USA Spec Discovery Series I-Looking To Purchase.Need Advice

[ben2go]

Today, while traveling through our local mountains,my girl friend spotted a hunter green first gen/series Discovery.She started grilling me about the details of the vehicle.Kind of surprised, as she doesn't really like SUVs,and despises green vehicles.Unfortunately,I had to bow out of that conversation.Other than knowing it was a first gen Land Rover Discovery,that's about all I know about them.Since we are currently looking at purchasing an SUV or mini van,I thought maybe I could push her toward a Discovery.We both like the first gen and I feel that it would be capable of taking on the off roading that we do.Plus I can make upgrades while we are using the vehicle.Our off roading consist of a gravel drive and ummm washed out mining/logging roads.Nothing I consider extreme.I used to be an avid rock crawler, so I know that a stock Discovery will do what we require.I still have a few questions tho.

1)What are the weak points of the first gen Discovery?Both factory short comings and off road breakage.

2)I know there was a V8 offered 3.9/4.0.Anything else offered in the US market?Diesel?

3)What should I be aware of when looking a vehicle over?

4)If I understand correctly,the first gen isn't a true four wheel drive having 4L,4H,or 2H.It's more like an all wheel drive, with a transfer case locker, for full all wheel drive.IS this a correct understanding?If so,is there a conversion for 4L,4H,and 2H like a standard transfer case?

5)What kind of real world fuel economy can I expect from a well maintained first gen Discovery?We live right off of the interstate.We travel the interstates or other highways most of the time,very little city driving where I live.If I can get between 21 and 23,I'd be happy.

6)How much mileage is to much?Being a mechanic by trade,I understand it all comes down to maintenance.

7)What is a good price range for a good condition Discovery?I have been finding some rather low mileage Discovery's for sale cheap,IMHO. 90,000 to 140,000 miles on vehicles with asking prices between $5000 and $9000.Land Rover is considered top self brand and these prices seem a bit low.Is it because of the fuel mileage or maybe poor engineering?I'll have a look see.

8)Is there any certain year,drive train,or trim package to stay away from?

9)As always,point me toward websites that are for people that like to upgrade their Land Rovers,especially the drive line and diesel swaps.I am a member of 4bt Swaps and Diesel Bombers.

If anyone can add anything at all that might be remotely helpful,please give your input.

Forgive me if any of my ramblings are off.I have never had a Land Rover come through any of the shops I have worked at.Even the 4x4 shop I worked at never had a Land Rover come through.So I am green when it comes to these machines.

As always,thanks in advance.

 

[czenkov]

UNderstand have never owned one but from my reading I tried to answer the ones I know. However there are people on this forum that know A LOT more than I. (That is my disclaimer)

1)What are the weak points of the first gen Discovery?Both factory short comings and off road breakage. Search the forum for this one - discoweb MIGHT be a good resource but definitely search there or you are likely to get "flamed"

2)I know there was a V8 offered 3.9/4.0.Anything else offered in the US market?Diesel? No Diesel just V8's

3)What should I be aware of when looking a vehicle over? rust in the rear load bed, leaky sunroofs, 3 amigos, faulty electrics like seats, roofs etc.

4)If I understand correctly,the first gen isn't a true four wheel drive having 4L,4H,or 2H.It's more like an all wheel drive, with a transfer case locker, for full all wheel drive.IS this a correct understanding?If so,is there a conversion for 4L,4H,and 2H like a standard transfer case? Correct 4H, 4L and some had the diff lock. Search to find out specific years. Some actually had a 5 speed.

5)What kind of real world fuel economy can I expect from a well maintained first gen Discovery?We live right off of the interstate.We travel the interstates or other highways most of the time,very little city driving where I live.If I can get between 21 and 23,I'd be happy. Don't expect that kind of mileage. Having never owned one I can only tell you I dont think I have ever seen that kind of mileage mentioned in other threads - usually 17 or so max.

6)How much mileage is to much?Being a mechanic by trade,I understand it all comes down to maintenance. All records and proper maintenance as you mentioned is key to whether it is too many miles.

7)What is a good price range for a good condition Discovery?I have been finding some rather low mileage Discovery's for sale cheap,IMHO. 90,000 to 140,000 miles on vehicles with asking prices between $5000 and $9000.Land Rover is considered top self brand and these prices seem a bit low.Is it because of the fuel mileage or maybe poor engineering?I'll have a look see. I am not sure of your market but out here we see them all the time for $1500.

8)Is there any certain year,drive train,or trim package to stay away from? Yes - search for that. I think 1999 are what most say to get - 1994-1996 (?) after that.

9)As always,point me toward websites that are for people that like to upgrade their Land Rovers,especially the drive line and diesel swaps.I am a member of 4bt Swaps and Diesel Bombers.

As always,thanks in advance.

Hope this helps and good luck. Once the Rovers get in your life it is hard to resist owning more.

 

[BKCowGod]

See below.

1)What are the weak points of the first gen Discovery?Both factory short comings and off road breakage.
Some people complain about many things. Personally, I put 180k hard miles on one and it never let me down. It is a heavy truck, so they tend to eat through brake pads and rotors. Others will chime in with complaints.

2)I know there was a V8 offered 3.9/4.0.Anything else offered in the US market?Diesel?
The 3.9 V8 was the only engine available in the US. It is a modification of a Buick 225ci (I think). Same basic engine as my 4.2 in my RRC.

3)What should I be aware of when looking a vehicle over?
Same as any other vehicle. Buy the best you can afford, avoid rust and repairs. Discos feel very different from many other vehicles on the road, but you get used to the top-heavy feel. They actually won't tip over on every turn - I spun mine more than once!

4)If I understand correctly,the first gen isn't a true four wheel drive having 4L,4H,or 2H.It's more like an all wheel drive, with a transfer case locker, for full all wheel drive.IS this a correct understanding?If so,is there a conversion for 4L,4H,and 2H like a standard transfer case?
Discos of all flavors are fulltime 4wd. Series 1 was only available with High, Low, and diff lock.

5)What kind of real world fuel economy can I expect from a well maintained first gen Discovery?We live right off of the interstate.We travel the interstates or other highways most of the time,very little city driving where I live.If I can get between 21 and 23,I'd be happy.
My dad is the only person in the world who has ever gotten 19mph out of a Disco. Most people dip below 15.

6)How much mileage is to much?Being a mechanic by trade,I understand it all comes down to maintenance.
Mine had 180k. My RRC is about to hit that same number. I expect my engine to last quite a while longer.

7)What is a good price range for a good condition Discovery?I have been finding some rather low mileage Discovery's for sale cheap,IMHO. 90,000 to 140,000 miles on vehicles with asking prices between $5000 and $9000.Land Rover is considered top self brand and these prices seem a bit low.Is it because of the fuel mileage or maybe poor engineering?I'll have a look see.
I wouldn't be willing to spend more than $5000. Discos, like other luxury vehicles, have horrible depreciation. My $2000 Audi was $70k new.

8)Is there any certain year,drive train,or trim package to stay away from?

9)As always,point me toward websites that are for people that like to upgrade their Land Rovers,especially the drive line and diesel swaps.I am a member of 4bt Swaps and Diesel Bombers.

If anyone can add anything at all that might be remotely helpful,please give your input.

Forgive me if any of my ramblings are off.I have never had a Land Rover come through any of the shops I have worked at.Even the 4x4 shop I worked at never had a Land Rover come through.So I am green when it comes to these machines.

As always,thanks in advance.

 

[Green96D1]

Today, while traveling through our local mountains,my girl friend spotted a hunter green first gen/series Discovery.She started grilling me about the details of the vehicle.Kind of surprised, as she doesn't really like SUVs,and despises green vehicles.Unfortunately,I had to bow out of that conversation.Other than knowing it was a first gen Land Rover Discovery,that's about all I know about them.Since we are currently looking at purchasing an SUV or mini van,I thought maybe I could push her toward a Discovery.We both like the first gen and I feel that it would be capable of taking on the off roading that we do.Plus I can make upgrades while we are using the vehicle.Our off roading consist of a gravel drive and ummm washed out mining/logging roads.Nothing I consider extreme.I used to be an avid rock crawler, so I know that a stock Discovery will do what we require.I still have a few questions tho.

1)What are the weak points of the first gen Discovery?Both factory short comings and off road breakage.

2)I know there was a V8 offered 3.9/4.0.Anything else offered in the US market?Diesel?

3)What should I be aware of when looking a vehicle over?

4)If I understand correctly,the first gen isn't a true four wheel drive having 4L,4H,or 2H.It's more like an all wheel drive, with a transfer case locker, for full all wheel drive.IS this a correct understanding?If so,is there a conversion for 4L,4H,and 2H like a standard transfer case?

5)What kind of real world fuel economy can I expect from a well maintained first gen Discovery?We live right off of the interstate.We travel the interstates or other highways most of the time,very little city driving where I live.If I can get between 21 and 23,I'd be happy.

6)How much mileage is to much?Being a mechanic by trade,I understand it all comes down to maintenance.

7)What is a good price range for a good condition Discovery?I have been finding some rather low mileage Discovery's for sale cheap,IMHO. 90,000 to 140,000 miles on vehicles with asking prices between $5000 and $9000.Land Rover is considered top self brand and these prices seem a bit low.Is it because of the fuel mileage or maybe poor engineering?I'll have a look see.

8)Is there any certain year,drive train,or trim package to stay away from?

9)As always,point me toward websites that are for people that like to upgrade their Land Rovers,especially the drive line and diesel swaps.I am a member of 4bt Swaps and Diesel Bombers.

If anyone can add anything at all that might be remotely helpful,please give your input.

Forgive me if any of my ramblings are off.I have never had a Land Rover come through any of the shops I have worked at.Even the 4x4 shop I worked at never had a Land Rover come through.So I am green when it comes to these machines.

As always,thanks in advance.

1. From the factory the Discovery one is a very capable vehicle. However like any mass production 4wd it will have some defaults. Now common breakage depends on the type of wheeling you do and how hard you will use the truck. but most common faliures are with the Axles and Diffs as these are not the most robust in design. however these components can be made stronger and the discovery 1 being a full floater axle design means changing a axle is a easy task. Mostly everything else in the truck is very strong. Chassis,T-case,tranny.

2. Nothing other than the V8 gassers. 3.9 used in the 94-95 Discos and 4.0 in the 96-99 discos.

3. Thing to be aware when looking at a rover is a full service history of the truck as most rovers where driven by some owners that may have not fully serviced the vehicle during the time they were used. But common issue to look about is the Engine as far as headgaskets being aluminum blocks once overheated meant that the vehicles were in need of a new block or at least new headgaskets. and then everything else is just a basic check of how you any vehicle. brakes, lights, steering, etc.

4. the Discovery 1 is a full time 4wd with a Hi range low range and center diff lock for better traction on difficult terrain.

5. LOL the discovery is a alloy bodied vehicle with Heavy chassis and with a small V8. The best you may receive is anywhere between 12-13 city and 15-16 highway and that depends on how the truck is maintined and driving habits.

6. that depends on the truck and how it was kept up sometimes a higher mileage vehicle is in better condition than a much lower mileage vehicle simply because of owner care of their truck


7. a good discovery can be had for a 3500 in the latter years 97-99 or some very clean unmolsted models can be priced at 4500$ the prices are low due to various reasons. the high price of gas, some land rovers have given owners a bad service history. But at the same time some of the horror stories are due to owner neglect rather than the engineering of the truck itself. I find Discoveries to be very well built trucks and stronger than what some would give credit for.

8. well Discoveries were all the same in design mechanically. But trim levels very from year to year. It depends on taste if you looking for a luxury then the later years might suit your fancy. The SE, LE , LSE were the luxury type of discoverys where as the SD was the basic model. but one thing i've learn since owning two discoveries is that less is more. I had a SE with sunroof and CD and all the trimmings but some things started to act up and since then i had a SD which is the entry level model with way less things to go wrong.

9.well alot of land rovers owners keep the original equipment and build off of that but a good site for diesel swaps or drivetrain is www.pirate4x4.com in the rover section. but again most owners stick with the factory eqiupment as it is proven to be tough and durable in most aspects.


if you buy a rover you wont be green for long. You'll either turn two colors light red with happyness and excitement or deep fiery red with Anger and bitterness but either way you wont be green anymore hahaha!

hope this helps with your search. :coffeedrink:

 

[ben2go]

Thanks guys.Sorry for the redundancy with my questions.With so many contradicting responses,I felt I needed to ask the questions.Retarded,I know.I have been researching here and else where.I am a member of pirate 4x4.I wasn't looking into a LR for it's yuppiness.I was looking into a quality offroader with room to pack and some affordability.I've had all kinds of 4x4s,mostly lifted for our wet rocky southeastern mountains.I really like my lifted 74 CJ5 with the 304 and 3 speed trans.Most of my other 4x4s were heavily modified and lifted P/Us.This would be my first actual 4x4 SUV.I'm not an electronics junky when it comes to offroading.Lights,communications,starting,and charging is about all I see need for.A fully mechanical diesel is the best choice for a powa plant,IMHO.

 

[ColoDisco]

I agree with what most have said except that I do prefer the 95 to the 96-99. I have seen the pitfalls of the later D1's and prefer the simplicity of the early one. 94 was the first year and I have always said.. never buy a first year release. 95 was the sweet spot. I see more of those on the road than the others. At least here in Colorado. I bought mine which was originally imported to california (not a california vehicle tho) and immediately shipped to New Mexico. I attribute the lack of rust on my vehicle to it living in New Mexico most of its life. If you can find one from a dry climate you will find less rust.

I am currently getting 18mpg city and 21mpg highway. I spent ALOT of time doing maintenance. About a year and 3 months doing every maintenance I could think of prior to 4 wheeling it. I still have alot to go. They are maintenance whores. If you like working on your own rig it is worth it. Otherwise plan on spending alot of money keeping it maintained.

 

[ben2go]

Mechanic by trade,but I like driving more than wrenching.:sombrero:

 

[ColoDisco]

Mechanic by trade,but I like driving more than wrenching.:sombrero:

Same here. Audi Tech. You should be fine then. :Mechanic: