I am looking at buying a 2002 Discovery II SE7. It is in great condition with 111,000 miles. Dealer has all service records from the owner. It was serviced at dealer every 6,000 to 10,000 miles, sometimes less. Price is $6995. I have never owned a Land Rover and wanted to know if this was a good deal. Valve gasket replaced, rear diff pinion seal replaced, windshield replaced, rear brakes done and window regulator replaced at 87K. Thanks for your help.

 

Why a 2002? What will you be doing with this truck, and how handy are you? Do you mind your driveway looking like the Exxon Valdez ran aground there?

The 2002 D2 didn't have a locking center differential, and unlike the '99 to mid-'01 and '04 D2's it can't be added without a great deal of effort. Consequently, taking it off-road could potentially be problematic.

Also, you need to go into owning a Rover with your eyes open. They are great vehicles, but they are VERY needy and VERY expensive to maintain if you aren't doing the work yourself. Are you prepared to pop the hood and check the oil and other fluids yourself more than once every week?

Read through these forums and some of the other ones (i.e.- discoweb, Landroversonly, etc.) then make sure you find a good independent Rover mechanic to check the truck out and identify everything that's wrong with it before you buy it.

I love my Rover, but I went in expecting it to be a lot of work, so I wasn't too shocked when things started going wrong 20 minutes after I got it. (I was pissed, but not shocked.)

 

seems on the high end. if the Head gaskets were not done that could be a problem. You need to read in the how to section. “what to look for when buying a land rover discovery”

 

If head gaskets have not been done, you will pay at least $3,000 to have them done correctly (reman heads, clean lifters and oil pan (sludge build-up from the person before you who promised that they changed the oil every 3,000 miles but really on did it once or twice a year), tune up, thermostat - it's not a matter of if, but rather when.

 

$3,000 for head gaskets is on the high side. I think you can have them done for around $1,800-$2,000.

 

I bet you could get them down to $6K and that would be a fair deal if it's in great shape....I bought my 2002 Kalahari last year with 105K with full service records for $7500 (and I overpaid to get exactly what I wanted)

 

K9Sullly, what part of the country are you in. $7000 seems $2000-$2500 high for those miles. Southern California seems to have a ton of Discovery's with little to no weather related wear and tear. I have been checking Craigslist in LA Orange and San Diego and see nice trucks all the time. $3.40/gallon Premium and a lousy job market is having its effect.

I had the head gaskets done on my 2000 last month and it was $1250 including plugs, wires and an oil change (heads milled and valves done). I think that I got a deal for San Diego, most shops wanted $1700 +/- for the same job. Get one that has had the head gaskets done already, it will save you time, money and hassle. Also, get a PPI by a knowledgeable Rover shop. Then plan on putting another $1000 into your perfect Discovery within the first three months of ownership doing Disco Mike's 60k mile service. Cheaper than a mistress........ Good luck. Phil

 

I live in northeast Ohio, but this truck spent some time in Florida. The reason I am looking at an 02 is because I need a truck to get me around for a couple years, don't drive many miles. I was also hoping to get the price down.