| Author | Message | ||
     Max Becherer (Maxb) New Member Username: Maxb Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2003 |
I would like to ask the list how reliable they think the 95-98 Discovery is after 100,000 miles if it has been reasonably well maintained. I am looking at buying one and wonder if you should avoid the 100,000 miles types at all cost. THX | ||
| todd powell (In4ma) New Member Username: In4ma Post Number: 30 Registered: 05-2003 |
hi max. we purchased our 97 disco with 175 000 kms on it. dunno what that is in miles. but fairly close i should think. we have only had to replace stupid stuff. such as an alternator bearing some brake globes and a new globe socket for the front right indicator | ||
| Greg Tearne (Gooddoggomez) New Member Username: Gooddoggomez Post Number: 31 Registered: 02-2003 |
Max Think you'll find that if you search the archives you'll find out the 95-96's are to be avoided if poss. From what I've read, the 98-99 D1's are the go. gtt | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 202 Registered: 10-2002 |
I bought my 91 only a couple of years ago with 300,000km (185,000 miles)on it. The motor was still ticking over beautifully, though it did need a new cam, however, I replaced it with a 4.6L. I have only praise for the truck, one of my best buys yet,and I haven't had any problems with my 95 either. | ||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 114 Registered: 02-2003 |
I've had my 95 D1 since new and have covered 129,000 miles so far, if the PO was responsible servicing it, then you should do fine. Only things to watch are typical for any vehicle, rubber hoses, steel rust. If suspension is original some new shocks and bushings will make a differnce | ||
| Robert Sublett (Rubisco98) Senior Member Username: Rubisco98 Post Number: 865 Registered: 04-2002 |
Max, I own a '96 which I purchased with 92k miles on it. Since then, I've put 60k miles on it, thus I have right around 152,000 miles on my rig. Engine/transmission problems? Nope. Little piddly shish that will drive you crazy, yes. Such as, idler pulley/tensioner, alternator, ignition switch, turn signal switch, power window regulator, etc. Considering I drive almost 5 times more than the avg. person a year, I don't thing my problems are too extreme. I do change my fluids very regularly though. I'd say go for it. | ||
| Anton Parker (Anton) New Member Username: Anton Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2003 |
Hi I run a 94 model with 270,000km and it's like a dream. replaced shocks recently and always serviced. No problem | ||
| dareDVL (Daredvl) Member Username: Daredvl Post Number: 41 Registered: 03-2003 |
Probably a good chance by that mileage all the crappy stuff and defective parts from the factory have been fixed or replaced. | ||
| Gary Sherman (Sbts1) New Member Username: Sbts1 Post Number: 17 Registered: 03-2003 |
I have a 95 and acquired it in 98 with <45k miles. Now has 102,000 and runs like a top. Never burned a drop of oil, leaked some from time to time, but so does my friend's Rolls. The truck is built like a tank, its the little stuff that can drive you nuts.If you have any mechanical skills and can derive pleasure from successfully replacing a serpentine belt that took one minute to remove and and hour to put back on, you should enjoy one of these. My belief is that if you can find a truck that has not been used as an offroad vehicle(where I live in Arizona there are plenty) you will find that a 100k miles is not a big milestone if it has been maintained properly. | ||
| Jeffry Scott (Jeffry) Member Username: Jeffry Post Number: 92 Registered: 12-2002 |
Max, buy. buy. buy. Jeff (I'm the one getting Max into this mess, so I just had to add my 2 cents. We spent the day at work on Sunday viewing Hole in the Rock and Camel Trophy videos- oh yeh, we also got some work done) | ||
| Robert Sublett (Rubisco98) Senior Member Username: Rubisco98 Post Number: 869 Registered: 04-2002 |
"If you have any mechanical skills and can derive pleasure from successfully replacing a serpentine belt that took one minute to remove and and hour to put back on", that is priceless Gary. After the 5th time in 1.5 years, I still can't get it right without looking for that diagram. I finally resorted to drawing it in black sharpie under the hood  Next time will be a charm! | ||
| Max Becherer (Maxb) New Member Username: Maxb Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2003 |
Thanks for all of your thoughts. I can't believe I have already heard so many different voices on this issue. I also love classic VWs so I don't mind turning a wrench from time to time but I am hoping to make this car a daily driver so I hope I don't have to work too much on it. Thanks again! MAX | ||
| Corey (Discobro) Member Username: Discobro Post Number: 185 Registered: 12-2002 |
"I can't believe I have already heard so many different voices on this issue." Welcome to Discoweb Max... Seriously, if you don't mind taking care of maintenance yourself, which it sounds like you don't since you're looking at high milage, the Disco is for you. Be forwarned it has its share of quirks like any other vehicle and not any two are alike. Other than that they are very mechanically reliable. Try to get a 97 on up though. The pre97 tend to have more problems mechanically and electrically but you could run across a lemon-reject . Keep Dweb in your bookmarks - it's an invaluable resource for Discovery owners (and LR owners in general). | ||
| Tony Zuniga (Tony23007) Member Username: Tony23007 Post Number: 52 Registered: 05-2003 |
I got a 95 Disco and yes I've had my share of problems: Fuel Injectors, SRS problems, ABS problems and so on and so on, but with a little patience and some mechanical know how I was able to get most of it fixed and the truck is running like new with 115,000 miles on it. | ||
| Jaime Crusellas (Jaime) New Member Username: Jaime Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2003 |
I have a pair of 97 discos. One has 65,000 miles, and the other 84,000. The only thing i've replaced besides normal maintenance items has been the water pump on the 84k | ||
| James (Jimmyg) Senior Member Username: Jimmyg Post Number: 286 Registered: 10-2002 |
I have a 95 D1 at 180,000 miles and the worst thing that has happened was my power steering pump needed replacement. No bad leaks either. I blew my diff in MOAB but that was more my fault. | ||
| Graeme Day (Graemeday) New Member Username: Graemeday Post Number: 4 Registered: 02-2003 |
Max Oils and filters are cheap, even if you use the best you can lay your hands on. I have a magnificent 95 Discovery with 300000kms on the clock and a drivetrain which has had nothing but regular servicing. By the way, at 250000kms, I halved the service interval. Like I said, Oils and filters are cheap. | ||
| Tom Fioretti (Tom_in_md) Member Username: Tom_in_md Post Number: 46 Registered: 02-2003 |
I've had vehicles that required less attention, but never one that inspired so much discussion. The info available is extensive, so if you get stuck on a project, all you need to do is come here and ask. That being said, here's another data point: 113K on my 96 without major issues. | ||
| Paul T. Schram (Paulschram) Senior Member Username: Paulschram Post Number: 1547 Registered: 02-2002 |
170K miles on my '95 and I just returned from a 1300 mile trip with it. Reliable, you decide. For me, any vehicle I can drive 500 miles per week commuting to work, and then, with only an oil change, drive it 500 miles, four-wheel the hell out of it and then return to driving 500 miles a week commuting is reliable enough for me. I believe that those who decry certain years of Rovers get their information out of consumer reports or some equally reliable rag. Those of us who drive these vehicles seem to have a very different opinion of them. How much work does my truck require? Less than it gets! Peace, Paul | ||
| eric johnson (Eric2) New Member Username: Eric2 Post Number: 18 Registered: 05-2003 |
Learn from one who has consumed the bitter pill of experience. Try to get one that has been maintained properly, i.e. fluid changes. And if the P.O. used synthetic, so much the better. The P.O. on mine did not make a habit of fluid changes. The bottom of the oil pan had a 1/4" layer of sludge/gunkus. I found that after a rocker arm failed and I tore the engine apart. This on a '90 3.9 w/165K miles. | ||
| Corey Shuman (One_bad_rover) Member Username: One_bad_rover Post Number: 141 Registered: 09-2002 |
1996 with well over 115k, no real problems except the water pump which really isnt a big prob. I drive it to and from work, which is about 70 miles aday round trip and usally give it some good dirt on the weekends. Im pleased as punch with it. Just do your fluids and you should be good!! Oh and for extra longevity throw some Pro-comp lights on. | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) Senior Member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 788 Registered: 09-2002 |
1996 with 130kmi on it. Barring the annoying electrical gremlins, it's the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. peter | ||
| Lionel (Fromage) New Member Username: Fromage Post Number: 37 Registered: 02-2003 |
190k miles and counting... Lady owned until 170k. Shortly owned afterwards. Have had it since 180k and replaced bushings on trailing arms, steering box and minor other things. Perfect vehicle for Colorado... L. | ||
| Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Senior Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 323 Registered: 10-2002 |
"1996 with 130kmi on it. Barring the annoying electrical gremlins, it's the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. peter" boy is that a statment that needs some qualifying:   | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 209 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hey Jack, which one of the above is yours and which is Peter's? LOL | ||
| Ron Brown (Ron) Senior Member Username: Ron Post Number: 382 Registered: 04-2001 |
make sure you get one with service records. At least every 7500 for oil changes and a couple majors with trans services is about the best gauranty you can get. | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 244 Registered: 01-2003 |
Get a carfax.com report. My 95 was an off lease vehicle, because of that it had all the maintence done. Mine at 108K has treated me well, one fuel pump and a re-cored radiator has been my only major issues thus far. Normal maintence on these trucks is high, but it's like any European car. If these trucks are treated well they will last for a long time. Don't confuse cost of ownership to the cost of modifing these trucks. I think alot of people (including myself) think these trucks take lots of money to maintain. Actually just doing maintence and fixing problems aren't really that bad or expensive. But when you start accounting in the extras like, "I need new shocks, so lets get Bilsteins and a OME lift with spacers, retainers, longer brake lines, ... etc". Just realise thats were the money went, not maintaining the truck but also into modifying it. I thought about getting rid of my truck a few month ago. I thought I was spending a fortune on fixing my truck, when I reviewed my recepts I found most of the money I thought was going to repairs was actually going for upgrades. So took a step back and realized my truck was cheaper to operate than the Nissian, Ford , or VW's that owned in the past. My wife's 2 year old Audi with 35k on it probably costs just as much to maintain per year. Get an inspection of the vehicle if possible by a LR service garage or dealer. These trucks have lots of parts, without the proper maintence they can be a piece of shit, but that's true of any vehicle. | ||
| Praveen K (Praveenk22) New Member Username: Praveenk22 Post Number: 10 Registered: 05-2003 |
Max, I own a '99 Disco, bought it with 135Kmi a month ago. Repairs done till date: 1. 120K mi service - as I wanted to get all the crud out from the previous owner's driving. BTW the vehicle was never taken off-road 2. Replaced valve cover gaskets as I saw some oil leaks. Nothing major. 3. Replaced rear brake pads. So far so good and I've put over 2000mi in less than a month. Reliability, well as many have already said before nothing can be more reliable than you understanding the limitations of your vehicle. | ||
| Greg French (Gregfrench) Senior Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 400 Registered: 11-2002 |
Mine runs just as bad at 115K as it did at 65k when I bought it. |
