I bought an 04 Discovery, I loved the size, the sportiness, and how it looked. My husband said it drove like crap.
At 28,765 miles the car lost acceleration, made loud banging, grindingnoises and quit. I was told there was a pump failure, rods #7 & 8 broken due to lack of lube, and piston 7 & 8 hit valves. I showed records that all maintance was current. They replaced short block and valves in both cylinder heads - I was told it was a new engine. I was without a car for 6 weeks (no loaner). They did the 30,000 mile work and said it was due in at 37,500.
The day before it was to go in for maintance, the same thing - no acceleration, grinding, stop. I'm told that it needs asecondnew engine!! The reason now is that the oil sludged up because I was late on my oil change -- The car has 39,300 Miles!!! It is ONLY 2300 MILES PAST the recommended oil change. because it is past the oil change THEY WILL NOT RECOGNIZE MY WARRANTY!!
The cost of a new engine is $7500!!
The second engine in less than 40,000 miles!!! I drive cars to 100,000 and have never had an engine failure!! This car is driven in town, no towing, no off road ---
The dealer called today and basically said, too bad!! You were past the oil change -- 2300 MILES!!!
Look for my name in the paper -- we're going to court!!

 

It has been my short experience with LR that they boast on having a "better than the rest" oil circulation system in their vehicles, since they are designed to perform in such weird angles, the oil system needs to be able to keep up with it. So for a Disco to needanengine, let alone twoin such short time (short of having an un-noticed leak and it was running without oil) tells me that they sold you a lemon. LR's areengineered to perform in the extremes, actualy, they make a point ofpointing outthat fact in their advertisement. It would seem that a couple thousand miles extra in between oil changes hardly qualifies as the "extreme conditions" that these vehicles are design to endure.
Did you buy from Land Rover or did you buy used from a private dealer?Bottom line is your Disco had an unresolved problem the first time they suposedly"fixed it", confirmed by the same exact problem resurfacing a second time. Short of intentional abuse, cars just don't need new engines before they even hit 40k miles. Take them to court! and good luck with it.

 

Janet, I'm so sorry you have to go thru with this nonsense..AS Jantiz says LR's great cars at least I think so..
Usually at least 2/10 people are NOT satisfied with Rover's whether its Disco or Range(I think LR Shop purposely bring out few lemons to mess with people)..
I have a '02 Disco(White with Black Stripes) I have not had a single major problem except for maintenance which is no big deal.
I purchased mine brand new at 2002 and I push the car to the limit(Excess Speeding) with 86K as of now speaking without single problem except due for Oil change..
My point is I Took the car to the dealer 1 time when it was under 50K warranty after that NEVER again.
I know it's too late but if somehow after settling in court and your Disco gets fixed 100% that is if you decide to keep it you should try to find a independent shop that deals with rovers or someone who specializes them..Less money less headache..
Good Luck to you..

 

I can see both sides of your issue, the dealer is right in that you went 10,325 miles without changing the oil on a brand new engine. Most of us Rover people have found that the oil needs to be changed every 3000 miles because the engine runs so rich. Over 10,000 miles on a brand new engine shouldn't kill the engine but certainily allows Rover to pass on a second replacement.
So they are right and at the same time 10,325 miles should not have ruined a new motor. Having been a Rover service manager I have to tell you, I doubt there is anything you can do legally to make Rover step up to another replacement.
Rover had some technical service bulletons out to their dealers describing oil pump/pressure failures that were taking out alot of their engine especially in the 03 and I have heard of some on the 04 models, so there is a well known issue that they say they fixed. You may have fallen into that problem, but unfortunately by not being responsible in servicing your new engine, I doubt you will have a leg to stand on.
You may want to consider buying a used 4.6 engine from a Rover dismantler and have it installed, this will save you nearly half the replacement cost.
Mike

 

I think that this post was to Intimidate the Dealer to say ok to yet another motor,
and this is only half of the story.
I'm sorry to see that they have a problem.
But I think that it is neglect.

 

Your wroung, there right. you dont being your truck in for an oil change at the recommendations, you void your wareenty, i dont see why you cut corners on free oil changes, that makes you a complete idoit. mabey you should have read these fourms before you bought the truck ( we would have told you change every 5,000 miles). although it was a newer truck, if you dont take care of it, anything can happen. people like you i dont even want you to own a Rover, go out and buy some emotionless honda oddesey or civic, im sure if you never change the oil in that it will go bad to. But, all this is irrealavent, american people are stupid when it comes to auto's, they see a asian name, and automaticly think, HEY, THIS IS A GOOD CAR, LETS WAY OVER PAY FOR IT!

 

Anyone with an 03'-04' Disco should read the following which is a text only copy of an official Land Rover North America "Technical Alert" see if your VIN# falls within the affected range...Land Rover did not issue a recall and will accept no responsibility for the failures after your warranty period expires.
TECHNICAL ALERT
March 14, 2003 TA03 1201
NAS X US Only
Cda Only
ATTENTION: Service Manager Service Advisor Technician
2003 Discovery Series II Oil Pump Failures
Vehicles Affected
Discovery Series II (LT) 3A771801 – 3A808362
Situation
Oil pump failures on 2003 Discovery Series II vehicles may be the result of a
manufacturing error. Locating dowel pins may be slightly misaligned permitting
assembly of the oil pump to the engine block, but placing stress on the pump housing
which can ultimately lead to leakage or failure.
Resolution
Whenever an oil pump failure is encountered on vehicles within the above VIN range
the only effective repair currently available is replacement of the complete engine assembly including the front cover/oil pump manufactured to the latest tolerances.
Use the following components to affect a repair:
• LBB112301 4.6 Engine assembly LEV
• LBB111461 4.6 Engine assembly NON-LEV

I have been in contact with a law firm in California which is investigating the possibility of a class action lawsuit against Land Rover North America for this problem which is costing owners an average of $10,000 per failure. Contact Derrick Connoley at 866-981-4800 if you have been a victim of Land Rover.

 

Just so you know, as long as you have your oil changed, even if you do it your self, your warranty will not be voided, all you must do is keep your payment slips from the auto parts store, showing the date and mileage written on it, or a work order from a lube center, either will keep you in warranty.
Mike

 

Wow....very interesting......I am glad I read this, thanks guys.