igotanxj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Citrus heights
Actually, Ford did wonders for Jaguar and LR's reliability. LR still has a long way to go though.
Land Rover Discovery
- Thread starter bradow
- Start date
iluv83vettes
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Houston
I had a 95 RR classic. It was Ford but still the old style. I liked it, but parts are more expensive(Power steering pump was like $450). Mine already had the airbags removed and coils in place. It was very comfortable and like Rev said, easy to fix but do it often. The mechanic we took it too a couple times was from New Zealand and he explained it as not leaking oil but seaping and that all of them do that and you can't stop it(kinda like most XJ's).
hawkster
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Milford, CT
Being the owner of both a 2000 XJ and a 2002 discovery 2, I can state my experience.
The XJ is far more nimble and fast. The Discovery is more like a tank. I feel far more comfortable in Snow and Ice with the discovery. It's 4WD drive system is a work of art. It has been exceptionally reliable but unlike the xj you must take it to a real land rover dealer for service or you are at your own peril. It has quirks when new, but once all worked out it is an exceptional vehicle. The Airbag suspension (Active Cornering enhancement) is one of the best features of the 2nd generation, why would you ever want to remove it is beyond me.
The XJ is far more nimble and fast. The Discovery is more like a tank. I feel far more comfortable in Snow and Ice with the discovery. It's 4WD drive system is a work of art. It has been exceptionally reliable but unlike the xj you must take it to a real land rover dealer for service or you are at your own peril. It has quirks when new, but once all worked out it is an exceptional vehicle. The Airbag suspension (Active Cornering enhancement) is one of the best features of the 2nd generation, why would you ever want to remove it is beyond me.
Root Moose
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- ON, Canada
Agreed, the air bag system is really quite nice:
1.) when it works,
2.) if you are happy with the amount of articulation that the system can provide.
If you want to keep your vehicle stock-ish it is great. If you are looking for big articulation, not so much.
Metal Thrasher
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- life
Two things to clarify from this thread:
1]
BMW owned Land Rover from 1994 - 2000 ( continued original drive train for a time before converting to BMW drivetrains)
Ford owned Land Rover from 2000 - 2008 ( and integrated drivetrains with Jaguar which they had purchased seperately)
Tata Motors of India bought Land rover in 2008 ( and Jaguar as well)
================================================
2]
the Defender model is / was the true off road offering. It was available in two main wheel bases 90 and 110 inches. These are basicaly carry overs from the Series III Range Rovers that were not sold since 1974 in the States. The 110 was available in 1993 and the 90 was available from 94 - 97. Other wheel bases and longer years were available in Europe.
Opinion: Discos are decent rigs but do require attention to the maintance. The parts tend to be pricey but there are specialized sources where better deals can be had. If you are an enthusiast and capable of the mechanical work go for it. If you are looking for an image vehicle but don't have the cash to have someone maintain it for you keep looking.
1]
BMW owned Land Rover from 1994 - 2000 ( continued original drive train for a time before converting to BMW drivetrains)
Ford owned Land Rover from 2000 - 2008 ( and integrated drivetrains with Jaguar which they had purchased seperately)
Tata Motors of India bought Land rover in 2008 ( and Jaguar as well)
================================================
2]
the Defender model is / was the true off road offering. It was available in two main wheel bases 90 and 110 inches. These are basicaly carry overs from the Series III Range Rovers that were not sold since 1974 in the States. The 110 was available in 1993 and the 90 was available from 94 - 97. Other wheel bases and longer years were available in Europe.
Opinion: Discos are decent rigs but do require attention to the maintance. The parts tend to be pricey but there are specialized sources where better deals can be had. If you are an enthusiast and capable of the mechanical work go for it. If you are looking for an image vehicle but don't have the cash to have someone maintain it for you keep looking.
Last edited:
HaleYes
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Clay County, IL
Waiting for Roxtar....in 5....4....3....2....
Roxtar
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- NW Indiana-Chicago area
..1
TaDaaaa
OK, to set the stage, I've done a little Jeep offroad building. I used to be MWC VP.
IOW, I was very much a jeep guy.
Till I bought a Land Rover.
Bought a D2 for my wife, drove it to Jackson Hole, WY and back through some truly nasty conditions.
Truck felt like it was on rails through the worst Wyoming could throw at it.
Was so impressed I bought a D1 for myself. Haven't considered a jeep since.
Lot of misinfo going on here so let me start with that.
First off, is price & reliability. Decent shape D1s are everywhere for under $4-5K
They stay in good shape because they usually have been maintained, haven't been wheeled, and have aluminum bodies so no rust issues.
The main issue with the 4.0 is they tend to blow head gaskets at around 70K miles. Replace it and you're good for life. If yours makes it past that 70K mark without blowing, you're probably good.
The cylinder sleeve thing is way overblown.
The electrical issues boil down to one name; Lucas.
Known in LR circles as the Prince of Darkness, Lucas is crap and it seems every British vehicle is forced to use them. Switches & relays go bad, dash lites flicker, stuff like that.
Dealer work is ridiculously pricy but, hopefully, anyone here is far beyond taking his vehicle into the dealer for brake jobs.
Used LR parts dealers are all over the internet and very reasonable.
Now, the pros:
Stock for stock, nothing (except perhaps a Rubi) nothing comes close.
Suspension
-real frame
-coils all around
-four link/wishbone rear suspension
-longarm radius arm front suspension
Axles
-full float rear
-Toy style birfield front
-Toy style 3rd members
Drivetrain
-Bulletproof auto trans
-Equally bulletproof LT230 TC w/ 3.21 lo range.
-Alum block/head V8 that, despite head gasket issue, will run forever.
Misc
-Every body panel, yes, even the rear quarters and roof, are aluminum, bolt-on, and easily replaceable.
The more I deal with my D1 the more impressed I am with the engineering.
The company truly works to constantly improve them.
You'd never see a D30/D35 speced on a LR. Wouldn't happen.
They also are built to be fixed in the middle of the Sahara with a multi-tool, chicken wire, and duct tape.
My last brake job took 20 minutes.
Change a front blinker bulb? 30 seconds.
Seriously
The bad rap they get is primarily due to stupid little things; switches going out, ABS problems, faulty idiot lites, stuff like that.
Guy buys an $80K Range Rover, he gets pissed when his sunroof switch goes out for the third time. Especially when the dealer is charging him $120/hr to replace them.
Best advice is to buy a '97-99 D1 with as few bells and whistles as possible.
You'll be a happy camper.
TaDaaaa
OK, to set the stage, I've done a little Jeep offroad building. I used to be MWC VP.
IOW, I was very much a jeep guy.
Till I bought a Land Rover.
Bought a D2 for my wife, drove it to Jackson Hole, WY and back through some truly nasty conditions.
Truck felt like it was on rails through the worst Wyoming could throw at it.
Was so impressed I bought a D1 for myself. Haven't considered a jeep since.
Lot of misinfo going on here so let me start with that.
First off, is price & reliability. Decent shape D1s are everywhere for under $4-5K
They stay in good shape because they usually have been maintained, haven't been wheeled, and have aluminum bodies so no rust issues.
The main issue with the 4.0 is they tend to blow head gaskets at around 70K miles. Replace it and you're good for life. If yours makes it past that 70K mark without blowing, you're probably good.
The cylinder sleeve thing is way overblown.
The electrical issues boil down to one name; Lucas.
Known in LR circles as the Prince of Darkness, Lucas is crap and it seems every British vehicle is forced to use them. Switches & relays go bad, dash lites flicker, stuff like that.
Dealer work is ridiculously pricy but, hopefully, anyone here is far beyond taking his vehicle into the dealer for brake jobs.
Used LR parts dealers are all over the internet and very reasonable.
Now, the pros:
Stock for stock, nothing (except perhaps a Rubi) nothing comes close.
Suspension
-real frame
-coils all around
-four link/wishbone rear suspension
-longarm radius arm front suspension
Axles
-full float rear
-Toy style birfield front
-Toy style 3rd members
Drivetrain
-Bulletproof auto trans
-Equally bulletproof LT230 TC w/ 3.21 lo range.
-Alum block/head V8 that, despite head gasket issue, will run forever.
Misc
-Every body panel, yes, even the rear quarters and roof, are aluminum, bolt-on, and easily replaceable.
The more I deal with my D1 the more impressed I am with the engineering.
The company truly works to constantly improve them.
You'd never see a D30/D35 speced on a LR. Wouldn't happen.
They also are built to be fixed in the middle of the Sahara with a multi-tool, chicken wire, and duct tape.
My last brake job took 20 minutes.
Change a front blinker bulb? 30 seconds.
Seriously
The bad rap they get is primarily due to stupid little things; switches going out, ABS problems, faulty idiot lites, stuff like that.
Guy buys an $80K Range Rover, he gets pissed when his sunroof switch goes out for the third time. Especially when the dealer is charging him $120/hr to replace them.
Best advice is to buy a '97-99 D1 with as few bells and whistles as possible.
You'll be a happy camper.
