Reliable is boring....

[onewhippedpuppy]

So I bought a Land Rover.






I've flirted with the Discovery for years now, I've always liked them but never taken the plunge. I sold my FJ80 Land Cruiser about a year ago and have regretted it ever since, especially the multiple times I had to get a push last winter. While Land Cruiser shopping I stumbled upon this locally and couldn't resist. It's a 1997 Discovery I LSE, 105k, lots of maintenance done by the previous owner (A&P mechanic and engineering student). Oversize MTR tires and newer Bilsteins, otherwise it's stock. I've had it about a month but haven't been on here much to post about it, frankly I like it more than the Land Cruiser. It has a lot more character and is nicer to drive, and seems to be relatively simple and easy to DIY. The 996 has spent a lot more time in the garage recently, I just really enjoy driving it. We'll see if this turns into another costly addiction.....

[Joe Bob]

That should empty your yuppie wallet....

[onewhippedpuppy]

It was dirt cheap and I've already found a great source for warrantied used parts, how does $25 for a power seat switch sound? I think I'll be just fine.

BTW, that's probably the first time in my entire life that I've been referred to as a yuppie. Vehicle stereotypes are very amusing.

[Mrmerlin]

Thats a nice looking Disco, i think this is one with the center diff lock ,
this makes the drive line better suited to off roading.
Some of these trucks are built really well,
and the paints seem to hold up very well if they are taken care of

If you really want to get spoiled take a test drive in an 2005 Range rover the last of the BMW Rovers. Also has the touch screen nav.
I had an 04 Disco and really liked it ,
I sold it to buy a house.
Then I took a ride in a RR HSE and then I knew I wanted one.
So i picked this one up 62K miles and runs great.
Pictured in Canyonlands Utah

[onewhippedpuppy]

That's a great looking Range Rover, is that a lift or the max height setting on the air suspension?

I'm a big fan of both the RR and LR3, but they're just a wee bit more expensive than my Disco. Maybe in another 10 years they will have sufficiently depreciated.

[JavaBrewer]

Nice Matt! Your first LR orientated purchase should be an oil drip pan or a stack of cardboard to protect your driveway and/or garage. If it's not dripping oil that probably means it's out of oil. LOL. Totally agree with you on the character of these things. We are on our third, an '03 with almost 100K miles, and it is still a pleasure to drive. Well except for drinking 91 octane at 10 mpg helpings...

Edit - nice color choice too!

[Mrmerlin]

The Range Rover is at offroad height in the picture.
avg fuel consumption is about 14 mpg. premium fuel


The 03 pictured is painted in White Gold, it has the 4.6 Bosch engine same as the 04
was the last year with factory installed front mud flaps,
though the dealer would sell you a set for your 04.

04 Disco has the center diff lock 03 didnt.

03 also has a range of VIN #s that had timing cover pins drilled slightly off,
this caused the oil pump outer gear to shatter then take out the engine from oil pressure loss.

Rovers solution was to replace the engine it usually failed by 60K miles if was gonna fail.
Check the oil for metallic particles drip oil onto black cardboard look at it in the sun
If you see lots of metallic particles then you should remove the front timing cover and inspect the oil pump

[enzo1]

Like it. How does it drive? Looks like its in great shape .... Yuppie???

[HardDrive]

I always loved Rovers (well, not the 'middle years').....

[livi]

That is mighty brave of you, Matt!

[onewhippedpuppy]

David, the "self galvanizing" system is working well. It's redecorating the same area of my driveway that the FJ80 did.

It really is a great driving SUV. It's by no means fast but has no issue cruising at 75-80 on the highway, and is a very smooth and surprisingly quiet vehicle (except the MTR tires). Excellent ride quality, and while obviously top heavy is not as cumbersome around town as I expected. I saw a quote on one of the Disco forums stating that it was like driving a Mercedes sedan that you could take on the Rubicon trail, it's a pretty good comparison.

[Mrmerlin]

if you think its top heavy go to the Rover dealer and take it on the off road course they have,
you will be very surprised at how far over it will tilt and stay planted to the ground

[asphaltgambler]

I'd like to congradulate you on your new ride.....................but I can't. I'm in the business, I work these frequently because the LR dealer near me refuses to work on anything older than a 2004 model. Just send them packing to me.

I could prolly write a $3k estimate W/O ever lifting the hood. All I can do at this point is (ruefully) wish you the best of luck...............

[Drisump]

DIY you say? Good, you're gonna need it LOL. I still have a 80 series LC (HDJ81) turbo diesel, locking diffs....etc. and it's been very good to me for the last five years. Sorry about the jibe....sort of compulsory when an LC owner addresses a Rover owner. Good luck with her, it seems you can get an awful lot of Rover for the money and she looks very nice.

[widebody911]

The only thing with a lower resale value than a used LR is a used condom.

[Joe Bob]

An English 928.....

[Sarc]

Congrats! You are a braver soul than me; I've had the serious jones for a RR Classic all summer, but can't get the nerve to pull the trigger. Looks like she'll serve you well for the next few months that you have her.

Now about that 996....inquiring minds want to know.

[crustychief]

I like my 03 Disco, it just rolled past 100,000 last week. Roverparts.com ( atlantic british ) is your pelican of the land rover world. I have not had any major issues with mine, just annoying little leaks. I do all the work myself, most recently was valve cover / valley gaskets.

[crustychief]

P.S.
http://www.landroverresource.com/docs/D1_Workshop_Manual.pdf

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

I'd like to congradulate you on your new ride.....................but I can't. I'm in the business, I work these frequently because the LR dealer near me refuses to work on anything older than a 2004 model. Just send them packing to me.

I could prolly write a $3k estimate W/O ever lifting the hood. All I can do at this point is (ruefully) wish you the best of luck...............

I'm good with that for what I paid, because I won't be paying a shop to do any work. There's maybe a whopping $200 in parts worth of maintenance/repairs that it currently needs to be nearly perfect, but my labor is cheap.

Originally Posted by Drisump

DIY you say? Good, you're gonna need it LOL. I still have a 80 series LC (HDJ81) turbo diesel, locking diffs....etc. and it's been very good to me for the last five years. Sorry about the jibe....sort of compulsory when an LC owner addresses a Rover owner. Good luck with her, it seems you can get an awful lot of Rover for the money and she looks very nice.

If they sold the HDJ81 in the states I'd be all over it, the standard FJ80 and even the FZJ80 is woefully underpowered. I'll never argue that the 80 series is a more reliable truck, but it doesn't have nearly as much charm and character as a Land Rover. Not disparaging the 80 series, frankly I was looking for another when I stumbled upon my Disco.

Originally Posted by Sarc

Congrats! You are a braver soul than me; I've had the serious jones for a RR Classic all summer, but can't get the nerve to pull the trigger. Looks like she'll serve you well for the next few months that you have her.

Now about that 996....inquiring minds want to know.

We'll see if I can beat my FJ80 record, I had it all of one year. If you DIY, one thing the Disco I, RRC, and Defender have going for them is simplicity. Unlike the newer models these are basic trucks without a lot of bells and whistles, less stuff means less to go wrong. You can get a nice one for $4k, what do you have to lose?

I still have the 996, though it will likely be for sale soon. It's a fantastic car.