Considering an '03-04 Disco or LR3...

[LL247]

Ok, let me start by saying I've read and read and read and read until my eyes were bloodshot the pros and cons of Rover ownership. I'm looking to purchase a 2nd vehicle as a sometimes daily overland vehicle. Being a 2nd vehicle the wife requests I keep to a modest budget of $5-7k (can stray upwards on a clean vehicle if presented a good opportunity). I was looking at 4Runners, LC 80's, Xterras...but I've always had a crush on Land Rovers for some reason. At this point I'm wondering if perhaps, with it being a 2nd vehicle, maybe a LR is in my future. I'm no stranger to working on my vehicles so basic maintenance and repairs don't scare me. Just wondering opinions on the best direction? In my range there's quite a few well maintained 03-04 Discos floating in my local area, but there's also a couple LR3's within reach too. From everything I've researched it appears the most reliable Discos are the 03-04, am I correct? Any directional advice is appreciated folks.

Just basically looking to field a few opinions if all of you don't mind. i'd like to make a purchase of something within the next week and am suffering from paralysis by analysis...

 

[Ray_G]

I don't know that I'd call the Dii the most reliable anymore (of the Disco 1-2's...). For a period of time that may have been true but as they age that seems to be less the case and now it is truly truck by truck in either the D1 or Dii realm

Point in fact, the Disco 3 (we just call them the LR3) appears to be head and shoulders above either in terms of average reliability in comparative stage of age-that's anecdotal but I think fairly widely accepted.

Given that you're not scared to work on them, have a reasonable budget in mind, and want to get something I'd suggest flipping your analysis on its side a bit and/or try a few more options.
-What's the intended utilization overlanding, i.e. where do you want to go (and how much do you want to do to the truck to make it optimal for that endstate)
-Have you, and the wife, test driven both? (this alone may be the determining factor).

Personally I would get an LR3 in the 12-14K range with some miles on it rather than a Dii in the 6-7k range, possible exception being a well sorted 04 but even then...hence the comment about test driving local options to see if that helps the rack and stack.
r-
Ray

 

[Eniam17]

03 disco 2's had major engine failure issues due to a manufacturing isse and most recommend staying clear of them. The 04's would be better but i believe they took away the CDL option in 04 models but you may be able to add it. There are VIN ranges posted on other forums that help you identify if a vehicle is in the "engine failure" range.

If you look for any rover, especially a disco 2, look for complete maintenance records and look hard for rust. They will need head gaskets for sure at some point, many have needed before 100k.

I curious what LR3 's you are finding in the 5-7k range? Reliability improved dramatically with the lr3 but some(especially first year models) have their quirks too. Again, thorough maintenance records are your best friend here. Good luck!

 

[David Harris]

Saying that '03 to '04 are the most reliable is speaking in relative terms only. There have been plenty of these that have blown up with low miles, just like the earlier ones. In my opinion, any Disco II running the original stock motor is a crap shoot. You may get a good one and you may get a bad one. There has even been one case I know of where the original engine blew in an '04, was replaced with a brand new factory engine, and that blew a short time later. So, it isn't the miles or even the maintenance that matters. I would feel better with a high mileage one than a low mileage one. Another option is to buy one with a blown engine cheap and have the engine replaced with one from a 1998 and earlier Discovery converted to the D2 engine management, or just put a newly rebuilt long block with top-hat liners installed. I have done the D1 engine into D2 route on a 99 D2 I owned and it worked out very well. This is what I would do if I wanted another D2.

David

 

[David Harris]

The 04's would be better but i believe they took away the CDL option in 04 models but you may be able to add it.

Actually only the '04's had the CDL from the factory, the '03 and earlier didn't. It's easy to add it to the '99-'01 because they have the lock and actuator on the transfer case and just need the linkage and shifter added. The '02 and '03 need modifications to the transfer case, or the case replaced with one of the others if you want the CDL.

 

[ebg18t]

I really liked my 04 D2. But in all reality it was very needy. It always needed something. My HG's went at 70k miles (very common) and that engine always ran hot (never overheated) no matter what i did. I was always on edge when i had it loaded down on trips.

There is an awesome aftermarket and they are relatively easy to work on. I did pay for the HG and engine work (~$4k), but everything else can be accomplished by a shade tree mechanic. It was a quirky, fun multi purpose truck.

I have now converted my 04 4Runner to my Overland truck. While it doesn't have the fun look and history of the D2 i still find it fun. Maintenance is pretty standard and the 4Runner just plan works.

I do feel my D2 was better off road in tricky sections when compared to my 4Runner. It may have been that i also had more experience in the D2 though. The 4Runner gets better MPG and i find it more simplistic yet more modern feeling than the D2. I am not doing any rock crawling anymore, so the 4Runner fits us for an all purpose, all terrain overland exploring vehicle.

If you are 100% set on a LR, i would suggest looking at the LR3. It was on the list last time we looked, but the wife was to nervous about getting another LR.

 

[Eniam17]

Actually only the '04's had the CDL from the factory, the '03 and earlier didn't. It's easy to add it to the '99-'01 because they have the lock and actuator on the transfer case and just need the linkage and shifter added. The '02 and '03 need modifications to the transoer case, or the case replaced with one of the others if you want the CDL.

Thanks for clarifying, sorry about the bad info. I was getting confused with With which models could have linkage added and which needed new case.

 

[t42beal13t]

With that budget I would avoid an LR3. I would strongly look into getting a D2, it's on my list.

 

[LL247]

I'm leaning towards bumping the budget and picking up an LR3. I appreciate the feedback gentlemen and was really hoping it'd get opinions from people more educated on LRs than I. Plans for it will be to navigate light to moderate trails, camping, ect. I'll probably use it as a daily driver 50% of the time as well so comfort and on road manners certainly play a factor.

Now my main decision is to either go with my original plan and make it my 2nd vehicle...or get rid of my mini monster truck diesel mega cab 2500 and pick up a newer, lower mileage LR.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[Rovertrader]

I have had many of all 3 models, and for the intended purpose, I strongly urge you to go LR3, '06 and preferably '07-10. They still have their quirks, but many less. If you decide on an earlier model, go '97-'99 D-I. I currently drive a'99 D-I, and really enjoy it, as do my kids even though they miss their novel second row heated seats ;-) of the LR-3.

 

[Eniam17]

I vote for getting rid of the 2500 (as long as you aren't towing heavy loads real frequently and don't NEED at truck bed), bump up your budget, and get as new an LR3 as you can afford, preferably one with all maintenance records. If you're d/d'ing it 50% to 100% of the time and just doing light to moderate trails and camping, the LR3 will suit you perfectly. I also agree with Rovertrader, having had a D1 years ago I would take that over a DII.

 

[454]

The LR3's tow like a boss.

 

[DVD]

hi, I went the LR3 route 1 1/2 yrs ago. Got a 2005 w/ good records. I heard that most of the initial-year problems were addressed via recall (fuel tank and s/w upgrades). So far, it's been good. It's my DD, but I work from home, so it's not really a DD. Bought it w/ 90+ k miles and now at approx. 115k.
We love it.
* Ability to fold seats flat and fits a full size double air mattress for camping in the back (great for camping in areas where the wife might be worried about bears).
* The traction control is really good. Lockers lock when needed. It works and feels so "in control."
* When you get to a tough section of trail, go low range, rock mode, and you have 3 or 4 inches of lift. But when you drive around town, or on the highway, you don't have to always be in "lifted truck" mode.
* Depreciation. Seemed like the best deal for a used 4 door, capable 4wd vehicle. Most LR3s have been stereotypical "soccer mom" vehicles, maintained at the dealer, so used ones can be in good shape. It's kind of nice to blast a CD on the 9 speaker, 500 watt sound system while traversing Mohave Road in the winter with the windows open and the electric heated seats.
I'm not a big-time mechanic, but when I got into this "hobby" I decided I'd have to undertake the additional hobby of working on it. I've had the parking brake go wonky and start grabbing while driving at highway speeds - got "Bodsy's Brake Bible online doc for LR3s and replaced the drum parking brake to fix the problem. Replaced a height sensor (with help from IID tool to diagnose which sensor was malfunctioning and causing the vehicle to go into bump-stop mode). Replaced the diff fluids just to hopefully keep it running well and had transmission fluid changed.
Like I said, so far so good, and we're loving it. Here's a link to blog w/ photos of a recent camping/wheeling trip: http://dirkvandyke.blogspot.com/2013/09/first-utah-trip-maze-and-cedar-mesa.html
Editing this post after re-reading the thread. Here's a cool thing about LR3. On that recent Utah trip mentioned above, we had to cut the trip short to attend a funeral. Went from that remote and fairly challenging offroading/camping trip to 700 miles or so interstate driving to LA for the funeral. The LR3 is equally comfortable in both situations.
Good luck,
-Dirk

 

[LR Max]

For $5-7k, I'd avoid a Land Rover completely.

Go back and look for a 2nd gen Xterra. Darn fine vehicles. Boring? Yes. However very capable, reliable, and efficient.

If you were in the $~15k range, then I'd recommend a LR3. Their prices are dropping like rocks. You can get one for under $10k, but I probably wouldn't buy it. You can get a great truck for under $20k. Especially if you go looking in Florida.

 

[Rovertrader]

For $5-7k, I'd avoid a Land Rover completely.
If you were in the $~15k range, then I'd recommend a LR3. Their prices are dropping like rocks. You can get one for under $10k, but I probably wouldn't buy it. You can get a great truck for under $20k. Especially if you go looking in Florida.

X2!! Or look in any metropolitan area where there is a proliferation of soccer Moms...