I am casually looking around for a clean D2 and have spent many hours thoroughly researching these threads, what to do for 60k maintenance, what to look out for when buying a D2, the 03 driveshaft and engine issues, etc. I get all that. My question is this: Do you guys think the 03 engine issues occurred into the 04 line as well?

Some of my Rover friends (and a few long time Techs) think that the 03 engine failure issues trickled into the 04's even though it's not really admitted by Land Rover. They get the whole vin range, etc. etc., but have advised me to avoid 03 or 04's and look for an 01 or 02. The problem is, the 03/04's are usually the only ones w/ low enough mileage to make it worth looking at for me.

Do any of you Disco guys who know these things well agree with this? Just looking for another opinion. Thanks

 

Yes they did...Mine blew and when i tore it apart oil pump gear was cracked in half... Don't believe the milage..my engine had 124k on it when it went..i have a 04 se7... put another motor in and am rebuilding the original block as a spare . Let us know what you find and someone will chime in..

There is no silver bullet unfortunately.... Good luck... Chris

 

Love my 04 SE to death but, it has had a few frustrating problems from 60k to the current 100k... I will tell you this though, every morning when I see it, I smile. Whatever you do, don't forget that this vehicle can be like having a child, if you dont watch it and give it the right care it will destroy you inside...lol! I plan on keeping the Disco forever(or until I can afford a Defender!) Just don't believe the stereotypes and don't be afraid to wrench on your own. I was freaking out when the first problem came up and the dealer gave me some insane price to fix. That's when I found this forum and ever since, I do ALL maintainence and repair on the vehicle myself.
Good luck!

 

First, what will you be wanting to use the Disco for, will you be doing a lot of wheeling and or modifications?
All D2's have front drive line issues, not jut 03, 02's and 03's don't have locking t/cases hence less traction, how much are you wanting to spend besides the money for doing a major service and front drive shaft?
Also, the 03 oil pump issue did not carry over into the 04's, all Rover engines have a few oil pump issues of the outer ring cracking which had nothing to do with the flawed 03 set up.

 

Thanks guys. DiscoMike, I will be using it as a daily driver putting about 12k per year on, and also lighter offroading that a stock Disco2 w/ All Terrain tires can easily handle. For my serious off roading I have an 89 RRC w/ 2" OME lift, a warn 9.5ti winch, and am working on getting some mud terrain tires - actually looking at the Treadwrights that you recommended in another thread.

Anway, I know I'll have to do the front driveshaft, the 60k service, etc. And I really don't mind spending the money to find a good clean one. I think I could do 3/4 of the 60k service myself and the rest a friend could help me with. I have learned a decent amount from having the RRC and a few good friends of mine can help me with some maintenance, but given that this would be a daily driver I would probably have to end up taking it to a dealer here and there if I was under a time crunch. Sometimes I have plenty of time to wrench, sometimes I don't.

I have noticed that 04's with 50 to 60k seem to be going for 13 to 15K at a lot of dealerships(not just Rover dealerships) and that seems like a lot of money to me.

 

13-15k ... Yikes .....you can get a 05-06 lr3 for that change......

 

Exactly, that's what I have been thinking. Maybe that's the way to go, and when the airbags or compressor fail, throw in the coils. I guess that would be another thread. Plus, I love the classic D1/D2 look.

 

Then I'll have to start worrying about the failing diff. Now you've got me more confused

 

My best friend had one for 3 years and drove the crap out of it , was in mint condition when he traded in for a bigger RR.. He has 3 kids...

You can do some cool things with it for not allot of $..

LR3 Lift Kit - Johnson Rods - Range Rover Sport Lift Kit

Chris

 

Good to know, thanks. I've heard good things about those Johnson rod lifts, they seem pretty cool although I really wouldn't need one for the off roading I will likely do with this vehicle.

I've also heard people say that here in New England the compressor and airbags take a real beating from the road salt and other chemicals they put down in the winter and tend to fail a lot sooner. That's something I'd have to consider.

I originally wanted a D2 because they have a lot less electronics than the LR 3 and would be easier to work on in my own garage. That is a big part of the decision. Ok, someone else chime in here before vandev convinces me to go buy an LR3 !!!