Thread: Discovery 2 - not for the faint hearted?

Welcome to AULRO.COM Matt

The internet is full of peoples complaints.

Having said that, owning a Land Rover is a lifestyle thing. If you expect a free ride, go find a toyota.
Having said that, my two D2's have been pretty good, a slight stoppage from an Amcal chemist, and just general maintenance,,

and in the immortal words of Victor Braun
"I liked the first two so much I bought a third"

matt,
The vehicle you are looking at and discussed here, is 6-12 years old, (last model in 2004 first in '99). It depends on who had what you arre looking at, and what they did with it...same would go for a Toymotor, Datsun, or J-heep of the same vintage.
Service history, service history and service history are the 3 most import points to consider when buying...any car.
I have had 4 discos, 1,2, & 3, and just repurchased a 2. Have yet to be really disappointed.

Matt,
My D2 is the first 4x4 i've ever owned, used to bang around in fords lowered till i couldnt through the Maccas drive through and would get picked up by the EPA as a result of both the sound outside & inside. I've had it for about 12months, it cost me 15K & i've just spent another 8K replacing a motor, abs module, front right abs sensor, previously to that, i replaced the radiator hose between the water pump (V8) and the thermostat etc, gasket underneath the throttle body, and some minor stuff inside.
I am reasonably mechanically minded and with the great help from the guys on here the decisions i've made have been made easier because of the font of knowledge provided.
If u want something you just fill with juice and drive, yes, buy a "T" or a "P".
If your after a great looking truck & one thats capable of most adventures without almost any modifying and one that will fill you with joy when you've fixed something yourself, Buy a LR.
Once you've got her running right, it'll be a walk in the park, maintenence is the key.
Hope ive made your decision a little easier.
Cheers
Mat

Hello Matt,

If you buy a capable 4WD, you will have maintenance issues no matter what brand you choose to buy. A working 4WD is more expensive to run.... service, parts, time(if you DIY) or fuel economy over a 2WD. There is no economical 4WD. Make your choice, but don't blame it on someone elses' say so.
Oops, a little too serious, but then there is reality.

Cheers,

Jason

I just wont accept that you buy a Totoa or Nissan if you dont want to "hassles"
This is a load
Owners who are proud of their vehicles will tell you to get what they have because of blah, blah, blah.

If you want a popular vehicle then buy the above. Which will be better recieved by mechanics doing the work for you. But will not be any cheaper or less prone to wearing out or breaking down. For any vehicle you wish to hold up as poor or great you can argue easily with proof on anyside you choose.

The answers are in the threads here and you will have to make a decision based on your own research, because after all it will be your car, not someone or some forum or some magazine, who talked you into it. Bare in mind also that this is very knowledgable forum with a strong DIY members group, therfore you will find almost any problem a LR has ever had and the fix found to remedy. You wont find this broad knowledge base in other vehicle forums.
The rules of a good purchase apply to vehicles, houses or whatever. If you aren't sure or dont feel comfortable taking a punt , dont do it.
You are clearly smart enough to know your abilties so you will be reliant on outside work, so the ones who work on your car will be a key part in your decision. The other replies here are right on the mark with reputable service history. This the key always.

all the best whatever decision you make.

I'm no mechanic either ... but I'll never buy another brand of car again ... ever! I'm also happy to learn and tinker with the stuff I can fix.

Yes there are known issues, most of which you can sort out cheaply. Get one with a solid service history, find a good reputable LR mechanic (you'll find one here) and service it regularly and she'll serve you well.

Do it .... do it!

yep they break, but so does everything. This forum has a lot of doom and gloom but thats why it exists for us to learn and share the niggling issues. The one thing LR owners have in common is their passion for their cars and this has to be one of the most comprehensive tech forums out there for any car.

Like everyone else has said, a 4wd that goes 4wding is bound to break and a mechanical sympathy goes a long way. I have an 01 TD5 and have spent more money then i intend to count on it but its all worth it every time you turn the key or show up a cruiser owner!

Look around, choose carefully and hopefully welcome to the club!

Must agree with Disco EMU,bought my first new,first diesel,first 4wd 12 years ago in a 98 tdi,and loved it!!,and have now owned a 04 d2 for 3years,very different cars engine wise but both great at blending on and off road ability in one vehicle(I drive other 4wds at work so i can compare),the rangie invented this concept and still leads the pack.All I can say is read these forums,remember, some of these guys,AND girls give their cars a hard time doing what they were built for so things do break !!!,I drive mine a little on the easy side(picking the easy lines off road...sorry!!!) but have had no dramas ,like any car,do regular services and don't abuse it and it will pay off,they really are a good bit of "kit" Cheers