What Year Disco II is BEST?

[D90 Man]

If you guys were to get any year of Discovery II 1998-2004 (right?), which one is best, and with what features (SLS, ACE, engine advances, fuel economy, etc.) is best?

I have a relatively light ski boat, and just found what I thought was a smokin deal on a 99' Disco 2 with 79k miles and in perfect condtion for 5k, only to find it had every option BUT, SLS, and ACE, which really bummed me out!

Pretending money is no object, and if you can add the factor that I want to make sure I have the best choice and option Disco 2 for towing my ski boat, off roading (I am also an avid dirt biker and occationlly have to 4x4 to remote locations), going to the snow, and with the best power to fuel milage out of all the years, what would be the very best year and options in my used Disco 2 hunt?

Any help is VERY much appreciated!

J

[Disco Mike]

I have no reason in the world to sell my 99, took it awhile to get it there.
As to which is best, ideally the 04 is, most power and up dates and they put the CDL back on it.
Mike

[01001010]

My vote goes for the 04 as well.

[slangel]

I love my 2000 DII - I do not have ACE nor SLS. I do have the nipple for CDL and installed parts from a DI to be able to use it in the vehicle instead of crawling out to engage it. I also pull a light boat, and on occasion a camper. I love my truck and like Mike have it where I want it, and would not think of selling it. It has made many long distance trips with me for wheeling,camping, and fishing. Once a year I pull a boat from MO to Neah Bay, WA to fish.

When I bought this rover I got a great deal three years ago 47,000 miles, and an extended warranty to 100,000 miles (definitely purchase one with warranty if possible).

As JC and Mike said though if I were to buy newer I would probably get an 04 to add to the collection with my 00.

[Steph]

Depends, If you tell me to choose and that you'll pay for it...I too would choose the 2004. If you're asking which one is the best bang for the buck, I say lowest mileage possible1999, 2000 or early 2001 since all 3 have CDL capability. You could get it up to date maintenance wise, fully built up with CDL, front bumper and winch, lift and bigger tires, GPS and tons of goodies, a few grands in the bank as a security cushion in case something breaks and still be far from the price alone of a stock 2004.

In my opinion the 2004 is not as good a deal for what you are getting compared to the years mentionned.

[wiseguy]

ditto 2000!!!!(maybe cause BMW)

[rovdog]

dont get a 1999. mine has been nothing but trouble for me. I drive 2 hours to get something fixed and when i get it home something else breaks. its really frustrating. Go with the 04 but those are also alot more expensive.

[derrickalda]

Originally Posted by wiseguy

ditto 2000!!!!(maybe cause BMW)

Rover went Ford mid year 99

2000 and convert CDL....good deals on them
2004 as everyone else said is the best "D2"

if you want it to wheel with, why not get a dirt cheap D1?

[D90 Man]

Appreciate the input!

So does anyone have the acurate skinny of when Ford, then BMW, had implemented changes, and in what years they changed hands?

Any info on acurate engine changes each year would be awesome too, especially if anyone knows hp vs. milage updates from 99-04'!

I have found some 99's and 00's for under 10k with 50-80k mi on them, and am just trying to calculate power vs. gas milage, and other tech advances - and if they're worth twice the price --- as the 04's are goin for 17-18k!

Really appreciate all the input and feedback (as I only know D90's) guys!

J

[frickjp]

If gas mileage is your primary concern, buy something else. An 03/04 gets about a point less per gallon than a 4 liter. D2 is all BMW, not Ford. Ford never messed with the Disco, with the exception of a Visteon radio in the '04 base model. 04 indeed the best, the last. 4 liter D2 pretty reliable. SLS is a pain in the ass when older, and now it is older. ACE is cool, but loud and VERY expensive to repair. The 4.6 pulls a boat better than the 4.0. A 19' inboard ski boat with trailer and crap is over the Disco's tow limit, know that up front.

[gragravar]

Given I just bought an '04 I guess I voted with my $$$. the factor that pushed the "04 to the front for me is that they are also still under factory warranty (if you find one with low miles).

[Mr.Petersen]

You did good.

[HMBRover]

99-02 have the 4.0 litre and the 03-04 have the 4.6 litre engines. Since the 03 doesn't have CDL the 04 is the choice vehicle. Of the 4.0 litre trucks, the 99, 00 and early 01s have a transfer case with CDL but you have to rig up the linkage to operate it from the cab. Also the 03 and 04 have improved traction control although my reading of the description says it's primarily the on-road, highway speed performance that's improved. The 04 also has an upgraded (read stronger) transfer case. I guess the SLS is an advantage when towing but since I wasn't going to do much towing, I replaced my SLS with springs for off-road reliability reasons.

My $0.02 worth...

[Mr.Petersen]

I went from a 2000 to a 2004, the power and CDL make all the difference.

My $0.02

[stolenheron]

2004 hands down. i didn't know a whole lot when i bought this car. I knew it had a bigger motor and a CDL. now that i actually know a good amount about my car i realize how lucky i was to find the deal i did on this 2004.