I have been a BMW E39 enthusiast for a while and do my own work. But I'm strongly considering buying a 2003 Disco II SE7 with 84K. I am going to have a pre-purchase inspection done prior to sale. I have heard many horror stories about LR's. I read the threads for new owners but before I pull the cord, should I do get it? If you were to do it again would still buy yours?

 

MtnMan, I just sold my e39 and was active on the boards. I am one month into ownership and as of now I am happy with my Daily driven D1 so far. If you can wrench on the Bimmer you should be fine. The paranoia of cooling system failures seems to carry over to the Disco. The first week I bought my D1 I overhauled cooling system as preventative maintenance. The trifecta also appears to be a very common issue here as well. I do miss the solid build quality/feel that my 528i had even at 200k. Good luck.

Ps: They seem to be a sort of 'hobby' car, which I'm sure you can relate to.

 

Maintenance items, if you know where to shop are very comparable to just about anything out there. Major items (axles, engine block, transmission replacement) do tend to run a bit on the high side but not terribly so.

 

I'd buy again in a heartbeat.
The good news is the DII was designed by BMW while Land Rover was owned by BMW.
The bad news is the '03 was built while Land Rover was owned by Ford and quality was not job #1.

 

Ok, all this seems very familiar. FWIW every time I start walking toward my E39 I get excited. In it's own way does the DII have that?

OMG, I just saw I am a Junior Member. I'm so proud.

 

Mtnman-
I have been driving Saabs since the 80's and I purchased my very first Land Rover 2 months ago (a 2004 Disco II SE7 with 80K). It is the first truck I have owned and I love it. I read all of the same horror stories as you and I had the same hesitation; almost didnt buy one because of everything I heard. I looked at 10 before I found a decent truck, but so far I'm thrilled. Just have it checked out before and expect to work on it a little. Its like any other used car...any one is a risk. Plus, this is a great site for info and it probably wont be any more expensive to maintain than your E39.

 

Do I get excited when I walk out to my truck?
No.
But I do love her and give her a pat on the fender once and awhile and tell her she's a good girl and that I love her.
She is the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned.

 

Had a 96 se and sold it about 3 years ago. Had an expedition ands a mountaineer awd v8 since but never had that I can go anywhere feeling that I had in the rover. One winter driving from Albany to Rochester on the NYS thruway( ny states main east- west highway) in a foot of snow the road was not being plowed. I was the only car on the road! EVERYONE else was either in a rest stop or on the side of the road. They eventually closed the road and people were stuck for a day or 2! So last week I bought a '04 se with a safety devices rack and land rover pushbar. I have already put in the extreme duty fan clutch and a astro fan. Tomorrow I get the new electric fan motor and I am considering the in thermostat mod or a cooler stock type. Try to get a 2004. It's the best year

 

I own 2 E60 06 525xi 65K and 08 550i 51K and a 03 Disco 2 49K. Both cars are great but nothing puts a smile on my face like my Disco. I only take her out on the weekend doing grocery or off-roading. Shes been to Barnwell, Brazos, Rock Creek, Trees. Planning to go to MOAB this October but for her mileage and age I will not take her. Planning on getting a used LR3 or LR4 for that trip. Will I trade her in? No way the 525xi goes.....

 

I bought a D1 in Dec 1996. It is still serving us at 164,000 miles.
Work done on it:
Alternator
Water pump
Power steering pump
Radiator soldered
Oil cooler lines
Head Gaskets
Fuel pump (as PM at 85,000)
fuel filters
spark plug wires
three batteries
three sets of tires. 3rd set coopers.
Brake rotors and pads
Steering dampener
Lock latch springs (2)
a few serpentine belts
batt ground wire cleaned
4 o2 sensors
2 catalytic convertors

Bought a 2001 D2 three months ago. 99,052 miles
Work done on it

head gaskets
power steering pump
O2 sensor.

These are fine vehicles.