Best years of Discovery’s to look for when buying

[Billy Holcomb]

Hi y’all, newb to the river world but I’ve been wheeling since high school with my FJ40. Currently running a 92’ built YJ and love it….but the wife not so much. I’ve been infatuated with the early Disco’s since I rode in my brother in laws ( he loves em) and I’m seriously considering picking one up for the creature comforts ( wife won’t wheel with me in the open top YJ…can’t figure out why)
I’m no stranger to the hazards of owning one, just looking for some advice on which years are the ones to look out for and which ones to avoid.
Thanks everyone!

 

[terryjm1]

Me, personally, I’d go with a 96 D1 without sunroofs. They are pre AEL GEMS and post CUX. That being said, any D1 is pretty good.

 

[4Runner]

My 94 has been great but my 96 was just as good and more comfortable. Many people would say that a 99D1 is the best of the lot. It’s my own opinion but I would not buy another D2. But maybe I’ll change my mind at some point.

 

[Billy Holcomb]

Im leaning towards the DI’s as I assume they would have less electronic problems…that being said do they have the heated seats that my wife so covets and the CDL that’s a must have for my type of wheeling. But I’m under the impression the 98’ was the last year of the DI no? There is a good condition 98’ on this site that’s available…

 

[4Runner]

Im leaning towards the DI’s as I assume they would have less electronic problems…that being said do they have the heated seats that my wife so covets and the CDL that’s a must have for my type of wheeling. But I’m under the impression the 98’ was the last year of the DI no? There is a good condition 98’ on this site that’s available…

99 was the last year for the D1. It was one of those weird 1/2 year things where you also could buy a D2. I never had a D1 with heated seats but I’ll bet it was an option. You can also add seat heaters so I would let that stop me from buying one. No sunroofs is also a good thing.

 

[Billy Holcomb]

I didn’t know about the sun roofs but oh yeah, I can definitely do without that head ache. That’s another check mark in the positive column! And you’re right about the seats. Where there’s a will there’s a way!

 

[terryjm1]

I have a 98 with heated seats and they work great. My wife really likes them. But, I’d bet if you want heated seats you are going to get sunroofs as well.

 

[StangGT5]

I'd skip right to a 2004 Discovery 2. In stock form it's the pinnacle Discovery to me in every measure, hands down. It's the LR4 and the Discovery 1 is the LR3. At the risk of jinxing myself (I still have my old one-daily 04), I owned a lot of Discovery 2s, mostly 04s, and I think LR just nailed it right at the end.

Of course, just like the LR3, some people love the original Discovery. It's got a lot of character and it's a little smaller if that's your thing. The D2 is more luxurious, it handles better, and feels more like a SUV than a Jeep with a suit on. The D1's axles and brakes are more cumbersome to work on and they lack the (very good in 04) traction control of the Discovery 2. The engine and electrics are somewhat easier to work on, but older and the modules are more prone to gremlins in my experience. I'd probably prefer even a 99-00 Discovery 2 over a Discovery 1 but, again, you'll find people who got burned by a funky D2 and swear by the OG Disco.

All that said, a Discovery 1 will be a huge upgrade in ride over your YJ. The last YJ I had was spring-over lifted on 35s and God would it jar the teeth out of my head on any pavement imperfection.

 

[LRDONE]

If the tail lights are up high, walk on by. Jk I think you’d enjoy either of them. I think your number one goal should be to find one with minimal rust. It seems like it was common to see the 99 D1 SD with no sunroofs. If I was starting over, that’s what I’d do and then swap in heated seats.

 

[pinkytoe69]

I'd skip right to a 2004 Discovery 2. In stock form it's the pinnacle Discovery to me in every measure, hands down.

While I somewhat agree, I would say one objective caveat to this is living in salt country.

A D1 will leave you with Flintstone floors, while the D2 will leave you with a rotten frame.

I would rather deal with the former every time


Caveat #2: D2 manuals are only available overseas

 

[Billy Holcomb]

Awesome info guys, and I totally get the “subjectiveness” in the decision making process. I am one of those guys who is drawn to the old schoolness (don’t that’s really a word) of vehicles, hence the 92’ YJ. You nailed it Stang, the YJ Is a rough ride but with lockers and 35’s she’s like a tank and crawls over everything I ask her to. I won’t be pushing the LR for that duty.
Many have raised their hand for the 04’s, I tend to look for the LR’s that have the most repairs/replacement of major components with records like heads redone, power steering pumps replaced etc. of course the rust inspection when I go to see it. Have you guys seen the 98’ for sale in Santa Rosa on this forum? Take a look and let me know what you guys think….
Cheers

 

[terryjm1]

I will add a little detail to why I like the 96 D1 best. It has an early GEMs 4.0 which didn’t suffer from the poor build quality of the later D2 (slipping liners). it is xtremely uncommon with an early 4.0 to have slipped liners. The 4.0 is an improvement over the 3.9 of earlier models. Also, the GEMS system does not use a distributor like the 3.9 CUX. It has essentially the same durable drivetrain and suspension of the Defender. Its a bit less “electronic” than the D2. It does indeed ride more like a truck than a D2. That is a pro or con depending on what you want.

Definitely spend the extra dollars and find one that is not rusty. You are in CA and that is probably the best place to get one that isn’t rusty. My most recent one came from CA.

If you want a smoother ride, a D2 would be a better choice and there are definitely other benefits of a D2 as described above. If you find one that already has top hat liners you don’t need to worry about slipped liners, I would drive both and pick what you like most.

 

[LRDONE]

Have you guys seen the 98’ for sale in Santa Rosa on this forum? Take a look and let me know what you guys think….
Cheers

Did you buy it? It says sold.

 

[terryjm1]

If you do buy a D1 without heated seats and want to add them, I could probably be talked out of a set I have along with the wiring harness and switches. They are from a 98 model and are in really good condition.

 

[Billy Holcomb]

Good to know Terry, thanks
And no, LR, I missed out on that one in Santa Rosa darn it. It was really clean and mechanically had been gone through extensively….well, I’ll keep looking

 

[Billy Holcomb]

How about 02’s ? Theses a super clean one with rover documented top end rebuilt among other mechanical upgrades. 124k miles and it’s a California car (no rust ?) what do you guys think of the 02’s pros cons?

 

[pinkytoe69]

How about 02’s ? Theses a super clean one with rover documented top end rebuilt among other mechanical upgrades. 124k miles and it’s a California car (no rust ?) what do you guys think of the 02’s pros cons?

I think the 02s and '03s are the only ones where the center diff has no locking output to connect to a shifter.

That typically makes them the least desirable of any disco.

 

[MM3846]

I’m weird, but I preferred working on the 14CUX trucks, all old school OBD1 plus the full floater (but weak sauce anyway) axles over the D2 ones.

If you have a wheeler and are keeping it, and just want a cruiser/overlandy guy, I’d find an EARLY D2 SD if you can, or the latest and nicest 04. With the traction control you won’t need much else in terms of mods besides some 32s. But jump in creature comfort and ride. But if comfort is what you’re after, you should join us in the LR3 and 4 forum, where there is real silliness to be had. The LR3 is of the most reliable era of Land Rover ever

 

[Billy Holcomb]

Thanks MM, but I still “only have eyes” for the old school look…..but I may just jump over to that forum for a looksey

 

[JUKE179r]

I think the 02s and '03s are the only ones where the center diff has no locking output to connect to a shifter.

That typically makes them the least desirable of any disco.

I totally agree.
I’m so happy I grabbed a Cali kept 2001 Disco 2 4.0L V8 with the glass headlights and diff lock capable with a 10mm wrench (spanner).