Looking for a Used Disco

[Beowulf]

I am helping a co-worker and he says he would like to purchase a Disco. Now unfortunately, I know very little about Discos and was wondering what the differences in the Disco 1 and Disco 2 are. Plus, what should he be looking for and what should he be trying to avoid.

Any and all help will be appreciated.


Thank you.

 

[timmy!!!!!!!]

What is the budget? I would suggest either a 95 D1 , 99 D1 or an 04 DII.

 

[pnorvell]

I agree with Tim. I know that some prefer the rugged nature of the D1's and their relative ease to work on. I also know/have heard that the 04 DII is the best year of the Discovery, worked out most the kinks by then. Budget is obviously important and I would say that it's split pretty evenly on finding either a 99 DI or a 04 DII a decent price.

Peter

 

[sboada]

FWIW I have an 04 and love it. More power and a little more room. But as stated budget needs to be defined.

Discoweb may have more of what you seek. I have seen a few nice Discos up for grabs this past week there, and there is a ton of info to help narrow the choice.

 

[clebert]

Hi, I am the coworker Beowulf is talking about. I currently have a Freelander that I am going to sell to finance getting the disco. I think I can get around 5k for the Freelander so my max for a disco would be 6k. I have seen some '02's around that price but not any '04's. Is there anything I should lookout for on the '02?

I am very new to the overlanding and 4x4 world so any help is very appreciated.

Cleb

 

[UnfrozenCaveman]

Hey Cleb, are you in the Longmont area too?

Take a peek at http://www.solihullsociety.org/

I'm partial, but you should be able to find a nicely equipped D1 for well under your budget max.

Having said that, if it's going to be used more for daily driver duty, the D2's start to become more interesting....and I know virtually nothing about them.

Cheers,

KAA

 

[clebert]

Monkeyboy,

I am indeed in the Longmont area.
This won't be a daily driver but since I am kinda far from the mountains I want something that by the time I get to trails it won't feel like I went 3 rounds with Holyfield if you know what I mean. This will pretty much be a toy for the trails and snow so I need something that will be reliable when I get away from civilization and be able to handle the stuff around here.

I was going to mod the freelander since it's paid off but the more I read about the engine problems the more I want to ditch it as quickly as I can and I really don't want to have that feeling again with anything I get to replace it.

I read that the disco 1's have some reliability issues. Has anyone found that to be a true statement?

 

[jham]

I read that the disco 1's have some reliability issues. Has anyone found that to be a true statement?

I've never heard of any Land Rover having reliability issues...:coffeedrink:


After reading what you want, I would count out the 04 DII. If it's not going to be a daily driver, you want to focus a good amount of your money on offroad upgrades. Your $6k will disappear if you buy an 04. Then you'll have a bone stock 04 D2 when all you need is a trail truck. Don't go there.

Get the latest D1 you can find, like a 99. Or, get something like a 2000 D2. Avoid the years without the lockable T-case. But, to have $$ left for offroad upgrades, you probably won't be able to go too new. 01 and down sounds about right. Michaels, Tim and Peter will either reinforce this or correct it.

I have a 97 D1 lifted with ATs on it. The road manners with the sway bars on are very good. I did a 10 hr trip to Alabama from nova this past year and didn't mind it at all.

Again, if this isnt going to be a daily driver, I don't see the point in dropping cash for a really nice D2. Find yourself a reliable lat D1 or early DII.

 

[viatierra]

I've been out of the Disco game for awhile... so my only comment would be to avoid an '03 as you have no Center Locking Differential options. CLD in '04's are ready to go... probably the biggest reason why you've heard good things about that year. CLD in '02 and earlier can be modified to function. 2003 is the only year that used a transfercase without any CLD stuff inside.

You may not know whether or not you're interested in doing the mod now, but from what I understand... it is significant enough to steer away from '03 so you have the option in the future.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Well, the other reason you've heard about the 04 is also because they do have a lot of the bugs worked out. Mine has been very good over the past year. As for comfort... I've driven it 500 miles in one day, with aggressive tires and an HD suspension, and felt like I could keep going. Heck, when I was doing recovery duties at Rally Perce Neige, I drove it hell bent for leather for 16 hours... well ok, I was tired after that. Yet it's capable of also doing 3-3.5 trails. Not that many trucks can do that. My Dad's 99 4Runner SR5 is punishing after less than 1 hour.

 

[pnorvell]

I've never heard of any Land Rover having reliability issues...:coffeedrink:


After reading what you want, I would count out the 04 DII. If it's not going to be a daily driver, you want to focus a good amount of your money on offroad upgrades. Your $6k will disappear if you buy an 04. Then you'll have a bone stock 04 D2 when all you need is a trail truck. Don't go there.

Get the latest D1 you can find, like a 99. Or, get something like a 2000 D2. Avoid the years without the lockable T-case. But, to have $$ left for offroad upgrades, you probably won't be able to go too new. 01 and down sounds about right. Michaels, Tim and Peter will either reinforce this or correct it.

I have a 97 D1 lifted with ATs on it. The road manners with the sway bars on are very good. I did a 10 hr trip to Alabama from nova this past year and didn't mind it at all.

Again, if this isnt going to be a daily driver, I don't see the point in dropping cash for a really nice D2. Find yourself a reliable lat D1 or early DII.

This statement is pretty much spot on. If I were you, with your needs and budget, I would go for a DI. With that budget you could easily get one already modded and have some money left over to add a few things. From what I've heard, the best year for a DI is a 99, same kind of thing with the DII, last model year has most of the kinks ironed out.

I've been out of the Disco game for awhile... so my only comment would be to avoid an '03 as you have no Center Locking Differential options. CLD in '04's are ready to go... probably the biggest reason why you've heard good things about that year. CLD in '02 and earlier can be modified to function. 2003 is the only year that used a transfercase without any CLD stuff inside.

You may not know whether or not you're interested in doing the mod now, but from what I understand... it is significant enough to steer away from '03 so you have the option in the future.

For starters, CDL, just so you know. Secondly, I own an 03 and have been absolutely smitten with it! Yeah so it doesn't have a CDL, but that makes it so that i have to drive more appropriately and be more aware than if i was to have one. For me though, put in low, shift it into first and it'll do anything you throw at it, of course until i wimp out . That aside, I know the 03 year has this hanging over it's head but the way i see it, it'll just help me become a better driver for whenever i install a CDL, if i do:bike_rider:

Peter

 

[UnfrozenCaveman]

....but since I am kinda far from the mountains I want something that by the time I get to trails it won't feel like I went 3 rounds with Holyfield if you know what I mean.

"Kinda far from the mountains" indeed.....try living in Des Moines!

No, wait, that would be a bad idea

Nose around the Solihull Society site, talk with some folks there....they're mostly in your neighborhood....heck, Revor's right there in town with you.

KAA...you want a D1....probably a 94 / 95 IMHO

 

[clebert]

"Kinda far from the mountains" indeed.....try living in Des Moines!

No thanks! I couldn't stand to be that far from the mountains

More newb questions for you guys. I was looking online for a 99 Disco 1 and the only 99's were Disco 2's. So am I safe to assume the 99 disco 1's you guys are speaking of are really just late model 98's? And if so, how can I tell a late model 98 from an early model 98 and is there really a big difference?

PS.
Thanks for being so nice to the newbie.

Cleb

 

[Antichrist]

Hi, I am the coworker Beowulf is talking about. I currently have a Freelander that I am going to sell to finance getting the disco. I think I can get around 5k for the Freelander so my max for a disco would be 6k. I have seen some '02's around that price but not any '04's. Is there anything I should lookout for on the '02?

Ok, this isn't answering your exact question, but is related to the OP made on your behalf.

For that sort of money and what you want to do I'd stick with the D1's.
You'll spend less on the vehicle outright, so leaving more for your kitting out.
D1's appear to be cheaper/easier to work on (replacing hub bearings are $30 vs $200+ on a DII).
There is a ton of kit available for them.
If you ever decide to convert to diesel it's a lot less complicated.
If you like manual gearboxes you can get them with a 5-speed.
They all have center diff locks.
They have fewer electronic traction aids.

 

[shake'n'bake]

More newb questions for you guys. I was looking online for a 99 Disco 1 and the only 99's were Disco 2's. So am I safe to assume the 99 disco 1's you guys are speaking of are really just late model 98's? And if so, how can I tell a late model 98 from an early model 98 and is there really a big difference?
/QUOTE]

Yes, From my understanding it is just a late model 98, and I dont believe there is much of a difference between the two, but I'm sure some one else can clarify on that.

I own a 98 D1 that I payed $3000 for and its a great car. It will defiantly exceed your expectations.