My understanding is if the pump setup is defective it is most likely to fail at a lower miles. I talked to a service tech at a large city in TN land rover dealer, he has worked there for ten years and has had only three '03 discoverys come in with oil pump failure. That vin range does not mean definite failure.

 

it can fail at any mileage. low or high. we have even seen some 04's that failed. but i agree not all 03's in that range have failed or will.

 

D1 vs D2... the endless debate with no clear winner.
I'm a semi pro photographer and I'm often asked which is better: Canon or Nikon. My stock reply is the best camera is the one in your hand.
In that same line the best disco is the one under your ***, drive it and be happy.

 

Amen...can we set this up as an "Auto Response" whenever this question is asked

 

I just sold my D1 and purchased a D2.

I honestly loved my D1, partly because i took extra care of it. The D2 seems to be more complex to fix, but cosmetically I think the D2 is nicer.

Take both for a drive, think about whether you need the larger vehicle. From that, make a decision.

 

Well i'll have to agree with you there!!!!!!!!

So after driving and looking at a bunch!! I think I'm sold on the DII!! For me at least I think it came down to the fact that you can have the best of both worlds in the DII TC & CDL (after it's installed). Along with the extra room and I think I just like the look of the DII better!! as small of a difference as it is!!!

 

When you're looking at them, be sure to check the rubber CV boots on the front axle which protect the CV's, unlike steel on the D1. Make sure they are in good shape. Cracks and/or holes will lead to CV joint failure in short order.
Also be sure to check out the hubs. They can't be rebuilt like D1 hubs.
Try to find a VIN as far from the faulty block/front cover misalignment as you can to lessen the chance of oil pump failure.
You might also want to consider one that someone has already done the coil spring conversion on, or at least set some money aside for the conversion.

 

Land Rover removed content out of the D1 in the manufacturing process to make the DII. For one, the front axle on the DI is much more robust than what we have on the DII. The CDL was removed on the DII (came back in 2004) to save few dollars on the link and the gear set.

I have owned both. The DI is the one to have for heavy off roading. The DII is fine for a mix of weekend off roading and shuttling kids to football games.

If I could build the best of the two, I would go with a D1 and transplant the 4.6 L engine and ZF transmission out of a 2004 DII with their associated ECUs and harnesses.

The LR3 is a totally different ball game, if we think we have problems with the electronics on the DII then we haven't seen anything yet. The problems on the early models LR3 make a DII look like a walk in the park.

Adding to the disaster, Ford installed a 4.0 L six cylinder engine in the base model, which is one of the worst engines Ford ever made. Please keep in mind that this is not the trusty old 4.0 L OHV but a variance that uses the OHV block and OHC cylinder heads driven with no less than 3 timing chains in the front and the back of the engine, guided by the finest cheap plastic that Ford could muster for the chain guides.

 

Well it been a long time since i posted!!! I have been looking the whole time and think I might just get my DII this weekend Here's the run down tell me what ya think???

2003 Land Rover Discovery SE - Java Black Exterior/Black Leather Interior. Original owner, non-smoker. Dual sunroofs, dual climate control, power seats. 147,600 miles. New power steering pump, new brakes, new front shocks, and new crossbar for steering. Also had the crank sensor problem repaired at 53000 by dealer

Has all repair documentation

The only thing that bugging me is this, quoted from his online post where I found it....Only issue is the Traction Control sensor requires replacement. ABS light is tied to that light, but ABS works fine. The truck runs fine without the traction control and has been running that way for the past 4 years. Could he have done damage to the system by know???

 

The DI is a better carrier of the tradition that Land Rover carries as offroad beasts. It's more reliable. However it is considerably less good looking as the D2 and doesn't have the same luxuries, if that matters to you. Why are we even talking about the LR3? That thing is so damn ugly and hardly resembles the Discovery. They made it way to Range Roverish imo. It should have a different name than D3.

I'd pick D2 or Defender any day of the week over the new land rovers.

I'd say it's pretty weird that he didn't get the TC fixed in 4 years. It depends on the price imo. What's he asking for it? If you buy it consider rebuilding the driveshaft.