Currently have an LR2 for a daily driver and an Acura RL for business trips. Looking to add an 1999-2004 year model DII. I have spent months doing research on what year to buy as It will only get used on weekends and maybe once a week to drive to work to keep the battery charged. I keep a large "LandRover Emergency fund for repairs" and am looking for something in the 100k mileage range. I plan on keeping for another 200K. Just looking for some general thoughts on years and mileage. I will have my local INDY shop look over anything I buy, want to make sure gaskets have been done.

Any thoughts?

 

If it were me, I would look for a decently priced 04. They have the updated headlights and roof rails and look really nice. Plus they have CDL standard. I would try to find one that needs head gaskets (if you feel up to the challenge). If not, then I would try to find one around 100k or just over that just had the headgaskets replaced. Down in your neck of the woods I would think you could find a pretty decently priced 04. There is lots of debate about whether the 03-04 4.6L is better/worse than the 4.0L in the 99-02s. Some say the 4.6L is more prone to ticking problems. Just depends on who you ask.

If you can't find any decent 04s, and you want to use it mainly for trails, I would look for a 99-00. These years have xfer case that has CDL, you just need to add the linkage which isn't hard. Other than that, just find one you like. Be sure to look over the sticky on what to look for when buying a Disco.
https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...scovery-21328/

 

I would look for a 99-00. My 99 has been good to me well over the 200,000 miles range, while my 04 with 100xxx miles has me never wanting to own a land rover again. I believe the 04 has the worst engine ever. Yea I prefer the 04's looks but if you buy a 99-00 you can throw on some 04 headlights and the 04 rack tubes and you have your newer look for a lot cheaper than you could buy it for with the bad 4.6. Maybe not all 04's are as bad as mine, but for what mine has cost me so far I could have about bought an LR3 and boy do I regret not just doing that.

 

I have looked into an 06 LR3 with 130k for $12,000. The reason I was considering the DII is that I can pay cash for an older one. I can get a 2000 DII for around 2-4K.

 

I would personally go for an older model one, preferably early 2001 or 2000 that way you have the option to add CDL, older style headlights are cheaper, no SAI so less pain to do major engine work (and one less thing to go wrong). You can also find one for cheaper most likely since its "older" though they're all pretty much the same thing.

 

Mine is a 2000 and has SAI. I don't think the year matters whether a truck has SAI or not. SAI trucks tend to come from states that have emissions testing like California. Regardless however, I would agree, try to find one without SAI. Not the biggest pain (lots of other things that are more worrisome), but it is simpler without it.

 

How do you know if the LR has SAI?

 

Look under the hood on the passenger side, if there's a weird little motor with some hoses that go into a valve. Don't confuse it with the cruise control its pretty hard to miss through.

As far as SAI...I was always told that SAI didn't come until later models (like mid 2001 and on) I guess I heard wrong.

 

avoid 2003 MY.
2004 nice - if you can find one reasonable.
2000-2001 very dependable.

Little motor is called SAI.
Pollution control.
If you can avoid it - then good.
But, if you are in California, then you need it.