Things to look for in a Discovery II
The Discovery II offers a number of enhancements over the 1994-1999 Discovery I models. If you can afford the price premium it's a far better vehicle.
The high mounted tail lamps, a smoothed and streamlined nose, and an upgraded interior distinguish Disco II models. For the 2003 model year the Disco II got yet another nose redesign following the theme of the 2003 Range Rover.
If you are into off-roading you may find the Disco II more limited in terms of accessories. In addition, the higher value of these vehicles makes many owners loath to expose them to off road conditions. A Disco I remains the best choice for a serious off-roader at this time.
On the highway and around town the Disco II is a hands-down winner over the previous model.
Some Disco II improvements include:
The forward facing third seat with headrests is far safer than the sideways seating arrangement of the Disco I. However, Disco II's equipped with this option are rare.
A Bosch engine management system and more Bosch electronics everywhere. The Bosch stuff replaces the less reliable British stuff.
The engine is more powerful and the vehicle is more responsive to drive.
The engine was redesigned to reduce leakage, and they were largely successful in this. Disco II models still leak, but nowhere near like their predecessors.
The in-car entertainment is significantly upgraded.
Disco II engines use the new GM Dex-Cool red antifreeze instead of the older green mix used in prior years.
Production quality seems to be quite a bit better. The overall quality of the vehicle is considerably improved from their low point in 1996-7.
Weaknesses to watch for in looking at a used Disco II
Radiators are prone to develop leaks, more so than previous Land Rover models.
The idler pulleys on the belt drive become noisy and in extreme cases come apart.
The ACE system, while substantially improving high speed handling, offers the possibility of service nightmares on high mile units.
Disco II engines are prone to failure of the rocker shafts, resulting in engine raps. Luckily repair is not too costly.
Many used Discoveries were lease vehicles, and many received little or no care. A truck that had the oil changed three times in 40,000 miles may cost substantial sums later in engine repairs. Check your service history before buying.
Read how our CustomFind™ Service can buy you a Discovery II.
Things to look for in a New Range Rover
New Range Rovers come in 4.0SE and 4.6HSE versions. Here is what's different on a 4.6HSE (for the most part.)
Seventeen-inch wheels with lower profile tires give markedly better handling at high speed.
The interior is a little plusher with things like off-color piping on the seats and more leather where the 4.0 used vinyl.
The bigger engine is noticeably more powerful. It's also more prone to block failure in 1997 units. 1998 and newer are OK.
The 4.6 models were painted in special colors to distinguish them from their 4.0 brothers.
If you drive a lot on fast highways you'll probably find a 4.6 quite a bit better. Off road, though, the 17-inch wheels are more easily damaged.
I strongly suggest you have new Rovers serviced only by shops with Testbook or Autologic diagnostic systems. Various computers that are only accessible with this tool control almost all functions on this series truck. Shops that don't have the correct tools will waste hours and parts in diagnosis.
At 100,000 miles air bags will start going bad. Look for dry rot cracks at tops and bottoms. Symptoms of bad air bags are a vehicle that sags or goes flat overnight. Some people regard the air suspension as a very desirable feature on this model. Front air bags cost roughly $200 each to replace. Rear bags cost roughly $400 each to replace. Robison Service converts 1995-2001 Range Rovers to coil springs for $1,500 (as of January 2003).
Coolant leaks onto the passenger floor are almost always heater core o-rings, not the cores themselves. Robison Service can usually correct the problem in 2-4 hours.
1996 to 1998 4.0 engines are terrible oil leakers. These are the common leaks: cylinder head gaskets, intake gaskets, front seals, oil cooler lines, and valve cover gaskets. Updated repair parts are available. Always surface heads when you change head gaskets or you'll be doing the job again in a year or two.
Rotate your original Michelin tires every 7500 miles. If you don't do this you'll get a sawtooth wear pattern on the insides of the front tires and within 30,000 miles your truck will sound like it has bad wheel bearings. To check for this wear run your hand around the inner circumference of the front tires. Go one way, then the other. You'll probably feel the saw teeth one way while the other will be smooth.
Pre 1998 4.0 engines are prone to develop carbon buildup on the exhaust valve stems. Symptoms are intermittent missing or staggering of the engine, usually on long drives and at high speed. Frequently a check engine light is seen with random misfire codes and specific cylinder misfire codes. Read my articles (Carbon Fouling#1, Carbon Fouling#2)* from American Rovers about fixing this problem. Repair is costly, generally over $2,000.
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Avoid picking these trucks up on wheel free lifts. Doing so can separate an airbag or damage a sensor, both of which will require a visit to the shop. To remove tires jack up or lift under the axles.
1999 and newer trucks with Bosch electronics are much better than any previous Range Rover product. Oil leaks are cured, engines don't have valve trouble, they run better, etc.
There is now a kit to convert the air suspension on a New Range Rover to coil springs. As a rule, though, we do not recommend this conversion because the EAS in these vehicles is fairly trouble free and easy for us to service with the Autologic system. The most common repairs are air bag and sensor replacement. If your truck has a bad valve body ($1,200+) or multiple other failures you should consider the conversion. If you live in a remote area and off road a lot you should also consider it. However, if you live in a remote area and off road a lot you should really consider a wholly different vehicle like a Classic or Disco.
