Hello: I am contemplating the purchase of either a 2000-2002 Disco or a 99-02 Range Rover. (75k - 100k miles) My wife has always wanted a Disco or RR. We will be using it for light commuting and very limited off road use. While many of my family are members of the Rover family (Disco and LR3), this will be my first. (I am familiar with European cars and their accompanying quirks). Do you have any advice on whether the Disco or RR will be more reliable and less costly to repair/maintain? Do you have any preference on the 4.0 vs 4.6 for reliability? I passed on an 01 HSE with 100k miles (that looked very good)and had previously been converted to coils/springs at last week's auction to give me more time to complete my research. Thanks for any help or advice you can offer. This site is amazing and has some excellent postings.

 

Hey Jbond, for your situation,(light commuting & limited off roading)i would suggest the Discovery. Thats only because a Disco is gonna beslightly cheaper to maintain and more reliable- from what i hear,than a P38(96-02 Rovers). If you do get a P38(which i love),go for the stronger 4.6 HSE engine as it has a little more "Kick" to it. Passing on that 01 to do some research was a smart idea,because these trucks have too many lil "issues" about them and the EAS(electronic air system) is one of the bigger ones.Many owners convert from the air springs to coils/springs for cost-efficiency, but lose on the ride stability. I personally perfer the air springs(love the ride height option)and am glad i didnt purchase the original Range i was gonna buy that was converted.

 

I like the Rovers over the Discos as well, but the Rover is definitely much more to maintain. Check RangeRovers.net buyer's research page. They've got lots of good info by model and year, as well as the most common problems coupled with DIY fixes. Unfortunately I found this page about a month after dropping $1700 on the coil-conversion. Definitley coulda done it myself [:@].

Discos seem to have more little issues, where as the Rovers have fewer, but more pricey issues (ie Blender motors, Heater Core, EAS).

 

If I can pipe in, I've got one of each.
I've taken long trips in each & they're two different animals.
Both of mine are 4.0 liter & naturally, the disco is faster, more nimble and actually feels like I've got a better view, but feels closer inside.
On the other hand, if you travel with someone else, I'd go Range Rover.
I've taken both to north central Mn. (10 hrs from chicago) several times &drove 60-65 mph & got 20.1mpg w/D1 -- 19mpg W/RR
My driving habits are toned down now w/ gas costs
The RR is a great road truck tho' the disco is also comfortable.

 

Thanks Greg,thats food-for-thought. I always wanted to hear someones take on the REAL diff as an owner of my two favorite trucks on the road. Before purchasing my Range(always been my 1st choice), i wanted either a Disco(my 2nd choice) or a Nissan Xterra,but felt too crammed in the Disco, and obviously because its a newer vehicle,the Xterra was too much(paying more money for my 3rd choice didnt make sense to me). Glad to hear the Disco wouldve done me good if i wasnt able to get the Range. Im still looking to get one in the future, thethought of a Range Rover & a Discovery inmy driveway makes me all warm inside.

 

amen to that Greg409. The disco seems and is smaller on the interior. The vehicle is more narrow as well I think (when considering offroad trails that can be a bonus if they are narrow or a liability if you want wider axles on hillsides). I feel pinched in my buddies disco. My rover is roomier inside but still touches your thigh when you shut the door. Rovers don't have the +2 option in the rear seating area like some disco's. I've always wanted to have the Disco with +2 seating in the back -- especially with young kids and occasional passengers. I DO like the LWB RRC -- the rear seat is totally pimped out -- I can lay in the floorboard of the rear seat.

I went with 2 rovers of the same year and the benefits are SUPER, not to mention I knew what to look for being fixed on #2 before I got it (10 years later). I'm looking for #3 now. Our disco-owning buddy is 260# and would never part with his Disco -- it's a matter of comfort and which options seem more important. There isn't as much "attitude" surrounding the Disco at shops, compared to a RR -- the attitude translates into higher bills most of the time. Let's face it -- RR is the status symbol of arriving at the top with overkill. Disco doesn't carry the ayre as much but still has alot of it.

Go to a rover dealer. "Befriend" a salesman and ask them to test drive one of each. sometimes they have ultra-clean trades at reasonable prices. I've never had them turn me away from a testride, even on a new 80K rover. once you are in, you are in. You will find that other one for the driveway and not be as afraid.

In my lowly opinion --> Go for the lowest mile, cleanest rover you can find (putting less importance on year). check the service history with any dealer (they used to be able to reprint ANY rover's history based on VIN). Good Luck.

 

I've owned these things since 87 -- currently have a 89 Classic - 250k miles which is a "farm car." Just sold 2002 Disco with 95k on it, have 96 4.6 with 105k (converted to springs now - and pretty much have had to replace every other major component in the 12 year process), 06 HSE,
06 Sport and 08 HSE. Owned and sold off 5 others over the years.

My opinion....for whatever it's worth - don't buy one of these things out of warranty if you need to count on it on a daily basis and don't have unlimited patience, and cash to spend on annoying repairs. You'll have less issues with the Disco as others have stated - especially not having a EAS to deal with...but the little things will nickel and dime you to death. The 4.6 is much better power wise than the 4.0 - but the problems are bigger and more costly than those on a Disco. People ask why we have so many Rovers and I clearly state so there's always something else to drive when another is broken down.

I love the cars (when operable) and am a glutton for punishment - but I'm keeping them up to 49k and letting them go from now on - the op costs are too high and the down time is troublesome if you don't have alternatives.

 

Damn! Do you need someone to wash your babies and keep them clean and looking good b/c if so, I'm you man! The first thought that came to my mind was "what bank did he rob" but I've got to realize that there are people in this world that are just damn lucky (or hard working)to own (2) 06's and an 08'. Those 3 alone are probably over $200K in vehicles.

 

Hey Mlshelton, prepare to have post upon post as it seems you are the man to ask questions. With 5 Rovers under your belt, looks like you are the Bill Gates of the site. I do agree if your gonna use a Rover on a daily basis, you DO NEED a back-up vehicle. I usually only drive my Range on weekends.