I have an option to buy either a 1996 Series I or a 2003 Series II. Each are similar mileage (110K), well maintained and almost identical price. In fact, they look almost the same. Any advice? Thanks. I will post the same in the Series I Forum.

 

You need to check the VIN of the 2003. They had a big issue with the oil pump. Search here for 2003 death range VIN and is should pop up.

 

VIN is SALTY16463A807944. Where do I search? CARFAX is clean- one owner.

 

Unless you find a time capsule 2003 D2 the oil pump failure issue is no longer a problem as they normally didn't make it past 10-25K.

I have a 98 D1 and two D2's 99 & 02. The D1 is truly more British, with more little quirks, but it's a simpleton vs a D2 with it's elaborate ABS/HDC system.

D1's in mint condition are rare and mine is as close I'll ever get. Every single option still works and I even still have the OEM woodcote green paint in great shape.

D2's are more refined, but the 4.6L IMHO is a delicate engine if not maintained properly as they can quickly die if over-heated. I personally prefer 4.0's and I like GEMS vs Bosch.

Get whichever one is in the best shape. You honestly can't go wrong with either one.

 

Simply put D1 is more utilitarian and D2is more refined. It would depend on how you use it most. I had an 04 and a 02. Also have had many D1's.

One nice advantage on the D2 is the longer cargo area. With the rear seats removed it's a ton of cargo space. But you pay for that space in departure angle.

The electronics on the 03-04 are a bit complicated compared to the D1. Bosch systems and secondary air are annoying to me personally. The simplicity of the gems systems in comparison is really nice. A lot of the components in a D1 are meant to be serviced. Where as those same ones on a D2 are meant to be replaced. The wheel hubs for example. The field serviceability of the D1 is preferred by a lot of off road guys. If you're not doing much off roading that might not be an issue.

The headlights on 03-04 are nice to look at. But they require some extra care and attention. I was always worried about cracking one off road.

 

Yeah the 98 D1 I have I can't call un refined as it's the LSE 50th Anniversary Edition with leather on the door panels, wood on the doors, and dual tone leather seats vs the normal 94-99 SD/SE/LE setup.

The only thing on D2's I don't care for is the SAI system and thankfully neither my 99 or 02 D2's have it. It's honestly not that bad of a system, but it creates more heat under the hood, creates less work space, and if a vacuum line, pump, valve, or hose fail it can be fun to diagnose or to get the CEL to go off for good.

I've owned SAI D2's and they were fine once I found their faults and fixed them. To me though it's just one less thing to worry about. I totally agree with ShiftOnTheFly GEMS is a snap to work on.

 

Depending on your needs, I'd take a D1 if it was a toy. I got ours as a minivan, so the D2 was a better choice for us as I wanted the space and although not initially desired, our son loves the 3rd row seats. If you are planning on using for any appreciable off road, the D1 will be better as the '03 cannot even add a CDL unless you swap the transfer case.

I have heard D2 seats are more comfy as well.

I'd really decide what the goals of the exercise are. If I had it to do over again, probably the only thing I'd do different would be one with a more perfect body as it seems no matter condition and what records are provided at purchase, you will be monkeying with stuff based on age and the British idiosyncrasies prevalent with the machines.

My '01 is still in timeout for being stupid- pending getting a more comprehensive scanner- and I'm focusing on other toys in the mean time.

 

My D1 is very comfy and seat wise it depends on the person I think. I find both comfy, but the D2's do have a better bottom cushion.

If off road driving will be the #1 reason for a Discovery I'd say a D1 as it's easier to fix out in the field, and it doesn't have a big butt like a D2. My D1 has the rear jump seats, but I don't really call them practical for anyone besides 8-12 year old's. The D2 rear jump seats are better setup and safer IMHO, but once again 8-12 years old top unless your 3rd row passengers don't have legs.

I'm glad I have both as they both have different attitudes and rides but I honestly find myself cruising around in my 98 D1 the most unless I have to do family stuff then we're all in the LR3.

 

I've held back on this thread because others have better informed opinions than I, but I think if I were you I would go for the DI.

I say that as the owner of DII. But I came to own a DII because that's what my wife wanted 16 years ago. I've learned its electrical and electronic systems through the school of hard knocks and I am now comfortable and OK with them, but I think there have been a lot of wonderful comments in this thread about the advantages of the DI.

Elsewhere I have seen a DI referred to as a Defender in a different skin. I think the comments here bear out that analogy.

Again, it really does depend on your objectives for the truck, but as much as I am happy with my DII (love/hate) I think if I were in your shoes I would buy the DI, especially if they have similar miles and there is no other compelling reason to favor the DII.

Good luck, and please let us know what you decide.

 

D2 is still pretty simple and the ABS traction control works really good in the rocks and isn't that complicated, especially with all of the knowledge base on the web to help with troubleshooting. It's not like the D2 has BMW's BECM control module running everything from the windows to the engine like the Range Rover P38.

For me, it'd boil down to capability. If it was a '99 or '00 D2, I'd take it over the D1 and install the center-diff lock and you have a superior off-roader with traction control and a center diff lock.

Between a D1 and an '03 D2 (which doesn't have the diff lock on the transfer case), I would choose the D1, since I'd rather have the diff lock first and foremost, since installing true-tracs can overcome the advantages of traction control (and lockers would surpass it). Plus, with the D1, you also get full-floating axles which would be really nice.

But Traction Control can't overcome the lack of a center-diff lock, which is why Land Rover brought the CDL back for the '04 model year. I'd still be weary of the '04s because the newer the disco the sloppier the tolerances on the engine block tend to be..

But I bought my Disco to off-road first and foremost, so that would be my decision process. I can't complain about the performance and reliability of my '99 with CDL *knock on teak*, it's been a real work horse on and off the road.