Land Rover Questions - help a newbie :)

[RusherRacing]

Looking at a couple different ones.

04 Discovery HSE w/56k miles $15,000
06 LR3 SE w/67k miles ~ $18,000
07 LR3 HSE w/62k miles -not sure on the price yet

My main question is this. I live in ruralville USA. The closest LR dealer is 200 miles away and I would not be able to take it in for service at a LR dealer. I am fairly confident, I would be as capable as any repair shop locally. If it isn't a chevy or ford then they do not know what they are doing. But I only like to work on my corvette, as its my toy but can turn wrenches if need be. This would be my daily driver and I couldn't have it mia for any significant qty's of time. Would this stop you from buying a LR?

If no - What should I look for? What are the different option packages? How can you tell if they have a Locking Rear Diff? What option packages should I look for? Is there a website that explains all the option packages and yearly changes they have made to the LR3's?

Will a standard OBDII scanner be able to reset the codes or would I need to spend the $$ for LR specific diagnostics tool?

Honestly I like the price, love the style and size, but concerned about reliability and service. I need a larger SUV or truck to haul the family and dog but Tahoe's etc have crazy resale around here so I am looking at other options.

My 99 tahoe is starting to have more issues than I care to worry about. It has gotten to the point I don't trust it to sit for a week and start when I need it, and I don't trust it on a couple hundred mile road trip with a newborn anymore. So its time to send it packing..

 

[BKCowGod]

Personally I am not familiar with the newer ones, but once I get it baselined and get to know it a bit better (I've only had it a month), I would trust my RRC to take me to the arctic circle and back without batting an eye.

 

[discodisco]

2 cents

My experience is with the Disco 2s and I would not hesitate to recommend one. The 2004 discovery is an excellent year as it comes with the CDL and the larger engine. Not mention all of the other awesome perks of an HSE. If availability of service is an issue I personally would go with the 2004 Disco or the newest LR3 you can afford. The 2004 disco will be a lot easier to work on and if it is anything like my 2001 (which it should be) the standard OBD II scanner works just fine. On the other hand, in theory a newer LR3 will need less work so that might be a good option.
The biggest know issue with any discovery series II is the front drive shaft. If you replace it right away with a serviceable one for about $200 from either Lucky8 or Grate Basin Rovers then you should be fine. I would also look around for a local Land Rover Club as they can give you a lot of advice and check over cars with you.
There are a lot of discussions in this forum on the pro's and cons of each just scroll through a couple of pages and you will find a wealth of info.

 

[RusherRacing]

Just thought I would note, I have read the threads in the expo guide to LR's and searched throught multiply threads that I have found in this section in regards to the LR3.

Alot of threads compare the LR3 to the DII and I am leaning towards that. Now just not sure if the SE or the HSE as I can't find a detailed listing of the difference and the options available on each.

How do I tell if it has a locking rear diff? The dealers around hear don't know squat when I ask..

 

[ChristopherP]

Head gaskets are an issue with 2004 Discos (just had mine done at 57K). Also there was an oil pump "issue" with certain 03/04's. There is a VIN range available for vehicles that could be affected. Do a LOT of research.

 

[Storz]

How do I tell if it has a locking rear diff? The dealers around hear don't know squat when I ask..

If you're talking about the 04 DII it has an open rear diff, the locker they are talking about is a center differential lock (remember Rovers are always in 4wd) and they all (2004s) have it.

 

[Paladin]

Headgaskets at 57k? Holy cow. Unbelievable.

 

[RusherRacing]

I am leaning towards the LR3.

I was curious about the LR3 HD with the locking rear diff? How do I tell if it has it? Is there a switch on the dash etc that makes it obvious? Where is the switch located?

The other concern I read is people worried about water and the electronics. I do plan on busting through snow drifts level with the top of the hood in the winter time and snow will get everywhere. Will this cause issues with electronics? I haven't had issues in the past with my jeep GC or Tahoe.

 

[SMD]

I am leaning towards the LR3.

I was curious about the LR3 HD with the locking rear diff? How do I tell if it has it? Is there a switch on the dash etc that makes it obvious? Where is the switch located?

Read this thread. It's not user selectable in the traditional sense and there's no switch. Your ability to enable the rear locker comes down to Terrain Response setting, Low Range, and where you point the steering wheel. The computers take it from there.

The other concern I read is people worried about water and the electronics. I do plan on busting through snow drifts level with the top of the hood in the winter time and snow will get everywhere. Will this cause issues with electronics? I haven't had issues in the past with my jeep GC or Tahoe.

Water can cause problems with some of the ECUs, but simply busting through snow drifts or having your window down through the drive-thru during a rain storm aren't going to cause issues. I've had to replace a couple of the ECUs but the cause(s) were a bit out of the ordinary.

I'm pretty sure you can't reset most LR3 fault codes with only an OBDII. You'll need the dealer unless you are willing to fork over big $$$$$$ for one of the few aftermarket systems. I've had an 04 DII SE7 and still have the 06 LR3 HSE w/ HD. Love 'em both, but picking one comes down to your individual use, comfort, and maintenance abilities (or location).

DWeb and disco3.co.uk have more extensive LR3/D3 info than this site.

 

[Chazz Layne]

My main question is this. I live in ruralville USA. The closest LR dealer is 200 miles away and I would not be able to take it in for service at a LR dealer.

I too live a long distance from a dealer. That right there would keep me away from the LR3 (and 4, and the newer Ranges). They are helpless without the computer, which is not a user-serviceable item. I've heard some folks say the same about the D2, but in reality it isn't any different than an older domestic truck (just tighter work spaces and metric tools).

Honestly I like the price, love the style and size, but concerned about reliability and service. I need a larger SUV or truck to haul the family and dog but Tahoe's etc have crazy resale around here so I am looking at other options.

Our Disco has been our trustworthy, "always works", go-to companion for years, so IMO the rest is a non-issue. It sounds like it would simply be too small for your needs. They'll tow a lot, and carry a lot of gear in the back, but the back seat is not comfortable by any stretch of the imagination. Cramped would be an understatement...

 

[WoldD90]

The LR3 is a much better truck both on the road and off. The off-road capability is significantly better.

The rear seats fold flat, so you can haul a lot of cargo. They don't have a lot of the same problems that the MK3 RR have with air bags and higher maintenance issues.

The 04 Disco's are really nice and roomy. But, they have some common issues that are discouraging, like Head Gaskets, Leaky sunroofs and slipped liners.

Go for the LR3 and enjoy it.

But, you would be much happier with a D90 or D110. :smiley_drive:

 

[Nonimouse]

Bit confused with your reply - the D3 better better than the D2 off road?!

On the road yes - but off road most definately not

 

[WoldD90]

For a stock to stock comparison, the D3/LR3 is significantly better off-road than the D2. There is no confusion about that.

But, if you are looking for a serious off road truck, you can more easily modify the D2 to be a superior off-roader.

 

[jgdisco2]

I'm gonna agree with wold90 on this one..ive seen stock lr3's do things I didn't think they could do right out of the box...a stock d2 couldn't do a lot of what I saw the lr3 can stock

But.....I still love my 04 disco :victory:

 

[Nonimouse]

Have to disagree

A stock D2 has the edge (if fitted with the factory CDL), especially in deep mud, wet sand and peat

That said the D3 is pretty dammned impressive...