New Addition to Stable (Land Rover Discovery)

[JeffOlson]

Our youngest son, Aaron, is going to move back in with us while he finishes up college. His old BMW needs at least $3,000 worth of work, and it is not worth much more than that (maybe $3,500). My wife and I have always wanted a Land Rover Discovery, so we bought one today. It is ours, but Aaron can use it while he is with us:

[DaddyRabbit]

That looks like a fine example.  What year?

[JeffOlson]

2004. Last year of the Disco II.

[drw916]

Love mine, a 2003.  Low  horsepower, bad mileage, and requires premium, but nothing stops it.  Just watch for head gaskets after about 70,000 miles.

[canuguzzi]

Looks mighty right, best color too. Always liked the style, not cookie cutter.

Just remember, if you move to California, you're now entitled to use the car pool lane with one person, speed and buy a house in Marin County.

[Kentktk]

Seems like it`s worth a try for the around 8k price of them these days

[Noguzznoglory]

Head gasket failure referred to is actually due to overheating the motor which is usually due to radiator  restrictions from internal corrosion. Change the coolant every two years and should have no problems. Discovery motor is more susceptible because it's all aluminum

[ken farr]

Looks mighty right, best color too. Always liked the style, not cookie cutter.

Just remember, if you move to California, you're now entitled to use the car pool lane with one person, speed and buy a weekend house in Marin County.

...fixed it for you....no need to thank me, it's just what I do.....


kjf

[JeffOlson]

Some people online have sounded the alarm about maintenance and repairs, but I doubt they will be any worse than for all of the old BMWs and Jaguar we have owned. Nothing can top the repair expense of that Jaguar! ($18,000 in two years--my wife finally made me sell it--but what a great 12-cylinder engine!)

Other people, of course, have thoroughly enjoyed their Discoveries. I am hoping for the best! (It was a one-owner vehicle, will all the receipts.)

Curiously, according to the dealer from whom we bought it, he has sold half a dozen Discoveries to members of the Hispanic farming community in which we live. They have become quite popular here in the Hubbard area. Fortunately, there is a capable Land Rover mechanic just down the road from us. He services all of the local police cars and the mayor's car, too! (He rebuilt the top end of the motor and took care of all the mechanical problems before we bought it.)

[balvenie]

Mine is a 97 model and leaks from the sump etc. Don't park on a friend's drive when visiting or you won't stay friends. Hope you have better luck.

[JeffOlson]

Mine is a 97 model and leaks from the sump etc. Don't park on a friend's drive when visiting or you won't stay friends. Hope you have better luck.

I hope so, too! If we don't, what I do about it will depend upon how bad the leak is. A bit of oil from a British car is something I can live with. My Jaguar leaked up to a quart of oil a day. (It held 12 quarts.) I simply checked the oil each morning before driving (along with all the other vital fluids including the oil in the four carburetors).

[cruzziguzzi]

My condolences. We have one and love it.

Hate loving it but do none the less.

To note:
If it has air bag suspension - get rid of it for a spring conversion at the first repair... there will be one.
Lay in a spare coolant reservoir tank now - it will fail and zero miles can be driven as it vomits its highly pressurized coolant.
NEVER MIX ANY COOLANT COLORS IN THIS! You can fully convert away from the unfortunately blood colored coolant but never mix colors.
Use only distilled water if you add water to the coolant system.
For long term ownership, consider these:
 Convert away from factory coolant reservoir tank to a metallic custom
 Get rid of the rigid over-flow line from radiator to tank for a braided line
 Don't let fools replace the battery - they are likely to bust the little radiator nipple for the overflow line
 Look into a lower temp thremostat. You can't get it from Rover but it's a definite plus in keeping the temp down and extending the life of cooling components and head gaskets.
If you add a trailer plug, take advantage of the type which utilizes the "amber turn signal" wiring.
Wiper blades are expensive and relatively "one off". Taking the time to convert to more standardized options is well worth the time.

An ARB bull bar is a very worthwhile upgrade.

Get to know "the three amigos" and your most cost effective manner in which to address them. Guzzi content... thrift, a paradoxical consideration in Land Rover Discovery II ownership.

Be aware of the effects; both beneficial and malicious of the "Super Lock" security setting.

If you begin to believe that you may have a rod or two going - it's likely, merely, "piston slap" and can be driven indefinitely while exhibiting this if a proper and extended warm up is ensured each morning before flogging it. Not simply warm coolant but rather, warm to the bones, warm.

Now, the sugar:
OUTSTANDING 4WD performance
Excellent tower. Once up to speed... "later today" is the 0-60 performance, loaded, towing or otherwise.
Exceptional brakes for towing and loads - hills matter not.
Mind blowing, true "dual" A/C system!
Aluminum (or, aluminium, as it were) body.

Things you need to know, community/resource wise:
 http://www.landroverresource.com/

"Rave" Manual from above - PDF: http://www.landroverresource.com/docs/D2_Workshop_Manual.pdf

Factory hard copy here: http://landroverrepairmanual.com/

Wonderful parts source that usually has the hard to find alternative thermostat: http://bputah.com/

Fine community forum:  http://www.lrrforums.com/forum.php

Parts for the more "well heeled":  http://www.landrovermerriamparts.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=215719



Todd.

[JeffOlson]

My condolences. We have one and love it.

Hate loving it but do none the less.

To note:
If it has air bag suspension - get rid of it for a spring conversion at the first repair... there will be one.
Lay in a spare coolant reservoir tank now - it will fail and zero miles can be driven as it vomits its highly pressurized coolant.
NEVER MIX ANY COOLANT COLORS IN THIS! You can fully convert away from the unfortunately blood colored coolant but never mix colors.
Use only distilled water if you add water to the coolant system.
For long term ownership, consider these:
 Convert away from factory coolant reservoir tank to a metallic custom
 Get rid of the rigid over-flow line from radiator to tank for a braided line
 Don't let fools replace the battery - they are likely to bust the little radiator nipple for the overflow line
 Look into a lower temp thremostat. You can't get it from Rover but it's a definite plus in keeping the temp down and extending the life of cooling components and head gaskets.
If you add a trailer plug, take advantage of the type which utilizes the "amber turn signal" wiring.
Wiper blades are expensive and relatively "one off". Taking the time to convert to more standardized options is well worth the time.

An ARB bull bar is a very worthwhile upgrade.

Get to know "the three amigos" and your most cost effective manner in which to address them. Guzzi content... thrift, a paradoxical consideration in Land Rover Discovery II ownership.

Be aware of the effects; both beneficial and malicious of the "Super Lock" security setting.

If you begin to believe that you may have a rod or two going - it's likely, merely, "piston slap" and can be driven indefinitely while exhibiting this if a proper and extended warm up is ensured each morning before flogging it. Not simply warm coolant but rather, warm to the bones, warm.

Now, the sugar:
OUTSTANDING 4WD performance
Excellent tower. Once up to speed... "later today" is the 0-60 performance, loaded, towing or otherwise.
Exceptional brakes for towing and loads - hills matter not.
Mind blowing, true "dual" A/C system!
Aluminum (or, aluminium, as it were) body.

Things you need to know, community/resource wise:
 http://www.landroverresource.com/

"Rave" Manual from above - PDF: http://www.landroverresource.com/docs/D2_Workshop_Manual.pdf

Factory hard copy here: http://landroverrepairmanual.com/

Wonderful parts source that usually has the hard to find alternative thermostat: http://bputah.com/

Fine community forum:  http://www.lrrforums.com/forum.php

Parts for the more "well heeled":  http://www.landrovermerriamparts.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=215719



Todd.

Thank you, Todd!

This is wonderful advice.

The "three amigos": ABS, Traction Control, and Hill Descent warning lights.