Hoping for some help. I am new to the forum and Land Rovers in general. I will be the proud new owner of a 2003 Land Rover Discovery II next week. It is the S series with 59k on it. I was wondering, where are some good places to buy reasonably priced parts in the US without having to go through the dealer. Also, I am from the old school Jeep arena and am very used to turning a wrench on my rig. Are there any inexpensive mods you can do to a rover to improve it off road?
Jeep Bro, you bought the most undesired year for the Discovery because that year is known to have engines go out without notice. There is a v.i.n range where you can Identify if your disco is within the oil pump problem ones. but generally speaking, people who know discos, streer clear of them and even early 2004s. Just do a search on here and landroverforums.com
__________________ Knowledge is only really worth anything when its been experienced first hand. If you heard it from a guy who heard it from a guy.....nevermind and keep it to yourself.
[SIGPIC]
Jeep Bro, you bought the most undesired year for the Discovery because that year is known to have engines go out without notice. There is a v.i.n range where you can Identify if your disco is within the oil pump problem ones. but generally speaking, people who know discos, streer clear of them and even early 2004s. Just do a search on here and landroverforums.com
Steph, have not bought it yet. where might i find the VIN range. I have the VIN number so I can check. THIS is exactly why you ask before you buy and no place better than where people really no them! Thanks!
Even outside of the vin range up to '04s there have been reports of the oil pump pooping the bed so to speak.
The other issue with the 03 is lack of Central Locking Differential. If you will be crawling up rocks somewhere you may want to have that. General highway use its not needed.
Those 2 issues are what people are referring to when they say 03 is an undesirable year.
Oil Pump - Head gaskets - Eh, it's a calculated risk either way, just learn how to minimize the risk. It really comes down to Bosch or no Bosch - cool headlights or regular ones - CDL or no CDL - oh they got a little higher in the later years right? From the interiors stand point they are almost all the same anyways, my 99's interior is as nice as any later model because I took care of it.
I have put over 100K on my 99 D2, been a great vehicle.
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Mike
Retired service manager, member of Solihull Society, SCLR, NCLR and the Santa Barbara 4Wheelers clubs.
99 D2, 3" lift, CDL with Detroit,T.T. lockers, 4:11's,H.D. axles, custom ft/rear bumpers with sliders, a 9500 HSI Warn winch and 5 HID's.
Yep, 99, 2000, early 2001( someone needs to confirm that CDL is still possible with that year) and late 2004s are the best D2s.
Jeep guy, in all honesty, I wouldn't touch any 2003 or early 2004s even if they were given to me. Its not like its yours now and you are stuck with it and you didn't know about engines blowing in them. That is the case with most 2003 owners on here. but I'm sure that even if some claim no problems, none would have bought a 2003 if they would have known ahead of time. No one enjoys insecurity and driving a time bomb!!!
All discoveries have something that needs to be addressed. but a friggin blown engine means the end.
__________________ Knowledge is only really worth anything when its been experienced first hand. If you heard it from a guy who heard it from a guy.....nevermind and keep it to yourself.
[SIGPIC]
The VIN range is all 2003 Discoverys ending with 3A771801 – 3A808362
Question for you, what do you plan to use a 03 for? The reason I ask, is the 03's don't have a locking t/case."CDL", so unless you modify it, you won't be able to add lockers.
How much are they asking for it?
__________________
Mike
Retired service manager, member of Solihull Society, SCLR, NCLR and the Santa Barbara 4Wheelers clubs.
99 D2, 3" lift, CDL with Detroit,T.T. lockers, 4:11's,H.D. axles, custom ft/rear bumpers with sliders, a 9500 HSI Warn winch and 5 HID's.
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buying a 2003 disco II
Knowledge is only really worth anything when its been experienced first hand. If you heard it from a guy who heard it from a guy.....nevermind and keep it to yourself.
and hasn't given me a ton of problems and None that i haven't fixed myself.
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