Hello all,

As the subject says, a Discover II is on my short-list of vehicles I'm thinking of buying (the others are a Jeep Cherokee and a Toyota 4Runner.) I'm after something that I will be using to go from the Bay Area of California to places like the Sierra Nevadas once or twice a month to go camping with my sons. This vehicle will not be used as a daily driver.

My budget for the vehicle is around $3000. I fully plan on spending another $1000 or so afterwards to modify the vehicle and to make any needed repairs.

I know that Discovery vehicles don't have the best reputation for reliability. I'm okay with owning something that I have to work on from time to time, but I don't want to be stuck with something that's going to require a major repair soon after I buy it, like a new engine or transmission. Basically, anything that can be done in a weekend day in my garage will be acceptable to me.

So, what say you LR Forums, is a Disco II something I should even be considering? If so, what problems should I expect? I've read the guide on buying a Disco II but I'd like to hear directly from some of you on this. Also, what is the aftermark like for Disco IIs?

Cheers!

F10

 

Well, for $3K, the D2 you would get will need some work. A D1 can be had in that range, and has fewer features, but is also easier to work on, more aftermarket parts. Take a look at www.statewidelist.com, it will search craigslist for your state and index by metro area, you just put in Rover and price ranges, and dealer an/or private seller.

Best deal in recent memory was RoxieMoxie, who bought her first car, a D2, for $2000. It had 117 miles on it, had been kept in a garage by an eccentric owner. OEM gasoline I guess. Now you won't find one of those every day.

The reliability issue for the Rovers seems to be related to maintenance delayed by previous owners, plus the failure of people to monitor fluids and temperature closely. A number of head gaskets, but that's a $500 DIY project. And there a number of design issues, but those are also present in other vehicles. A Rover is not for the oil & tires at WalMart kind of guy, it will take some attention. Your sons will love it.

The complete shop manual and owners manuals for D1 and D2 are in the RAVE, link below for free download.

 

Thanks for the reply. So it sounds like I should be looking for a D1 as opposed to a D2, then. Is there some overlap in the years these were manufactured?

 

1999 I believe, they are called "series II" once they make the jump to D2. IMHO if your application is as a secondary pleasure vehicle, having more $$$ to make repairs and mods might be a good thing. One thing lots of campers do is switch out interior lights to LED for more light, less battery.

 

If you are pretty mechanical and know where to buy parts when needed, you might be in good shape with a D1.
If you find one, get back to us with all the information so we can help you. Also plan on taking the vehicle you want to buy for a pre-purchase inspection so you don't buy any surprises.

 

I would definitely search for a D1 over a D2. The change over was in 1999. D1's have a more reliable 3.9L engine than the D2's 4.0L and 4.6L. If you have a good mechanical background with a smoking deal on a D2 that checked out good then I'd say go for it, but buyer beware, 4.0L and 4.6L engines are more difficult to troubleshoot and repair correctly. I have a love hate relationship with my D2 but I'm married to it with all the recent repairs that I had to do so she's part of the family. They are a great vehicle that go through anything but my past and present experience has put a damper on ever buying another one. Good luck and let us know what you found or bought.

 

The '96 and newer DI's also have the 4.0, it is very reliable, the issues really started with the DII engines in the later years when Ford owned Land Rover and quality was not job #1.
Keep in mind these trucks require premium gas, so factor that in for your trips.
If you are not willing to spend the extra $5 per fill up for premium then get the 4Runner.

 

So should I be looking for a D1 made from 1996 or earlier? How does working on them compare to working on a Cherokee XJ?

 

About the same, but there are lot more Jeeps in the salvage yard, one near my has whole rows just with Jeeps. And most of the odometer readings seem to be in the 120 - 200K range. I did see one with an "Old Guys Rule" bumper sticker with 330K. Point - if you need salvage parts, might not have as many choices. We do have a number of dismantlers who post here and routinely part out multiple vehicles. You pay a little more, don't have to do the work twice, and they generally filter the junk out before offering the prime parts of posh pre-owned sheet metal for sale.

 

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my wife and i are wondering. she is ukrainian