Land Rover Discovery and Discovery II

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5001 messages, Last post on May 02, 2013 at 4:24 PM

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What is this discussion about? Land Rover Discovery, Land Rover Discovery Series II, Audio, Entertainment System, Navigation System, Performance Mods, SUV

#342 of 5001 Discovery II nightmare. by dakota16

Mar 17, 2001 (12:38 am)

About one year ago I purchased a new 2000 Discovery II fully loaded from Land Rover Mission Viejo, California. My experience was not a pretty one. After driving the truck home, the next morning at startup the drivers seat failed to work and the ACE suspension also failed and would not work, due to a broken ACE actuator. Taking 2 weeks to get a part to fix. Next the truck would steer and veer dangerously and after a dealer inspections, they found the steering stabilizer had disconnected. This with less then 100 miles. One week later, my wife took it to the store and our children ages 4-2 and 6 mos got locked/trapped inside. Nothing would unlock the doors and when the key was tried in the drivers door it would just spin, it was hooked to nothing. Very scary! The story goes on and on, the truck has had 72 problem, here are the highlights. Front differential spun a bearing front gears and bearings changes-2330 miles, Brakes failed-replaced 3 times rotors and pads-450 miles. Locks on entire truck changed 3 times due to malfunction. Windshield heating element broke had to be replace, one week later new windshield cracked due to poor installation. Lights inside worked right maybe a handful of times. Truck leaked everywhere, ACE pump,tranny. At startup truck would smoke due to a bad valve seat. Transmission fluid line exploded on highway almost causing a major crash, then ABS brakes failed due to trans fluid spraying on them. Seat switches, window motors, locks, windshield, drive train, transmission, brakes, idler pulley . This truck was in the shop all the time, $18000 in warranty service work in the first 6 months. This is the first time I had a problem with transportation. I wish this experience on no-one, I bought a Lemon. My point in writing this is more about the hassle of owning a Lemon. I was not treated well by Land Rover USA or Land Rover Mission Viejo. No customer should have to go through the hassles offered by Land Rover. It took me 1 year, a Lemon Law lawyer and the loss of a family transpotation to finally get them to take it back. When I did take it in to get my money back, the dealer tried to charge me over $3000 for bogus repairs. They cracked the headlight washer cover which is plastic and failed and had to be fixed under warranty. They wanted $300 for a $20 plastic cover. The dealers love these trucks, because they get paid warranty monies to fix these things. They make out while you drive a rent a car. What I did after two weeks of delivery, was not make a payment to BMW leasing, for the duration 1 year. The Lemon Law lawyer, told the leasing company they too would be brought into the suit, so they took no payments and did not report on credit. BMW credit was very understanding and a class act. Next the lawyer had the truck independantly looked at and verified all problems. If you are looking to buy one be careful, a machine can be fixed or replaced, but the time and effort involved for me was such burden on me and my family. I have owned many new cars and trucks, many Mercedes, including a ML 320 which was traded in on this Land Rover. The customer service through the Mercedes brand is much better, Land Rover has along way to go. My final comment is when I went to buy that Land Rover, I wanted something to drive and explore with. I did not want a truck that I had to take to the dealer every week. My Mercedes' get service 2 to 3 times during a 2 year lease and then get turn back in, that what I expect. Good luck to all current and future owners.

#343 of 5001 Craftmanship by patmarc

Mar 18, 2001 (12:37 pm)

Just an update on my Rover experience so far. My 2000 DII, loaded sans ACE, now has 15000 miles. So far we have put up with 1) small coolant leak (yippee, I'm a "real Roverer"), 2)one burnt parking light, 3)one check engine lighting after a torrential rainstorm, 4)electrical failure caused by wire short, 5)stabilizer bar replacement caused by improper towing (see#4).
Everything was replaced/restored under warranty by an extremely courteous service department. When She runs there is nothing better. When problems happen, I can't wait to get her out of the shop.
My Toyota pickup is as reliable as my Seiko watch but there is no emotional attachment. The Seiko resides in my bureau, the Toyota spends most of the time at the deer lease. The Discovery that I drive, like the Omega that I wear, was hand-built by craftsmen that were focused with the task of building the best product that they could make (hopefully not just before or after a soccer weekend).
Are there vehicles with better build records? No argument there, yes. Would I own them? Why bother, I already have one of the best purpose-built, fun, luxurious, vehicles made.
Last note, I have nothing against the gas mileage. I just wish that it was regular fuel that it burned. And, judging from previous posts it looks like how the Dealership handles your "challenges" makes all the difference in how your come to appreciate your truck.

Happy Rovering,
Pat

#345 of 5001 Door openings ? by mwilme

Mar 19, 2001 (7:25 am)

We took at a look at a Disco this last weekend and I was surprised at the small door openings. The front doors only seem to open to about 60 degrees and the rear doors about the same with a narrower opening and the chance as you get out to rub your pants/dress/coat over the body metal of the wheel arch potentiall transferring road dirt to your clothes.

Is this something that is a real world issue ???

#346 of 5001 Door openings. by erikj

Mar 19, 2001 (1:07 pm)

The door openings are smaller (especially in back) mainly because the D-II wheelbase is pretty short (100"). The short wheelbase is an example of the overall D-II design bias for off-road use.

I have 2 small kids. The oldest has no problem scampering in and out without getting dirty as long he does not rub up or (more typically) lean on the tires (an issue for any car). My youngest has to be put into a child seat by hand. The height of the car can make it awkward for less-than-tall people to maneuver a small child into the car seat. But that's not usually a door-size issue.

The rear arch can get dusty after off-roading, but not so much from regular use. I live in a dry climate so someone else might have to comment on how wet the arch gets in rainy weather. In any case, I can't recall a problem getting clothes messed up by the wheel arch.

Hope this helps,

- EJ

#347 of 5001 Question regarding posts by mwilme

Mar 20, 2001 (8:49 am)

Reading through the posts on this baord there are a lot of negative posts. Now either the LR is a 'bad' vehicle with a range of problems or the people who have the problems are posting them and the happy owners are out off roading and not posting.

which is it ?

Please try to be fair.

Also - TMV for an SD is quoted by Edmunds at 31,720, which seems reasonable. Does anyone know if LR is offering special financing or leasing on this vehicle or what the forecast resuidual is at 3 years / 36K miles ?

#348 of 5001 Land Rover Incentives by tincup47

Mar 20, 2001 (9:24 am)

Land Rover has a $399 Lease on the SD and has reduced the customer down payment $1000 to $1995. They also have 4.9 financing for 36 month, 5.9 financing on 48/60 month purchases.

#349 of 5001 Land Rover Discovery SII 2001 Experience by jwl2001

Mar 20, 2001 (9:56 am)

We purchased a 2001 Land Rover Discovery Series II last October in San Diego. Its a Silver SE7, with ACE and lightstone interior. As a side note, it did not have the rear air. The benefit is you have more rear cargo room than rear air equipped vehicles.

Based on several of the negative posts on this site, we were somewhat skeptical to proceed, but based on comparison test drives of Jeep Grand Cherokee, BMW X5, Toyota 4Runner and the likes, the Discovery met our needs the best - real off-road capability, 7 passenger capacity, and a luxury feel. Fit and finish was the best, quality feel/toughness was by far the best, the ACE suspension gave the best road feel and confidence, versatility was best, ride height and panaromic viewing was the best, and looks were unique and attractive.

We were able to negotiate $2000 off list.

To date, we've accumulated approximately 7000 miles, all of which have been trouble free. The ride is tight, the engine, though relatively low on power compared to other SUV's, is adequate, the fuel economy ranges between 14 and 17 (city/highway). There haven't been any squeaks and rattles to speak of.

We've had it off-road numerous times and the vehicle is amazing. Recently during a blizzard while skiing at Big Bear, we were comfortably passing all the other 4X4's, (Big Chevy's pick-ups, other SUV's,). You could tell they were frustrated in that they could not catch up. The Discovery was absolutely stable and confident at speeds the others wouldn't dare - and we didn't have chains! During another outing in the Cuymaca's, a driver in a Toyota pick-up approached us and ask if were having any difficulties - naturally, we weren't, but he was getting stuck everywhere in the deep snow and mud!

Anyway, in summary, the vehicle is delightful to own and drive, has been as reliable as anything else I've owned, and to date, though limited, the dealer experience has been solid.

#350 of 5001 by drew_

Mar 20, 2001 (12:03 pm)

#351 of 5001 Land Rover Discovery 2 ? by zero3

Mar 20, 2001 (12:13 pm)

Hi, I am thinking about buying one very soon and am doing research. Many of you are very unhappy with this truck and some love it. I live in New England and an all road truck is needed for 2/3 of the year. My car is just not cutting it and it is almost 10 years old. Anyway my goal is to get an SUV to deal with harsh weather and last about 10 years in good shape. So if anyone could post or email your thoughts and advice I would be thankful. If you hate this truck please tell me why and what if you could buy again pick. The max I am able to spend is $40,000. Thank You all for your time and help. My email is imagicaworld

mediaone.net

Paul

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