Discovery 2 (2002-2004). Are they as unreliable as claimed?
Discussion
I'm thinking of getting a Discovery 2 (2002-2004). I'm going for the later ones in a hope most of the bugs will have been fixed.
Are they as bad as everyone makes out reliability wise? I'm fairly competent mechanically, built a Westfield and rebuilt 2 Classic Minis amongst other things, so don't mind doing unbolting or tin bashing. Are the standard repairs home doable ? Software stuff isn't my thing though.
I have considered Japanese offerings but they tend to be more expensive to buy and also have some horror stories.
Are they as bad as everyone makes out reliability wise? I'm fairly competent mechanically, built a Westfield and rebuilt 2 Classic Minis amongst other things, so don't mind doing unbolting or tin bashing. Are the standard repairs home doable ? Software stuff isn't my thing though.
I have considered Japanese offerings but they tend to be more expensive to buy and also have some horror stories.
Thanks Hashtag. Part of my reasoning for an older Discovery is that I had a Renault Espace Mk3, an 02 plate, several years ago. It was a nightmare. The mechanics were fine but it had software niggles. It would suddenly decide that it did not want to go. Next day it would be as if nothing happened. I can handle most mechanical mayhem but this was beyond the experts let alone me. Since then I've had a policy of go for older simpler cars. Hence my sensitivity to reliability & maintainability. I don't mind a moderate amount of unreliability if I can fix it. The Land Rover buffs at work seem to regard the Discovery 3 & 4s as more troublesome, not that I can afford one.
I currently have a late MK3 Mondeo Estate with 162000 miles. It has been superb, all I have replaced other than consumables in 75,000 miles is the thermostat housing & refitted the exhaust heat shield. Unfortunately my three children are getting to the teenage stage and it's a squeeze on the back seat.
The only major problem with getting a Discovery is that I have access to a car trailer and there is the danger that I might buy all manner of cheap cr@p projects on ebay if I have the bigger towing capacity.
I currently have a late MK3 Mondeo Estate with 162000 miles. It has been superb, all I have replaced other than consumables in 75,000 miles is the thermostat housing & refitted the exhaust heat shield. Unfortunately my three children are getting to the teenage stage and it's a squeeze on the back seat.
The only major problem with getting a Discovery is that I have access to a car trailer and there is the danger that I might buy all manner of cheap cr@p projects on ebay if I have the bigger towing capacity.
Crikey, thanks for all the advice. We will be trying at least one over the weekend for size.
Having rebuilt Minis and spend several years in the 90's maintaining a friends MK1 Celica ST, I'm not overly worried about tackling the rust.
A work friend has a TD5 Defender so I've lived through his traumas with that, cracked cylinder head, failed pump in tank, doors falling off, ECU going etc. I don't intend ditching the Mondeo I should add.
Size wise I'm only 5'4" so that's not an issue for me. SWMBO is the same height so I don't think the youngsters are going to be basketball players. What does it for the children in the Mondeo is the cuddy box between the seats combined with the exhaust (transmission) tunnel. The middle seat occupant complains about this. Even though we have the front seats forward it doesn't help. They reckon it takes half an hour for their legs to recover after a long trip.
I should add that's not the only reason for getting one. Other reasons include, more towing capacity than Mondeo, I fancy a go at off roading and I first wanted a Land Rover over 20 years ago - we've buried three of our colleagues from work over the last year, 2 from accidents, which has put life in perspective.
I could get a people carrier but that's not why I'm on Pistonheads. Anyway I'm 48 and I'm due a mid life crisis.
Having rebuilt Minis and spend several years in the 90's maintaining a friends MK1 Celica ST, I'm not overly worried about tackling the rust.
A work friend has a TD5 Defender so I've lived through his traumas with that, cracked cylinder head, failed pump in tank, doors falling off, ECU going etc. I don't intend ditching the Mondeo I should add.
Size wise I'm only 5'4" so that's not an issue for me. SWMBO is the same height so I don't think the youngsters are going to be basketball players. What does it for the children in the Mondeo is the cuddy box between the seats combined with the exhaust (transmission) tunnel. The middle seat occupant complains about this. Even though we have the front seats forward it doesn't help. They reckon it takes half an hour for their legs to recover after a long trip.
I should add that's not the only reason for getting one. Other reasons include, more towing capacity than Mondeo, I fancy a go at off roading and I first wanted a Land Rover over 20 years ago - we've buried three of our colleagues from work over the last year, 2 from accidents, which has put life in perspective.
I could get a people carrier but that's not why I'm on Pistonheads. Anyway I'm 48 and I'm due a mid life crisis.
Well, we've now tried a few of varying quality. The children like the extra space. I'm currently researching the various issues and have got myself a copy of the workshop manual. Interestingly all the ones we have looked at have had the air suspension replaced with springs. I'm not sure how this would affect the insurance though.
We did find a nice one but it had a different, cheap tyre on each wheel, no visible liquid in the expansion tank for the rad and the fuel pump whined so we walked away as the signs of neglect were there. This was a shame as it had the best body, interior and engine bay of the lot.
We did find a nice one but it had a different, cheap tyre on each wheel, no visible liquid in the expansion tank for the rad and the fuel pump whined so we walked away as the signs of neglect were there. This was a shame as it had the best body, interior and engine bay of the lot.
Well, I gave up on the Discovery idea after all that. The ones I looked at were either rough or somewhat overpriced.
My solution was to keep my trusty old MK3 Mondeo estate and get a Series 3 109 Land Rover. So far we have been using this combination successfully. The Landy is used at weekends and the Mondeo for school runs, commutes and long distance stuff. The 109 is a soft top which is great in the summer especially as we live near the beach.
I still like the idea of a Discovery but the 109 is more "me". Shame about the 14 mpg though...:-)
My solution was to keep my trusty old MK3 Mondeo estate and get a Series 3 109 Land Rover. So far we have been using this combination successfully. The Landy is used at weekends and the Mondeo for school runs, commutes and long distance stuff. The 109 is a soft top which is great in the summer especially as we live near the beach.
I still like the idea of a Discovery but the 109 is more "me". Shame about the 14 mpg though...:-)
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