Why should I buy a 2004 Discovery II SE7?

[scooreman]

Well it is for my girlfriend, she wants a nice SUV. Something unique with a rugged look, a safari / expedition vehicle look with modern technology and conveniences. So I have suggested the Discovery II. I know for certain she should get the 2004 SE7 for obvious reasons; with her kids and mine there are 6 of us.

What can I expect for maintenance issues with the 2004 Disco II? Is 2004 the better of the years available? All I really know is that the 2004 has the locking differentials. What are some of the problems that are common or to be expected for these vehicles? I’m told that these are Ford power trains; are they? Who are the best sources for parts? What other parts manufactures work on these vehicles; basically who interchanges well for parts/components with out having to buy parts from the dealership? Can a good small town mechanic do just as well as the Land Rover Dealership? How about on board diagnostics, error codes, and trouble shooting? Can the average diagnostic computer at a small town mechanics shop work as well as what the dealer has?

Please tell me all I have to know to be at peace with me advising her to by one of these Land Rover Disco II’s. My expertise lies with International Scout II’s and modified with GM TBI OBD-1 Fuel Systems, 700R4 trannys, and Hydroboost Brakes.

She needs 7 passenger seating, so some other options are the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ80 AKA Lexus LX450 or a late model Dodge Durango. What would you do? She has $18,000 to spend. I found an immaculate 2004 Disco II SE7 with 62K miles for $11,000.

Can anyone from the SLC UT area recommend a good mechanic for these vehicles?

 

[Panos]

bring out the money if you plan on buying one of these. repairs will kill you, but i think a good place that might be cheaper is red rover. i think that is the name anyway. i think there is no contest to wich the better vehicle is when comparing to the toyota though. not to say i dont think the discos can bee cool, just expensive as hell

 

[Tacoma]

For that money I'd get a 1997 40th Anniversary FJ80 with a 2" lift.. but that's me. I despise British "engineering".

 

[Devel]

i cant beleave im actually going to say this but, in this case i would say buy the toyota.

i feel dirty now.......

 

[solidfrontaxle]

The third row in the 80 series is not practical. I've tried to sit in one - it doesnt work. I haven't been in one, but maybe look at a 100 series/lx470. It might have more room. It will still be miles ahead of the rover in terms or reliablility and more daily driver friendly than the 80 series.

 

[Tacoma]

7 passengers seated comfortably = Suburban. Kids fit ok in all of the vehicles listed.. but that's about it.

 

[rholbrook]

Buy it for $11k and put the other $7k into a maintenance fund because you will need it. My friend has had a few but he leases and won't keep them long enough to get out of warranty.

 

[ID Bronco]

7 passengers seated comfortably = Suburban. Kids fit ok in all of the vehicles listed.. but that's about it.

Agreed, you could outfit a suburban quite nice for under $18K

Or a Tahoe

 

[rondo]

My pal had one; it was a 2002 i think. He said every time it broke down it was a thousand dollar bill. Covered under warranty but he said it broke down often. I don't recall how often is 'often'. I do recall that he sold it because he was afraid of the maintenance issues. He said it was hard on gas too.
With that said i think it's a far sexier vehicle than any other SUV. I'm talking the older ones with solid axles,,, not the newer IFS liberty looking ones.

you might go here to read up
http://www.edmunds.com/landrover/discovery/2004/consumerreview.html

 

[Herzog]

We have a 2000 Disco II and so far it's been great. Seems to be a huge hit or miss with the land rovers, even the consumer reviews agree. I'm thinking there is a large number of lemons out there because they are either the best vehicle a person has owned or the worst. There's not much of an in-between from the reviews we read.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I might get hit for typing this as I'm sitting with a group of Rover owners...

If its going to be something you use extensively off-road and your not up for or capable of small fixes, I'd look elsewhere. That said they have a cult following for a reason, people thoroughly enjoy them.

As for local mechanic, you can't beat the pros: Great Basin Rover in SLC

 

[SAMI]

^ That was quite positive coming from you Kurt.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

^ That was quite positive coming from you Kurt.

Corey is sitting next to me


I will say this, built Rovers out on the trail have that 'vehicular camaraderie', where every photo turns out, every stop becomes a photo shoot, etc. I spent some time on the Carbon Neutral Expedition with a couple of different Rovers including a built bio-diesel 110, neat!

 

[Thursty]

7 passengers seated comfortably = Suburban. Kids fit ok in all of the vehicles listed.. but that's about it.

That's what I was thinking also.

 

[ID Bronco]

Isn't someone selling a solid axle tahoe on here? I can't recall who, but it was a super nice rig on 35's if I remember right.

 

[solidfrontaxle]

^ That was quite positive coming from you Kurt.

I thought it sounded a little restrained...

From what I've seen, on a strictly performance basis, disregarding durability and reliability, land rovers are VERY good offroad.

 

[SAMI]

I agree that they are cool looking, and seem to bask in their photogenic prowess as Kurt mentioned. I also agree with the comment that LR trucks seem to be either a lemon or a good unit - no middle ground. I'd sya if it has a decent enough mechanical history, go for it... Or, go with a 100 series LC, or built Suburban.. That's a lot of kids.. Too many

 

[Thursty]

Isn't someone selling a solid axle tahoe on here? I can't recall who, but it was a super nice rig on 35's if I remember right.

That's Clemsonkrawler's rig.

http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=56069

 

[Rot Box]

I have almost been a Disco/RRC owner more times than I can count and I always talk myself out of it right at the last minute Its been said that the 04 is the best year for the D2. It has the center diff-loc where the earlier D2's did not you can add it to some years but not all. They do not have differential locks in the axles from the factory--just the center diff loc. I came to the conclusion that if you want a disco and you want to take it offroad you will be best off getting a D1 or an 04 D2.

The air ride suspension on the D2 is very expensive to maintain and repair/replace. Replacing it with aftermarket (OME or other) coils is a popular solution. Again I can't speak from first hand experience, but it seems like the stuff that will break on other vehicles will never break on a LR and vise versa. I've always been impressed with the capability of the Disco's and the 04's are the definition of luxury--man they are sexy! :greg: I would put a lot of time into researching these vehicles and do not buy one if you cant preform basic to moderate troubleshooting or can't preform all the preventative maintenance yourself. Just my .02

I personally don't believe they are as unreliable as most people say.... But I do drive a Ford LOL

 

[Jay5.9L]

Its not a SUV or really something she would probably like to DD but with 7 kids this may be the ticket!