nipple break off it, causing me to lose all my coolant and overnight another one. This has happened twice, but I replaced the first one with a used piece. This time I went with a whole new one. Any other issues were caused by myself beating on it off road.

Edit: Forgot to mention the awful gas mileage. I get about 15-16 highway and 11 city

 

[AxeAngel]

D1s can be had for dirt cheap. Like less than 2k but require some work Early or high mileage d2s can be had for under 5k.

My opinion(depending on budget which you have not mentioned) would be get a 99 d2 that has had the headgaskets done in the last 25k miles. Good owner that has done all the maintenance, aim for a rig under 125k miles and plan to do all the usual stuff when you buy it.

There's a fellow member on her that found a very nice 99 with all the above and some basic mods for 3500. No names mentioned as the transaction is pending.

I'd expect to pay around 5k or a bit more given, mileage, mods, etc. In termsof weekend performance my gf's 4runner is more than adequate to handle any forest or washboard road. It's totally stock. How does it compare to a built disco. Cant really compare apples to oranges. In practicality there is one thing of her truck I wish the disco had -power tailgate window). For comfort etc, the disco wins hands down. Cargo is about the same but since the 4runner seats fold flat the cargo area is a bit longer and a hair wider.

Fuel economy is about the same in stock form. I'm about 900 heavier(with tools, etc) in the back thana stock disco and I get 15mpg on 33s. But I don't drive aggressively in the disco. I have cars for that.

-Sam

 

[David Harris]

I can't really speak for the newer Discos, but going by the forum posts, they seem to have more problems than the earlier vehicles (pre 99). The newer ones are more refined, luxurious and technically complex, if that's what you're looking for. The older ones are typical old-school LR technology, simple, tough and easy to work on. I have found the earlier LR's including D1's and Range Rover Classics to be reliable vehicles provided you keep the maintenance up on them. They are also generally cheap to buy. I bought my '96 D1 for 500.00 with a broken front u-joint, my '92 Range Rover Classic in good running condition for 1900.00 and most recently my '95 D1 for 980.00 in non-running condition, but found out that there were only loose wires on the starter, and it fired right up. However, since they are old vehicles they will require some money up front to get them in top condition. As long as you do the work yourself, they are not expensive to maintain compared to most other late model vehicles.

 

[Viggen]

As far as "reliability" you'll wish you'd kept the 4runner. Sorry, just saying. I'm not trying to stir the pot or anything, unless you have deep pockets for repair and parts costs. I tried a '98 Disco and then an '05 LR3, numerous and very expensive problems with both. Which is sad because I love the soul of the Land Rover. Later I was told should have gone with an older Disco I because they had lesser problems. Too late now though, I'm back into Toyota's again. If it doesn't have to be a DD for you then maybe it's a different story. I too would love to have another Land Rover as long as it wasn't my DD and had more money.:sombrero:

So wrong! Its no Toyota, this is true, but even that doesnt mean much these days. You are judging the species by the last of the Disco 1's and the worst of the LR3's. Get an early D1, 94 or 95 thats OBD I and youll be happy. Do the preventative maintenance and keep up with the schedule and youll have a vehicle that will go more places, with less fuss, than any 4Runner ever will. I DD my 95 D1 and it does just fine. I have stumbled upon a few minor spots of rust, nothing structural, that I need to cut and weld in but the same can be said for many of the same generation 4Runners that I have seen. The aftermarket is better for the Disco giving you more options when it comes to building, the visibility is miles better, the capability is much better, the mpg is worse though.

Find a nice 1994 or 1995 OBDI truck and youll be happy. There are less electricals and every single issue has been documented and remedied and is readily available. Going early, you will need to catch up on some of the maintenance schedules, which might cost a little bit up front BUT it pays for itself in the end. The more you drive any used truck, regardless of make and model, the more youll notice things that need to fixed to your liking.

Certainly, once you get into one, youll understand. Many of us that own them have not been left stranded by our trucks. There are things that will fail with age but repairs are easy and parts arent as expensive as one might think as long as you stay away from the stealerships. I love mine and wouldnt trade it for anything. Sure, a Jeep wouldve been easier but no where near as fun. I thought about a 4Runner of a Cruiser but they just dont fit with me.

Bottom line: You cannot rationalize a Rover. Its an emotional thing.

 

[Antichrist]

From the description of your 4runner and what you want to use it for, daily driver and weekend off-roading, I'd go with a 94-95 D1. If you shop around you can find one in decent shape with reasonable mileage.
When we were looking for a Disco for my wife, we saw several 5-speed 95's in decent shape within 100-150 miles (some real junk too).