Thread: Discovery 2 - not for the faint hearted?

Took the truck for it's first decent run today helping my bro move house, I probably made the mistake of not choosing a LR with a well detailed service history, I'm self employed & it's unfortunate but when a lending company finally says yes, we'll lend you some money you've gotta jump on it. So maybe it didn't pay off this time but after spending some money & will all the "major" stuff dealt with, she purred like a kitten, handled well, sounded good, and for the first time in almost a year, I have "NO" warning lights on my dash.
I don't consider myself to be fainthearted and enjoy tinkering and maintaining my machinery myself, no one knows your car like you do.
I guess what I'm saying Matt is, I have not once regretted my purchase, never will.
Keeps me entertained and keeps my mind ticking over which they say is the source of a long life!!
Good luck!!

Ithought i was the only one to use the term "mechanical sympathy",was good to see it used by someone else(Thatkid),got a warm fuzzy feeling??love the term "lifted camry",I'll use that at work,Ithink once you drive a disco after something else you can appriciate the subtle differences that make them stand out from the rest.A few months ago I gave a couple of apprentices at work a lift to the station ,sitting in the back,one of them leaned forward surveying the view and said "sweet ride dude",thats a big rap coming from a 21 year old rev head!! nuff said!!,just do it Matt........

Originally Posted by mattb

I want to buy a 2000/1 D2 TD5 but looking around this forums (and others) I'm starting to wonder... I'm not a mechanic and really don't like the idea of troubleshooting every weekend. Are these cars really fraught with hassle, or does it just appear that way? Any advice greatly appreciated!

Matt B

My bro has a 2001 D2 TD5 he's had couple of problems with it but nothing major. I've got a 2003 D2 TD5, I've had it since new and haven't had any major issue, I had the injector harness issue but I just brought it to my mechanic and got it fixed without any dramas. I'm very happy with my D2.

- goof

I am no mechanic and pay for the servicing just so that I have a competent professional mechanical (not a stealership) who specialises in LRs run his eyes over the cars every 10k. I enjoy doing the odd modification or installing accessories to customise my vehicles but I stopped carrying a toolkit around a number of years ago. With the D2 I never carry more than a leatherman and it has yet to let me down. RACV Total Care covers me for roadside problems although I have never had to use it for the D2. Mine is a 2003 Td5 auto seven seater. Yes it has had some parts replaced as part of the maintenance, before I got it it had the injector loom replaced, I have had the fuel cooler replaced as it developed a leak, the rubber coupling on the rear driveshaft/diff joint has been replaced as well as the oil seal. My mechanic recommended I install a snorkle even though I don't do much dirt driving or wading. The air intake is somewhere around the front guard and picks up air from around the wheel well, can be a bit dusty. Great economy for the size of vehicle and can hold it's own as a tow vehicle. Good level of comfort, I have not got to use the back seats but expect that the back seats are not suited to big long legged adults.

I also drive a defender and in that one the toolkit comes with me on the expeditions/ dirt touring.

I would go for the update D2a the one with the pocket lights, better mapping in the diesel, has the centre diff lock and a lever to activate it.

Good luck with whatever do decide to buy.

A big attraction for a D2 is that now days you get a lot more car for your $ than a second hand anything else 4X4. If you do your homework most of the problems that you read about here will have been dealt with by a previous owner (perhaps). I have the TD5 and know nothing much about the V8 but as a general rule if you are doing lower milage short trips then petrol is probably a better option. Not only a lot cheaper up front but your weekly fuel bill won't be much worse only doing short trips. The TD5 like most diesel engines is not good until warm, and warm takes at least 5km. Yes there are lots of possible pitfalls with a D2 even more if you do some real off road work. If you want to pay a whole lot more for an early 100 series you will still have problems there and Toyo parts cost more.

If you don't need the extra size and want to save money then look for a low Km D1

Lots to consider, thanks everyone for the posts. You've all certainly piqued my curiosity!

Cheers,

Matt B

Originally Posted by Discobaker

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

my story is so similar to yours, bought my disco, had instant problems, first i replaced the heads, then abs module, then removed the rear air suspension and replaced with coil springs, and now has more engine dramas, im actually removing the engine this weekend (near 100% sure it has a cracked block)

am i ****ed off? HELL YES, but despite all of the issues i have had, it is still a great car

the fact is, every type of car has its problems, most of land rovers problems come from lack of maintanence

so it comes down to how much your are willing to learn and do yourself to save some cash, or pay a mechanic to work on it for you, but just remember, landrovers are not expensive to fix, ALL 4x4's are expensive to fix

I wasn't going to but I will reply on this thread..
I have a 2001 td5 currently 232,000ks,towed a caravan around aust twice,and done some major trips both on and offroad,last 1 being the Gunbarrel and Canning stock route..
When I compare it with other cars problems/issue's I do it against my AU series 3 ford ute.
The ute now has 155,000ks and all highway ks,sure its carried heaps of stuff, but its a 1 tonner and thats what I baught it to do..

I can assure you that when I look at every cost that both have cost me in Parts/ service /and general wear and tear,the D2 leaves the ford for dead..

I would spend more time working on the L/R sure, but thats because it goes to places that are away from help, so it needs to be in top order, but in the last 2yrs the landie's been off the road for a clutch and harmonic balancer.
The ute has been thru 4 steering pumps,1 exhuast system,and several other major oil and fuel leaks,and a head gasket, so its acually been more unreliable than the D2..

I personally believe that the D2 in its day was a very advanced 4x4 and with that will always come some issue or another.

Thats my 2c worth, if its a landie or whatever, hope you enjoy the 4x4 expierience..

Cheers Ean