Planned trip west - Discovery or LR4?

[BruceK]

This is going to be long winded, and for that I apologize up front.

I'm presently the original owner in Upstate NY of an '03 D2 with 79K miles on it, all city / highway miles. Any off-road driving up to this point has been over mundane gravel roads, etc. Nothing too adventurous. It has been serviced by Land Rover Amherst (wonderful people!), and has an extended warranty good through August of next year. I'm currently planning a trip west next spring with visits to Death Valley, Bryce Canyon, Yosemite and other points of interest that catch my fancy. And I plan on doing some mild off-road exploration in Death Valley. No rock or sand dune crawling, but I do plan on traveling some of their 4x4 roads to get to some remote locations that sound interesting. So my question is: Do I take the Disco or do I look into an LR4 which, for me at this point in time, is an affordable alternative.

The Disco has been kinda/sorta reliable though it has left me stranded twice within the past year, both times due to starter issues. Once was with a bad starter; the most recent time was due to a bad starter cable. This has not inspired confidence in the beast...

If I keep and take the Disco I would have the Land Rover people look it over, but I was also looking for advice about certain areas that should get more attention than others. I'm not happy with the existing tires (Goodyear Wrangler HPs) which are probably due to be replaced anyway. What would be a good tire for mostly highway driving but with the intention of doing some mild off-roading? Other than my vehicle I really have no data on the reliability (or lack thereof) of Discos I'm also wondering if the LR4 would be a better choice. I certainly like the way the LR4 drives, and it gets better mileage than the Disco (which isn't hard to do). If I keep and take the Disco are there improvements I should make to enhance its reliability?

Any and all comments and suggestions are welcome. My main goal here is to have fun next year and, if at all possible, avoid giving SWMBO the chance to say "I told you so!"...

Thanks!

Bruce


Bruce A. Krobusek
Rochester NY

 

[joey]

First no matter which choice you make (I would take the D2), Never go offroading alone. Make sure you have recovery gear with you, never venture off road without at least a tow rope, and/or some way of self recovery i.e. a winch or High lift jack or similar. Make sure you know how to use your gear. You don't want to be stuck in the mud somewhere alone and not have a clue about how to use your gear. Test it, make sure you know it.

If you decide to spend the money, but a good winch and have it mounted... try it out. Use it at home before you go. Get a tree saver, and any other needed recovery gear to go with the winch.

It is better to be prepared than to be stranded 10 miles from no where.

Make sure you have a hand help GPS or at least one that you can hand carry. Take plenty of food and water.

Off roading can be real fun or a real nightmare it all depends on how well you are prepared.

 

[BruceK]

Joey:

Thanks a lot for your advice!

First no matter which choice you make (I would take the D2), Never go offroading alone.

Does having my wife along count?

And any particular reason you would choose the D2? I have my own reasons, most of them emotional (I still love driving it even though it's had its problems).

Thanks again!

Bruce

 

[joey]

Wife doesn't count... I mean make sure you have another vehicle with you... helps when you get stuck and you will.

D2 in my opinion, just because it will be easier and cheaper to find parts when something does break. Just keep Atlantic British, Nathan, Rovers North or your favorite vendor on speed dial. 2 days max you will be on the road again.

That and I just love the D1 and D2's... LR3's are very nice don't get me wrong, but harder to get fixed at you local auto repair shop.

 

[BruceK]

In a Perfect World there would be someone else along, but I really doubt that will be the case this time. I really plan on sticking to the trails and if it looks iffy I will either turn around or back out. I have no desire to get stuck in Death Valley...

Any suggestions on tires?

And I've read some internet cautions about the front driveshaft, rear rotoflex and diff and radiator drain plugs regarding Discos. Are these real concerns or just internet noise?

Thanks again!

Bruce

 

[joey]

U-Joints on the front driveshafts, if the are original CHANGE THEM, the rest just depends. On how well it has been maintained.