| Author |
Message |
    
Joe
| | Posted on Friday, July 19, 2002 - 10:10 pm: | 
|
Hi - I really enjoy reading the posts on this board, and I would appreciate your collective thoughts on this subject.
I am really digging the Disco, but I drive a lot and am concerned about reliability issues. I've heard that Discos tend to need new brakes a lot faster than other cars. I've also heard that they tend to develop engine and transmission / gear box problems after 50k miles.
First of all, can anyone confirm these issues? Secondly, are there any other mechanical / reliability issues I should concern myself with prior to purchasing this vehicle?
Thanks in advance for your posts.
Joe in Philly |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Friday, July 19, 2002 - 11:03 pm: |
|
Joe, there wasn't really an SE7 trim in '99 for the US. There was just the Disco II with the 7 seat option. As for brakes mine lasted until 40k miles before replacing them. It's not any worse than a Honda. As for reliability we all here can say it's a crap shoot. My '99 D2 hasn't been without it's issues. It was also the first year for the D2 in the US. The transmission is a ZF and I haven't talked to anyone with transmission issues but they can happen. The ZF transmissions are used in other cars and they have a good reputation. |
barry
| | Posted on Friday, July 19, 2002 - 11:10 pm: |
|
The 99' Discovery II was only produced in the 2nd half of that year. IMHO...no matter what the brand, especially Land Rover, never buy a newly designed vehicle with only one year of production history.
Stay away from SLS and ACE. As a daily driver, expect 12 MPG on premium petrol. |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Friday, July 19, 2002 - 11:23 pm: |
|
No the '99 D2 was produced all that year. SLS and ACE have actually the two components that have given me no problems in my Nov '98 built 1999MY D2. There was a recall on the ACE in late 1999 or early 2000 but I have yet to hear of an ACE failure since then. |
Rick Lindgren (Slacker)
| | Posted on Saturday, July 20, 2002 - 12:37 am: |
|
We own a '99 DII and haven't had any more problems with it than any of the subsequent years. In fact, less than some of the people on this board with newer trucks. The majority of the problems have been addressed in recalls that covered multiple model years not just '99.
We have SLS and are very happy with it so far. Good ride on-road. We aren't jumping it off cliffs but we are adventuring on dirt/rock/mud at least once a week and haven't had any problems with the suspension. It's a daily driver on-road most of the week and has two adults, two kids, associated junk, and anywhere from 150 to 250 pounds of gear in the back when we go offroad. The SLS has been nice for going back and forth between on-road and offroad usage.
Rick |
Michael Noe (Noee)
| | Posted on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 07:21 am: |
|
I too have the 11/99 built D2 and I think I'm the only one I know of to possibly have AT problems, though the dealer says it MAF sensor. We'll see.
I've had no problems with ACE (don't have SLS), no noises or clattering hydraulic tubes. ACE will limit your ability to lift the truck and it can't easily be removed later on if you want. That said, the more I drive the truck offroad, the more I'm liking it (and amazed by the thing). I'm at 43K on my second set of brakes and they're almost gone but the rotors are still okay. |
Joe
| | Posted on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 09:04 am: |
|
Michael,
Are you still on your original set of rotors?
Joe |
Michael Noe (Noee)
| | Posted on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 09:08 am: |
|
Yes, I am and they are slightly below minimums, but they're smooth all around. Next brake job I'll probably replace them all around. |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 12:07 pm: |
|
Michael, Two things to point out. I've been looking at the ACE system in detail. From what I can see it is possible to lift the vehicle more than 2" with some modifications although I don't think anyone has tried it yet. I might make the mods to my truck in the next year so we'll see. And it also seems possible to remove the ACE system if you ever need to without much trouble. And just in case it ever fails on the trail I carry a non-ACE serpentine belt in my spares. ACE is very cool but it's not rocket science.
As for the brakes. I'm at 42k miles. Changed pads and rotors for the first time at about 41k. |
Michael Noe (Noee)
| | Posted on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 01:29 pm: |
|
Al:
Yes, I think to lift more than 2" you would have to lengthen the downlinks from the torsion bar on each corner appropriately to the lift you go with. I don't think anything else mechanically would need to be changed.
Good idea to carry a non-ACE serp belt (I've been running around with a spare ACE belt), but it seems like removing ACE would entail switching SLABS or at the very least removing the ACE option with Testbook (beyond just removing the mechanicals). |
[email protected]
| | Posted on Thursday, August 01, 2002 - 02:44 pm: |
|
I have a 99 disco with 24,000 miles and I had to replace my brakes at 20k miles... but i live in the hills so I am probably harder on brakes.
Three of my friends bought disco's and all but one of us have had issues of reliability. Thank god for the warranty--but I would think long and hard if you were going to buy a used one and you planned to do alot of highway driving... there are more reliable, and better highway handling SUV's out there. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page