Discovery Longevity

[Script]

I am in love with the Land Rover Discovery, I am at a point where I will be purchasing a new vehicle soon. I was set on a Discovery when some one told me that they have big problems when you get up around 80,000miles. This discouraged me because I need something pretty reliable. So I set my goal on a Toyota 4runner since I here you just cant kill the damn things, I don?t like how they look but was willing to make the sacrifice. Now that I have done all the research I could on the 4runner I dove back into the discovery a little bit out of curiosity and found that by the looks of it they don?t seem to be nothing but lemons as I was formally under the impression. I would be looking at 99 or 00 Discoveries with as low miles as possible. I want my next vehicle to get me to the 200,000 mile mark.

I wouldn?t be hard on the vehicle even in off roading I would just take light trails. I am familiar with vehicles but im not a mechanic, so I could do minor repairs and maintenance. I just don?t have the time for big repairs or the money for big expenses, I just want something that keeps running and the AC keeps working. So with that in mind an knowing the years im looking at, is a land rover going to go where I want it to go? Can I get 200,000 miles out of it? What are some things I need to look for or think about?

Thanks in any help.

-Script-

 

[MTNHDWR]

Lots of questions and you will probably get about 300x as many replies, all with different opinions on the subject of Land Rover reliablity. Having owned 3 Land Rovers (02'Freelander, 98'DISCO & 00' DISCO) I would very positivly say the JAPANESE CARS WILL REQUIRE LESS MAINTAINING. Land Rover's are tough vehicles but there is no doubt that they are built differently than Japanese cars. If you are willing to perform routine maintenace ( and I mean really do it, not just oil changes every 5,000) you will have a truck that will last. The problem is when something does break, finding somebody willing to work on it (assuming you don't turn wrenches) is a daunting task. They really arn't that complicated but most Joe Shmo mechs. don't feel comfortable taking on the task.

So in short, be prepared to join the "love hate relationship" we all experience here in D-Web for our DISCO's.

And just for the record. A DISCO will turn heads long before a 4-runner ever will

Happy Rovering

 

[Ho]

no "love hate"... just LOVE

 

[MTNHDWR]

no "love hate"... just LOVE

Ok....ok. . .I love my Diso....my wallet hates it. .. fair enough?

 

[Ho]

you must feel the TRUE LOVE. cuz once you do, you won't care what your wallet thinks.

 

[p m]

my '96 Disco is by far the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned (knock on the wood). Runs as good at 152kmi as it did at 40 when we bought it; and, aside from changing engine oil every once in a while, making sure the nuts and bolts are tight on suspension and there's oil in leaking transfer case, there isn't much more maintenance.

 

[Jaime]

I have 2 discos bought new in '97. One has 123K miles and I flog it. Its my daily driver and I commute 120 miles daily. I wheel 1-2x a month and its driven hard and put away wet. Other than normal maintenance items, I replaced the water pump at 80k, and the viscous fan clutch at 110k.

The one my wife drives has 77k miles and has only had normal maintenance done on it. No problems whatsoever, and other than 2 dealer trips, it has not been off road.

Both she and I feel that these are the best vehicles we've ever owned.

We LOVE our discos!

 

[NVRover]

I have had a different experience, though I do really like (or "LOVE" as Ho says) my 96 Disco. I have 110k on mine, I bought it in Oct '02 from the dealer here in Vegas and so far I've spent $12k in mostly repairs and some maintenance.

If you really want one and you're worried about cost of repairs, buy one as new as possible that is certified and get an extended warranty that goes for 100k miles. It's probably smarter and less frustrating to spend the money on the front end rather than saving it and listening to your spouse complain later on about the repair bills (and being frustrated yourself)...I know, I'm going through that now.

Otherwise, (I'm probably committing land rover blasphemy here) look for a good low mileage Land Cruiser FZJ80. Those things last forever.

Just my humble opinion and experience.
Chris

 

[Pugsly]

I would very positivly say the JAPANESE CARS WILL REQUIRE LESS MAINTAINING. Land Rover's are tough vehicles but there is no doubt that they are built differently than Japanese cars.

I agree. I own two LRs that are great - but I own a Nissan Maxima for the daily commute. I expect that over the life of the Nissan my repair costs will be minimal (except for the scheduled maintenance, which is cheaper than the comparable LR scheduled maintenance).

There are lots of reasons to buy a LR, but total cost of ownership aint one of them!

 

[bri]

bri

Yep and my neighbor had a Maxima that he was in for a year and had the entire driveline replaced under warranty. Depends on the vehicle.

If you buy an older Disco and are not prepared to to repairs *and* maintenance yourself, you are then forced to buy expensive parts from a mechanic and pay the price for a good mechanic too which will undoubtedly be around or greater than $75/hr.

However, if you think that you can buy a 5-10 year old jeep or foreign car and really think that it will be cheaper to maintain in the long run, there is no guarantee.

Fact is unless you have a warranty any vehicle is expensive to repair. So go get your disco and make sure it has a 50k or more warranty. Shop around and you can find an aftermarket warranty.

My warranty from 50k-100k paid for 12k of repairs.

Brian

 

[Chris F]

I agree with Peter, my 96 discovery has been the most reliable vehicle and I am very glad to have it. I am not saying that it has been perfect as somethings have been kind of puzzling but it has never left me stranded. As with any vehicle, it will last as long as you are willing to give it the required maintenance.

If you are thinking of purchasing or planning, I simply recommend doing the research in finding the one that is most satisfactory and do not rush into a decision.

 

[cmondieyoung]

Keep in mind Rovers were built with more of a specific purpose in mind than your average SUV. While they seem to be more popular in their domestic role, Discoveries were built to be tinkered with.

Not the vehicle to purchase if you don't want to always be thinking about it.

 

[draaronr]

found that by the looks of it they don?t seem to be nothing but lemons as I was formally under the impression
sounds like you have your mind made up. What I hate to see is this same post over and over. Its a Rover it will break, its different, but it is a great vehicle to a Rover person. Much like a harley, will a bmw or japanese bike be more reliable yes, but every coin has two sides.

I just don?t have the time for big repairs or the money for big expenses, I just want something that keeps running and the AC keeps working.

I don't think you will be happy, buying a rover is emotional not logical.


'97disco
'90RR classic
'88 110

 

[Ho]

again, LOVE is key, you feel the love, then none of the issues will matter.

 

[RoverChic]

SO here goes my 0.02 cents. I LOVE my Rover!! Yes, there have been a few sleepless nights when I was not sure if I could change out my 02 Sensors or the fuel pump; all in all though my Rover has become a very integral part of my life. Like a hobby or maybe more of an addiction?? This will be my third Land Rover, first Disco (D1). And I will never again drive anything other than a Rover (I highly suggest a warranty though). The only real problem that I have found is purchasing/locating parts..Nonetheless, I am pleased . Not to mention some of the incredible other Land Rover Owners that I have had the pleasure to mingle and wheel with across the US.
Good Luck!!
Melissa
1998 D1 77K

 

[nosivad_bor]

Ho is right. I've loved all my rover. I even loved my POS RRC that dies on me just last week as I was delivering it to it's new owner. I still miss it's stinky wet interior and it's charm. It was like my child, and my child was ugly and stupid but I didn't see those things. I saw all that it did well and loved it for those things. Now I am stylin in a disco again and I look back and think, damn, I brainwashed my self into thinking that POS was money. It wasn't that car that was money, it's me apperently, The new disco is 1 week in my possesion and I've already tore into the day for the fun of adding new switches and radio. I am trying to hold out until fall before I go apeshit and lift the the thing.


"Just remember, the sweet is never as sweet without the sour, and I know the sour. "

 

[Leigh]

If you do not work on them yourself I would do as other suggested and get one that has been certified with the 100k warranty. On my D1 any problems I had were worked out well before the warranty expired and I have been problem free since besides tracking down a noise here or there that generally is just something that needs minor attention.
DI 130K
DII 50K

 

[ChrismonDA]

My 98 DI is my second Rover I had a 1997 that was a total headache. As for the 1998 it has been a delight to own considering the abs no longer works the leaking power steering box and sagging headliner it has been a reliable mode of transportation. I have over 128k and plan on keeping it for a long time considering the LR3 is the ugliest thing I have ever seen. It is just like everyone says on this thread, these cars recquire a sort of person with some loose marbles but I think that is the attraction.

 

[adi]

I purchased my '96 disco in may, and got a 2 year warranty with it. It had 74k on the odo. The warranty has already paid for itself, replacing door locks and front cv/axleshafts. I'm having some other engine problems as well that I will eventually get looked at, but I'm not worried too much because of the warranty. Now that I have my house though, I will be wrenching more and more on it as I learn, but anything major I know that I am covered. Other than the few quirks I've had, I can honestly say I love it.

 

[utahdog2003]

I went with the 'new with warranty' method of virgin rover ownership. So far the beast has puked oil all over the driveway and been recalled twice (well, one was a 'service bulletin', but that just means the rest of you '03 DII owners aint complaining loudly enough yet)

My wife also has a new car, a Honda Element. That cute little bugger has also puked oil all over the driveway (an issue which resulted in CRV recalls, not yet extended to Elements only because Element owners are too busy skateboarding to complain), and everytime you start moving in the morning the brake pads pop in their seats with an aggravating clink.

The difference? Rover issues are adventures! I get to go to the local Rover/Jag/Lotus dealer and drool over all the new toys! Then I get in my loaner and do what I want for the rest of the day. The Element? I get to go to the dealer and sit for three hours looking at Accords with cheap leather seat covers and 'limited edition' stickers!

All cars are money pits...it's the nature of the beast. You spend thousands to buy, thousands to up-keep. and with a Rover, THOUSANDS on GAS! If you want to really save money on transportation then take the bus.

Buy the rover and a warranty.