Monday 23rd January 2023

Alps-conquering Land Rover Discovery 2 V8 for sale

Once a press car for the original Disco 2 launch, this V8 is now better than ever

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Nothing quite ignites a PH forum discussion like an ex-press car. Those who wouldn’t touch a car thrashed by dozens of ham-fisted hacks meet those intrigued by a car that’s been on front covers and enjoyed the very best in manufacturer care. It’s usually a well-mannered, reasonable debate on the car for sale, as is typical for PistonHeads…

Time to revisit the discussion, only with something a little different. This Land Rover Discovery is an ex-press car, though its time being driven by media ended a quarter of a century ago (!) once the launch of the then-new Disco 2 was finished. So it’s hardly like you’re still going to find crisp packets in the glovebox or mud in the engine bay, fresh from the last magazine loan. To show off just how hardy the Discovery 2 was - and how much more capable it was than the original Disco - Land Rover held a launch for journalists that traced the route of Hannibal’s journey across the Alps. Because of course they did. This was one of those original Discovery 2s from 1998. So already its story is more interesting than most.

With upgrades to the chassis, suspension, and body, the Discovery 2 was a lot more of an update than its familiar look suggested. The selling dealer of this particular one is a fan of the styling (they surely can’t be alone, either), and actually acquired it a few years ago. Recently subjected to a raft of upgrades, it’s now surely the best Discovery 2 out there. The best V8 Discovery full stop, in fact.

Yes, you read that right, this is a 4.0-litre Land Rover Discovery. Or was, rather - we’ll return to that point. As is press car lore, this launch vehicle was a top-of-the-range V8 ES, with seven seats, two sunroofs, electric heated leather seats and a Harmon Kardon stereo. So already it’s a pretty desirable old thing, for those that can afford the fuel, given how rare the petrol engine is and with the press car provenance.

But it gets better from there - a whole lot better. At 83,000 miles (or 12,000 miles ago), the Disco was subjected to what might almost be termed the restomod treatment, albeit without any cosmetic changes. The Land Rover was upgraded here and there to make it more usable in the 2020s, and the result looks spectacular. It now has a 4.6-litre John Eales V8, with more power and torque than standard, a rebuilt automatic gearbox, upgraded brakes, better suspension and improved cooling. It’s said that £30,000 has gone into making this the Discovery into the car it is today. Add those mechanical upgrades to a flawless (yet unrestored) interior and gleaming green paintwork and the Discovery looks better than ever. It’s the PH family car dream, with space for seven, a V8 burble, and that iconic, unmistakeable Discovery silhouette to admire on the drive.

It won’t come cheap, mind, the asking price of this one £42,250. But then with the best Discovery 2s already commanding more than £15k, without the upgrades or the history, it’s a bit easier to see how that price has been reached. Certainly, there’s not going to be another like it for sale anytime soon. And that might well be good enough for some. They best get planning a rerun of Hannibal’s trip...

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See the original advert here

[Slowlygettingit]

Crazy money or is that just me?

[Jordie Barretts sock]

No, that's insane money.

[Turbobanana]

It's starting to feel like PH seeks out overpriced offerings as clickbait, to encourage "robust" discussion on its forums.

[ballans]

That’s rather nice. These must be reaching classic status by now so not surprised at the asking price. Another matter if they actually get it though.
I had a similar spec 2002 version in dark metallic blue. Mine was a Cypriot import and totally rust free. Was the diesel which I hate to say is probably the better option. I have driven the V8 and while it makes a nice noise it wasn’t the huge leap in performance I was expecting. The engine upgrade in this might help with that although the TD5 also responds well to a remap.
Looks like this one is sitting a bit low at the back. Leaky air springs or do they all do that sir.

[mersontheperson]

Turbobanana said:

It's starting to feel like PH seeks out overpriced offerings as clickbait, to encourage "robust" discussion on its forums.

I am inclined to agree, but in this particular case, I would imagine finding a good Disco 2 and then getting all this work done would bring the cost to the same as this car.
So maybe with a dealers premium, it’s not that ridiculous

[ducnick]

Must be nigh on impossible to find one that’s not rotten these days. However. An automatic v8 disco 2 for £40k vs an automatic v8 l322 for £15k.

Makes the older car a very tough sell.

[Bobupndown]

I owned a Td5 Discovery 2 for 11 years. Absolutely loved it and still think it's one of the best looking and most practical cars landrover ever produced.
I can't see this car being worth more than £20k though. I get that someone has poured multiple thousands of pounds into this but it doesn't automatically equate that you'll get them all back plus a good few more when it comes time to sell.
Its a no from me.

[shirt]

Slowlygettingit said:

Crazy money or is that just me?

its mental money however you cut it

mersontheperson said:

Turbobanana said:

It's starting to feel like PH seeks out overpriced offerings as clickbait, to encourage "robust" discussion on its forums.

I am inclined to agree, but in this particular case, I would imagine finding a good Disco 2 and then getting all this work done would bring the cost to the same as this car.
So maybe with a dealers premium, it’s not that ridiculous

agree with the first sentence, not the second. just because someone spends a ton of money on a folly, it doesn't mean that folly is then worth the resultant sum.

Edited by shirt on Tuesday 24th January 07:50

[Water Fairy]

[TheMilkyBarKid]

Lovely example, but preposterous price all the same. Also, if one of the key selling elements is it’s history as a press car, but mechanically many of the original parts are no longer present, is that still a thing?

[Phil Cook]

TheMilkyBarKid said:

Lovely example, but preposterous price all the same. Also, if one of the key selling elements is it’s history as a press car, but mechanically many of the original parts are no longer present, is that still a thing?

A bit of a “triggers broom”?

[ballans]

Phil Cook said:

TheMilkyBarKid said:

Lovely example, but preposterous price all the same. Also, if one of the key selling elements is it’s history as a press car, but mechanically many of the original parts are no longer present, is that still a thing?

A bit of a “triggers broom”?

To be fair, triggers broom is probably a good thing with old Landrovers.

[urquattroGus]

For 20 to 25k maybe, but 42 hell no.

Fitting a 4.6 is pretty straightforward and they are still available.

TVR Power (forget their new name) also do some impressive rebuilds.

[prand]

ballans said:

Looks like this one is sitting a bit low at the back. Leaky air springs or do they all do that sir.

I thought that too. It may be as most of the discos of that vintage I see now are jacked up ofroaders with valances and bumpers removed, but this one does look particularly low slung at the back.

[ettore]

…bet it sells.

Price may well set a record for what it is but will no doubt be bought as an interesting toy/daily by someone likely to have other nice things in the cupboard.

[Bispal]

£43k and its not even usable in its normal London habitat as its not ULEZ.

Nice colour though.

[Bill]

shirt said:

agree with the first sentence, not the second. just because someone spends a ton of money on a folly, it doesn't mean that folly is then worth the resultant sum.

It does seem that the world has gone stark staring bonkers, so who knows! The asking price of a Defender with this level of work would be twice this (or more! )

[Firebobby]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!

[NJJ]

There are few cars that you can sell for more than the resto cost that went into them, this is certainly not one of those.

[Turbobanana]

TheMilkyBarKid said:

Lovely example, but preposterous price all the same. Also, if one of the key selling elements is it’s history as a press car, but mechanically many of the original parts are no longer present, is that still a thing?

I think the thing with ex-press cars is being able to show your friends the old magazines and go "Look! That's my car!". So, as long as it looks the same, no worries.

Regarding the abuse press cars get: yes, we all know they get thrashed mercilessly, but this has survived a further 25 years so can't be all bad. Can it?