I recently bought a 2003 SE7 with a bad head gasket. It is an odd ball as it doesn't have SLS or Hill Descent Control (HDC). I literally only have the hazard lights and rear window defroster switches on my 6 switch control panel. The other 4 switches are blank black covers that you cannot depress. I read that HDC was standard on all Discovery II's. Is it possible a previous owner removed the HDC and its push switch after the three amigos appeared?

 

It's possible that he removed the switch, not the system though.

 

When you turn your key to the on position are you getting all the correct lights illuminating?

 

No battery or engine in the truck right now.

 

Put a battery in it, park it in the street, by morning you can buy a newer working DII with the insurance check.

 

Have you run the vin and verified it's not an S rebadged as an SE7?

 

Not knowing... are S's inferior? Reason I ask, there's been a nice looking '04 S for sale on C'list for a bit and I've been curious about it.

 

To some, yes. To others, no. I prefer the most basic model possible as it leaves much less to fail.

 

The S has fewer standard options installed. Still the great Rover experience though. If you want ALL the goodies, get the SE or SE7, depending on whether you want the extra jump seats.

For what it's worth, I LOVE my S, but wouldn't have minded a couple of the other options. At least the 04 has locking CDL.

Just be sure you pay less for an S unless it's super clean, or has added goodies (bars, racks, bumpers, lifts, etc...).

 

No HDC, no TC, no tres amigos... however the one time wd have been on lose surface, the wife certainly liked the HDC. It kept her calm.