DII - 200K Mile Checklist

[joshasbury]

I'm approaching 200,000 miles with my 2004 D2, and there have been a few niggles over the past year to make me consider retiring the old girl. That said, I'd much rather throw $10K at her than consider overpaying for an D4 or a D5.

I just put a new alternator in, and I'm wondering what you all would recommend I proactively address at 200K miles. I'm thinking rip and replace vs. wait for it to fail.

 

[stu454]

What niggles? That would help our council.

Though at 200k, a full rebuild of the block wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[Lake_Bueller]

I think you should be buying a lotto ticket with a 200k 4.6 motor. Mine shit itself at 103k. I just received a care package from Turner Engineering yesterday. Time for a complete rebuild ;-)

 

[SMLE]

200k on a 4.6?

did you rebuild it at some point?

I've had three. One died at around 126k, one at 115k and the third is at 104k and is in the process of dying...

 

[joshasbury]

Yeah, I had a new engine put in (under warranty) at 75k miles. So, it's not 200k original, but it's definitely getting up there.

Over the past year, I have had two new coolant reservoirs put in (they keep getting pinhole leaks), various failed sensors, new spark plug wires, belts, etc. A couple of years ago, the coolant pump died. There are a few minor oil leaks now. It burns more oil than it used to, and I always seem to be topping off the coolant levels.

I love the car and have been pretty meticulous with maintenance.

Really, I'm just trying to make a call at this point. I now have a 7 month old daughter, and the alternator dying left us stranded waiting on AAA. If it were just my wife and me, I could handle the uncertainty of an old car. Throw in the little girl, though, and I either have to shore up the old Disco or go for something newer.
I *could* pony up the cash for an LR4 or Disco5 since I obviously keep cars for so long. The question I'm trying to answer for myself is "would proactively fixing probable upcoming failures be smarter than biting the bullet and getting something new? If so, what are those probable upcoming failures?"

 

[Dave03S]

The alternator could die on any car.

If you have truly been meticulous with maintenance then you have less problems than the average person who buys a used D2 from the internet or worse, some auto row used car lot.

The choice is to spend a few thousand here and there keeping a fine machine maintained or spend $50k so you don't have to.

I just rolled over 200k, new engine at 38k. HG's at 140k. the head gaskets should be good for another 40. Everything else is routine maintenance.. Which would have to be done on any car.

 

[WILL.TILLERY]

No one mentioned Triple A?


We run into this dilemma all the time here.....jobs that exceed the Book Value of the vehicle. You will need to toss that book and place your own value on the truck from here out. I personally would consider a 200k D2 as it's next costly repair may be it's end. A 200k truck isn't a good parts truck... It's a good driver... If it only leaks or consumes minimal oil then deal with it. When it begins to get worse refer to your Value Book and make a decision from there.

 

[best4x4]

Highest I've mileage I've ever got out of a 4.6L was 186K on my 2003 D2 back in the day. It had P0441 faults and constantly ate spark plug wires (before the days of Kingsborne & Magnacore), but the old gal had 186K on it when I traded it in.

Currently my 02 Kalahari has 228K on it. Runs extremely well, and it just has the typical LR drips. If your D2 isn't giving you any real issues (like mentioned above alternators can die at any time) you could do typical maintenance items like a coolant flush, new plugs, wires, new LR 180F Thermostat, check the brakes, change the TC fluid, diff fluid, and other stuff like the fan clutch (03-04 are one piece assemblies so go with a 99-02 setup using a Dorman 620-112 fan blade & 99-02 fan clutch).

Sounds like you have a good one.

 

[mlnnc]

You haven't told us what has been done already to the truck. My truck has 159,000 on it. It hasn't been a daily driver for several years but next year it may go to our younger son as his college vehicle. I'm considering proactively replacing the water pump, fan clutch and oil pump (all original). A local Rovers-only shop I respect says they've seen a notable number of cracked oil pump gears in DIIs.

 

[Howski]

Really, I'm just trying to make a call at this point. I now have a 7 month old daughter, and the alternator dying left us stranded waiting on AAA. If it were just my wife and me, I could handle the uncertainty of an old car. Throw in the little girl, though, and I either have to shore up the old Disco or go for something newer.
I *could* pony up the cash for an LR4 or Disco5 since I obviously keep cars for so long. The question I'm trying to answer for myself is "would proactively fixing probable upcoming failures be smarter than biting the bullet and getting something new? If so, what are those probable upcoming failures?"

Have you considered putting some cash into the D2 and picking up a more reliable non-Rover for DD duty? Having two vehicles is very convenient and I can't wait to go this route (again) when I'm in your situation with kiddos in a few years

 

[JohnB]

I'm in the same place at about 230K currently. I treat it like crap. It needs oil and water. Rear diff clanks. I just really like the thing. Plus a great ski rig that I feel very confident with.

 

[singingcamel]

No one mentioned Triple A?


We run into this dilemma all the time here.....jobs that exceed the Book Value of the vehicle. You will need to toss that book and place your own value on the truck from here out. I personally would consider a 200k D2 as it's next costly repair may be it's end. A 200k truck isn't a good parts truck... It's a good driver... If it only leaks or consumes minimal oil then deal with it. When it begins to get worse refer to your Value Book and make a decision from there.

Good advise here !

 

[joshasbury]

Well, I made the call and am picking up a 2016 Disco4 this week with 12,000 miles. I'll get the old 04 cleaned up in the next couple of weeks and sell her to someone who is worthy.

Thanks everyone for the advice! It's a tough call, but it's time.