| Author | Message | ||
     John S. Bleazard (Injun) New Member Username: Injun Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2003 |
I need to purchase a new vehicle within the next two months and have always admired the Discos. I have owned a couple of early Broncos and absolutely love them, but I need something a bit more modern and reliable than a 30 year old truck. I recently drove an 01 Disco II and absolutely loved the drive, but it was a bit too pricey for me now. I have found a 97 Disco I that I hope to look at in person this weekend. Also found a 99 Disco II that is a bit out of my price range at the moment, but may can afford it in a month. My goal with the Disco would be to primarily get me around town and an occasional trip with my family back home to Alabama (500mi). No, were not in the same grade. I also want something I can take wheeling the woods and go camping on my rare breaks. Im in medical school and even though I have extensive wrenching experience on old Fords and Pontiacs, I dont have many tools with me and time to fix things every other day is not available. I have a friend (who owns a Jeep) constantly tell me that all Rovers are overpriced and constantly breakdown and the repairs and parts cost fortunes. From review posts, it appears to me that most problems are usually small electrical problems or nondrivetrain stuff. As long as it cranks in the cold mornings and gets from point a to point b, I can work on the little things later. Im currently leaning to waiting for the DII, but would like to hear some advice from you avid Disco followers. What are some key things to inspect when checking either out. Thanks for the help. | ||
| Jack Leitch (Liveattheedge) New Member Username: Liveattheedge Post Number: 8 Registered: 12-2003 |
I have one of each, a 97 and an 01. The 01 DII definatly has much better on road handling (especialy with A.C.E or active cornering enhancement) I have had no problems with the DII, it has done several long hauls without even a hicup, (1,000+miles). The DI rolls more on the road and comands a little more of your concentration to drive. I've also had to do a top end re-build, replace the alternator, water pump, and steering box. All of these things commonly go on D1's as the approach 100K. The finish inside of a DII is considerably better than that of a DI. The DI rattles and shakes around with leather breaking in the seats (happens all the time with 5+ yr old DI's) where as the DII feels much more like a BMW inside. When looking at them look closely for accident damage, i almost made this mistake as bent chassis from rear impacts is easily fixable. You really want something with all service records. My D1 didn't and it lead to the top end re-build because it had had numerous oil changes skipped in the past. Hope this helps. I love em both, wouldn't take anything else. | ||
| Brett A. Naquin (Bnaquin) New Member Username: Bnaquin Post Number: 27 Registered: 09-2003 |
I purchased a '95 Disco I in July and have found it to mechanically reliable and capable off-road. The only modification I’ve made is an Old Man Emu medium duty lift. The truck runs fantastic and the only problems I’ve had are minor. With 120K miles on the clock, the issues that came up were not surprising (front brakes, washer fluid pumps and a good tune-up). Before purchasing my Disco I was a bit leery of Land Rover products. In the past I had always driven Toyota Land Cruisers and while they have their own set of issues, they are overall very reliable trucks. I decided to give Land Rovers a try and I’m very happy with my decision to do so. I find my Land Rover more capable off-road than my Land Cruiser in some categories. A set of lockers on the front and rear axles will address the areas where it’s lacking. You will probably get several opinions regarding the pros and cons of first and second generation Discoveries. I think they’re both great off-road vehicles. I purchased a Disco I because of its price and the ease of servicing it when the need arises. I think most people on this board will agree that the early Discos are easier to service for the novice mechanic. Good luck with your purchase! | ||
| John S. Bleazard (Injun) New Member Username: Injun Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2003 |
Thanks for the input guys. I like the older ones for their lack of complicated electronic gadgets. Less things to fix. Another good thing is that I plan on keeping my old 94 Mazda P/U around for a while just in case. How are the transfer cases and factory diffs? How do the a/c systems hold up? Other than the floors and the door pillars, any other common corrosion spots I should look for. I have yet to drive a series I, so I am going to go look at a 96 SE7 and a 97 SE this weekend. May bring one home. See I go from one, then talk my way to the next. I do appreciate your time and hope to be an official member soon. | ||
| Jack Leitch (Liveattheedge) New Member Username: Liveattheedge Post Number: 11 Registered: 12-2003 |
The transfer cases on the D1's can cease up if they're not used. This was again the case with my XD. Be sure to check it when you test drive it. You will hear a clunk when you go into reverse. Don't worry it's normal. I've never had any problems with the diff's in the Discovery's but would look into ARB's for serious off roading regularly. The AC in the D1 blew cold from the day i got it. It was in FL in the dead of summer and it never faulted. The outriggers on the chassis are another common place for corrosion, tap it with something metal, (i do with hammer), you will hear it if its corroded. | ||
| John S. Bleazard (Injun) New Member Username: Injun Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2003 |
Well, I was unable to get out to see the trucks last weekend, but Im hoping to look at a 98 LSE this Sunday. After speaking with the 2nd owner, the Disco has 109K and says it has all records with the dealership. Also says that the only problem he is noticing at the moment is a service engine light. He said it was an O2 sensor and he would knock off a few hundred dollars to compinsate. How difficult is it to replace the sensor? Is this something I can tackle or is there some special gadgetry for this such as computer code reseting. Other than testing the 4wd and corroded chasis, any other ideas of issues to address while kicking the tires? Thanks again for all the help | ||
| Lawrence Tilly (Beowulf03809) New Member Username: Beowulf03809 Post Number: 8 Registered: 12-2003 |
The O2 sensors can be had on-line for under $100 and the job is pretty easy from what I've been told. http://www.thatchedroofgarage.com/front_page.htm is a good source if I remember right. I had to have one of mine replaced but since it was covered under extended warranty I had the dealership do it, so I don't have personal experience. I'm sure I'll have other O2 sensor fail soon and will do it personally then. Generally speaking, I'm very happy with my 96. It's had some issues, but nothing serious or too expensive. When we got it we found a base model (cloth seats, no sun roof) and it still had auto tranmission, electric everything, dual-zone climate, etc. Those "extras" are fantastic to have on a daily driver and for long trips. I had a couple oportunities to drive a D2 (including at an off-road school) and really liked it as well, and many members of our local Rover club are happy with their D2s. The big thing to keep in mind is a Rover does not provide the fill-and-forget experience many vehicle owners have gotten used now days. At least with the mid-90s vehicles, they need attention. This can either come from a dealership or shop ( less time involved but more $ ) or from the owner (less $ but more time). I think a number of people that complain heavily about their Rovers are complaining about things others of us sort of expect. Make sure you're expectations are in line with your vehicle selection and that you are not setting yourself up for disappointment. A simple, easy question: If you come out a few mornings a week to find a new puddle of oil under your truck, are you going to be dramatically upset?  Lawrence 96 Disco - "Beowulf" - NH, USA | ||
| Joey (Joey4420) Senior Member Username: Joey4420 Post Number: 511 Registered: 04-2003 |
http://www.robisonservice.com/servicedep/rover_advice1.asp#disco Read the above page. | ||
| Geoff 93 RRC (Geoff) Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 194 Registered: 11-2002 |
The Series I Discos have the true fully floating axles and other legacy user serviceable engineering. Its designed to be dunked in the mud then taken apart and cleaned in the field if necessary with a few wrenches. This is a design tradeoff that usually means more maintenance. I haven't owned one, but the D2 seems a bit more road oriented and less maintenance intensive. Not sure if breaking an axle would disable a D2 (you could drive on with a D1). The lack of a locked center diff would worry me in the muck. I took our Isuzu Trooper on a recent ski trip to Durango (we had 37" of snow over 3 days). I tended to get stuck on steep sections in auto 4-hi (viscous clutch and rear limited slip). This was due to the slight delay in lock up. Shifting into locked 4-low got me moving. Had same experience in our '97 Disco if I forgot to lock the center diff. No doubt if you modify a D2 so that the center diff can be locked it would be excellent together with HDC. | ||
| Rick Cordova (Imx) Member Username: Imx Post Number: 71 Registered: 08-2002 |
John, I have a willow `98 LSE and I love it. The LSE has a upgraded interior than other D1's. For one they add upgraded leather giving it a three tone interior against the additional burl wood, 6 disc, heated seats, a nice set of rims and some chrome, other that that they are all the same. My D2 friends like the interior and the off road aspect better than thiers. The ride some may say is better in the D2, I have to differ the ride is about the same and if one adds an OME lift it would be even better. The D2 can carry more and may blend in better with other BMW's and newer looking cars however the D1 is the classic Disco and with the LSE trim you can't go wrong. The only D2 I would consider getting is the ~04 4.6 w/CDL. However when that time comes I will prob. get the new Rover and add the 4.6 to my "Classic." | ||
| John S. Bleazard (Injun) New Member Username: Injun Post Number: 6 Registered: 12-2003 |
By locking center diffs, are you refering to locking rear diff? How are the Discos outfitted from the factory as far as diffs are concerned? Limited slip only? Or are certain models/series available with locking diffs? Thanks. | ||
| John S. Bleazard (Injun) New Member Username: Injun Post Number: 7 Registered: 12-2003 |
Nevermind the last question. I read the archives. I definitely want the CDL. |
