Thread: Welcome to all D2 owners!

Just accidently bought a hail damaged 2000 td5 with 220,000 on clock. Looks to be an older persons well maintained tow vehicle ( heavy hayman reece towbar, electric brake controller and spotless rear seats (no kids) but was googling disco problems to see what they were like and found these forums and I must say reading through the posts it looks a bit worrying for reliability so figured I had better join up just in case I need to ask questions.


anyway looking forward to being here and fingers crossed I wont need to ask too many dumb questions
wayne

It was quite funny how I ended up with my "new" Disco 2.....

One of my mates at work is a Land Rover tragic, having about six in his shed at last count. Everything from a '55 shortie up to his '03 D2. I'm a LR lover from way back, but have only ever owned a '58 shortie that I restored. She was a bit unusual being the very last of the Series I's and had an 88" wheelbase instead of 86". Apparently this was done right at the end of the run, just prior to the introduction of the first Diesel engine that predicated a 2" longer wheelbase. Anybody else able to confirm that?

Anyway, a bunch of us were talking about this Disco that'd been spotted in the local LR dealer's secondhand lot and Old Mate was talking about getting it, but couldn't find the time to get down and look at her.

Jokingly, I said he'd better hurry up or I'd buy it!

Long story short, went in there last Friday, was pretty impressed with the overall condition, it drove pretty well and was a bargain..... Oh, did I mention she only cost $3,900 with 6 months rego and a new battery thrown in?

She's a 2004 Discovery V8, Auto, 7-seater with 150,000km on the clock. The tow bar is badged "Land Rover", so I guess that's genuine. Pity I don't tow anything.....

I believe she's an "S" but has badging below the side indicators that says "Classic"? Is that a local Aussie designation? It has a colour-coded ARB front bumper with a chrome "hoop" framing a couple of massive Hella lights. She's a champagne colour and whilst the paint's not perfect (especially the roof), it's serviceable for the moment. She's very straight and the only dent is a small one on the front bumper.

Under the "Problems" heading are two front electric windows which don't work (although I've already got two new motors on the way) and the aircon is not conditioning! The blowers, controls, etc are all fine.... Just no cold air. Believe me, in Darwin cold air is an absolute "must have", especially at this time of the year!

The V8 is running very rich at the moment and I suspect the fuel was pretty stale, because after half a tank of 95RON, she's getting a bit better. She drinks like a drunken sailor on shore leave in Singapore at present, but I'll get her in for a full service as soon as possible. I'm told a big thirst is pretty normal for these, so probably a good thing I don't do a lot of miles & use my motorbike in The Dry!

I was rather surprised to find that the ride is very firm & jiggly, always having thought that these were along the lines of a "mini Rangie" in the suspension department, with amazing axle articulation and a magic carpet ride. I suspect it has a lift kit, as the front springs & front and the rear shocks definitely aren't standard fare, and it has a nice high stance, so maybe that explains it? Given I don't do a LOT of 4WD'ing (yeah, so flame me ), would I be crazy to take her back to standard?

The leather interior is cream with brown piping, and apart from the driver's seat and driver's door trim, is in bloody good nick. A good tidy-up should bring her up well. The car yard hadn't even gone to the bother of cleaning her, so a bit of TLC inside won't hurt and a cut & polish outside should make a big difference to the exterior.

The wife is onboard, as I'm selling my 2012 X-Trail to make way for my new toy. Hopefully, this'll allow me to spend a little bit (yeah, right!) on the Disco & still put a few dollars in the bank (.....to pay for the petrol)

All I want now is an ex-Army "Norforce" Defender 110 for a bush toy.....

Oh, and Old Mate? Yeah, he's still pretty upset at me, but has already given me a brand new spare wheel cover and is also donating a "rear TV". What's that, a DVD? He's also given me the "Good Oil" on where to source "stuff" which will come in very handy.

Anyway, I've been poking around the forum and I'm very impressed with the wealth of knowledge here. I'm looking forward to making some new acquaintances and getting the most out of the new beast.

Cheers!
DaveA

Well, Major Service for the "new" Disco yesterday.

Came to a total of $1,915.00 which was a bit of a shock, to put it very mildly, but they did do a LOT of work, including replacing the water pump, which had just started to weep.

Apparently all it needs engine-wise is a couple of oxygen sensors, which apparently explains why it's running rather rich at present. They also serviced the tranny, which I wasn't expecting, but that's fine as that was on the list anyway.

Apparently everything else looks pretty good, so that's a relief.

I was told by the seller that the A/C condenser was faulty and they'd have to pull the whole dash to replace it...... maybe that's why it was such a steal? Anyway, took it to a mate of a mate who is a bloody good auto fridgy and he just re-gassed it & added some dye. $100 and working like a beauty. As he said, there might be a leak, but the dye will show where it is if that's the case. The caps were missing where he connected the pipes for his gauges and he said this could have allowed the gas to escape. Apparently they don't just keep dust out.....

Regulators & motors for the front windows are on their way, so all in all, we're looking pretty good. Hopefully the oxygen sensors will fix the richness issue and I can see how she REALLY drives!

Cheers!
DaveA

Hi all, justed picked up my very first LR which is a 2003 D2, V8 Auto in Java Black. Has done about 145,000km. Plans are for it to be set up as a mild off roader for weekends down the river and camping. Prior to purchase I got onto this forum and tried to see what I was getting myself in for! Lots of great advice and information. Cheers Andrew

Welcome Andrew,
You have just joined an elite club -V8 D2 owners, within the select group of Discovery owners, themselves within the larger club of Land Rover owners happy motoring

Hi Andrew, it already is more than a 'mild' offroader.

In standard spec it will absolutely astound you.

Hope it gives you lots of good times.

Dennis

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

Hi Andrew, it already is more than a 'mild' offroader.

In standard spec it will absolutely astound you.

Hope it gives you lots of good times.

Dennis

Thanks Dennis, too true! Really only need to add accesories like a rack for gear, aux battery and stuff like that. (Oh, and will need to decide on a different wheel tyre combo. Not sure the 18inch rims with 55 profile tyres suit the bush tracks!)

Andrew

Originally Posted by DOWN THE BORE

Not sure the 18inch rims with 55 profile tyres suit the bush tracks!)

Andrew

Dont say that in the D4 forum