I didn't know where to post this. I'm looking to buy a Land Rover and I can't decide between a 98 Discovery I or a 99/00 Discovery II. I will be using the Rover mainly off-road(hunting, fishing, and trail riding). The Rovers are pretty much identical in condition and mileage. I was wanting some opinions from people who already own and wheel Discoveries as to which one would be the best choice.

Thanks
Ranger

 

I've got a '97 DI, they're better LOL

Really, I think the DI is a little simpler, but the DII is a little more refined and might be a little larger inside.

I'm 6'2" & 180lbs, my DI is fine on 10hr trips


luck,greg

 

The Discovery I with the factory CDL is much superior to the early DII's that did not include the ability to lock the Center Differential. Also the DII driveshafts were not serviceable in that the u-joints were sealed, would dry out and break possibly destroying thetranny housing and the cats.

You will be much better off with the DI.Take both of them out for a trail ride with some really bad stuff and you will see a major difference in performance off-road.

That should convince you. Put them in the mud and see which one dances the best.

 

If you could actually collect everyone's two cents on this subject, you might be able to pay for that rig.

I vote for the 98, purely based on your desire to ride more off road than on. The 98 Disco I has a Center Differential Lock, actuated by moving a high/low lever into lock position, just forward of the gear shift. BUT, the 99/00 may have been retrofitted with CDL linkage... check this out. '99-'01 Discovery's have the CDL, but no linkage to engage it. There's stud on the top of the front driveshaft output.

The rest of the differences I'll defer on to those folks who own those years

Since none of us have seen the truck, it's all on you. EIther way, you can count on this forum to answer most of the 100 questions you'll have in the first month of ownership.

My $0.02...it's in the mail.

 

'98 for what you want.
'00 for your wife to take to the mall.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I've looked through the "what to look for" thread but it didn't really tell me what I wanted to know. I've always worked on my own stuff and I like the fact that the Discovery I seems more user friendly(less reliance on electronics for off roading). Was the 4.0 the only gas motor offered in the Discovery I? Is there any specific year or years for either model that would be the best or worst to get?

 

The early DI's got a 3.9L V8. The Later DI's got intake refinements that boosted the displacement to 4.0L. The petrol engine is the only one that was offered in the United States.

DI's are pretty much the same from '94 - 98.5. 98.5 and up was the DII. With the DII, there are more expensive electronics that have a bad habit of failing (on top of the front driveshaft that likes to break off and destroy stuff) but they are more luxurious. Keep away from the 2003's as a certain lot of them have oil pumps that WILL fail due to problems from when the block was cast.

It all depends on what you want out of the truck. You want something thats not bad do drive in the city, but does great on the trail, get a DI. You want something that is good looking, and comfortable to drive, get a DII.

 

Correction to Tornado, the DII was intoduced as '99.5 model not '98.5.
So when looking at '99's make sure you can tell the difference.
The DI's have flush door handles, the DII's dont.
That is the easiest way to tell the difference from the outside.

All Discoveries sold in North America have the same engine.
The '96 was the first year for electronic ignition, pre '96 has a distributor.

 

Check for the rust and overall damage , which one have less rust and damage that's your truck.

 

For what you say you want to use it for, the D1 hands down, all things being equal.
If you're still shopping, the 94's & 95's have distributors and don't have crap to fail like the crank position sensor which can easily leave you dead, immobilizer in the alarm system that can leave you dead, and things like that. (for 96+ D1's a spare CPS can be carried and the immobilizer can be bypassed)