I have and won't own a D2. Have had a few D1. Built them and beat them up. Great vehicles that are as or more capable than similar/aged straight axle vehicles and no more or less to maintain. They are a POJ compared to an LR4. Almost used rovers are going to require $5k minimum after purchase. Regardless of previous owner.
Are older Land Rover Discoveries really that bad? How do they compare to contemporary Toyotas?
- Thread starter Ozark_Prowler
- Start date
I have leaned a lot from this thread about older disco. Thanks for sharing!
I couldn't agree more.
Let me put it this way... always preferred and drove Land Rovers. I spent about $15k building out a 2014 4Runner (drove it new off the lot with 15 miles on it). I am back in a 2001 Disco 2 as my new build. Here is the thing... if you can honor and appreciate the legacy of Land Rover --- its heritage and its history, you will never drive any other 4x4. If this is just another car for you, then get something else. Its a vehicle you will have an intimate relationship with. You will become friends and at times, just like friends, you will fight one another. But that friendship will grow as you nurture the relationship. I can't say that about any other 4x4 I have driven.
Boss Hog
Observer
I apologize for going back this far in a thread…but I have a D1 with a 4.6 swapped in. I’ll do some research on my own, but curious as to your comment about the 4.6. I haven’t had any issues with it in about 5k miles…
@Boss Hog the 4.6 had a bad rep for slipped liners and cracked blocks. But it was down to 2 issues, they were run hotter for California emissions when sold they had a 190 thermostat and ran around 212-215F - (244F is the overheat light) any cooling issue tended to create overheating, which resulted in head gasket issues. And the lore is the engines were not as well quality checked, no way to know if that is true, but the castings are rougher with less cleanup done.
Every time one ticks the 1st response on internet forums in slipped liners, because they know nothing about pushrod V8's they all tick eventually, even iron blocks. Mostly it is the rockers from bad oil change intervals, or poor grades/quality of of oil and exhaust leaks.
I have an 04 with a 4.6 did head gaskets, a minor crack due to a poor job done by someone else prior, about 3 years ago still runs like a top, about 290000KM or 180000 miles on her.
Every time one ticks the 1st response on internet forums in slipped liners, because they know nothing about pushrod V8's they all tick eventually, even iron blocks. Mostly it is the rockers from bad oil change intervals, or poor grades/quality of of oil and exhaust leaks.
I have an 04 with a 4.6 did head gaskets, a minor crack due to a poor job done by someone else prior, about 3 years ago still runs like a top, about 290000KM or 180000 miles on her.
Boss Hog
Observer
HUMMER/Expeditions
Well-known member
I had few older discoveries, never had issues,
They have one of the best T cases in industry, LT230.
pushrod V8 is super simple motor, Zf 24 is a great transmission,
People forget that 90% of older Toyota 4 runners needed head gasket replacement,
So did Land Cruisers,
I also had a Land Cruiser 80seriers, I wouldn’t say it’s any more reliable than older discovery.
They have one of the best T cases in industry, LT230.
pushrod V8 is super simple motor, Zf 24 is a great transmission,
People forget that 90% of older Toyota 4 runners needed head gasket replacement,
So did Land Cruisers,
I also had a Land Cruiser 80seriers, I wouldn’t say it’s any more reliable than older discovery.
al415
Observer
We have an 04’ Disco that I’d drive anywhere. Albeit slowly and noisily. Granted, it has a lovely rebuilt motor installed by Randy at the Rover Boneyard in PA, but that is mostly because we bought it online from an N.C. snake-oil salesman and it arrived with a cooked head gasket (what is it with NC and crooked land rover re-sellers?). Other than that major expense it has only required routine maintenance and staying on top of wear items. My 80 series was also reliable but no more so than our disco.
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DC DII
Member
After owning a 49 Series (I), a 68 Series II, an 87 RRC, an 88 RRC and at present an 04 DII (from new) and my wife's 08 DIII I still find it funny how I get questioned/lectured(?) on how unreliable Land Rovers are and almost always from a non-owner. AND...it's always when I am at a auto shop picking up oil for a change or at a gas station while on a 2-3 week long trip...in...said Land Rover(s).
Funny, I still don't recall anyone telling me through decades of ownership that I should buy a Land Rover for it's reliability. So...there is that.
We all know going in, no matter what series, or model, what we are in for potentially - if that makes people uneasy, which I can't blame them, then there are Jeeps, Toyotas, Mercedes, Isuzus, etc....
But...to answer the question posed by the OP:
No. They are not.
But...understand what you are getting, and getting yourself into. With the internet, forums and YouTube it's nearly impossible not to know about the DII and leaky transfer cases, head gaskets...or the rust issues with Series/Defenders, etc...
Whether you are living paycheck to paycheck or on a golf course owning an older Land Rover means you have to get under it and look for leaks, pay attention to warning lights and just perform basic/routine maintenance. It's really quite simple. But for some of us, owning cars and motorcycles becomes personal and we become involved...as stated by others.
Also...not sure when owning a Land Rover became a cheap endeavor. Everyone knows going in on a Porsche, Lotus, Land Rover, etc that the parts and the labor are expensive...so not sure how some seem to forget that part of the equation.
I love my 2004 Discovery and it will be with me until I die. It's traveled with me for 20 years now and I love getting in it to go on a 2 week/2 month camping trip across North America or simply just running to get groceries. I love changing the oil in it, seeing the clear fluids in my differentials when I drain them and cursing at it trying to get new ignition coils installed. My insurance is cheap, it's been paid off for many many years and contradicting a previous post costs me nothing a month other than gas. The engine ticks a bit but when I put Rotella diesel oil back in for the summer it quiets down. I, going against everyone and everything, have never installed a 180 degree thermostat and that's living down here in south Texas, driving in Mexico and the Southwest.
So, there are things to learn and things to know and I think that's the beauty of owning an old Land Rover, or hell, any older off roader, er, sorry "overlander"
It really does become personal and I think it should be. I trust this truck when my wife is driving it to go shopping or when we are out in the middle of nowhere for days at a time with no phone reception, etc...I know I have done all I can to get it to drive and run the best that I can, and I think that's all you can do with older cars. But they take work, no bones about it.
There is quiet rewards to pulling up to a trail head and being the 20 year old truck with all the latest and greatest around you. I've got a V8 and lockers...that's all you really need.
((Although, those air vented seats and built in Apple car play are tempting!!!))
EDIT: For those considering a DII best thing I have purchased was an ultragauge and very tastefully mounted to my dash. Always know the engine temp and O2 sensors output. Food for thought...
Camping last year...somewhere in the Midwest (Missouri?):
Driving the Tail of the Dragon on my way to the North East:
Colorado/Silverton(?):
Funny, I still don't recall anyone telling me through decades of ownership that I should buy a Land Rover for it's reliability. So...there is that.
We all know going in, no matter what series, or model, what we are in for potentially - if that makes people uneasy, which I can't blame them, then there are Jeeps, Toyotas, Mercedes, Isuzus, etc....
But...to answer the question posed by the OP:
Are older Land Rover Discoveries really that bad?
No. They are not.
But...understand what you are getting, and getting yourself into. With the internet, forums and YouTube it's nearly impossible not to know about the DII and leaky transfer cases, head gaskets...or the rust issues with Series/Defenders, etc...
Whether you are living paycheck to paycheck or on a golf course owning an older Land Rover means you have to get under it and look for leaks, pay attention to warning lights and just perform basic/routine maintenance. It's really quite simple. But for some of us, owning cars and motorcycles becomes personal and we become involved...as stated by others.
Also...not sure when owning a Land Rover became a cheap endeavor. Everyone knows going in on a Porsche, Lotus, Land Rover, etc that the parts and the labor are expensive...so not sure how some seem to forget that part of the equation.
I love my 2004 Discovery and it will be with me until I die. It's traveled with me for 20 years now and I love getting in it to go on a 2 week/2 month camping trip across North America or simply just running to get groceries. I love changing the oil in it, seeing the clear fluids in my differentials when I drain them and cursing at it trying to get new ignition coils installed. My insurance is cheap, it's been paid off for many many years and contradicting a previous post costs me nothing a month other than gas. The engine ticks a bit but when I put Rotella diesel oil back in for the summer it quiets down. I, going against everyone and everything, have never installed a 180 degree thermostat and that's living down here in south Texas, driving in Mexico and the Southwest.
So, there are things to learn and things to know and I think that's the beauty of owning an old Land Rover, or hell, any older off roader, er, sorry "overlander"
It really does become personal and I think it should be. I trust this truck when my wife is driving it to go shopping or when we are out in the middle of nowhere for days at a time with no phone reception, etc...I know I have done all I can to get it to drive and run the best that I can, and I think that's all you can do with older cars. But they take work, no bones about it.There is quiet rewards to pulling up to a trail head and being the 20 year old truck with all the latest and greatest around you. I've got a V8 and lockers...that's all you really need.
((Although, those air vented seats and built in Apple car play are tempting!!!))
EDIT: For those considering a DII best thing I have purchased was an ultragauge and very tastefully mounted to my dash. Always know the engine temp and O2 sensors output. Food for thought...
Camping last year...somewhere in the Midwest (Missouri?):
Driving the Tail of the Dragon on my way to the North East:
Colorado/Silverton(?):
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