Hi -- I purchased a 2002 Discovery SD about a week ago from a VW dealership. The truck has just over 60k miles and is cosmetically in great shape. Has new tires and new brake pads.

I took it to a local LR mechanic for a service check yesterday, and he came up with the following problems/recommendations (listed with estimated parts/labor repair costs):

Oil Pan Gasket Leaking - $269
Leaking Brake Master Cylinder - $590
Right Rear Axle Seal Leaking Oil - $467

Also, the 60K has NOT been performed on the vehicle. The 60k service from this shop is $733. (It's about a $1k at the dealership, right?)

That's about $2,000 worth of service, which is a little disturbing for a new (used) vehicle. I'd appreciate any advice from seasoned owners, though. With other vehicles, I'd typically faithfully perform scheduled maintenence and wait for other problems. Knowing the Discovery's propensity for serious, expensive problems I'm hoping to be more proactive--but I also don't want to overdo it. I don't know this shop well enough to completely trust their recommendations yet, but they were recommended by another LR owner.

So,a few questions for anyone kind enough to answer:

1) The mechanic told me the Brake Master Cylinder was the most serious problem of the three, although it's not an urgent problem. Obviously, the potential for brake failure is serious, but right now there's only slight softness to the brakes. Anyone know anything about this? Any reason to fix it now, rather than just waiting for the problem to become more noticable? (Also, anyone think the dealer should have picked this problem up? I have a 30-day warrantee on all repairs affecting the "safety" of the vehicle.)

2) Any comments about the other two issues? I know leaks in general are common with the Disco--anyone think these issues need immediate attention?

3) Do most owners get their 60k service done at the dealership, or at independent mechanics? The mechanic recommended I have one or more of the above listed repairs completed now, and wait 6,000 - 10,000 for the 60k service? Is this reasonable? Or does the vehicle really need the 60 k service right at 60k?

4) How are these prices? Reasonable?

5) I asked the mechanic about other issues with the Disco II, and he got me scared about overheating. He said it's been a big problem with the Disco II's, and can require a $7,000 engine block replacement. Has me a little paranoid--but should I be? I love the Discovery, but am I asking for trouble with this purchase? Any preemtive steps that can be taken to prevent overheating, aside from making sure there's plenty of coolant?

Thanks in advance...

 

Send me your tele number and I'll call you Sunday and walk you thru how to save a bunch of money.
Mike

 

I am in a similar situation. Just bought a 2001 SE, 62k on it. I'm still trying to track down service records, so I'm not sure if the 60k's been done yet. I'd love to know what of this I can do myself.

Thanks,
Brad

 

Brad, send me your tele number and a good time for me to call you and I'll walk you thru your issues.
Mike