I am land rover illiterate. looking at all my options

[john101477]

First off I am pretty much a toyota guy BUT, it is time for a new rig and I found a few discos around here. At just over 100,000 what ar some of the known issues with 2002 - 2005 land rovers? I have seen a cpl of discos and a cpl LR3's here for sale and want to get the best bang for the buck with out major fixes and complications

 

[tombodad]

2002 - 2004 are Disco IIs. 2005 are LR3's, completely different beasts.

There are a few common problems/weaknesses in the DII. Check out this article.

2003 was the first year of the 4.6, (stroked out 4.0). Had some serious oilpump issues, and some were likely not properly repaired. 2003 was also the new headlights, etc. 2004 fixed the oilpump issues, and saw the return of the CDL lever. 2004 is one of the most sought-after years of DII.

Basically, look for as much maintenance as the seller can prove, and best condition, regardless of year.

 

[David Harris]

2002 - 2004 are Disco IIs. 2005 are LR3's, completely different beasts.

There are a few common problems/weaknesses in the DII. Check out this article.

2003 was the first year of the 4.6, (stroked out 4.0). Had some serious oilpump issues, and some were likely not properly repaired. 2003 was also the new headlights, etc. 2004 fixed the oilpump issues, and saw the return of the CDL lever. 2004 is one of the most sought-after years of DII.

Basically, look for as much maintenance as the seller can prove, and best condition, regardless of year.

People often say get a 2004, but that is the last year I would get. Sure, it has the factory diff linkage and the 4.6, but this year also has more slipped liner issues than all the others, and you will have that on top of paying a premium over other years. Much better to get a 1999-2002, add the diff linkage from a D1 and then use the money savings to save for a rebuilt 4.6 with top-hat liners installed.

Honestly, unless you have to have more refinement, you are ahead getting a Range Rover Classic or Discovery 1 instead. The D2 is problematic in other ways besides the engine, harder to maintain, more costly parts, more electronics to fail. I have a 1999 Discovery II with a blown engine sitting in my shop. It's nice and I have a 4.6 ready to go in it, but I have still been toying with the idea of parting it out and putting the 4.6 in my Range Rover Classic instead.

Alternatively, you could look at the LR3 (Discovery III) which is supposed to be far more reliable than the D2.

David

 

[d67u57]

seeing the aforementioned premium people/dealers ask for the 04, do look for lr3

ive looked at lots and lots.

ignore my above if you find a steal .

 

[Howski]

I hate to be that guy, but use the search function for this. There's tons of info on Disco's already out there

 

[LR Max]

Cut the crap and get an LR3 with the V8 and HD package.

 

[john101477]

Thanks for the quick info everyone.

I hate to be that guy, but use the search function for this. There's tons of info on Disco's already out there

yeah but sometimes it is just far easier to ask such a fool question than to search through 1000s of threads and posts about a loose wire or poor headlights or ???
In a few short posts I now know I do not want a D2 prior to 2004 because I do not want to have to SINK a ton of money into fixing a vehicle that I am hoping to drive hundreds of thousands of miles.

Cut the crap and get an LR3 with the V8 and HD package.

Cut the crap and get an LR3 huh? whats so great about the LR3 over say a 4th gen 4runner? or even a D2?

 

[Howski]

yeah but sometimes it is just far easier to ask such a fool question than to search through 1000s of threads and posts about a loose wire or poor headlights or ???

There are several threads on the first few pages of the Land Rover section with people inquiring about purchasing Disco's and LR3's. It's just silly to ask the same basic questions that have been answered 1000 times

 

[john101477]

There are several threads on the first few pages of the Land Rover section with people inquiring about purchasing Disco's and LR3's. It's just silly to ask the same basic questions that have been answered 1000 times

if you do not want to be helpful then dont reply to the thread. IF I do something that a moderator does not like he can tell me himself. otherwise, If you have nothing nice to say, don't say nothin at all...

 

[spikemd]

I cant say nothing... there is a sticky with many links to every question you have asked and it doesnt even require a search. You have obviously posted here many times so your are not a newbie. Do some research on your own and then come back with more specific and relevant questions.

 

[David Harris]

. . .I now know I do not want a D2 prior to 2004 because I do not want to have to SINK a ton of money into fixing a vehicle that I am hoping to drive hundreds of thousands of miles. . .

Cut the crap and get an LR3 huh? whats so great about the LR3 over say a 4th gen 4runner? or even a D2?

These two statements show that you need to read a bit on the forum, for different makes besides LR as well. There are so many factors to answering these questions, that it's too much to create a new thread every time they come up. You will get a much better picture by spending some time here and on other forums like Discoweb.

 

[Howski]

if you do not want to be helpful then dont reply to the thread. IF I do something that a moderator does not like he can tell me himself. otherwise, If you have nothing nice to say, don't say nothin at all...

I offered a helpful reply then you responsed with a snarky remark. I'd suggest not getting a Disco. I don't think anyone here wants the Land Rover section to be littered with a new thread each time you have an oil leak or the 3 Amigos pop up

 

[john101477]

Yeah already read that sticky before I asked... was hoping for newer info. After all you hear about toyota's with 400,000+ miles on them but only after they get that way...
I did find enough info to scare the hell out of me on Land Rovers though. Even then I stopped and looked at 2 in my travels today.

 

[john101477]

I offered a helpful reply then you responsed with a snarky remark. I'd suggest not getting a Disco. I don't think anyone here wants the Land Rover section to be littered with a new thread each time you have an oil leak or the 3 Amigos pop up

No you wanted to be "that guy" and instead of any type of reasonable answer you told me to look else where. real helpful, real kind...

I asked specifically about the LR and Discovery because those are the 2 that I have been finding the most around here. after looking at some of the other rover options I am very certain that I could not afford most of them.

 

[d67u57]

i think the threads gone in the wrong direction..a tad

whichever land rover you get,expect some quirks.

not sure about the newer ones. havent had the chance to get to know them much.