Sorry, a DI id a first generation Discovery, 1993-1999.5
DII is second generation, 1999.5-2004
The LR3 is third generation Discovery.

 

Oh ok! Now I got it! But I thought that the only way to tell the difference from the DI and DII was by the vin?

 

you cant if your vin starts with saljy its a D1 if it starts with salty its a D2

 

Yeah, that much I understood but it seems that Spike was able to pick up on the DI just by looking at it. So I was just wondering if that was something that came with experience.

 

D1 = Discovery 1 (Years 1994-1999 for USA) Small tailights lower than D2 is the easiest way to recognize them


I wish when buying my disco someone told me...

TRY EVERY ELECTRONIC THING, from turn signals, hazards, brake lights headlights, highbeams ETC. EVERYTHING

Lift up the rear carpet and see if it is rusty

Try the 4WD, and Diff Lock (if they don't work say the transfer box is probably busted to lower price, then come here for easy instructions to fix)

Let it idle for about 10 minutes after test driving (mine will have issues of almost stalling after driving for a while, unless put into neutral)

Make sure the heat works



That's everything I can think of... all small stuff really

 

It amazes me that everyone refers to the tail lights to recognize a D1 v D2, what about the door handles orflush glazzing ? both INSTANTLY easier to see,The door handles is the first imo,oh unpainted front and rearbumpers is also a give away to

 

Like UP said, look at the door handles, the DI door handles are flush, less likely to get knocked off while off roading, yet another...oh nevermind. (inside joke DirtyApe)
DII door handles are not flush.
From the inside DII's have a LCD odometer and electronic HVAC (heating ventalation air conditioning)
The DI is cousins with the Defender.
The DII is cousins with the P-38 Range Rover, that is the late 1990's to early 2000's model.

DI's are very reliable and easy to learn how to repair a car on, they are very forgiving, slow and lumbering but ride like a leater wrapped sofa, you will get your best MPG at 65 on the expressway.
12-14mpg around town and 16-18mpg expressway. I have gotten as much as 24mpg with mine on a long trip.

And since you have not seen my youtube video yet, http://www.youtube.com/my_videos
Others have videos too, check them out.
If you go to youtube and search for "Camel Throphy" you can see what these trucks were built for.