Hi All:


New to this site -- apologies if I'm posting in the wrong forum. I've been looking to purchase a used discovery series ii for quite some time, and have recently looked at 2 different vehicles that I'm considering purchasing. Their respective owners are asking roughly the same price, and both vehicles are in excellent condition, with clean titles, and no history of major repairs or incidents.


One is a 2002 discovery w/ 60k miles on it; the other is a 2004 discover with 80k miles.


Any thoughts on which would be preferable all else held equal? I'm leaning towards the 2002 with less miles, but am seeking some advice.


Thanks

 

Drive them both to get the engines good and warm and see if either one makes noise.

 

I would also check to see if one has had head gaskets done. The 60k one probably not, the 80k is a toss up. If neither one have had it done, be expecting to do it in the near future.

Another consideration is the 04 has the locking center differential from the factory. The 2002 would require a new transfer case if you want that.

 

Records of service history are more important than mileage.

I personally prefer the 2004. But if you don't have a preference between the two years I would pick the one that has the best service history documented.

 

X1 defo service history and later model with reputable LR garage(s) is god. 20K miles is no big deal. Check the docs carefully and drive them both and get someone with knowledge of them to look them over unless you know LR's inside out.

 

2002 has a 4.0L the 2004 has a 4.6L. I think most will agree that the 4.0L has a (slightly) better reputation. I'm not sure where you live, but here in Colorado the little extra grunt provided by the '03/'04's 4.6L engine is nice to have on some of the longer highway climbs.

60 to 80K you're definitely into head gasket time with either car. Also look for records that the front driveshaft has been cared for/overhauled. 60 to 80K is right around the range where the neglected units have the potential to turn into twirling masses of destruction capable of untold amounts of damage to both engine and transmission.