I've spent countless hours looking into model years and different versions and I'm just running into a wall here. Hoping to get some advice to help get me over the hump of my first purchase.

I'm looking to get into a 1999-2004 Land Rover Discovery and I'm not looking to spend more than 5k.

I see a few available in my area that I've narrowed things down to:

There's a 2001 that has been serviced at a local rover mechanic for years. It looks like it's in great shape. I see that the head gasket has been redone but don't have any information on how long ago it was done. Here's a link to it. As a bonus, this car has great tires.
land rover 2001 discover 2 SE

The other one is a 2002 in white, with a "New Engine" put in 6k miles ago. I'm pretty sure it's just rebuilt but I don't know what was serviced on it at the time and the seller isn't very chatty.
This one has the three amigos hanging around, but it seems that he's provided the tools for handling them. That doesn't worry me.
2002, DISCOVERY II, NEW ENGINE, REBUILTED BUMPER TO BUMPER, LIKE NEW

The only 2004 in my area within my budget has a couple of undiagnosed oil drips, a crack on it's front bumper and I would replace the tires. Benefit of 2004 is the facelift, redone brakes with new rotors, new exhaust and serpentine belt and CDL (yes I plan to drive offroad). This has the original wires and head gasket from the looks of it, so it would need the head gasket redone. Here's a link 2004 Land Rover Discovery SE

Any advice would be very appreciated and I'm looking forward to joining the Land Rover community soon. Thanks.

 

I'd go with the 2001. Nail down the info on the head gaskets, and peal the fake wood stickers off the dash.

 

Forgot about the CDL issue. If it's an early 2001 it has the 10mm bolt needed to lock it already there. You can always install the linkage, never done it but it doesn't look that hard just a little tedious maybe. If it's a later 2001 the transfer case isn't lockable. I am sure all this has come up in your research.

 

the 2001/2002 no CDL,
the 2001 was towed the behind a trailer home, that is what the front tow bracket is for.could be good or bad depending how it was towed.
the 02 a lot of new parts there and you could recoup some buy selling the spare ABS module.
the 04 has the face lift, CDL and larger engine

 

I'd pick up a strippers and blow habit for the summer........

 

Wouldn't that be great.....

All those rigs are clean. I'd go for the 01' if all the paperwork pencils. There's so many "*****" stories (haha) with the 03' & 04's....

 

In the reading that I've done it doesn't seem like the 03 and 04's are that much worse off. I feel like I'm trying to convince myself to go for the '04 because I like the facelift, the CDL linkage is factory, and there's an increase of about 30 horsepower (originally).

What would you say is the primary benefit of the 01 instead of the 04?

 

I agree the facelift is attractive but the headlights are plastic and will fade and yellow like all the others. I know this isn't a big deal but you will hate looking at your broken down rover a little less when it's staring back at you with those crystal clear glass headlights. Again it's a small nit pick, i am not insinuating it's a deal breaker.

The 2001 you mentioned looks better to me because you have some idea of service intervals and who performed it. These are maintenance intensive vehicles to say the least and having that piece of mind would make ME feel better. IF it's an early 2001 it should have a CDL that is lockable. Just add the linkage. You mentioned you like the tires so that's a huge bonus, throw some RTE 2" or 3" coils under it and you are good to go.

 

Me, if for offroading I'd go with the 2001 but for highway only use the 2004. For OR you'll maybe need the CDL which should be available in the 2001 TR box already but may need a stick whereas for highway use the 2004 is good but no CDL (I think), but with TC and ABS is all you may need and is good for lightish OR work. I've never had or missed the CDL in my 2003, the TC is sufficient, but it mostly tows or highway use and some lightish offroading/laning.

 

I've read about a lot of engine/body/electrical issues with the 03/04's on this site. Am I wrong? The 4.0 has issues too but....Headlights for 03/04 are like 300 bucks vs 50 for the 01's (estimate). I personally wouldn't buy an 03/04 with the 4.6. MO

Either way you go, your going to get a crazy awesome rig, that drives like no other.