You guys are scaring me!

[Deuter412]

I'm looking to be a first time 1999 Discovery II owner(only 74K) , but these threads paint a pattern problems. Can someone talk me down off this ledge? Do you guys recommend Land Rovers?
The Disco I'm looking at has an electrical problem with the rear moon roof and there is a sound in the engine...like a squealing belt. The idler arm looks good and the sound doesn't appear to be coming from there. Could it be the water pump? Called the dealer and they say a water pump and install is 750 big ones. I've replaced lots of water
pumps on old Volvos and never spent more than a 100.
I guess my final question is: Are all the problems and down time worth it? Thanks, new guy on the forum,
Deuter412
.....Oh yeah the price is being negotiated, but it looks like about 72 to $7800....

[02disco2]

While the price to enter the Land Rover family is relatively inexpensive.. let's be honest.. it's dirt cheap since these rigs do not hold any sort of resale value. That being said, it may be in the same price range as a Honda Civic but to keep it on the road and functioning how it should be functioning isn't an inexpensive venture. WHile some are more expensive to own than others, it's still expensive to regardless. Fuel, Maint, Service, Repair, all premium. Only you can answer the question if it is the right alternative for you. My advise, find one that doens't have any issues and one that does come with it's complete service history.

[AlaskaBound]

That's a pretty decent price, but what do you plan on doing with your LR? If you want to wheel it... go 98 or 99 DI... if you want to have more comfort driving it on the road and still be able to wheel, go DII... 04 seems to be the best year, but I have a 99 DII and love it still (I believe 99 was the last year BMW owned LR before Ford took over)... Don't get me wrong, the DII's are highly capable offroad, but there not as easy to work on because of the advance Bosch electrical system and they have front driveshaft issues right around the mileage of the car your looking at... not to mention a big fat rear end bumper... A DI is also easier to lift up higher than 2"... There are a TON of debates on DI vs. DII, but I may have summed it up... I'm sure someone will have something else t add....

As far as the particular car that your looking at... when I hear "electrical problem" of any sort, it would give me pause before I bought it based on the overall electrical issues that DII's can have... The squeal could just mean you need a new serpentine belt... not necessarily H2O pump, but if it the pump's never been changed after 74K, it's gonna have too pretty soon...

That's another thing, what has been replaced recently on this car? You're right at a mileage where things are going to start to go...

Hope this helps a little... but like 02Disco2 implied, you need to be ready to get invloved with your vehicle hands on or prepare for the royal A$$ screwing by a dealership to maintain it...

[KDamericano]

You can actually wrench on these cars for pretty cheap, if you're willing to do the labor. Consider that the dealers charge $100/hr, and usually take at least 2-3 hours to do anything. That's a pretty damn good price though. If possible, I'd take it by a independent shop that specializes in Land Rovers to have them take a look before you buy it. Most of them only charge about $50 or so to look a car over. If you're still worried, you could always invest in a warranty.

[Deuter412]

Thanks Kdam,Alaska man & Disco Zoo,
Yes, I plan to upgrade to a true four wheeler. Uwharrie is a big 4x4 area, lots of difficult trails. The Disco2 I'm looking at has never been off road. (Soccer mom with kids)The serpetine belt looks good and I really feel is not the issue. I'm not afraid to jump in under the hood and fix. It's the transmission and head I just don't want to deal with.

If I take it to a mech...how do I know who'll be LR savvy?

[Badger1]

If you plan on making it a mostly offroad vehicle, why a D2? Go for a D1 with a smaller rear overhang and better flexy suspension design.

[Deuter412]

Hi Badger,
I'm slowly learning exactly what I want. This Disco2 came available....and it really looks clean with few miles. I really haven't seen any disco 1 that didn't look warn out. But I've just started getting Disco fever......

[Thor]

O.k. I've seen enough!

you guys are ignoring the elephant in the room!

It's not an original body style Range Rover... hardly worth the effort!

FLAMESUIT ON!

Hahahaha

[Funrover]

Originally Posted by Thor

O.k. I've seen enough!

you guys are ignoring the elephant in the room!

It's not an original body style Range Rover... hardly worth the effort!

FLAMESUIT ON!

Hahahaha

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!

Honestly have it looked at........... When I bought my RRC it supposedly had a ton of problems...... Well.... New bushings(trailing arm, radius arm) and oil pressure switch and all was well cost me about $100 or so, that was 3 years ago............... With the mileage check the maint. records if possible....... What makes you think water pump? Just curious. As far as the sunroof goes....... I don't own a disco so I can not comment other than what I have seen... and that is they seem to be a problematic part of a disco...... HOWEVER... I do feel that it is well worth the time and $$$$$........ I will have a disco in the family before too much longer. I prefer the D1 personally......... What I have noticed about rovers is that little things here and there go wrong...... But you always arrive safely where you are headed..... Another thing I have noticed is that rovers that go out four wheeling/ exploreing seem to last longer than the pavement princess...... at least in my family....... the 99 and later discos have bosch electronics and seem to have far less issues.....

[mnmike]

yeah they take more maintenance but so does every above average level car. A BMW or Audi, for example, takes more maintenance too. In the end you get what you pay for and they are impressive machines. If you want to do some serious off-roading stick to the D1 though. You can always update the headlights and fender flares to make it look like a D2. If it'll be used for 95% street, get a D2 like myself.

By the way, on the fuel door my D2 says premium only and thats what Ive put in, yet it surprised me, do they really need premium fuel? Doesn't seem like a very high strung engine to me..

[Choqiees]

you don't feel the love...get a Yota

[02disco2]

Originally Posted by mnmike

yeah they take more maintenance but so does every above average level car. A BMW or Audi, for example, takes more maintenance too. In the end you get what you pay for and they are impressive machines. If you want to do some serious off-roading stick to the D1 though. You can always update the headlights and fender flares to make it look like a D2. If it'll be used for 95% street, get a D2 like myself.

By the way, on the fuel door my D2 says premium only and thats what Ive put in, yet it surprised me, do they really need premium fuel? Doesn't seem like a very high strung engine to me..

People here get pretty heated with the premium fuel vs non-premium. Bottom line, if your truck doesn't ping running 87 or 89 octane, you're good to go. Many will chime in and say that there are better detergents in the premo vs other octane levels but it really makes me question where these people buy their fuel. Assuming you are in MN based on your screen name, I haven't found any stations around here that use lower grade fuel with the 87 and 89 octanes.

I have experimented with premium and standard fuel and I couldn't tell the difference. My mileage was always the same and I have never pinged.

Also, I have had MANY Audi's and will continue to buy them because despite popular belief, they have been the most reliable and least expensive vehicles to maintain that I have ever owned. My A6 has 136K on it now and the only problem I have ever had on it was a torn CV boot. Still looks, Smells, and Drives like it did when I bought.

[KDamericano]

Originally Posted by mnmike

By the way, on the fuel door my D2 says premium only and thats what Ive put in, yet it surprised me, do they really need premium fuel? Doesn't seem like a very high strung engine to me..

The reason the Disco requires premium is because of the high compression ratio they run. If I try to put in regular, I'll throw CEL codes all day long. I know some get away with regular, but I've never been able to.

Deuter - I personally went with a D2 because it's my daily driver, and they're better for that. While the D1 is shorter and has a slightly better departure angle, the reason they're more preferred for off-road is because of the price. They're significantly cheaper than the D2's. The choice is ultimately yours. D2's perform great off-road, just like any other Land Rover. Also, the 99 and 00 D2s were built with a lockable center diff, sans the lever, which makes them just a short step away from a real off-road monster.

Originally Posted by Deuter412

If I take it to a mech...how do I know who'll be LR savvy?

Just check your local phone book, and call ahead to make sure

[mnmike]

Originally Posted by KDamericano

Also, the 99 and 00 D2s were built with a lockable center diff, sans the lever, which makes them just a short step away from a real off-road monster.

whoa whoa, it does?? How hard is it to set mine up?

[mnmike]

interesting
Diff Lock
Connecting CDL in a 2000 DII