For the last few weeks i have been looking at purchasing a land rover, more specifically a discovery in the '99 plus era. (The commuter car is getting old...) I have always loved the looks and versatility that discovery's have to offer on paper. Now i want to know what the real owners have to say. I also want to know what years to look out for, what mileage i should be looking at, or just any problems i should look out for. You know, the traditional used car kind of questions. So if anyone out there has any suggestions or just any little fun fact that can help me decide on which Disco i should buy, it would be be greatly appreciated! Thanks you!

 

I'm in the same boat. Been looking at a 2003/04 Discovery HSE. Just got loan approval now just have to decide which pkg to get.

 

i have owned my 04 SE for almost 2 months.

best rig i have ever owned. better off road then my 06 rubicon wrangler i used to own. better then my 08' F250 SD.

best truck i have owned period.

maintenance is something you HAVE to stay on top of but its not terrible. if you can twist your own wrenches, then you will be ok.

read read read as much info on this site as you can and absorb it.

whatever you buy set aside $1k to get maintenance up to par and get the front driveshaft rebuilt with greasable ujoints. you will also find little things that previous owners may have neglected.

other then that just enjoy the rig and use it as a rover should be. get it dirty and sideways

 

in my opinion the SE is the best model. the HSE has nice stuff, but its just more things that can go wrong. the S is fake leather and no sunroofs. the SE you get leather, sunroofs, premium stereo and a few other things.

but if you have your rig picked out and the money in hand then go with your gut and enjoy your purchase. i do.

 

Stay away from the 2003 model year, lots of info on that, just do a search.
The 3 amigo's will pop up, also do a search.
SLS, or air ride suspension, search.
You MUST use premium gas, ACE (active cornering enhancment) is a good thing.
If the check engine light is on have the codes read at a autoparts store for free while on your test drive.
Do NOT buy a extended warrenty.
If you plan on offroading at all try and get one with the 16" rims, not the 18".
Search for-door locks-window regulator/power windows-sunroof-leaks, search for those things and read up.
Like sloppyjoe said, take your time and find a good one, go with your gut, not your heart.

 

This one is pretty easy. If you can afford a 2004, buy a 2004. It has the best that the Discovery has to offer. Plus being the last of the line, 2004s as a rule will have the lowest mileage.