I am considering purchasing a discovery or range rover. For the average home mechanic/mr. fit it, is it reasonable to do one's own maintenance? The price for parts from some of the supply houses seem reasonable, but I would like some idea of the aggravation that some of the common repairs and maintenance entail.

 

Do a search for the 60K maintenance. Ths is what you should plan on doing when getting a new one. Not too hard to maintain. The engine is basically an old 215 Buick. The newer they get, the more difficult it is to get to stuff, but still not too bad for a decent DIYer. Common issues are more based on year/series.

What are you planning on using it for?

 

Maintaince is easy, some repairs can be difficult.
DI's (1994-1999.5) are easier to work on but not as nice as DII's (1999.5-2004).
The Defender, Range Rover Classic and the Discovery series I are basically the same truck underneath.
The P-38 Range Rover (1996?-2002?) and the DII are basically the same underneath, so as far as maintance goes what you do to one you will do to the other.
No matter which truck you get you MUST use premium gas, it is required end of discussion on that.
The P-38 has more electrics than a 747 and can be very troublesome, they are very nice, drive nice, look great and you feel like a king when driving one, but almost everything is controlled by a computer.
What is your budget?