just got a 2001 land rover discovery,any input? good bad or advices about care and performance?

Answer 1

My shop sees Discovery Series II's all the time. Dodge Man's right, they're an excellent truck--possibly the best Land Rover ever made.

If it helps, I'll give you a quick maintenance schedule sketch and an overview of the most common problems they have.

1) Change the oil every 3k miles, or 5k miles with Synthetic.

2) 30k mile tune-ups. The 30k includes oil and air filters, oil, coolant and spark plugs and a throttle body clean.

3) There are major services done every 60k miles--that includes the 30k plus the transmission and differential filter and oil change, and belts if necessary.

4) The brake discs will need to be replaced every other set of brake pads.

As for common problems:

1) The headgaskets seep externally at about 40k miles; this was an incorrect head alignment dowel placement at the factory. As the head gaskets compress with age, they begin to leak. ALL Discoveries have this problem, and only tapping the dowels and a new set of gaskets will fix it.

2) Electronic Air Suspension. As with all Rovers, the EAS systems are problematic. Air springs are the most common problem. The repairs are often expensive, and if you want the suspension heights set you must see a shop with the fatory diagnostic computers.

3) When the ABS, traction control and downhill descent lights come on, the problem is usually one of two things: a wheel speed sensor for the ABS, or an ABS brake control module. The sensors are expensive but easily replaced. For the module, the ABS unit will need to be either repaired or replaced. The modules are $1600 new, and $500 repaired.

4) Heater core O-rings. You'll notice a coolant leak on the passenger footwell. The heater core seals go bad and the fix is about $500 parts and labor.

The Discovery is a good truck; congratulations on your purchase! If you have any more questions, please feel free to e-mail me.

Answer 2

Overall it is an okay vehicle, the engine is a 1963 Buick engine that will outlast you if you take some care of it. It is an aluminum block and heads with steel liners so DO NOT overheat it. Watch for coolant leakage at the intake manifold corner areas. Monitor you oil appearance and have the corners checked if you start making "chocolate milk" on your oil dipstick. The running gear is quite old school but solid and if fluids are maintained reliable. The biggest issue we see is in the electrics. As my long time London friend reminds me often, "The reason we Brits drink warm beer, it's because Leland builds our refrigerators." The English are infamous for under sizing wiring and switches, as well as poor grounds. Just watch for signs of corrosion around ground points and at connections. If you wish to boost performance a bit, especially low end torque. Go to a good plastics supply house in your area and purchase a 1" to 1 1/2" block of phenolic plastic, canvas style, and fab a spacer to go between the throttle body housing and the air plenum. Match the ports well and this will increase the intake air velocity for a few ponies. Good luck with your new toy.

Answer 3

GOOD BUY!!!
I have a 1998 Discovery I it runs like a champ, looks sexxy, and is one of the best luxury vehicles with a great off road capabilities every made. I am a big jeep fan, I still have my 1998 Wrangler Sport, but after owning a Land Rover for just six months, I like them just a tad better than the wrangler. I got mine on EBAY for $10,000 in mint condition, with only 80,000 miles. (P.S. if you have cruise control problems check the tube that runs to the air servo it could be bad, I had that problem. without it the cruise wont work without the tube.)
Stick With your Disco!
shaneomac32892

Answer 4

i own a repair shop and all i can say is you bought a good vehicle,if you,ll look in the owners manual it has a real good maintenance schedule in it for this vehicle,and if you,ll follow it really good ,it will make the vehicle last real good,they spent a lot of money printing these books ,and most people just throw them away,its one of the best books you can read on your vehicle,it will tell you things about it you didn't even know existed,but if you,ll read through it ,it will provide a good schedule for it,good luck and enjoy it,there nice ones to own,i hope this help,s.

Answer 5

makesure you maintain your cooling system these cars have a problem with bad heater cores and the part alone is 1300.00 not including labor .otherwise great car