Hello All,
Have a few questiopns for you. I currently own a 99 Cherokee, but have decided after 8 years I deserve a little more luxury in my truck. So naturally I'm looking at the Disco because I want a truck NOT and SUV or glorified stationwagon with 4WD.

Before I make the switch I'm trying to do the appropriate due dilligence and hope you all can help me out.

A few questions:

1. How bad is the mileage (really. . . I do mostly city driving during the week currently getting about 15 mpg in my Jeep)?

2. I'm planning on purchasingCertified Pre-Owned (CPO),I've heard from dealers what it WILL cover, but the important questions is whatDOESN'T it cover?

3.Dealer indicated that you could run 87 instead of 93 octane and no knocking, pinging etc. would result.. . sound sfishy to me.

4. Obviously this is an enthusiest Board, I've always LOVED the look of the trucks, I know their reputation for extremely high maint bills (hence desire for CPO and extended warranty), any reasons you'd recommend someone not purchase aDisco?

5. Also any issues specific to the 03-04's???? I've seen a lot of posts re: 99-01.

Many Thanks in advance for all your help, comments, suggestions!

Cheers,
Rob

 

I bought an '03 with 40k on it about a month ago. Been gettin 13.8 MPG on all but one tank where I got 12.

Only use premium.

Why get CPO if you get an extended warranty?

 

1. About the same. I get 14-16 depending upon how aggressively I drive or how much highway vs city.

2. I've bought CPO too, twice. It covers the majors - leaks and replacement parts (this week: brake computer, $1700). Even covers a rental car. I went ahead and extended it to 100,000 miles. May or may not cover squeaks, interior plastic bits. I take mine to a certified third party repair place, and they do dealer-type service for lower prices and a lot better schedule (like, they can work on it today, not three weeks from now.

3. I use only the top grade gas. Lower shouldn't hurt the engine if you want to try it.

4. The highest maint bills I've had were all while it was under warranty so no biggie. My 98 made it to 180,000 with only regular oil changes and a few minor details after an engine main seal replacement, etc at 74,950 miles (warranty was to 75,000!) - might have cost $5000 if I had waited.

5. Get an 04 with the CDL!

 

I had 2 jeeps before, both wranglers - Had my '04 Disco II for a few months now and do love it. That being said:

1. About 12 -14 MPG, mixed driving
2. Off road, jeep is better in my opinion- shorter wheel base, tighter steering radius are much better for rock crawling. Otherwise Disco is pretty good off road. Still a stock truck though, upgrades / lifts and lockers/ tires may improve that dramatically.
3. Disco is mucher more expensive to maintain for sure. My previous post was about extended warranty which I'm purchasing this week. Had the truck for 2 months, bought it in pristine condition and already $1500 in repairs (under warranty). Not a big believer in CPO, I think the dealers gouge on usedpricessaying that they are"worthy"of Land Rover approval.With any mild mechanical know-how you can check the majority of the things on that check-list by yourself. Personal bias I suppose, but I'vefound it to be true and I've purchased a lot of cars.
4. I'm experimenting w/ the whole octane question myself, I'll let you know. There's no reason that the 4.6L V8 should need high octane to run fine...knock on wood.
5. These trucks are awesome, fun to drive, and turn heads. If you have the $$ for maintenance and warranty, go for it. Don't let these posts scare you too much, it's not ALL problems - but useful advice when they do come up.

 

Never ever run 87 octane, sales person doesn't even begin to know what he is talking about.
The extended warranty is a great idea, I am going in for head gaskets next week that my extended warranty will have to pay for.
If you plan on hevy 4wheeling in the future make sure you get an 04 so you have the locking t/case, that way you can run lockers also where you can't on an 03.
Mike

 

Presently own a 2000 D2 and a modified99 TJ wrangler Sahara. I traded a modidied XJ sport against the TJ in 1999.

Reliability does not compare with the XJ with which I never had to go to the dealer other than for regular maintenance. Mileage is the same thing. If you live in cold climate with winter gas, expect to get aroung 10 m.p.g during extreme cold winter months, and 12-15 m.p.g in regular weather with normal gas and being easy on the pedal.

I find that the Disco is very similar to the TJ wrangler in the way that it has personality. More than the XJ anyways. Too bad you won't do like me and have both. Being a Jeep guy also, Ialmost consideredtrading my Wrangler for the new 4 door version. I decided to keep the TJ and fill the dream I've had of owning a Discovery.

Now, I don't even look at the 4 door wrangler. I guess I'm too concentrated on my gauges in case something goes wrong

I recently lifted the Disco with an Old man Emu, and love it.

 

I've had my '02 Disco since the late summer. Have owned many jeeps from CJ-7s to Wranglers. Currently I have a '05 Rubicon up for sale. Off road, a well driven Jeep with even modest modifications will smoke a Disco any day. I do find it odd that Land Rover has this image of safari destined vehicles headed off to the corners of the globe when they really need constant TLC and can't even run on garden variety gas. My C-Js would run on moonshine and sandy gas.

That all said, I do like my Disco....at 14mpg

 

Have been a service manager for both Jeep and Rover I have to say they both have their issues.
As for off the road, if you are ever in Denver, I'll take you on some trails, even help you thru some, with my 99 D2.
You can't compare a 3000# jeep to a 5500# D2. Rover may need a few mods but then look out.
Mike

 

Check your book about the octane, 90 or higher, I sometime mix mid octane with high octane.
The cutting remark about how he did not know why the Rover had such a safari - far corners of the earth reputation when they need such TLC, you need to realize most of those Land Roverswere defenders or older Discoverys, with no fancy computerized circuitry.

I have a 2003 Discovery purchased new, the dealer took great care of it while in warranty, now with 50000 miles on it, I now have the tri of lights (abs,HDC,TC) on and off and more recently I have an erronious gas gauge. I am happy with my purchase, even today with these new problems.
To all those looking for a used disco, I would recomend the 04, for the sake of the T/C lock feature.

 

Sure, I understand most of those safari-bound LRs were Defenders. However, on another score, I've driven from Arizona to Alaska at least 5 times in a variety of cars and trucks and I'd think long and hard before driving my '02 Disco up there. If for no other reason, should something happen 1/2 way across BC, there ain't no way I'll find parts or anyone who knows how to install them.