2002 Disco?

2500Adventures

2500Adventures

Adventurer
Hi everyone!!

I've been driving Jeeps for the last 5 years now and will still have one for the trails but I'm looking for a nice family cruiser that can still tackle the light or potentially even extreme trails but also look good cruising over to San Diego or up to Vegas for a long weekend. Thus my search for a Land Rover...

I came across an 02 Disco, Maroon exterior with tan interior and wood trim. It has a listed 57,212 miles on the odo, but I'm not near the actual rig to confirm that or not. The price is very eye-catching which is the problem with me, there asking under 10K for the rig. Did the 2002 Discos have issues like the 03s? Do they have leak issues as well like I've read some, or all, discos may have? Anything in particular I should check out first and foremost?

Thanks for the help and tips!!

-Scott
 
Howski

Howski

Well-known member
I'm not sure specifically if the 02's have any major issues to look for, but stay away from the 03's within the bad vin range (you seem to know about this already). Under 10k for an 02' is on par with what these usually go for. I bought my 04' last fall with similar mileage for 11k. The 02's don't have the center locking diff but can be modded to have one. I'm sure others can chime in on anything I missed
 
R_Lefebvre

R_Lefebvre

Expedition Leader
That doesn't seem under priced at all. I believe the 02's need to actually swap the transfer case if you want the CDL. It's not as simple as installing the lever.
 
R_Lefebvre

R_Lefebvre

Expedition Leader
I wasn't aware of that Toddco thing. Interesting. I'd like more details.

I find that if you really want the CDL, the cost of the linkage, and TC or that Toddco mod can be used to step you up into a 2004. The 2004 will be a little more money, but you get a lot more than just the CDL. You get the 4.6L, better traction control and ABS system, etc.
 
justfred

justfred

Adventurer
My Disco's been fine, and I don't think of it as having excessive service requirements, but over the past 4 years/50,000 miles (from 40,000 to 90,000, half of that under warranty) my standard maintenance total was $10,000. Plus $3000 or so when they put in the CDL (part of that was CDL, part was other service). There hasn't been any MAJOR issues - just the usual brake maintenance, oil changes/service interval checks, leaky seal fixes. That probably included a $1000 set of tires.

This is not dealer service, it's third-party dealer-trained.

It's amazing off-road, but I'm wondering whether I really need it. I like the vehicle, it's more comfortable short trips, long trips, offroad than many others I've been in. But, wow, 25c a mile. Maybe I should look at Toyota next time?
 
Last edited:
R_Lefebvre

R_Lefebvre

Expedition Leader
$10,000 in maintenance, no repairs? That's staggering. I doubt a Toyota would be any cheaper, they would have similar maintenance requirements.
 
justfred

justfred

Adventurer
R_Lefebvre said:
$10,000 in maintenance, no repairs? That's staggering. I doubt a Toyota would be any cheaper, they would have similar maintenance requirements.
Click to expand...

Depends on what's the difference btw maintenance and repairs. I haven't broken anything, but I need to review the receipts to remember what was fixed. I know the insanely expensive brake rotors would be service.

And still, the "three amigos" brake light warnings have been lit more often than not.
 
D

dcwhybrew

Adventurer
This link may be helpful for you. We had an 02 disco II that we bought with 22k miles and sold it 4 years later with almost 90k miles. I regret selling that truck. It was a great truck, very reliable. It had its normal LR maintenance issues, but nothing that left us stranded. My wife even wrecked it at highway speed by running off the road, crossing a ditch, then literally climbing a very steep hill (such that rescue and EMS couldnt find her because she was up so high). Despite a hard hit (resulting in a compression spine fracture), LR Nashville was able to put it back together good as new (literally)!! Discos (all land rovers for that matter) are stout vehicles despite their quirks.

I will suggest that you either reserve approximately $3k per year for repairs other than routine maintenance or get a quality extended warranty. I have had extended warranties on two vehicles (both Disco IIs incidently) and they have both paid for themselves!

You will love the truck.

As for mechanics; San Diego has some excellent independent LR shops and I highly recommend Bill Goodman at his shop, Kennsington Motorcars, in Las Vegas. Bill is a factory trained Land Rover master mechanic. He was our mechanic for our D1 and RR when we lived in NV.

Since you live in Yuma, I dont know of any good independent mechanics in Phoenix. We always used LR North Scottsdale and LR South Scottsdale for service. They're pricey but good. I do not recommend Rovertechs (if they're still in business). JMO

Good luck
Chris
 
adrenaline503

adrenaline503

Explorer
Maybe look and Grand Cherokees. I know in Seattle those are very cheap. Not quite the pizzaz as a LR of course, but they are comfortable and capable.
 
M

mothgils

Member
FSU_Disco said:
I'm not sure specifically if the 02's have any major issues to look for, but stay away from the 03's within the bad vin range (you seem to know about this already). Under 10k for an 02' is on par with what these usually go for. I bought my 04' last fall with similar mileage for 11k. The 02's don't have the center locking diff but can be modded to have one. I'm sure others can chime in on anything I missed
Click to expand...


What is the bad vin range for 03's? What were/are the common issues?

Sorry for the threadjack:oops:
 
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