By Nick Bell on Thursday, December 13, 2001 - 12:14 am: Edit

I am in the market for a Disco. I have a done a fair amount of research and
needed a few opinions on the SLS and ACE features. This will be my first rover
but i want to by it once and not have any second thoughts. it is my
understanding that the hydralics are expensive to fix... given that this car
will nearly make me broke should i forgo the sls and ace features and get a
Disco SD or are those features really worth it. i am from the mindset that the
simpler things r the less can go wrong so perhaps the SD would be best. Any
input is greatly appreciated. Thanks

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Thursday, December 13, 2001 - 08:26 am: Edit

IMO, I think you should AVOID ACE!!!

If you are mostly on the road (i.e., using the Disco as a mall-crawler), and have the bankroll to let the dealer do all of the maintainence, and you insist of driving it like it's a sports car, then ACE would be a good choice.

IF you want a more reliable off-roader, want to keep maintainence costs down, modify it, etc. etc., then go w/ the simpler items...

-L

By DM on Thursday, December 13, 2001 - 08:36 am: Edit

I have to disagree with Leslie on this one. I have an 2K SE with ACE, and think it's the greatest thing going. In the 15K miles I've had so far, I haven't had one problem or concern with ACE both on and offroad. I recently added an OME lift and 265/75 tires. If you do go with an ACE vehicle, I would recommend you have the dealer swap out the 18" tires for 16" tires. But other than that, you'll be happy with the performance. It's like having a sports car when it comes to cornering.

By Phillip Perkinson (R0ver4x4) on Thursday, December 13, 2001 - 09:11 am: Edit

Dont hold your breath on it not messing up...

Nick, Less is more

By Carl E. Cedeholm (Cederholm) on Thursday, December 13, 2001 - 09:40 am: Edit

I have a 99DII w/ACE and I love it. I often drive from NYC to Boston and the ACE realy makes a difference dealing with NY/NE drivers.

Although I would agree about less is more if you don't need it. The 18" wheels look great, but suck on tire selection.

my 2cents

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Thursday, December 13, 2001 - 03:31 pm: Edit

DM,

15k, you haven't even started to break in your Rover.... I've got 73k on my '99 already.

I'm sure that the ACE is great on curvy highways. But, I'm not sold on longevity, servicability, of the system.

Mi dos centavos....

By Craig on Thursday, December 13, 2001 - 04:00 pm: Edit

Not too expensive when warranty is picking up the tab-
Craig

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Thursday, December 13, 2001 - 04:08 pm: Edit

Exactly.... while under warranty, it'd be fine. But, it's the kind of thing that I would expect to kick the bucket 152 miles after running out on the warranty....

I'm now 23k out of warranty, so the simpler the better...



-L

By Jim Murphy (Murph) on Thursday, December 13, 2001 - 08:48 pm: Edit

I've had a '99 DSII since March of '99 (now has 41,500 miles), and while I've had my fair share of problems (Land Rover seems to need to get the kinks out with early adopters), not one has been anywhere near the ACE system.

I've heard a few people complain over and over to avoid ACE because it's unreliable, and untested, etc. Well, the DSII has been out about three years now. Where are all of the ACE failures? Does anyone have any *factual* reason to show that ACE is unreliable? If so, please post it.

(Have you looked into the design? The hydraulic side isn't really that complex. As a software engineer, I'm more concerned that the programmers got their code right. :-)

I've driven both ACE and non-ACE trucks, and I'm very, very happy I have it. Get it, you won't regret it (but you will regret the 18" wheels if you ever want to go offroad).

murph
'99 DSII

By Craig on Thursday, December 13, 2001 - 09:19 pm: Edit

Murph-
recalls galore
Also, I wouldn't want to listen to that damn pump all the time.
Craig

By Mud Man (Clarance) on Friday, December 14, 2001 - 07:59 pm: Edit

60k on '99 that's lifted and its the ONLY thing that i haven't had a problem. The best part is that once you lift, it will handle (feel) like a regular (non- ace) truck. IMHO. Clarance.
ps. i would however avoid the SLS. I think it would put a limit on articualtion.