Used Discovery price to work on?
- Thread starter 4estjp
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Green96D1
Explorer
the discovery is only expensive if it's taken to a rover Dealer they are no more expensive that many other brands out there
but if compared to a jeep then maybe yes:coffeedrink:
parts are not hard to find in Southern Cal if fact there is several rover shops down there that have parts for wholesale prices.
Discoveries are very straight forward vehicles and very easy to work on. The Discovery 1's are easier than Discovery 2's
but if compared to a jeep then maybe yes:coffeedrink:
parts are not hard to find in Southern Cal if fact there is several rover shops down there that have parts for wholesale prices.
Discoveries are very straight forward vehicles and very easy to work on. The Discovery 1's are easier than Discovery 2's
KLAKEBRONCO
Adventurer
Yes they will be exponentially more expensive for PARTS.
They are actually quite easy to work on though if you are doing the work yourself.
They are actually quite easy to work on though if you are doing the work yourself.
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
Yes, the entire engine, driveshafts, axles and electrical system are common problem areas.
KLAKEBRONCO
Adventurer
From what I hear not sarcasm..
The one that I owned I didn't have any problems with. It leaked oil around the intake valley cover, which based on the design, I'm guessing is pretty common.
Parts aren't 'THAT' much more expensive, but you have to REALLY shop for them.
Most trucks you can spend a few minutes searching for the best price and find it, but that's not the case here IMO.
Some parts are expensive enough that I would find spares and rebuild them yourself to have in the future, to save the time/money. Starters, alternaters come to mind. Expect to pay a BUNCH when the fuel pump goes out. IIRC there is a way to adapt a much less expensive fuel pump however so you would have to search for that as well.
As for axles, they should be OK with the stock power plant (which for the MPG it gets is downright anemic). They aren't Land Cruiser axles though by any means so don't expect to put much bigger tires on them AND hit any major trails without breaking stuff.
I didn't have problems with mine, but I also used it for daily driving/winter driving.
David Harris
Expedition Leader
I would say that they can definitely be quite reliable vehicles as long as you keep them maintained. This is based on my experience with two Rovers, a Discovery and Range Rover Classic. I only paid 500.00 for the Disco and it has only needed a new u-joint in the front drive shaft, and a new fuel pump, besides changing all of the fluids, etc. Otherwise it has been completely reliable and runs very well. I get 16 mpg empty on the highway at 65 mph. Around town, or if you load it up, etc. It goes down to around an average of 12 mpg. It has 160K and the engine parameters are still strong. I expect it to get at least over 200K out of it. I just drove it on a 4000 mile trip cross-country, through a lot of high passes in the Rockies and a good bit of off-roading as well, and never had any problems. I do have leaks, but they aren't too bad. The Range Rover has 127K on it and is similarly reliable. It gets even better fuel mileage because it has the stock size tires on it, whereas the Disco has 31's. If you search the Discoweb forum, you will find that there are many long-term owners with well over 200K on their Rovers and even some with over 300K on the original motor and drive train. At least for my Rovers, I haven't found parts to be any more expensive than most late-model vehicles. Yes, Jeep parts or other common U.S. models will be less expensive due to their commonality. The trick to keeping the vehicle cost down is to do the maintenance yourself. If you stay with one 1996 or earlier, and preferably 95 and earlier as they will be the easiest to work on. LR has basic smart designs in their earlier trucks and they are fun to work on, in my opinion. Stay away from the D2's since they are more risky due to some crucial build problems, and they are not as user friendly to maintain because they are getting away from the old school Rover designs. More complex all around and cost more to buy as well.
Green96D1
Explorer
no they are not that bad the discovery is not the most perfect vehicle but no they are not really that bad.
how one treats it is how it will treat them.
Red90
Adventurer
Overall reliability would be no different than a Jeep. It is all how they are taken care of. Anyone that thinks different has never owned a Jeep or known people that do or they are an Ostrich.
Parts can be just as cheap, but you can not go to any store to get those prices.
As for things to look out for. All the normal stuff as with any used vehicle. Mechanical bits all depend on the previous owners. Check for rust on the bulkhead, sill and load area floor (pull up the carpets). Although, I would guess CA is a safe place for rust problems??
Parts can be just as cheap, but you can not go to any store to get those prices.
As for things to look out for. All the normal stuff as with any used vehicle. Mechanical bits all depend on the previous owners. Check for rust on the bulkhead, sill and load area floor (pull up the carpets). Although, I would guess CA is a safe place for rust problems??
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
So you're saying the Rover V8 is as reliable as the 4.0L I6?
Crucial build problems? Other than the 03 oil pump problem, what are you referring to?
What differences in design? Most of them are carryover. Save... the wheelbearings?
Crucial build problems? Other than the 03 oil pump problem, what are you referring to?
What differences in design? Most of them are carryover. Save... the wheelbearings?
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Here's a site for you to start with for buying advice for both DI and DII: http://www.robisonservice.com/servicedep/rover_advice1.asp
If you want a better on-road vehicle, go for a DII.
If you want a truck easier to work-on, go for the DI vs DII. Easier to work-on examples are: changing radiator (DII you have to remove the entire front clip), Auto Transmission is sealed on DII so draining fluids is not easy, etc...
LR Retail parts are more expensive vs Jeeps. But if you know were to shop and resourceful (used and new), not any more expensive. Same thing with repairs... be resourceful and can save you money.
Test drive both, talk to owners, and your budget and what you want to do with it will get you answers.
David Harris
Expedition Leader
Yes. Having owned both, I can say that the Rover V8 is just as reliable as the Jeep 4.0L I6.
As far as other problems/design changes:
Worn tooling for engine block causing an epidemic of slipped liners/head gasket problems?
Non full-floating front axle design?
Fully-integrated electronics, engine/trans/everything else?
Deletion of CDL linkage in favor of electronic traction control?
Complex and problematic cooling system? Plastic radiator?
Plastic bumpers rather than steel?
More rear overhang less suited to off-road use?
These are the ones I can think of at the moment. However, there are some practical advantages to the D2 as well, such as:
Larger wheel arches and flares which accommodate larger tires with less lift.
More room inside and more comfortable forward facing seven passenger seating.
More refined and comfortable interior all around.
Also, keep in mind that some of the shortcomings of the D2 were fixed with the 2004 model year, which saw the new engine and return of the diff lock, etc.
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