Discovery Series 2... What are common problems

[Flatty]

I just sold my tow rig (lifted 99 cummins) in favor of a smaller family car. This will NOT be wheeled, but used as a daily driver for myself, my wife, and my Dawg in San Francisco and to Tahoe. I am tired of buying lemons (it seems to be all I get). I don't want to jump into this purchase, but rather buy something that is reliable and good for me and the family. Every time I jump, I lose. I am doing research this time.

What can you guys tell me about the series 2 disco's? What are the common problems, and what will I need to look out for when making a purchase.

Thanks a lot.
I am off to lots to look right now (but not buying for a couple weeks).

Thanks a lot guys
Dima

 

[ptschram]

Door lock actuators fail. Driveshafts fail. ABS fails. Cooling system will develop leaks leading to engine failures. Head gaskets fail.

 

[Flatty]

Door lock actuators fail. Driveshafts fail. ABS fails. Cooling system will develop leaks leading to engine failures. Head gaskets fail.

So basically the car is a BIG failure? Is it worth buying one, or should I get something else?

Dima

 

[Jamooche]

What got you looking into a D2 in the first place? Read any consumer reports or similar article, and they will tell you that Land Rovers are very unreliable. But people on this site don't care because their love for rovers is higher than the need for a perfectly reliable vehicle. However so, my 1999 D2 has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned.

Why don't you buy a Honda or Toyota and be done with it.

 

[ptschram]

So basically the car is a BIG failure? Is it worth buying one, or should I get something else?

Dima

The DIIs are a fairly heavily electronics-dependent vehicles. The earlier ones had some major problems. If you keep an eye on the universal joints, you won't have the driveshaft problems. Replace the radiator at 75K miles before it begins to leak. Make sure the plenum deicer has been retrofitted.

They can be good trucks, just be aware that they can be temperamental(sp) if not meticulously serviced.

PT

 

[noee]

So basically the car is a BIG failure?

Not in my opinion.

My D2 fuckin' rocks. I've put in 2 radiators, it's had the valley gasket done twice (once by me, once under warranty), I put in a used ZF at about 35K miles (orig ZF failed, replacement had about 22K on it), I just replace the throttle body coolant setup, I've wheeled the shit out of it, and it's still smooth on the road and can pull a tree out of the woods with the best of 'em. I've had no window problems, door lock problems, hood release problems or leaking sunroofs. No real engine problems (crank pos sensor many moons ago), ACE is holding up and I just passed 110K miles. I do have a leaking exhaust-downpipe gasket, but that's an easy enough fix.

We live in the frickin' woods on the eastern Blue Ridge and I can't imagine a better all around vehicle (Disco 1 or 2) for this environment.

 

[Plain2000DII]

Hmmm... San Fran, wife, dog and no off roady? you need a toyota highlander not a real truck. Our D2 has been one of the best vehicles I've owned, but then again I don't mind wrenching in the dead of winter and I get solice from knowing I can pull the chassis out from under most modern day 4x4's :victory:

 

[MichiganMat]

I have a beautiful '99 Disco II with 42K miles on it that Im going to be selling in a few weeks when I get her all polished up. Service done my LR San Jose, already had its 45K mile service, new tires, new brakes, new belt. Let me know if you're interested: mddavids [at] mac.com

 

[discovery12]

the D2 is fucking kickass or any landrover for that matter. I dont buy none of that bullshit from consumer reports fuck them. In my family we have 3 rovers I have a 96 D1 that blows out all competitions and the D2 is no exception it is a great very strong 4x4 that is built to last the problems that folks on consumer reports have is that they trip over small shit or the person who had the disco didn't take care of it. Is the D2 reliable? answer It's as reliable as you want it to be as long as it's keep in good condition but overall yes.
is the D2 a big failure? answer Hell no To me it is one of the best 4x4's ever built. One just has to get use to it.
is the D2 expensive? yes if taken to a dealership but most will tell you DIY for most repairs. so there it is the D2 is a great 4x4 regardless of people may say or think because in the end the Discovery will still be running. Mine still is a it's 10 years old a young 10 years old.:tomcat:

 

[David T]

I guess any Land Rover you buy will have problems at some time like all cars but look at other makes and they have similar or worse problems and they don't get used or abused as most of us do to our Land rovers.

I am onto my 3rd Discovery (2005 DII) and have done 60,000 kms in the last year with no problems that I would call major or enough of a problem to say don't buy one .Mine is a Td5

My current one is used as a daily driver as well as a vehicle that I use to make fast trips interstate doing approx 1700+ kms in one go and is used on either bitumen or dirt roads as may be necessary

It gets used but does get serviced each 10,000 kms and not 20,000 liike LR recommend . Regular servicing plus longer driving seems to make them less likely in my opinion to suffer those annoying problems that the less used ones get.

I regularly tow a tandem trailer (usually on a 5000km return trip) that is loaded with a Series 1 Landy or maybe an E type Jag and experience no problems like overheating or twitchiness when towing that some people claim to be a problem Maybe it is the trailer setup that helps

My other 2 Discos are series 1 models and both have done in excess of 300,000 kms and have had things break on them or stop working but this is to be expected when those mileages and use are taken into account.

They are both still used as daily normal get around vehicles with their share of small problems One has had an alternator replaced in last month and the other has had all the hoses replaced (preventative rather than necessary maintenance I guess) and one ABS sensor Otherwise they have had regular services only

These vehicles are used on the beaches, mountains or have crossed the deserts using desert tracks only and each time we seem to come out smiling at the end of each trip.

Other Landy's that we have get the same or similar treatment and mostly they come through ok at the end of the long road we travel

 

[fishguy]

2005 DII TD5?
You must be on the other side of the pond...

Tim

 

[white disco]

I got an '03 with 54k miles, I've replaced the ACE pump and the head gaskets under warranty. I've put a lot of money into this truck, with the roof rack and lift kits and all that, and I would gladly do it all over again. When you see the look on fellow offroaders faces after crawling up the same trail as them with your family inside gigglying and having a great time, it makes you proud to own a truck like this. I sold my M5 to keep this truck, you can't beat the utility and ruggedness. Also, I too read consumer reports that said reliability was bad. They also said that customer satisfaction was very good. I think that speaks for itself.atriot:

 

[Howiemeister]

CR also dings vehicles for completely objective crap, like cup holders (although, i do have to say i hate the cupholder arrangement). i've got 160k on my 12 yr old D1, and i haven't had to do anything to it that i wouldn't have had to do to any other vehicle with that kind of age and mileage. and other than routine maintenance and service, i haven't had any issues with my D2. luck of the draw, i guess. i'm also pretty forgiving. my D1 leaks everything under the sun and is slower than Moses, but i don't care. i drive slow because i enjoy my drive. they're also, if you're inclined to do so, easy to work on. i'd rather change the shaft on my disco than the oil on my nissan pickup. i wouldn't look back, man. do it! you'll "get it" after you have it.

 

[Ho]

I just sold my tow rig (lifted 99 cummins) in favor of a smaller family car. This will NOT be wheeled, but used as a daily driver for myself, my wife, and my Dawg in San Francisco and to Tahoe. I am tired of buying lemons (it seems to be all I get). I don't want to jump into this purchase, but rather buy something that is reliable and good for me and the family. Every time I jump, I lose. I am doing research this time.

What can you guys tell me about the series 2 disco's? What are the common problems, and what will I need to look out for when making a purchase.

Thanks a lot.
I am off to lots to look right now (but not buying for a couple weeks).

Thanks a lot guys
Dima

have you driven a disco yet?

which lemons are you talking about? just so that i can have an idea what you define lemons.