Looking at purchasing a Discovery

Land Rover Forums Land Rover Classifieds Photo Gallery Member List Calendars Search Contact Us Sponsors
Land Rover Lineup News Forum FAQ Land Rover Recalls TSBs Timeslips Register Login

Looking at purchasing a Discovery

Printable Version

Land Rover Forums >> Vehicle Line Up >> Discovery >> Looking at purchasing a Discovery

Page: [1] 2 next > >>

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Looking at purchasing a Discovery - 6/28/2008 12:51:21 PM

Zytek_Fan

Posts: 2
Joined: 6/28/2008
Status: offline

I found a great deal on a 1998 Land Rover Discovery Series I

I''ve read a bit about the Series I, and they seem like great SUVs, but I''ve got a couple concerns.

1) Reliablity. Not too much of a biggie, most reviews seem to say they''re nice and reliable.
2) Fuel economy. Not too much of an issue, but I''d like to get at least 18+mpg. I''ve seen this is easily achievable with a K&N air filter and an upgraded ignition seems to help some people
3) Towing capacity. On occasion, I might be towing a 3 place ATV trailer, would the Disco be able to handle it fine?
4) Modifications. Mods for Disco''s seem pretty hard to find. I''ve found a few things, but it''d be nice to get everything at one place, you know?

Thank you, and I''ll be back later to see your responses!

Post #: 1

RE: Looking at purchasing a Discovery - 6/28/2008 1:15:31 PM

Disco2Guy

Posts: 606
Joined: 9/12/2007
From: San Francisco, CA.
Status: online

They''re reliable, but it might take some extra work after purchase to get it there.
You MUST use premium fuel in these trucks. Forget about the K&N air filter it''ll destroy your MAF. You''ll want to get Magnecor wires and some Bosch +4 or Champion plugs.
Towing should be ok. There are people that have towed a Disco with their Disco.
What kind of mods are you looking for? Lift, sliders, bumpers? Checkout Rovertym, OME, Expedition Exchange, Trek Outfitters.

_____________________________

-D2G
NCLR Club #70
vids
pics

"RovrFlo"
''''''''01 Disco 2 w/ ''''''''04 CDL
2" RTE/OME, RTE sliders, OME stabilizer, BFG 245/75/16, trimme

(in reply to Zytek_Fan)

Post #: 2

RE: Looking at purchasing a Discovery - 6/28/2008 1:48:02 PM

99LRDisc

Posts: 158
Joined: 5/18/2008
Status: offline

anythign these guys tell you here will be right on. Search for Discovery and K&N on the fourm page if your curious why we are against K&N. I have a 1999 Series I. I''m a month with it. Pretty much the same as yours, i think.

Anyone tell me major differneces between the 98and96?

_____________________________

I Drive a Land Rover, YO.

(in reply to Disco2Guy)

Post #: 3

RE: Looking at purchasing a Discovery - 6/28/2008 2:43:37 PM

Zytek_Fan

Posts: 2
Joined: 6/28/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Disco2Guy

They''''re reliable, but it might take some extra work after purchase to get it there.
You MUST use premium fuel in these trucks. Forget about the K&N air filter it''''ll destroy your MAF. You''''ll want to get Magnecor wires and some Bosch +4 or Champion plugs.
Towing should be ok. There are people that have towed a Disco with their Disco.
What kind of mods are you looking for? Lift, sliders, bumpers? Checkout Rovertym, OME, Expedition Exchange, Trek Outfitters.

Yeah, I''m looking for lifts. Nothing too major, but enough for larger offroad tires.
I found a 2" inch lift kit...

(in reply to Disco2Guy)

Post #: 4

RE: Looking at purchasing a Discovery - 6/28/2008 2:50:12 PM

NiteTrain

Posts: 264
Joined: 3/31/2008
Status: online

If you have rear airbags you might as well go with new 2" coil springs all the way around when you decide to lift.

(in reply to Zytek_Fan)

Post #: 5

RE: Looking at purchasing a Discovery - 6/28/2008 7:53:22 PM

Spike555

Posts: 3921
Joined: 6/22/2007
From: Grand Rapids MI
Status: online

The difference''s between the DI''s are...''94 and ''95 have the 3.9 litre engine with a distribitor, ''96 and newer have the 4.0 and full electronic ignition. 99.5 went to DII, still the 4.0 but now with BOSCH engine managment, DI''s have GEMS managment.
DI''s tend to be easier to work on than DII''s.
No major difference between a ''96 and a ''98.
With bigger tires there is no way in hell you will get 18mpg.
A K&N air filter will kill your MAF and will not net you any HP or MPG. You MUST use premium gas.

_____________________________

If it ain''''''''t leakin'''''''' it must be empty!
Yes, one man can change the world.
If the citizens are affraid then they are easier to control.

The "Storm Trooper",''''''''97 in Alpine White.

(in reply to NiteTrain)

Post #: 6

RE: Looking at purchasing a Discovery - 6/30/2008 9:15:37 AM

Mark G

Posts: 275
Joined: 9/15/2007
Status: offline

Yeah, you''ll most likely be in the 15-17 mpg range. They''re fun and as far as reliability goes, I think most of the issues on used rigs come from people that buy rigs with deferred maintenance. It''s expensive to maintain these if you go to the dealer for everything. Eventually owners start letting things go and by the time the 3rd owner comes along at 100k mi, you''ve got a bunch of things just waiting to fail. So, if you find one that has had good maintenance or if you give yours a once over you should be good to go. I mean, they''re built like a tank (hence the lower fuel economy). Our Jeep G/C gets almost 20mpg (average), but it weighs a whole lot less too. Good luck.

_____________________________

Mark G

1998 Disco, 135k mi.

(in reply to Spike555)

Post #: 7

RE: Looking at purchasing a Discovery - 6/30/2008 11:46:52 AM

rugbier

Posts: 9
Joined: 5/11/2008
Status: offline

Mark,

Any secret in achieving 15-17? is this at 55mph, unloaded, flat terrain, skinny tires, etc?
I mean mine ( 03 DII SE ) lifted 2" running 265/75/16 at best does 12-13 at 75mph
I think the only way I can get 18 is down hill in neutral *LOL*

Thanks in advance

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mark G

Yeah, you''''ll most likely be in the 15-17 mpg range. They''''re fun and as far as reliability goes, I think most of the issues on used rigs come from people that buy rigs with deferred maintenance. It''''s expensive to maintain these if you go to the dealer for everything. Eventually owners start letting things go and by the time the 3rd owner comes along at 100k mi, you''''ve got a bunch of things just waiting to fail. So, if you find one that has had good maintenance or if you give yours a once over you should be good to go. I mean, they''''re built like a tank (hence the lower fuel economy). Our Jeep G/C gets almost 20mpg (average), but it weighs a whole lot less too. Good luck.

(in reply to Mark G)

Post #: 8

RE: Looking at purchasing a Discovery - 6/30/2008 12:42:36 PM

Urban Panzer

Posts: 299
Joined: 3/8/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: NiteTrain

If you have rear airbags you might as well go with new 2" coil springs all the way around when you decide to lift.

I would recommend you keep the rear Air, and you can get 2" spacers to give you 2" of lift under the bags, then you just need to fit lift springs to the front, that way you would have 4" of lift at the push of a button on the rear

_____________________________

www.discovery2.co.uk
2001 Disco 2 TD5 ES, CDL, SAT NAV, Mantec Snorkel, Mantec / QT protection, T-Max Winch

(in reply to NiteTrain)

Post #: 9

RE: Looking at purchasing a Discovery - 6/30/2008 1:44:00 PM

Camdisco24

Posts: 689
Joined: 3/12/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Urban Panzer

quote:

ORIGINAL: NiteTrain

If you have rear airbags you might as well go with new 2" coil springs all the way around when you decide to lift.

I would recommend you keep the rear Air, and you can get 2" spacers to give you 2" of lift under the bags, then you just need to fit lift springs to the front, that way you would have 4" of lift at the push of a button on the rear

No way!? Would that really work, I never even thought about it. Great point I will actaully look into that.

As for the original post, DI''s are very easy to work on, much easier than the DII. And keep in mind it might have some glitches at first but once you fix them it is a very reliable truck. Good luck!

_____________________________

Cameron
2000 Disco II with 98k miles