Thinking about Buying a 1999 Discovery

[Matt_LR_Wannabe]

Hey Everyone,

So after a morning of searching the internet I think these are the best forums I could find.

I was hoping that you all could inform me about the in's and out's of 1999 Discovery's. Things to look for, common problems, etc. Give me everything you have.

I did get a chance to look under the Discovery for sale that got my mind going and it looks like the seal on the front of the rear diff is leaking a tiny bit. The exhaust looks like it will need to be replaced soon and there is a thin coating of oil on the bottom of the oil pan (looks like it starts at the front of the block).

Thanks for your time and your help!

-Matt

[stb616]

From what I understand you may be better served to look at a 2000 or newer. Only as a rule of thumb- 1999 was the first year of the series II and in a 2000 and on some of the bugs were worked out.

I'd say more importantly that it would depend on the care given to the disco by its first owner(s). But others may be able to offer more specific input.

If you search the forum there are plenty of buying tips and opinions.

[Disco Mike]

Don't knock 99's, I have one with nearly 80,000 miles on it, it has been a good truck. Yes Rover switched up to a Bosh system was a big plus and I can't say I have found any bugs in it and I have run her pretty hard.
Don't worry about a few oil leaks, after all it is a Rover and they love to leak no matter what year it is.
If you want to talk, get back to me and we will kick 99 DII's around.
Mike

[Matt_LR_Wannabe]

Thanks for your reply's.

Its good to hear that you have had good luck with your 99 Mike. Have you have any major problems with it? Did your's develop the transmission "clunk?" What is the fix for that? Any idea what the oil leak in the front of the car could be? Anything I should do right away to help with some light off roading?

Thanks,

Matt

[Funrover]

Well the tranny clunk, like a oil leak, is in every rover I have been around!!!! It's how it lets you know it still works!!!

[02disco2]

What's your budget?

I may have a 02 SE for sale soon.

[Matt_LR_Wannabe]

Originally Posted by Funrover

Well the tranny clunk, like a oil leak, is in every rover I have been around!!!! It's how it lets you know it still works!!!

What is the fix for that tranny clunk?

[DevilDisco]

When did you hear the clunk? If you we driving or accelerating, hit the brakes and then got back on the gas relatively quickly and you heard the clunk that's normal. Sometimes there is a slight clunk when you first drop it in gear, but if your foot is firmly on the brake I think it helps to ease that clunk a little.

[brandr]

I have a 1999 Disco II with 119,000 miles and I have had a great experience. I have only had normal repair work that needed to be done. I love it I would not knock it either. Great rig and the prices are right...

Also the trannie might not be what is clunking if it has the ACE on it... It clunks when it pumps up and releases. It is normal. Find out if the rig has the ACE system also they have the 18" rims like the image attached.

[stb616]

Originally Posted by stb616

From what I understand you may be better served to look at a 2000 or newer. Only as a rule of thumb- 1999 was the first year of the series II and in a 2000 and on some of the bugs were worked out.

I'd say more importantly that it would depend on the care given to the disco by its first owner(s). But others may be able to offer more specific input.
If you search the forum there are plenty of buying tips and opinions.

Wow, I thought I insulted someones kids for a second.




I wasn't knocking a '99 at all. Please note the edited text, bolded. I didn't mean to suggest not buying a 99 just as rule of thumb if I was blindly buying any vehicle I would keep in mind that sometimes they work out a few things in later years AND it makes more difference how the truck was maintained and driven.


Run a carfax on it and have see if the service records are available or on file at the dealer where its from. Service records are not everything just a starting point as myself and many others do a lot of our own service work, which of coarse wouldn't be known by looking at the records from the dealer. I guess the next question on my mind is: are you buying from a dealer or private party?

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by brandr

I have a 1999 Disco II with 119,000 miles and I have had a great experience. I have only had normal repair work that needed to be done. I love it I would not knock it either. Great rig and the prices are right...

Also the trannie might not be what is clunking if it has the ACE on it... It clunks when it pumps up and releases. It is normal. Find out if the rig has the ACE system also they have the 18" rims like the image attached.

Ace does not knock at any time and if yours is, you better have someone take a look at the rams. Have you ever changed the fluid in your ACE? Might want to think about doing it so you don't loose a pump, plus if you cahnge it every 20,000 miles it will work much better.
Mike

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by Matt_LR_Wannabe

Thanks for your reply's.

Its good to hear that you have had good luck with your 99 Mike. Have you have any major problems with it? Did your's develop the transmission "clunk?" What is the fix for that? Any idea what the oil leak in the front of the car could be? Anything I should do right away to help with some light off roading?

Thanks,

Matt

Matt,
Don't worry about a clunk in the drive line, as already mentioned it is common and won't hurt anything.
One thing you will want to look at and change, which ever year you buy, are the dual u-joints located on the front drive shaft at the t/case. Thes joints, double cardon style, were never given grease joints and will fail big time, usually destroying the tranny case in the process.
Crawl under and look at the drive shaft, look for any grease fittings on the double joint and if not there just have someone rebuild it with serviciable jerks installed.
Take care,
Mike

[racerwad]

i agree with mike. i too have a '99 D2 and i love it. i think that if anyone thinks any "bugs" were worked out between the two model years they are being just slightly silly. as someone else mentioned, determining how the previous owner maintained the truck is your best bet on getting a good rig, regardless of year. the nice thing about LR is that they tend to change things really, really slowly. with the '99s and '00s, you're guarenteed a lockable center differential. until '03, they all looked the same and had the same motor; and the '03 still had a non functioning CDL in its t-case.

if you can find a good '99 get it; you aren't missing anything. if you can find a lower mileage '00 that's fairly close in price, get that, if only for less wear and tear.

andy

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by racerwad

i agree with mike. i too have a '99 D2 and i love it. i think that if anyone thinks any "bugs" were worked out between the two model years they are being just slightly silly. as someone else mentioned, determining how the previous owner maintained the truck is your best bet on getting a good rig, regardless of year. the nice thing about LR is that they tend to change things really, really slowly. with the '99s and '00s, you're guarenteed a lockable center differential. until '03, they all looked the same and had the same motor; and the '03 still had a non functioning CDL in its t-case.

if you can find a good '99 get it; you aren't missing anything. if you can find a lower mileage '00 that's fairly close in price, get that, if only for less wear and tear.

andy

Andy,
03's don't have non functioning CDL T/Cases, the cut of was early in the 02 production.
Mike

[rmuller]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

Andy,
03's don't have non functioning CDL T/Cases, the cut of was early in the 02 production.
Mike

early 01 production (I have a late model 01 w/ no cdl nipple on the stock xfer case)