Hello, I'm not a LR Discovery owner yet, but I'm currently in the market for a 2004 Discovery. Typical mileage in these vehicles are between 80,000km to 140,000km. I wonder what the approx. cost of maintenance or repair budget I should keep in mind? I kinda know it all depends how lucky I'm, but average? approx.?

 

I would plan on the following cost for your Rover.

$1000-$2000 for gas depending on how much your drive, depending on your work commute(Probably on low side with 93 Octain at $3.85)
$1200 for Disco Mikes 60k maintenance(that is doing all the work yourself)
Another $1500-$2000 for unexpected repairs.
But once you put in the initial maintenance. Replace the O2 sensors($75 each 4x), rebuild front driveshaft to a greasible($250), new wires($65-$100) & plugs($50) They are good reliable trucks. As I say this about my 2003 which catches a lot of flack on the forum for being unreliable, but has treated me well. My signature tells the story best. Most of it is "for fun" mods but all serious maintenace has been performed.

 

Boss Hogg got it right on. Figure $2K if your transfer case goes (done at a shop) or $1200 for head gaskets. There can be lots of other little things that don't affect driveability but you'd probably want to fix. For example: window regulator ($120 part IIRC) + $300 labor if you don't install yourself. Headliners start to sag, various parts crack/age, etc. Remember, the '03/'04s are now 7-8 year old cars. Depending upon what level of cosmetic beauty you want to keep it in there's always some tinkering to do.

In short:
1) be aware that gas mileage isn't that great (12/16)
2) keep an extra $2K available for the problems that arise
3) make sure you want to "work" on it. Otherwise pass.

Good luck. We love our Discovery - it's my wife's car and she never wants to get rid of it (as long as I can keep it running).

RedAustinIX (Ed)

 

A local store (I'm in Canada by the way) said they can do an detailed inspection for approx. $250 (2.5 hours x $100 per hour) and he can confirm approx. what needs to be spent for the next few months to a year. And he also told me $2500 to $3000 PER YEAR for preventative works to avoid expensive bills when something is broken.

I do not drive a lot, so gas consumption isn't a huge issue. Discovery has always been my dream vehicle and I'm willing to spend a little more money despite I'm the only source of income in my family. However, $2500 to $3000 per year is a little hard to justify. Maybe I'm spoiled by my Toyota although I do agree with most of you that the import doesn't have much passion

 

$2500 per year in MAINTAINCE? Only if you pay to have it done.
Expect the $2000 in bringing it up to par, but once that is done maintence is nothing, oil changes and thats it.
And remember that you need to use premium gas.

 

Oil change is about $100 each. The $2500 mainly for preventative works, he said it is in average. There might be one year that only oil change is required.

 

.... says the D1 owner...

Eric

 

Here is what is required for preventative maintenance.
Tune up, every 60,000 miles.
Front diff, rear diff and t-case fluids every 30,000 miles.
Transmission fluid every 30,000 miles, trans filter every 60,000 miles.
Coolant flush every 2 years.
Brake fluid flush every 2 years.
Power steering fluid change every 30,000 miles.
Coolant hoses every 10 years, engine belt every 100,000 miles.
Oil changes every 3-5,000 miles depending on the oil used.
Air filter as needed.
That is preventative maintenance.
But you are going to do all of that once you buy a Disco, you will do all of that right away.
So then you would just take care of things as they came up, no way in hell its going to cost $2500 per year in maintenance.
Repairs are another issue.

 

Oh yeah, oil changes are under $30 DIY, $40 at a quick lube.

You need to find a different shop, you dont need a Rover specialty shop unless you are having computer trouble.
A pre-buy inspection should be no more than $150 US.

 

$100 for oil changes is really high.
I would say $45 max
6 quarts of Mobil 1 or Shell Rotella T6 $31 Wal-mart(Thats synthetic prices)
K&N 3001, Wix, Purolator, Mobil 1 Long filter $8 - $13.99
Change the oil every 5000. Do it yourself, you will be more intune with your Rover and check other fluid levels at the same time. Buy a clean-able air filter and reuse and clean it ever oil change. Also good time to grease the front prop shaft when you change the oil. One hour on you day off and your done.