I have been looking at the older Land Rover Discovery's for several months after noticing that the prices are starting to look nice. I like the look, 4 wheel drive, and the interior (and exterior) space. I've owned a 96 Jeep Cherokee in the past and loved it. The boxy SUV is starting to disappear. I would want to use it as a secondary large family mover, road tripper, and winter snow driver. I would be looking to buy a rust free one down south to bring to New England. Please point me in the right direction if I should ask my questions in another area.

1. How might it compare to my old Jeep Cherokee? I've never driven a LR.
2. Are there real 3rd row seats available? I've seen some side fold down seats in the back of one once.
3. Being a British SUV I've heard people say they are not reliable and need a lot of repair work. Is this true?
4. For my needs above, should I be looking at any specific generation or model year?

Thanks!

 

Fold down seats option in some units, but not a third row bench. Dealer repairs are high dollar (what else is new?). Comfortable, capable, as reliable as you maintain it. If you are a oil change every 25,000 if it needs it or not guy, this is not the vehcle for you.

Of course, this is on a forum where we moan about common service issues, etc. And there are not as many in the junk yard to snag parts from. In our tech area you will find lists of things to look for on a Discovery. Also, free download of factory shop and owner manuals. It is a good DIY vehicle.

 

Great, I like DIY. And I typically buy new parts rather than junkyard parts (unless it is something serious following an accident).

Folks must be thinking of the older British cars with electrical problems maybe.

 

Why do the British drink warm beer? They all have Lucas refrigerators.

Actually, Rovers have their own set of problems. First is lack of maintenance, from uppie owners who were raised on sealed lifetime bearings, paid dealers to handle it, got downsized, could not afford dealer, let it slide. Second is running too darn hot, to please the smog control crowd. You can buy thermostats to run slightly cooler, and an Ultra Gauge ($70) to see digital readout of temps. Radiators don't last forever, even shorter with Dexcool coolant which when exposed to air or mixed with other coolants becomes corrosive. And change oil every 5,000; not 25,000. Use cheap and diesel rated, like Shell Rotela 15W40. Has more cleaning and keeps particles in suspension (soot control to a diesel) so filter can grab it. Plenty of sites like Atlantic Bristish, Rock Auto, and others that sell parts, there are some cross over parts that have been discovered that fit, plus you can always look at Rovers North for good exploded diagrams (but higher parts prices). Rovers have plenty of problems, most can be overcome. Are they over engineered? It seems like it some days, with multiple modules that have to talk to each other, but newer vehicles have that regardless of model.

One design issue that sneaks up on D2 owners is sealed front propshaft joints, they fail and knock hole in transmission. Rebuild shaft after purchase (write up in tech area) or replace; grease every oil change.

Consider a pre-purchase inspection if possible by an indy shop.

 

Some of the older Land Rovers are great for the right kind of owner. The Discovery 1 has an appeal to people that would also like a 96 XJ. The Discovery 2's were made to appeal to a more upwardly mobile segment. In my opinion they were a dire failure and Land Rover did massive damage to their reputation in the NA market with them. Fortunately for LR, they departed completely away from them and concentrated on building fancy status vehicles that meet their customer's expectations. Unfortunately for the crowd that enjoyed rugged utility, Land Rover has now for a long time offered nothing in NA.

If you go by resale price, the Discovery 2 will appear to be a grand bargain. It was afterall made to appeal to those seeking their luxury status. But the price reflects how the market actually values them due to the reality of their nature.

For those who have no interest in the Discovery 2's poorly executed and now aging luxuries, the Range Rover Classic and Discovery 1 offer most everything else that's good about Land Rovers. But they're old and many of them well-worn. They're not particularly prone to problems and in my opinion they're very reliable, but you can't expect to pick up any example of a vehicle that's been running for some 18 years and not have some restoration and renewal to do. You also can't expect them to perform to modern standards (370hp, ABS, traction control, smooth 7 speed autos etc.)