By Daniel M. Briggs (Danielmb) on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 11:46 am: Edit

I have just started looking around for a used Disco. Somewhere I noticed that the reliability rating is higher for 98's than 97's. Did something change in 1998? Should I spend the extra $ to buy a 98 over a 97, or should I even consider a 99? Is there a "buyer's guide" resource somewhere that can help? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

By Jim on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 12:05 pm: Edit

I have a 97 and I have had no major problems up to this day. I think that as long as you check out the disco thourghly better yet have a mechanic you trust check it out. You have a better chance on reliability then relying on model year I believe. If it were a brand new vehicle I would look at reliability ratings then. Just my thought and experience. I have owned two land rovers. Bought the 95 used and 97 new have not had any majorr problems with either. Just my two cents worth.

By Robert Mann (Oldscout) on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 01:21 pm: Edit

The 98's have the chrome bumpers, I do not care for them at all.

By Steve (Steve2) on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 01:32 pm: Edit

only the lse had chromies - the le had std black. there was a really great colour in 98 - woodcote green? i have a epsom 99 myself, but i sure like woodcote...

to answer your question - from what i hear the newer the better, supposedly.

steve

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 04:55 pm: Edit

Steve,
I didn't realize that ours were "twins"....

Daniel,
The '99 Series I Discos are essentially left-over '98 models; production was changed over to make Disco IIs then.

The '96, '97, '98, and '99 Series I Discoveries are pretty much the same, only minor differences. The later ones came with more wood trim, and the build quality seems to have continuously improved throughout that time span.


-L

'99 Epsom Green Discovery SD

By Eric N (Grnrvr) on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 04:58 pm: Edit

I have a 98 LE.. I am very happy with it..

By Steve (Steve2) on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 06:14 pm: Edit

leslie

how funny - 99 sd7 d1 - epsom green, bahama beige heated leather seats, twin roofs, jumps (of course on a 7). mine's just over a year old - from 1st owner, got it with 17k miles.

how those new tires holding out?
steve

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 06:38 pm: Edit

I've got the leather beige seats (the heated seats are VERY addictive!), but mine is sans the jumpseats and sunroofs - intentionally!! If I had the jumpseats, I'd be called to chauffeur my nephews and nieces around every weekend, and I find the pockets useful. And, while I like a Series Rover with the top off, I usually find sunroofs to be rattly, leaky, and not of great benefit (IMHO, YMMV!)

1st owner had 22k on it; I've now got over 65k on it, and I've had it 1 1/3 years now. Good truck. I'm planning on driving the wheels off of it, then rebuilding and doing it again. And again.

I'm staying sedate with it.... for now. Gotta keep the wife pacified; it's the 'familymobile' in addition to being my commuter vehicle. So I do little by little, to make it into what I'm wanting to eventually get to...

New tires still are 'new' (about 400 mi on them now). I like 'em. They're not 'silent', but they're quieter than the Michelins, and any mud tire. A Disco won't ever ride like a Cadillac, but it's a bit smoother than the Michelins, too. And they look like they belong on a Rover (unlike the stock tires). I haven't had the time to get them off-road yet.... I'm anxious, but have to admit that this week has been distracting, to say the least.

Steve, do you have a website?

Regards,

-L

By Steve (Steve2) on Saturday, September 15, 2001 - 04:57 pm: Edit

l-

you got me beat big time in the mileage in a year game. i put just over 22K on it - you put 43k on yours - wheew the s/roofs are great for venting hot air on warm days and that's about it as they are a might small.

steve

By Hammerhead on Monday, September 17, 2001 - 09:16 am: Edit

I just bought my 1998 LSE (43K miles/jumps/dual a/c/brush gaurd, etc.) through a broker. Excellent condition and I paid only $20,500 (tax/tag/title included - $18,835 was the negotiated price). Bank value on the car is $26,000. They are next door to the second largest auction yard in the nation and had 54 Discos on the block last week. Would be happy to recommend him, if anyone is interested.

JHK
Tampa

By Mike B. on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 04:49 pm: Edit

The BMW quality control program was fully implemented by the 98 model year. Supposedly, things were improved significantly from 97 to 98. However, I don't have any real numbers to go on.

Also, 98's have a 50K warranty whereas the 97 only has a 36K warranty. So you might be able to find a 98 Disco with some warranty still left. This will save you big bucks when you go for the extended warranty!

Thanks,
Mike B.