2003 vs 2004 HSE7
 

I have a 97 Discovery with over 200k on it. It's time for a more reliable one. I have been looking at the 2004 and 2003s on ebay. Have narrowed down to the HSE7 but I hear that the 03 has problems. Any recommendations are very much appreciated. Thank you.

Go with the 04 and gain a CDL like your 97 has.
Yes, 03's had some oil pump/engine failures
Have some mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection before buying.

Thank you Mike. just one quick question. What is a CDL ? https://landroverforums.com/forum/im...ies/smile.gif:

/this

central differential lock, locks both front and rear driveshafts to the xfer case so they spin together, not individually (which sucks for 4 wheeling).

You own a 97 with a CDL and don't know what it is??
What are you planning on using the D2 for?

Mike thank you for your help. I have used my Discovery for everything in the last 5 years from recreational 4 wheeling in the logging roads of Washington state in spring and summer muds and in winter snow to towing a boat to hauling a trailer full of gravel and rocks to everyday driving. I love the car, its handling and particularly SNOW capability, but I am not much of a mechanic. My last try to mess with the brakes led to a broken line and a tow truck bill to my local indep LR mechanic. I like my Discovery but it blew a head gasket without overheating last year. I had the gaskets changed the head machined and basically rebuilt the engine. Now I am just afraid that it will leave me stranded somewhere, so I would like to get a newer one for the same uses as above. More so for snow and also towing as my kids are skiing more each year (both snow and water). I looked at a 2006 LR3. I love the automated infinitely variable terrain adjustment but just too expensive. So I am looking at the 2004s now. Thanks to your advice. I appreciate any more advice also. Thank you again……..:)

Before you buy have it checked out first, also let us know what sort of price you are looking at, you don't want to pay more the a realistic value for one.

Price for 2004 D2
 

Thank you to both Mike and Sloan74. I will definitely have the car checked before I buy now. I started by looking at an SE7 at a local used car delaer. It was a 2003 and he wanted about $13000 for it. I went to Edmunds.com and read the reviews and someone had mentioned serious problems with 2003s, so I did not buy (price was too high too). Then I saw and HSE7 on Ebay that looked like it was brand new…. but of course after 89k miles… I bid up to about $9800 on that one but someone else snapped it up. so now I am looking for another HSE7. Although I am thinking that SE7 might be a safer bet as it does not have the air schocks….. ??? Thanks

Just be careful. Some will argue, the D2 is not as reliable as the DI (simply because the D2 is more complex). So you might be in worst shape than you are with your D1 if you buy a D2 that's not been taken care of.
:D

Shop around. I would shop locally, so you can test drive it and have a mechanic look it over etc (if your unsure or uncomfortable doing that yourself).

I am not so sure you can do that via Ebay?

The '03's are hit and miss with the engine problems. There was a VIN range that Rover determined to be defective, but there are trucks in that range that have not failed at or over 100K (as has been documented on this site).

You should test out the CDL on your '97 if you get a chance to see what it is and how it works first hand to determine if you really NEED an '04 over an '03. Find some loose or muddy terrain. Leaving it in normal driving mode (4-Hi) try to get up or through the obstacle. If you can't try sliding the T-case shifter into Lo-Lock, and go at it again. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

On a (couple) side note(s) :

Are you selling your 97? I might be interested:cool:...

Also, out of curiosity (since you are also located in the Puget Sound region) which mechanic do you use? Is there one over on the Gig Harbor side of things?