Ask the Car People.SM


Land Rover Discovery and Discovery II

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

You are in the Land Rover Forum.

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

Messages Page 383 of 501

#3818 of 5001 My Disco Experiences by trader_tom

Jul 13, 2004 (12:28 pm)

Hi all. This is my first time posting on this forum, but I wanted to share some of my thoughts on the Disco II. My friend and I both purchased them around the same time. Let me start off by saying this is an awesome vehicle with capabilities beyond my expectations and nearly anyone else who has ever ridden in it. I have climbed mountains, driven through switchbacks in 1' of snow, negotiated ice covered trails, hauled trailers, and traveled with my family and friends over 600 miles a day. It has never failed to disappoint me with its utility. It seems to have something for everyone from luxury and convenience to versatility and capability.
 
My first Disco was a 2001 SD which I purchased from the dealer's fleet service at a reduced price. On the night I brought it home, the Check Engine Light came on. After many trips to the dealer, this problem was never resolved. The next day in the rain, it leaked water through the fire wall due to a seam on the body that was never caulked. I had a series of other problems including tire wear that could not be corrected through pressure and/or balancing and rotation. I finally had enough, and traded it back in at my expense for a new 2002 SE only three months later.
 
The SE started out great, until I went to get the trailer wiring package a month later, and it was on indefinite back order due to problems with the subcontractor (Bosch?). I ended up buying an aftermarket kit, and wiring the harness into the existing wires myself. Still, I had no quality concerns. It is now 2.5 years and 29,000 miles later, and a long and distinguished list of problems have occurred with many of them re occurring on a regular basis. This includes front turn signal bulbs that cause the turn signals to fail. Leaking rear gate window seals. Compass that only reads "S". All of the door seals leaking dust into the cabin. Rail dust covering the paint with rust dots. Uneven tire wear on two sets of tires that have worn prematurely. Doors that fail to open and/or close. Ice frozen anti lock brake failures. Seized rear brake calipers. Various electrical system glitches such as not starting due to alarm system deactivation failures. Intermittent oil leaks. Interior trim pieces that have fallen off. Broken snap on the cargo cover. Foam vibration deadeners that have fallen out of the body panels. I am sure there are more in the service folder I keep on this vehicle.
 
I have used this vehicle off road for many trips including hundreds of miles on timbering roads through Quebec. Through all of this, I have gone through great lengths to maintain the appearance and maintenance of the vehicle. The friend that purchased his at the same time is also experiencing similar problems including some I have not had like leaking sunroofs, and all of his lights turning off during night driving, and grill gaurds that drip rusty water down the body panels after every car wash, and an AC compressor that sounds like a lawn mower. Through everything, Land Rover has been unreceptive to comments and complaints from either of us. The dealers, from two different states, merely seem to put up with the LR issues, and make a solid attempt at repairing things that really are sub par designs.
 
Regretfully, I have had enough. I am selling my Disco II this summer and purchasing another brand of vehicle. There is no doubt I will miss this awesome vehicle. I never expected great gas mileage, car like ride, or other shortcomings that people tend to blame on SUVs due to the very nature of this type of vehicle. I don't even fault the recalls. I think that is a responsible way to deal with design flaws. I just can no longer cope with with the frequent problems associated with this vehicle, and the "don't care" attitude that LR takes after the sale.
 
I sincerely hope that all of you will have better experiences than I have had. Maybe the LR3 and the possible closing/quality improvements of the UK plant will put to rest some of the nagging problems that many LR owners seem to face. Maybe Ford can help bring a North American perception of quality and customer service to this otherwise distinguished brand name. If that is the case, I may give them another try in the future.
 
Tom

#3819 of 5001 welcome Trader_tom by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Jul 13, 2004 (11:51 pm)

timbering roads through Quebec
 
That's scarier than thinking about seized calipers! (having driven to the Bonaventure River put-in, the logging trucks make the semis on Route 20 seem tame).
 
Steve, Host

#3820 of 5001 by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Jul 14, 2004 (9:08 am)

Drive it forever?
 
Land Rover Creates Classic Parts Business (Carpages)
 
Steve, Host

#3821 of 5001 Drive it forever, indeed. by nanuq

Jul 14, 2004 (9:30 am)

If anyone has a doubt, talk to Mike Green of West Coast British in L.A. Last time I "talked" with him on a forum, over a year ago, he had 650,000 miles on his '96 Discovery... with ONE engine rebuild.

#3822 of 5001 Re: welcome Trader_tom [steve_] by trader_tom

Jul 14, 2004 (11:30 am)

Replying to: Stever@Edmunds (Jul 13, 2004 11:51 pm)
Thanks for the welcome Steve. Yes, it can be scary driving the timbering roads through Quebec. The first time we took my friend's 2001 SE Disco, and cracked the heated windshield five times from flying rocks off passing trucks. This year, I got one minor chip on my 2002 windshield, and felt cheated as though a broken windshield is a badge of honor (we've broken over 6 in the last 14 years of making the trip.)
 
By the way, the Disco is marvelous on dirt roads and even washboards. The only thing that can be a bit unnerving on long stretches of washboard is that the steering wheel will start oscillating into an unnatural rhythm that feels like the front end will come loose. You get used to the shaky wheel after a few incidents, but it feels unsettling. A side effect of this is that the rear gate handle does not like the dust or vibration, and tends to freeze up. (which means you will be forced to take your dirty golf clubs in and out one of the rear doors with a seat folded down) This has happened to me several times. The service "band-aid" for this is to pop the LR emblem off the rear latch cover, spray a bunch of WD-40 into the latch mechanism, and then super glue the Land Rover emblem back into place. It's in the shop today again, for this very procedure (plus the brake modulator recall.)
 
Tom

#3823 of 5001 by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Jul 15, 2004 (2:30 pm)

First Look: 2005 Land Rover LR3
 
Steve, Host

#3824 of 5001 Re: [steve_] by davidc1

Jul 16, 2004 (6:56 am)

Replying to: Stever@Edmunds (Jul 15, 2004 2:30 pm)
Very nice. Can't wait to get one.

#3825 of 5001 Need CD changer and driver side mat! by jefftabar

Jul 17, 2004 (3:57 pm)

To anyone out there, I am looking for a CD changer and driver side mat for my 2000 LR Disc. II. I bought the vehicle used and it did not come with these items. I have looked into the dealer price and WOW, not paying that.
 
Help would be appreciated! If you know of or have these items to sell, please e-mail me at tabar5msn.com.
 
Thanks-in-advance.

#3826 of 5001 by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Jul 17, 2004 (4:08 pm)

We aren't set up for buying and selling on Town Hall - try eBay or your local salvage yard or Thrifty Nickel/PennySaver flyer.
 
Steve, Host

#3827 of 5001 Snowplow for Disco II by aztecsun

Jul 18, 2004 (10:19 am)

Has anyone ever had the snowplow blade attached to the Disco II?

Messages Page 383 of 501

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement