I purchased a 2003 SE Used. O love the Discovery ALWAYS HAVE. I thought that a 45,000 Luxury SUV would be a GREAT VEHICLE. Looking at all the things on this Forum. It seems like the Discovery has a LOT OF PROBLEMS. Does anyone know why it has SOO many problems. Ikno wof someone that Purchased a Hyundai Sante FE & has 89,000 miles on it - never been serviced & has NO problems. Why does the Land Rovers have so many Small & can be very expensive problems for suck a Supposed to be Quality Vehicle ?

 

An LR can go where a santa fe can not. I would say they are dependable, but need a lot of TLC. They are heavy, solid, continual 4WD vehicles.Totally different class of vehicle. Kinda like comparing a Yugo to a Mack truck.....

This place is full of people that love their trucks and are willing to help each other out with all of the little quirks. If you don't want something that has to be tended to, go get the Hyundai...

If you need help, just shout.

 

Send me a PM if you like, I've got an '03 that I've been working on. You didn't buy a lemon, you bought a fantastic machine that has to be serviced properly, and if serviced properly you'll not have major problems. There are a fewconstruction issues that have shown up over the years, and most are easy fixes if done early. Browse the board, get familiar with the truck, and ask us questions. You picked it up at a good mileage, folks here can help you prepare itfor a long life.

 

Japanese automotive engineering is arguably second to none, it's what they strive for,but it has the personality of Forest Gump. They just can't figure it out, or they don't easily go hand in hand.

Land Rover's, I think, havea ton of personality, but...

Anyways, no doubt it comes down to money and where that money is allocated. I'm sure that Honda / Hyundai has a ton of money to use for reseach and development, and they know how to do it.
Or, as I saw somebody write once "it's Englands way of getting back at America".

 

I too have an 03 Disco. Going on my third year of ownership with 98,600 miles. Absolutly love the vehicle. It does everything I want a truck to do (except get 30mpg).

As for quality... Looks hot and is over built in many ways; but need regular attention to keep it healthy.

Iuse my Rover for work - tile contractor. I pull a heavy cargo trailer nearly everyday. I do push the envelope of it's design slightly but has never let me down.Imagine going up a 6% freeway grade with a +4,000 lb load of tile, passing big trucks. Low end is great. 3,000 rpms at 55mph - doesn't seem to matter how much I load it.

The information on this site is awesome. Utilize it with appreciation as I do. Lots of good stuff ! ! !

MWmG

 

I should have realized what I was in for when the salesman wouldn't even show me the Disco's he had on his lot that were newer than 2001. We bought a 2000 Disco II in March and have only had to replace the alternator. The CAT heat shield just fell off on the highway for some reason and the low/high small gear selector is stuck where it is permanently. The CD changer has never worked, the cup holders are useless toys, a replacement KEY costs over $100.

Other than that it's a fine piece of British Engineering.

 

I can sum in up like this: It's never left me sit, but it sure does make me sit and think sometimes. I remember my days in college when I TRIED to kill my Honda civic but it just wouldn't die. Just no fun if you can't tinker w/ it.

 

If you are talking about the heat shield made onto the cat, the emissions system has an 8 year 80K mile warrany. Take it to the dealer and they will fix it..

 

I have a 1998 Disco I. Purchased in late 1999. The only major issue with mine was that the Alternator went this summer. Otherwise a very easy truck to work on if you are mechnically inclinded.
Just this past weekend I had to use the truck to drive on the beaches in Ocean City NJ to retrieve our catamarans. I made five trips on and off the beach to load the boats on the trailer.
Went thru a foot or two of water while the tide was up.
Upon finishing the days work, washed underneath truck and gave it a good cleaning to keep the salt water off.
I hope the truck had is much fun as I had.
A couple of the other guys who own chevys and fords waited until the tide was completely out before that ventured onto the beach.
Fear was getting stuck in soft sand.

 

I just purchased my 2000 Disco II back in Sept. So far I was unlucky and had to get a new power steering pump after the first 3000. If it wasnt for needing a tool to remove the Fan on it would have been a simple job. But I found a great indie mechanic just a few miles away. I have it back now for two weeks and managed to pile on another 2000 miles. I am still needing to do Spark Plugs and check my U joints. It is hard to get out and do some checking up on it when you are driving so far everday....

As far as cupholders go the ones on the dash are useless...I use them to hold my Zune while I am driving. I orderd the aftermarkets that screw into the center console by your gear shifter and that solved that problem As far as a key ebay one...though you would still have to pay a dealer to program it. I think I have seen some places claiming that they can program it and send it to you .