| Author |
Message |
    
Michael
| | Posted on Friday, September 06, 2002 - 04:04 pm: | 
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I'm very interested in purchasing my first Discovery, but I'm not very familiar with the reliability of a Land Rover. I'm not afraid to do repairs myself (both my other cars are 14 year old mercedes... and they run like new) as long as there's technical support out there (internet and cd/rom info).
What are the "good" models to look at and which ones should I avoid? Is the Discovery (1994 to 1997) a good purchase? What are typical problem areas?
I'd really REALLY appreciate some feedback... |
Carter Simcoe (Carter)
| | Posted on Friday, September 06, 2002 - 04:24 pm: |
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well, here is my humble opinion. If you are comfortable working on 14 year old mercedes then get a D1 (94 - the first 1/2 of 99). Now I only have experience with my 98 but suposedly the later the model year the more reliable they are suposed to be. The majority of the problems with mine have just been stupid stuff like the door locks breaking, hood not opening, windshield washers breaking... ect. Get a Haynes manual, Official shop manual, and ask a bunch of questions here and you should do fine especially since you have experience working on fairly modern european cars. Well thats my non-expert opinion there are other guys here far more qualified to answer this question than me so I will step out and let them go for it. |
brian friend
| | Posted on Friday, September 06, 2002 - 04:35 pm: |
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Michael,
Any land rover is a good land rover but after 95 the reliability is better. The main difference is the change from Lucus electronics to the GEMS (generic, electronic, management system) wich I think is actually bosh electronics. Mechanicly, I would say the land rover is very reliable and what does break can be easily repaired, for the most part by anyone who likes to tinker for the most part. But of course I am a bit biased....I think everybody should own a Land Rover.
brian friend |
Steve Andrews (Sillybus)
| | Posted on Friday, September 06, 2002 - 08:24 pm: |
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Speaking of the Haynes manual... can someone tell me which ISBN number for a 96 D1 4.0 V8 or give me a link? Everyone I see says NOT for 4.0 or for 94 & 95 only. - Thanks mucho |
p m
| | Posted on Friday, September 06, 2002 - 08:52 pm: |
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Steve,
AFAIK, there isn't one for the NAS GEMS Disco.
Peter |
John
| | Posted on Friday, September 06, 2002 - 09:54 pm: |
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I'd recommend getting a 97-99 D1. I've got a '95, and it's been a good car, but the first year I had it, it was in the shop for a good two and a half months of that year. Shit just wouldn't stop breaking. I had to have the rear door replaced cause it was rusted through (although that was due to original owner's location in Michigan, not to build), new cylinder heads, new cruise control unit, new a/c compressor, the alpine windows leaked like a sonuvabitch and i had to have the seals replaced, etc, etc, etc...not to mention all the little shit that broke as well. Anyway, the one year certified warranty the car came with from the dealership (Land Rover Greensboro, great guys to deal with if you're from NC) paid for all that shit, so it's well worth it to buy from the dealership and get the warranty. But I would avoid the 94-95 models.
FWIW, the rover 3.9 and 4.0 (and maybe 4.6?) are just an old buick blocks. don't know if that helps any or not. |
Blake Luse (Muddyrover)
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - 04:15 pm: |
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thanks JOHN i always wanted to know how to spell
"sonuvabitch"
i can now go on with my life in complete control |
Joe Still
| | Posted on Saturday, September 21, 2002 - 07:38 am: |
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John: You made a good choice getting that warranty! I got my first Disco (95) a year ago from a used car lot and have had the Disco basics:
Power steering box leaks
Electrical Gremlins
Getting hot sometimes.
Driveline whine (nature of the beast)
I started at $7,000. Spent 350 on a windshield, 250 on alternator, 100 for complete fluid change, 300 for after market Sony CD (MP3 is the ONLY way to live! 10 hours on one CD!), 30 on drive belt, 400 on power steering box and hoses, 50 on battery, 100 on expansion tank and hoses. The biggie is that no engine, transmission (auto) or t-case trouble.
I thought I started at a cheap price and I could upgrade a few hundred a month like a car payment. If I got a year without motor or Xmission work I'd be even. Now I'm looking at (knock on wood) a "free" year! (Pride goeth before the fall!)
I've had an 83 Blazer, 2 Cherokees, 1 Wrangler, a 96 Tahoe and now the Disco in the last 10 years. The Disco is the only one with the cache, great ride and offroad skills to let me put up with little problems (and 13-15 mpg highway) with a smile.
I test drove a 95 Disco in 95. I coudln't pay $30k and always regretted it. Now I can but why? I enjoy the challenge.
BTW, lots of spare forms of transport are critical as if I didn't have 3 cars and a Harley to pick up the slack my smile might turn upside down! |
Alan Yim (Alan)
| | Posted on Saturday, September 21, 2002 - 10:31 am: |
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Hi Michael,
Just to add my two cents worth, mine is a 98 and haven't had many problems. I bought it over a year ago (coming up on two years) and aside from regular maintenance, I haven't had anything major go on it. I was a bit skeptical about reliability (my last truck was a Pathfinder and was pretty reliable) when I was researching LR, but since I've gotten it, it's been really good. A few little niggly things but nothing I would consider to be a big deal. I've also taken this thing places I would never dream of taking my Pathfinder too so all in all, I've been impressed. It seems that if you've been reading reviews of Land Rovers, most of the complaints are from people who don't really want a 4x4 but a giant car that looks like a 4x4 and want car like qualities so I didn't put much stock in them. Land Rover has also been a pleasure to deal with too. My warranty ran out this past February but I found some rust on the dogleg of back wheel well (about the size of a quarter) on both sides about a month ago and to my surprise, LR paid to have it fixed!
Just do your research on the history of the vehicle you're buying to make sure you start off with a fairly clean slate. I'm finding the saying "Once a Land Rover owner, always a Land Rover owner" to be pretty true. There's something about these vehicles that get in your blood. I'm sure others here will vouch for that.
Al |
Bill K (Bill_K)
| | Posted on Saturday, September 21, 2002 - 01:52 pm: |
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Dont let these guys scare you away from the 94 or 95 models! My 95 is pushing on 133k miles and it runs like a dream (please dont jinx me prince Lucas, of darkness) and I would surely buy a new Discovery next. In the last 50k miles, two ABS sensors, a rear windshield washer pump, a TP Sensor, and a fuel pump have broken. The rest of the $ I spent has been on maintenance. Reliabilty will be more likely on a vehicle that has been properly maintained, not on any specific model year. |
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