Discovery or Range Rover

[mdvickst]

I'm looking at buying either a 1995 range rover country or a 1996 discovery. The range rover is the lwb and has 117K miles but the engine was replaced at 97K with one that had 40k on it. The guy wants $3000 for it. The discovery has 96k miles and is in good condition the dealer wants $6000. The range rover needs a little bit of work but i wold have 3k to fix the few minor things and upgrade it. What is everybody's thoughts on this?
Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Swa j-Ten]

View the heritage videos and decide for yourself. We're all going to root for what we have

http://www.landroverusa.com/us/en/Company/Past_to_future/Videos.htm

 

[WILL.TILLERY]

comparing apples to oranges in many ways. Although they have similar characteristics they are two complete machines.

LWB DISTRIBUTOR
DISCO COIL PACK

LWB AIR RIDE
D1 COIL SPRING

LWB TRACTION CONTROL/ABS/BORG WARNER HIGH LOW BOX
D1 LT230 DIFF LOCK/ABS

LWB INTERIOR MORE COMFORTABLE
D1 SPORTIER INTERIOR/LESS LEG ROOM

LWB 4.2 MOTOR
D1 4.0 MOTOR

LWB....LONGER WHEEL BASE ...SOME ARGUE ITS HARDER TO GET AROUND IN ONE OFFROAD THAN A D1...The same that argue the d1 is harder than the d0 an so on.


I have several of both over the years...I am partial to the Coil Pack motor...but not a big fan of 96 Discoverys. I see lots of 96's with motor issues, interior problems i.e. peeling dash and so on. It was the first model year in the d1 of the gems motor. IN fact we have a Dwebbers 96 here right now with 4 out of 8 slipped cyllinder sleeves>>>> Now on the flip side of that...before the 96 guys get all up in arms... My main guy here Jon has one with 175k on it with just 2 failures since he has owned it..
1 SRS demon keeps reappearing every couple of months only to reset itself and 2 he had to replace a water pump. Rest has been normal wear and tear maintenance.

The LWB is a smoother ride on the road and I really like an LWB with a set of OLD MAN EMU shocks and a Rovertym MD 2 inch lift...Nice ride.

Best of luck in your decision.

 

[RayDunn]

comparing apples to oranges in many ways. Although they have similar characteristics they are two complete machines.

LWB DISTRIBUTOR
DISCO COIL PACK

LWB AIR RIDE
D1 COIL SPRING

LWB TRACTION CONTROL/ABS/BORG WARNER HIGH LOW BOX
D1 LT230 DIFF LOCK/ABS

LWB INTERIOR MORE COMFORTABLE
D1 SPORTIER INTERIOR/LESS LEG ROOM

LWB 4.2 MOTOR
D1 4.0 MOTOR

LWB....LONGER WHEEL BASE ...SOME ARGUE ITS HARDER TO GET AROUND IN ONE OFFROAD THAN A D1...The same that argue the d1 is harder than the d0 an so on.

Best of luck in your decision.

Great write up! I've had a ton of friends ask me that questions and my response was always "same truck different body". Now I know... And knowing is half the battle!!

 

[Ol'Drippy]

I own a few Rovers.

My '96 D1 has around 200k on the clock, I've replaced pretty much everything (wtr pump, fuel pump, ps pump, alternator, serp. belt tensioner pulley, et al) but I've not had to touch the engine or transmission. I'd hop in that rig right now and drive cross the country w/o hesitation.

I purchased a '93 SWB w/ around 150k on the clock with a bad 4.2 engine for very cheap. Purchased a used engine from Will Tillery and had it torn apart and rebuilt. I'll suggest to buy the LWB and enjoy. 6,000 is way to much for a '96 Disco.. unless you want to buy mine

 

[Dan Erickson]

Nice comparison Will.

As the (proud?) owner of a DII, (and all things considered) I would say...get the Rangie.

I have seen both off road, and while my experience is not vast, I have been more impressed with the Range Rover.

For the price difference, you could use the extra money to make it even better.

IMHO.

P.S. The Rangie is what I am looking to get my boy for his first car in just about a year or so.

Peace,

Dan

 

[hamsquatch]

To do it over again I would have gone with a classic or DI. Love my DII but the amigos bullshit seems to never end. The TC is good sometimes but seems to slow me down on hill climbs.

 

[Ed Cheung]

I love my DI, pretty modern, but if ask me to choose from a Disco and a classic RR, I will go for the classic RR, it got some style in it, but in the long run may not be a good choice as it is an OLDER CAR, as it may need more attention to it.

 

[BuyRovers]

Range rover hands down. I have had quite a few d1's and they are not nearly as cool as a 95, not to mention the 95's are getting hard to find. As mentioned, you get a better ride, more room, traction control, sweet interior, better body style (my opinion), and you do not have to deal with obd2 emissions crap. Lastly, the 4.2 has long been recognized as one of the best (if not the best) v8's rover ever put in a truck. Oh yeah, 6k is a ridiculous price for a 96 d1.

C-

 

[d1driver]

Although the opinions will vary here, money talks. For that kind of price, I would buy the Rangie. Comparing these two vehicle listed are like comparing apples to oranges. Disco way over priced, and Rangie sounds underpriced, unless it has tons of cosmetic issues.

 

[mdvickst]

Thanks for all of your opinions. They definetly helped confirm what I was thinking. I didn't know too much about the RRC but this helped a lot. Thanks. I'm on my way to go buy the rangie today.

 

[Rocky]

I'm looking at buying either a 1995 range rover country or a 1996 discovery. The range rover is the lwb and has 117K miles but the engine was replaced at 97K with one that had 40k on it. The guy wants $3000 for it. The discovery has 96k miles and is in good condition the dealer wants $6000. The range rover needs a little bit of work but i wold have 3k to fix the few minor things and upgrade it. What is everybody's thoughts on this?
Any advice is appreciated.

I think the Rangie is the one to go for. Even if the air springs fail on you $1000 for normal springs inc install will still leave you with $2k of play money

 

[sydskier006]

please buy the range rover, you won't have to visit us as much here in broken rover land.

 

[garrett]

$6K for a '96 DI? yikes.

the only beef i have with the LWB vs DI is the headroom. i am pretty certain the RRCs have the same headroom as the LWBs, but it ain't all that much. my head hits the room of my RRC and i'm 6'-3".

for a nice DD the LWB wins i'd say. better motor and limo style rear seating makes it a nice ride.