Wich Model Year is best??

[Zdenko]

undefined Hello All, I have been trying to determine which year of Discovery (Used Series I) I should get. I used to have a Jeep TJ but it has since been disposed of. My family has grown and I want more room in a vehicle.

I have been a fan of land Rovers for many years now and have decided to purchase a unit with the intent to modify it for off-road use. Lift, accessories etc.

Between the years 1995 and 1999 which would be the best bang for the buck?

Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it.

Best Regards,

Zdenko

 

[Alyssa]

Get the newest, best maintained, lowest mileage one you can afford.

 

[Jaime]

I have a pair of 1997 discos that I have owned since new. One has 135k and the other 80k miles.

Other than routine maintenance, and replacing of components that simply wear out, they have been excellent, trouble free vehicles.

I've owned Chevys, Fords, Pontiacs, Toyotas, and BMW before the Rovers, and the discos have been the best.

Rovers are easy to work on, and with the help of this forum, you should be able to solve most problems. Just keep up with scheduled maintenance and you will be all right.

 

[Joey]

I have to agree with Alyssa on this.... find one with low mileage and a good service record, and you should be fine. Get one from your local used car lot that has a unknown background and you may be spending more then you want on your new Disco.

Always write down the VIN# and call your local LR dealer and ask about service history if possible.

Of course before you do that, get to know your local LR dealer first, this will help in getting any info. Meet the Service manager and the parts guy. Tell them what you are looking for and see what info you get. By talking to them you will have a better chance of getting info from them later when you call with the VIN# of a possible vehicle. It also doesn't hurt to meet the service Tech's, ask what you should look for.

Then when it is all said and done and you found the one you like, bring it to the Dealer before purchase and have them do a once over (around $100). Post info here for advice, then take this info back to the seller, it will help lower purchase price.

Hope this helps,

 

[spydrjon]

Buy mine... it is already lifted and has only a few minor leaks

 

[jettfuel]

2004!

O.K. then I second or third the idea of one with a good RECORDED L.R. service history.

Welcome to the adiction......

 

[marc olivares]

99' D1 that has low miles and is LR certified, you might spend a little more, but if it's your first LR, it will be worth the extra money.

 

[mnwolftrack]

I think the year is pretty unimportant when considering they are all the same body style. They all pretty much have the same issues. As everyone else has mentioned, just get the one that's in the best shape. I recently got a '95 with 140k and it's in great shape. I didn't hesitate at all wondering if I should get a '95 or a '99 D1.

 

[Lutzgaterr]

Maybe the same body style, however, BMW ownership during these years had some dramatic effects on QA where 97 had a great deal of QA benefits and even more so with 98 and obviously more with D1 99s.
I was in the market for my Disco in early 96, but I waited until 97 based upon the threads from various boards, particularly this board.
As everyone else has stated, if you can verify solid maintenance, regardless of how good the inside/body/underside looks, stay away. Nothing worse than a pretty rover in your mechanics shop.

 

[dave_lucas]

99 DI because that is what I have

In reality you should get the one that is the best possible condition for your price range despite the year of manufacture. After all I have seen 2-year-old vehicles that were in far worse condition than ones manufactured 10 years ago.

Personally I looked around and waited until the ?right? one came along. I ended up with a rover certified White 99 SD with 34K miles. I looked at several others in the mean time including some really nice 1995?s with low miles. In the end I decided on the 99 because of the certified warranty, 4.0, updated dash, u-jointed rear drive shaft and the corrosion warranty was still valid. They are all little things but added up they were enough to sway my decision.

Whatever your choice make sure you do your research and have it checked out by someone that knows rovers.

 

[MUSKYMAN]

yep and Bruce bought that perfect 97 and then drove it right into that puddle you see in his avitor

what your plans are for the truck can change what you may want to focus on.

For a primarliy off-road fun truck I think the simplicity of the 94/95 is kinda cool, and as a daily driver the later DII's with the sportier suspension and 18" wheels are the way to go....IMHO

Thom

 

[GotRovr]

Try

http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2190

Best bet is to buy from an original owner who's anal about maintenance and that doesn't do any off roading

 

[Andrew Homan]

Buy the newest best maintained 95 you can find LOL

 

[Steve Rupp]

I'd like to say to get the newest, best maintained, lowest mileage disco you can afford but it's not that simple. Each rover is different. Actually if you could find one that was built on a Tues, Wed, or Thurs, that would be ideal.

I had a 94 that I maintained the shit out of. It was a great truck. I only had a couple of problems with it. First I went through a couple of ignition coils. Second, I had a cooling problem for a while. I replaced everything in the cooling system to find out that it was a bad radiator. Lastly, the truck really didn't like water.

I bought a 99 almost a year ago and I haven't had a single problem with it. The only reason I bought it was because I really wanted a white one . I think you just get the luck of the draw. However, at a certain point, you will inevitably be replacing some parts.

 

[scubaman99]

if i see this question again im gonna PUKE....

 

[Andrew Homan]

Just curious why some of us get upset at new people who ask questions that have been asked before. I didn't see anything on the home page that said welcome to d-web dont' ask any questions that have been asked before. Didn't see a button to click on to post DUMBASS try a different question. I asked almost this exact questions when I was buying my disco and was treated well, so I quess I feel compelled to do the same.

I'll answer anyones question if I know the something about it or experienced it. Crap if we are on the web site its not like we are to busy to help another rover owner out.

 

[DiscoDino]

The year that has the least shiat to go wrong...since eventually all will go wrong...so the easier to fix, the better...

 

[sven]

Between the years 1995 and 1999 which would be the best bang for the buck?

I think 94-95 is absolutely the best bang for your buck. Simple 14CUX fuel injection, 3.9 motor (dont have carbon problem like the 4.0). The only problem is the build quality of the earlier disco's. (ever look at the factory welds )

 

[Asolo3j]

Best bet is to buy from an original owner who's anal about maintenance and that doesn't do any off roading

This is the best advice you can find! I searched for the better part of 2 years to find the right truck. You have to set criteria for yourself and not sway from that. My #1 priority was to have a 5 speed. That narrowed it down pretty quickly once I found out only 94, 95 and the random 96 could come in a 5 speed in the US. Once I decided upon that... it was about condition, maintenance, price, previous owner, condition, suff wrong with it already, condition, location... you get the idea.

Eventually I found my 95 D1 for sale on LRX. Never bought anything from a private party and never on the internet. It sounded pretty good and the price was right. I drove up to Mass to look at it, drove it, met with the original owner to find out the 90K on it was only commuiting miles and no off-roading. I took it to Robisons in Springfield where they gave it some loving to help me prolong the truck and make the trip to MD. With my purchase price, new parts, labor, a tow in there, my first tank of gas... I still got every thing for less than what I wanted to spend.

If its about what you can afford... then set your $$ limits and dont stray. You have to know what you want and then you can start to narrow. Big family, then the 7 seater may be necessary, serious off-roading... make sure the CDL is not seized (mine is but I will evetually upgrade to an ARB). If it's a daily driver... maybe it has to have the dual sunroofs. No matter what WE say here at D-Web, YOU are the one buying and driving it.

Don't hesitate to ask ?? it's the only way you will find out.