I currently have a '99 Discovery II that was just banged up on slippery Mt. Baldy roads. Insurance may declare it a total loss since the body shop thinks about $5500 in cosmetic repairs plus some potential mechanical repairs. Considering the value on '99-'02 Discovery's has plunged to around 5k- especially if you have over 100k miles and you list it on Ebay- I'm thinking of stepping up to an '03 or '04 Discovery.
I know the unique front end along with the 4.6 engine choice, but beyond that what seperates them from other Discovery's? I'm looking at buying a clean'03 with137k hwy miles for what seems like a good price at $7500. It's an SE with a 4.6.
Questions: do all '03-'04's have 4.6 engines? If so what is the HSE model? Is maintenence more expensive than the 4.0? Is the power difference significant?
Also I've read here that the 2004 is the best year. What is the difference from the 2003?
Last, with 137k miles and knowing full well that head gaskets seem to go around 100k miles on the 4.0 engines, could it be that the problem was fixed by LR by '04? The owner states no leak and is not aware of any head gasket change. Thanks for any responses.

 

from what i've read here the 03 is supposed to have oil pump problems. the pump fails too often. the 04 has the special tranfer case or center diff or something like that. anyway i've heard disco mike recommend the 04 before the 03 if you're willing to pay the extra money.

 

ANy other help out there? Should I buy this 2003 with 137k for $7500, or hold out for a lower mileage 2004?

 

If you are willing to spend more money on a 2004, you should go with that. The 2003 model is prone to oil pump failure. With the mileage on that 2003 you mentioned, that problem may have come and gone. 2004 is the best year for Discos, it has CDL, it is the best built disco, and it is the last year of production for the Discovery II.

 

If the oil pump has beed replaced on the '03 than go with that, otherwise go with the '04. Both have a Central Differental Lock and the '03 will be cheaper.
The 4.0 and the 4.6 are the same engine just different heads and crankshaft.
The '04 is the last of the D2's, '05 introducted the LR3 (Land Rover 3), third generation Discovery.
So there is little differance from your '99 D2 to a '04 D2. Same trk just different looks and goodies.

 

Just to clarify, the '03 does NOT have a center differential lock. This is a significant difference between the '03 and '04 model years. I've used the CDL on my '04 twice. Both times, the traction control that was supposed to make the CDL obsolete wasn't getting the job done and engaging the CDL was the only way I could get through the tough stuff. To me, paying the extra coin for the '04 was worth it. For others, maybe not.

Dave