| Author | Message | ||
     ScottK (Skopiec) New Member Username: Skopiec Post Number: 25 Registered: 02-2002 |
Although I swore never again with my '96 Disco (sold due to recurring problems), I'm finding myself looking again at DII's (2000/2001). With the exception of the Toy LC (which is crazy $$$$) there isn't much out there that matches the LR as far as a dual purpose trail/road machine. Additionally this forum is unmatched as far as useful advice and guideance. Supposedly the '96 were the low-point of build quality, are the DII's THAT much better? I'd be looking at something with remaining warranty, but the closest dealer is 150 miles away, so I'd rather not be there very often. It's hard for me to tell if the DII's are significantly more reliable than the DI's based on my searches. It was the little things with my DI that drove me nuts - leaks, warping dash, sticking valves, squeeling brakes, etc - I'd be disappointed if the DII was the same. Feedback is very appreciated. Thanks, Scott | ||
| Jack Edwards (Olered) Senior Member Username: Olered Post Number: 344 Registered: 04-2002 |
It's a LR. They all have their problems. Read the thread about "D1 over a D2". Convinced? Cheers! | ||
| Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 528 Registered: 06-2002 |
Scott, if you don't like LR then don't buy one, simple as that! | ||
| ScottK (Skopiec) New Member Username: Skopiec Post Number: 26 Registered: 02-2002 |
It's not that I don't like LR - quite the opposite. I really liked the '96 when it was working properly - unfortunately that wasn't very often. I'm looking for DI vs. D2 reliability opinions. I know they're not Toyotas, but I'm hoping that things have improved since '96. | ||
| Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 531 Registered: 06-2002 |
They are not Toyota's that's for sure. The reliability issue is a tough one. They still have problems just different ones form the DI. I have a DII and I know the service department very well, if you know what I'm saying. My warranty is almost up so I am preparing for some frustrating weekends but that come with the territory and I love my Rover anyway and would never think about getting rid of it. So it is truly your call. | ||
| abby (Abby) Senior Member Username: Abby Post Number: 788 Registered: 05-2002 |
scott. go with a 99 disco1. | ||
| Daniel Covaciu (Danielcovaciu) Member Username: Danielcovaciu Post Number: 186 Registered: 10-2002 |
Scott, after reading your post I would say that you should NOT buy a land rover. If the little things bug you than these trucks arent for you. I bet most DII's would be more reliable than your DI, but even the new ones have their issue's. I love my 98 DI. But than again I have never had a car that the average person would consider reliable transportation. My disco is actually an improvment over the sportscars I've had before. I take the problems in stride. I expect problems and take care off them as they come. If doing this bothers you than buy a toyota 4 runner. It will do fine on the trail and it probably wont need fixing. Rovers arent for everyone. Dan | ||
| Scott Scott (Scottoz) Member Username: Scottoz Post Number: 60 Registered: 02-2003 |
Scott - I have a 95 D1 auto v8 and a 2002 DII manual v8. I love them both. The D1 has had its share of problems, but most of them have been simple maintenance issues that the bastard before me did not attend to. I (this bastard) caused one, namely the Hot Wire Air Mass Sensor to go out to lunch by causing a backfire when running on LPG - that aint cheap. My DII has low miles but I enjoy it more because, despite what you might think I feel it is more truck like than the DI and I suspect that has a lot to do with the fact that it is a manual. The engine is (a lot) smoother than the D1 but a little louder (yep read it right). The D11 naturally has a lot more to go wrong, but then again it was well and truly designed and built under the stewardship of BMW and later Ford. I am not aware of any real pervasive problems with DII, but I hear that rocker/valve gear can be a problem (to be replaced with better items under Warranty) and brake rotors can still be a problem. Interestingly my D1 has no rotor wobble at the front, despite having done 90k miles and being solid discs. The DII's are vented at front - Whilst they are meant to be better at cooling (naturally) I dont yet know if that will translate into no warp. As for electricals, the DII is definitely better sorted than my D1. My D1 was full of Lucas components. The DII has Bosch all over it - and that has to make a difference. If you liked the DI I suspect that you will find the DII more attractive again. | ||
| Federico (Fede) New Member Username: Fede Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2003 |
I currently own a 96 Discovery and fortunately have nver had any major problems with it, except replacing an O2 sensor-what are the problems with the older disco that I keep hearing about? | ||
| Brad Russell (Bradnc) Senior Member Username: Bradnc Post Number: 286 Registered: 03-2002 |
I say if you have a second form of transportation that you could drive if the disco gets sick then definately go for it. If you don't, then it's a little tougher of a desicion. Just buy the truck you love and take the hits in stride. | ||
| Jeffry Scott (Jeffry) Member Username: Jeffry Post Number: 89 Registered: 12-2002 |
I own ScottK's old Rover. It's been a great truck since December when we traded straight across for my 99 Trooper. I have had to spend more fixing it in six months of ownership than I spent on the Trooper in nearly three years, but I expected that. I felt good about the trade at the time (and still do) but seeing the above description of the vehicle he "sold" me does make me feel a little betrayed. I thought we were being straight with one another in our dealings. I know I was in disclosing everything I knew about the Trooper. The Land Rover community is small, and the web makes it smaller. Sorry for the rant and maybe this isn't the place for this posting. I love the Discovery and have no complaints about it. I would do the trade again, but would hope for a little more honesty, if it was indeed that bad of an ownership experience for Scott. | ||
| Scott Scott (Scottoz) Member Username: Scottoz Post Number: 62 Registered: 02-2003 |
Dow! | ||
| Greg French (Gregfrench) Senior Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 386 Registered: 11-2002 |
Buy a Toyota. There are lots of little things on the Discos that Toyotas don't seem to have. You can pick up a good deal on a used one. They are all over the place. Discos are a constant "work in progress" and are not for everyone. If you don't like working on it, then it can get very expensive taking it to the dealer every month. | ||
| Gil Stevens (Gil) Senior Member Username: Gil Post Number: 280 Registered: 02-2002 |
a D2 will be no better than a D1 from a reliability perspective. | ||
| Corey Shuman (One_bad_rover) Member Username: One_bad_rover Post Number: 138 Registered: 09-2002 |
I've had very little problems with my D1, 1996 as well with well over 100k miles on it. Maybe you just got a particularly high maintainance Rover?? They are kind of like women(no offence) that way, the Rover is the hot blonde that you need to take care of but in fun as hell to ride and the toyota is the fat, ugly girl that you can ride hard and put away wet, but you dont want your friends to see you in it..  | ||
| todd slater (Toddslater) Senior Member Username: Toddslater Post Number: 293 Registered: 08-2002 |
Oh Corey...I had felt sorrow and pity for you in the ridiculously long flame post of days gone by...but after that 1/2 witted comment above re: cruisers....maybe Kyle didn't flame you enough | ||
| Ho Chung (Thediscoho) Moderator Username: Thediscoho Post Number: 153 Registered: 02-2002 |
scott, get a 98 LSE. then let's trade wheels. ---------- Ho Chung | ||
| ScottK (Skopiec) New Member Username: Skopiec Post Number: 27 Registered: 02-2002 |
Jeff, I hope you didn't get the wrong idea about the truck I sold you. It was a good truck, but it just needed more time that I was willing to devote to it at that point, since I had a new son. Nothing big ever happened, nor was it expensive to keep up, it was the small things that took up time that I didn't have. When I sold it, I had a clear conscience that all the issues that I knew of were addressed. I really did love that truck, so much that I'm considering another one. My intent of this thread was to see if some of the typical Disco gotchas were corrected in the later DII's. Perhaps some of my statements were a bit "loaded", but they were more to incite a discussion of DI vs DII isues than a true description of the truck you bought. I've sent you an email with more info and I truly hope you're enjoying your Disco. Sorry for the confusion, Scott | ||
| Jeffry Scott (Jeffry) Member Username: Jeffry Post Number: 90 Registered: 12-2002 |
As the owner of ScottK's Discovery, I need to apologize for the post above in which I questioned his integrity in regards to selling me his truck. Scott emailed me and explained his post a little better. He didn't sucker or deceive me in any way regarding the truck. The transaction we had is as good as I ever felt it was. I don't want to give Scott a bad rap - he's a good guy and I hope he gets into another Rover. | ||
| Daniel Covaciu (Danielcovaciu) Member Username: Danielcovaciu Post Number: 193 Registered: 10-2002 |
Scott, Jeff I love my 98 disco. I consider it a good, reliable truck, honestly. If my parents owned my disco, they would think it is a POS. It's all a matter of perspective. From your post Jeff it looks like your the kind of owner that rovers are looking for. Scott on the other hand appears to be a Toyota kind of guy. FWIW Dan | ||
| Brian Dickens (Bri) Senior Member Username: Bri Post Number: 387 Registered: 08-2002 |
If you sold one rover because you were frustrated with some of it's issues, I suspect you will have the same frustration if you buy another. | ||
| Jason Bard (Jbard) Member Username: Jbard Post Number: 234 Registered: 10-2002 |
You are either glutton for punishment or a sadist. Scott, seek help. | ||
| Paul Long (Humveewannabe) New Member Username: Humveewannabe Post Number: 38 Registered: 03-2003 |
Scott; My experience with '99 DII has been down time waiting for parts. I'm from the old school with points and mechanical injection pumps that worked and could be fixed. Not replaced when worn out for hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Saturday, the 3rd of this month the crankshaft posistion sensor caused no spark, no fuel, no go. Still waiting for the part being shipped from the UK. When it's in, the factory manual states that Testbook needs to be run to set the parameters for the new sensor. That's 100 miles away! Just hope it runs good enough to get it to the nearest dealer if and when I get it. This is not a minor problem. It disables the vehicle, requiring dealer service. That should be illegal in itself. Anti trust laws written in the 70's prohibit suppliers from becoming a monopoly. That's exactly what LR has done. From my perspective so far, If you live near a dealer and can afford to keep a vehicle under warranty they're great. I've been looking for a vehicle as well. I thought the Disco was the lesser of evils. Since H2's service record is so horrible, American General I'm told is not much better, everyone works on their J**p on a daily basis, Exploders are just that, we're left with the Toys and Nissans as reliable, but rust buckets in due time. I'll drive the DII 'till '04 when the supposedly best Discovery made is available. I'm convinced waiting for expensive parts is the lesser of all evils. But not happy about it. | ||
| todd powell (In4ma) New Member Username: In4ma Post Number: 21 Registered: 05-2003 |
well to me.. for you to come on here asking if you should buy a disco.. youve pretty much made your mind up.our truck is a 97 and has 175 thou km on it ( roughly 100k miles i think.)go the disco. we bought ours and also bought a 4 year warranty. i know i wont have it that long as im intending on trading it in on a 2000 in 2 years or so. but the warranty repairs anything up to $1500 worth. we only paid $1100 for the warranty.thants here in oz.. dunno bout in the states.. i love my bus...even though we have no heaters thanx to the core recently shitting itslef. its just getting into winter here.. | ||
| Luis Constantin (Luisc) New Member Username: Luisc Post Number: 5 Registered: 02-2003 |
Does anyone own a Harley-Davidson or like to own one? If you do, do you like it? In a way, LR are alot like HD. People enjoy them. But they come with thier quirks. You must be tolerate of them. I have a 98 D1. The one problem that I keep trying to solve is my crooked rear axle (one side is almost an inch forward of the other.) Everything has been replaced, including the bushing, to try and straighten it. We think the mount was welded to the frame slightly off from the other. | ||
| Andrew Maier (Newman) New Member Username: Newman Post Number: 8 Registered: 04-2003 |
(1) LR most definitely does NOT have a monopoly. By any definition of the "market" LR operates in, there are many competitors. They definitely don't have a monopoly on bad customer service or expensive parts and labor through dealers! (2) I think the analogy to H-D is perfect. There might not be another powered vehicle as similar to Rovers (both leak fluids, both have distinctive styling, Harley went through their new- owners- every- year phase -- LR is there now...) as the Harley. Both marques even have too many "wannabes" buying, which earns the resentment of "purist" or "real" owners! Andy | ||
| Christian Kuhtz (Ckuhtz) New Member Username: Ckuhtz Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2003 |
Wait a minute! .. Replacing O2 sensors is a regular maintenance item on any car. What's the deal? | ||
| Brent Bevil (Brbevil) New Member Username: Brbevil Post Number: 7 Registered: 02-2003 |
I'm with Christian, I have a 97 with 112K miles and never any major problems. I do most of my own maintenance. I have replaced brakes, shocks, oil, fuel and air filters etc. Oh and a leaking PS hose. Otherwise she is a reliable old girl I never feel hesitant about going out and about in. Heck I even get decent milage. | ||
| Corey (Discobro) Member Username: Discobro Post Number: 173 Registered: 12-2002 |
I personally have had only maintenance issues with my 96 D1. Well I take that back... there have been more than usual electriclal problems. This makes me believe that Lucas isn't the best solution for LR as far as electronics go. Did I read on the 500+ post about the 2005 DIII that AC-Delco will replace the electronics? If so I may be in a new ride in 2006*! *depreciation value after the first year in Discos is traditionally 50% so I opt to wait a year and see all the bugs get worked out under warranty! | ||
| Paul Long (Humveewannabe) New Member Username: Humveewannabe Post Number: 39 Registered: 03-2003 |
Andy; My reference to monopoly is that a dealer ONLY can do some of the service required. Testbook is the only program to change parameters in the on board computer. If you need something replaced that requires updating of the ECU how else can it be done other than dealers? Nathan is trying to get me the crankshaft position sensor. THEN I HAVE to take it to a dealer to have the ECU programed to match the part! My cruise control was surgy. It was either accelerating or decelerating, never "coasting". I asked where the sensitivity adjustment was. Answer; "We need to update files in the ECU for the cruise control". They did for $95.00 for the first hour. I watched them do it. No tools, just an update disc. Are these discs avaiable to LR owners? Nope. The Testbook program runs on a system ONLY available at the dealership level. Even if you could buy it, the platform it runs on is also not available to anyone but dealers. Try to buy the original Champion plug RC11 PYP B4 from ANYWHERE in the US. It's not listed in Champion catalogs. Factory manual states the use of this plug ONLY is recommended (as also noted on disco2.com) You find me these original plugs and a place that can "run Testbook" other than a LR dealer and I'll agree with you. I call that being forced to purchase the service from a dealer only. Does that constitute a monopoly? Maybe I used the wrong terminology. | ||
| Dan Armbruster (Dan_armbruster) Member Username: Dan_armbruster Post Number: 162 Registered: 04-2003 |
"*depreciation value after the first year in Discos is traditionally 50% so I opt to wait a year and see all the bugs get worked out under warranty!" Corey are sure it's 50%? That would mean a 2003 HSE could only cost $22,000 in a few months. That's a good idea though about waiting to buy a used one. I agree that LR depreciation sucks. | ||
| Gil Stevens (Gil) Senior Member Username: Gil Post Number: 289 Registered: 02-2002 |
"It was the little things with my DI that drove me nuts - leaks, warping dash, sticking valves, squeeling brakes, etc - I'd be disappointed if the DII was the same." Other than the dash peeling, they are all still there. if you need to be convinced to get another Land Rover then you absoultely should NOT get one. Ive seen some really bad D2s, just as many D1s. you should get a 4runner. | ||
| Gil Stevens (Gil) Senior Member Username: Gil Post Number: 290 Registered: 02-2002 |
.. and Corey, 50% depreciation?? im hoping that was a joke and i just missed the humor. they are automobiles, not investments.. they depreciate. | ||
| Tony Zuniga (Tony23007) Member Username: Tony23007 Post Number: 45 Registered: 05-2003 |
Scott, you probably already made up your mind, but think about this, I read somewhere something that rings so true. "The relationship between the discovery and its owner its a love/hate relationship". With that said, think about what you liked about your old Discovery, and then think about what you hated about it. If the things you liked about it over weight the things you hate about it, maybe you should consider getting a new one, if its the opposite stay away from LR. Most of this cars are going to need some repairs from time to time, weather is a screachie brake pad a leak in a hose or worst something a lot more expensive, all of the Disco drivers expect this and live with it because that's simply the way it is. | ||
| Corey (Discobro) Member Username: Discobro Post Number: 176 Registered: 12-2002 |
Dan - Gil - I just mean that the depreciation value sucks (or rather is incredible) and 50% is not an actual figure. It just seems like the most depereciation of any other car I've seen. I don't mind it though cause where else can you get a 2003 $44,000 SUV for $22,000 in under a year? Oregon humor... LOL |
