Why are there so many posts on the Disco 2 forum? There are 446,726 posts on our Discovery 2 forum
Is it because Disco 2 has so many issues ? or many people still own their D2s and these owners love their D2 so much and that they are here on forum to learn how to take care of their D2 car? I m one of them

 

I am no expert on the volume data. A quick google turned up this site:

https://www.lrfaq.org/FAQ.3.LR_production.html

Based on the Disco 1 data in a table at the bottom, the Disco 1 was almost twice as popular as the other models (Defender, Range Rover) during the 90's. Assuming this trend continued with the Disco 2, there are a lot more of them.

There is one added element that may be relevant. The Discovery models were targeted at a less affluent audience than the Range Rover or Defender. One side effect of this is less attention to routine maintenance: Elongated service intervals, less focus on fixing that weird noise, more daily wear and tear, etc. This results in older vehicles that need some added TLC.

 

I know I often come here as the D1 forum has hit rock bottom - getting to be like the Defender NAS forum

 

I think there are a few reasons. I don’t think that lots of issues are the main reason. Comparing the D2 to my P38, the P38 section of this forum has only 685 posts, and this is most certainly not because P38’s have less issues.

 

Kinda like how the LR3 forum has more post than the RRS forum.

 

LR made 1MM D2's during the production run, the largest number of any model other than the Defender and it took the Defender 30 years of production to hit 1mm. Its pure numbers, and a large number are still on the road. It was the perfect sweet spot between modern tech and simplicity.

 

I kind of think just the opposite - LR just layered and layered until it became a monster - I think the D1 would fill this bill

 

I don’t think it is based on the number of issues per se (as there are many and they are ALL absurdly well documented). I actually think the volume is in part based on the addictive nature of the machines and the masochists such as myself who have been stricken with the curse. I’m so bad that when I started my D2 journey my bedtime reading was the RAVE.

Unlike many, I’m of the belief the more options the better. Although I’ve gotten a couple to be darn reliable, I have to be honest in admitting they are toy cars to me and I’ve always had back up machines. I enjoy looking at ads and seeing the ones on the market and the options they have.

Beyond that, the erector set build style of the D2 makes them a hoot to play with. As such, I have to disagree with them not being a great mix of “tech” and simplicity. I actually view the D1 as being truly simple and the definition of a duct tape and baling wire machine capable of making it around the world on a shoe string budget. The D2 on the other had introduces (admittedly disco96sd is correct in calling it layers) a lot of tech in things like what causes our dear friends the Amigos, ACE, and backup sensors, but the primary difference is that with a Nanocom or similarly capable device you essentially become a dealer and are able to do EVERYTHING as a shade tree mechanic.

By comparison, we dearly loved my wife’s supercharged L320, but we ended up with an electrical issue that required the use of dealer specific diagnostic equipment. I’d actually prefer in many ways to have one of those to build and enjoy, but to acquire the same level of diagnostic equipment is cost prohibitive (and we even had a Gap Tool, but in order to change out certain controllers, it could only go so far). The D2 has similar levels of luxury and comfort, but it will never see a dealer, or any mechanic most likely based on being able to do everything including program keys. In my opinion, the L320/L322 platforms were that true transition from simple and capable to “modern” and dealer only for a number of repairs.

Jeep went the same route (as well as Mercedes with the G Wagen) and whether based on emissions and safety standards or production simplicity/cost, they added a good deal of modern “features” that can make it hard to address stuff completely at home for some repairs.

And therein lies the crux of it and why the D2 would have so many posts: people can fix them on their own and the reply to threads asking questions about codes or other issues don’t end in “take it to the dealer”.

Either way, I don’t foresee either of my D2s going anywhere and if nothing else, I like talking about them and looking at pictures. I don’t do that much with any of my other hobbies any longer.

 

Overall, it's most likely the best looking Land Rover, Land Rover ever produced. They cleaned up a few little design flaws which left its predecessor, the Dl, more of a transitionary model into a luxury SUV, and manicured the Dll's outward and interior appearence into a much sexier/handsomer look, while maintaining its formidable off road capabilities, especially, compared to the next generation, LR3, and its 'utility van' styling. Face it, if it wasn't for the great front grill, headlights and facia of the LR3...it could pass for a delivery van.

 

I agree with the delivery van look. Will say it does haul stuff like one which is a perk.

I think the reason this forum specifically is so popular, compared to the LR3/LR4/D5/RR forums is the people who look at this car more than just a car. I will say the 2020+ Defender forums are quite active and I tend to read their forums out of curiosity. Most rovers I see are more of a status symbol and a car similar to a BMW/Porsche/etc. A luxury SUV with the looks and performance that a Ford/Toyota/Jeep/etc doesn't give them. I live in the Bay Area near 2 major highways, and I see at least 20+ new (2015+) LR/RR/BMW/Porshes, etc, on my relatively short commutes (less than 10 miles). I'll still see an LR3 or LR4 about once a week, and a D2 about once every other. Not many D5's though. Many of them just lease the car or trade it back for a newer model once they see something new they want. Or something breaks and they don't care enough about the car to spend the money, or deal with it and keep it.

JLR did start to target the upper middle class and upper class over time and that demographic tend to see it as a status symbol. Those that I know with newer Range Rovers who are interested in cars tend to have an older luxury project car that they spend their time on. Not the rover in which can be the dealerships problem and fixed with a large check.

Heck, even the way I got into this hobby is because of my father who originally bought a used dealer manager's 2005 LR3 to haul me and my sisters around. He was one that just saw it as a car that checked all of the boxes that wasn't a mini van. He didn't know about the off-roading capabilities until the dealership had an event showcasing the capabilities of it and he took the opportunity and loved it. That started years of off-roading and tinkering which rubbed off on me and now I've got a D2 and he's since bought another LR3 and LR4. We even convinced 2 other people to buy Land Rovers. One friend who bought an LR4 and another who bought a 2019 RRS and takes it off-road. The rover bug in my opinion is a real thing and is contagious if you're around one for too long. I had an ex who got it and wanted a rang rover classic, but wanted me to take care of it for her.

This isn't to say there are people out there with newer rovers who tinker/modify/discuss on forums in general.