Hi Guys,

New here but we are looking to buy a 2003-2004 Land Rover Discovery to use up in Boston to get me to and from work occaisionally but mainly for us when driving to the snow. We owned a Discovery 1 quite some time ago and in general it was a pretty good vehicle but i know LR's have some issues and require reqular maintenance. What can anyone tell me about the 03-04 Discovery. Are they worth buying? What should i look for or ask the current owner?

Any advice is appriciated.

Thanks,

 

Between the 03 and 04 most people prefer the 2004 model because it is CDL equipped where as the 2003 only has traction control. Both will get you through the snow though.

There is a select vin range of 2003's that run the risk of having a faulty casting that results in oil pump failure. The only fix for that is to replace the oil pump throughout the life of the truck or to replace the engine. However there are some good 2003's out there to be had and often times they are cheaper than the 2004's.

But between the two, I would go for a 2004. Also, you should inquire if the head gaskets have been replaced before purchase. If not you'll need to consider that into your buying decision because they will be bound to fail. Also you'll need the front drive shaft to be rebuilt with greasable u-joints. That can be done for about $250.

They are worth buying if you find it worth maintaining.

 

What a silly questions to pose in a "Land Rover Enthusiasts Forum" What do you expect us to say? "NO! LAND ROVERS ARE AWFUL, BUY A KIA!"

This question has been posed 1,000,000,001 times before, so there is plenty of info available.

Read This --> https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...t-reads-26352/

Then this --> https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...scovery-21328/

Most Importatnly this --> https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...-2003-a-40706/

Good luck and Godspeed

 

I really wish someone would fix the title so that "so" wasn't spelled with a zero.

 

Lol, though if he were to take several hours reading through the numerous posts about problems and repairs, he might come to that conclusion on his own!

Though, I haven't ever owned a KIA, nor plan to, and so don't know if there is a corresponding KIA forum that owners share information like this one.

 

Thanks. People never post when their car is behaving only when its not. If i read post after post it would put them in a bad light. Anyway...........after reading a number of the posts it appears that if the maintenance history is good then its a good buy, if not..........it may or may not be a good buy.

i've always liked them but will a mechanical inspection reveal any deeper issues or do you have to rely on documentation from any work done for that?

 

Records are always good. A mechanical inspection, assuming the inspector is familiar with these vehicles, will give you a good idea of the problems. If the mechanic is not familiar with the known issues, he/she may either overlook them, or over-exaggerate them.

It has been said many times on this forum: Always look at several before you buy one, and that is good advise. I didn't, but seem to have lucked out, other than replacing the engine immediately after purchasing, but that was known when I found it.

 

Which ever you buy, have a pre-purchase inspection performed to verify the condition of the truck, this can save you $thousands.