| Author |
Message |
    
hudson fowler
| | Posted on Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 10:50 am: | 
|
Please understand that I mean no offence or disrespect when I ask the following:
How is the Disco's reliability and quality these days as percieved by it's current owners?
Context:
I'm a long time L.R. fan (U.S.) and have been considering a Disco for years. The main issue that has kept me away has been what I understand to be their spotty reliability and expensive repairs. I remember reading about leaky master cylinders, engines, electrical problems, etc. I know all makes have their problems but an inordinate number of Disco repairs would make the prospect of ownership "cost prohibitive," in my case. I've always understood it like "if you want one of the most off-road capable vehcles around but are willing to put up with assorted expensive reapairs, it's for you." So is the Disco fully-sorted yet or will it break the bank. If the Disco had BMW powerplants, I'd dive in without looking but we're not there yet.
Thanks- hf |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 11:25 am: |
|
The only Land Rover with a BMW powerplant is the new Rangie but the electrical problems have gotten much better since the late 90's. All else remains. But if you're looking for new then gone are the CDL and field repairable axles. Now with Ford owning LR we'll have to cross our fingers and hope we don't get an Exploder. |
John Davies
| | Posted on Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 12:19 pm: |
|
Al said: "gone are the CDL and field repairable axles"
I understand about the CDL - and that pisses me off - but what about the second part? How have the axles changed to make them not field repairable? Do they now require a bunch of special LR tools? This certainly can't be considered a design improvement.
Thanks. |
mongo
| | Posted on Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 12:22 pm: |
|
Hey John,
axles on a DII are pressed onto the hub, something like 360ft of torque. I changed my axles over to HD axles and wouldn't even try a field repair...looking for some used DII hubs so I can mount them to my old axles as a spare...
Frank |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 12:26 pm: |
|
The hub on the D2 is now sealed. To remove the axle you need to remove a nut that's held on at 360ft/lb of torque. If you brake the axle on the outer spline area (outboard of the flange) you'll be totally dependant on the press fit bearings to keep that wheel on.
No special tools are needed other than a big ass bar to get that nut off. If you brake an axle in the field now you are better off just pulling out the hub to remove the bits inside and the broken inboard half. Leave the half attached to the hub there and lock your CDL to get home with 2wd and fit the axle later. That is IF you have a D2 with a CDL. |
hudsonfowler
| | Posted on Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 02:55 pm: |
|
(newbie boilerplate)
Does CDL = Center Diff. Lock?
If so, can you add air lockers to the new Discos?
Is there a consensus on which years are the best in terms of mod'ing and simplicity (lift, tires, etc)?
Ford... yikes! I hope the Disco doesn't go the way of the Escape with those exposed 1/8" dia. drive shafts in the IRS a la Honda CRV! Just kidding;) |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 07:58 pm: |
|
Yes... CDL = Center Diff Lock.
Some of the D2's built in 2001 and all 2002 and 2003 model years built for the US have no CDL that can be activated even with a modification so adding front and rear lockers would be useless unless you were to replace the transfer case with a CDL enabled one. The 2003 models built for the rest of the world do have the CDL but for some stupid reason LRNA decided not for the US/Canada market. The 1999-2000 and some 2001's DO have a CDL capable transfercase that can be modified to have a CDL by simply adding a solenoid or linkage from the D1. It's very easy to do and should be one of the first upgrades anyone does (IMO). The good news on the D2 is they actually made the LT230SE (found in all D2's) transfer case capable of dealing with more torque. However I have yet to hear about wide spread failures on the older transfercases found in the D1 but perhaps the move was made in preparation for the 4.6 engine to be fitted. |
Gerald Parker
| | Posted on Sunday, January 05, 2003 - 07:58 pm: |
|
Buying my 97 Disco (for cash) rates among the biggestest mistakes I ever made. The list of faults, breaks, and problems is emmense. The arguments with the dealer are legendary. I even went so far as to wear a placard at a recent 4x4 expo infront of the dealer's Trade Stand to get action. Right at this moment I have the driver's and right passenger doors pulled apart to fix the electric door winders that for the 3rd time have over wond the window past the rack limit. Cruise control actuator compressor is dead, tx shift is stuck in HR, two turn signal light holders have rusted contacts and don't illuminate, and the SRS light comes on when I hit speed bumps.
I reakon motor magazines should stop rating new cars and asess used cars after 100,000 KLM (like mine)
It has got so bad that I worry when I go on long trips if I'll make it. No wonder thay call then Discovery because every trip you discover a new fault. |
Jason Vance (Jason)
| | Posted on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 01:08 am: |
|
. |
Todd W. McLain (Ganryu)
| | Posted on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 02:47 am: |
|
Gerald,
Did you bother actually looking at the truck before you bought it? Maybe taking it to your local mechanic to make sure it was in tip-top shape?
I don't mean to sound harsh, but it seems to me like you jumped into buying a used vehicle iwthout actually checking the vehicle out?
Also, how much did you pay? Was it a ridiculously low? |
Adam Ross (Discodriveradam)
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 - 03:20 pm: |
|
Gerald,
You are on the wrong website. Exit now. |
Glenn Guinto (Glenn)
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 - 03:38 pm: |
|
Quote:It has got so bad that I worry when I go on long trips if I'll make it. No wonder thay call then Discovery because every trip you discover a new fault.
I like that! 
-glenn |
muskyman
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 - 04:09 pm: |
|
gerald,
sorry to hear about all your misfortunes with your discovery. When these trucks first came out, I remember a magazine article that said that true 4x4 users will love these trucks forever,but the Yuppies and luxury car owners are going to hate them due to the large maintenance demands a true 4x4 requires.
thats just how it works...enjoy your next car |
Russian Landy
| | Posted on Saturday, January 18, 2003 - 11:34 am: |
|
Gerald's story is not so unusual, unfortunately. It looks like there is a lot of variation between individual trucks. My '98 Disco I TDi has never (knock on wood!) broken, not even anything minor, despite very hard usage off road and in extreme climatic conditions.
If stuff starts to break on such a scale has happened with Gerald, I guess you should figure it's a lemon and get rid of it. |
Mark & Bev Preston (Markp)
| | Posted on Saturday, January 18, 2003 - 05:14 pm: |
|
My experience has been good. I've had a 98' Discovery since new and have driven all over the country. No problems at all. It has about 70K on it now. Yea some minor stuff but nothing major. I'd drive it across country without thinking about it. Just found a 95' RR, picked it up in Austin, drove it home to Colorado, changed the oil, took off for a 2000 mi Christmas trip and had zero issues.
BMW bought Land Rover in the mid 90's and by the late 90's had an impact on quality. While Ford does now own them they have yet to really impact the line. I'd look at Jaguar and judge the future for yourself. Jaguar is a lot better now than 10 years ago
- Mark |
Kennith P. Whichard III (Kennith)
| | Posted on Saturday, January 18, 2003 - 06:09 pm: |
|
I have beat the hell out of Misty,
She is, however, a kinky old girl and loves it. No problems whatsoever.
Cheers,
Kennith
Oh, and Gerald... Hyundai has a 10 year warrenty...I think I hear that Santa Fe calling... |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page