Discovery TD5 2001... Reliable?

[andy mac]

Just been speaking to a 'salesman' at a 4x4 place, who reckons the Discovery is a bit crap. rattles, bad gearbox, etc... Is this true?? Would it be worth getting a shogun, rather than a Discovery based on reliability? Any of you chaps got any input? Cheers
Andy

[zumbruk]

andy mac said:

Just been speaking to a 'salesman' at a 4x4 place, who reckons the Discovery is a bit crap. rattles, bad gearbox, etc... Is this true?? Would it be worth getting a shogun, rather than a Discovery based on reliability? Any of you chaps got any input? Cheers Andy

I bought a 2002 Td5 ES about a month ago. I'm absolutely delighted with it. Every niggle (*) has been addressed from my 1995 V8 - it's already been to Scotland and back and done some off-roading. If it tows my Chim reasonably, it will be a near-perfect vehicle. It doesn't leak or rattle and there's nothing wrong with the g/box that I can tell. I had my previous 1995 V8 Disco for 4 years and apart from some (easily fixed) trivial water leaks and the *outrageous* cost of some spares (£112 for an electric seat switch), it too was a superb vehicle. And I was pretty pleased with the two Range Rovers I owned before that. Besides, why would you believe a salesman?

(* Apart from the crummy luggage bay cover, which although they've narrowed it so it will stow in the car when removed (unlike the previous one) is still a rather scabby roller blind.)

[andy mac]

I never believe salesmen, thats whay I came here!

[Liszt]

The ES versions are cracking. All the toys and with the ACE the ride is not bad at all.

I would definatley consider another one.

On LR regular servicing is a must, but use a local independant rather than a dealer. I had mine for a couple of years with out incident

[clarkey]

I was very happy with my 99 TD5 XS. I only had 2 gripes - water leaks from the rear sunroof, and main dealer parts and servicing prices. I did 30,000 miles in 10 months and averaged over 25mpg too.

[niva441]

I've had 2 Discos (300 series and S2) and now am on my 2nd Range Rover. Overall brilliant cars let down by indifferent dealers. Specialists are more interested in doing the work, save not only money, but also time for return visits to get the job done properly.

[IainMac]

Sun Roofs on the whole have a tendancy to leak due to poor seal design.
There also a few issues on High Miler TD5s that may have an impact, I believe some may suffer head gasket failure due to the locating dowels allowing movement, and there were some with oil pump problems. The latter I believe was a recall so should hopefully be fixed.
Mine (an 80K 1999 TD5 GS now sold) leaked like a sieve when it rained, the selling dealer fixed not long after the sale it but problem returned a year later. Everything else was problem free and had a lot less rattles than the subaru it replaced. Its also relatively easy to work on if you fancy home servicing.
One point to note is that the early TD5 ECUs were for a while unobtainable and the updated replacements didnt work ? Dont know if LR resolved this or not.

[triple7]

Andy, we take our RR, to a 4x4 specialist. He hates them as they are so pants. The new ones have terrible electrics etc.

BUT, the car he says buy everytime is the TD5 Disco. Bullet proof, cheap to fix and very capable. So I would go on the advice of someone who has worked for LR for years!

G

[Podie]

As the guys have said, go for the TD5.

Get a good one and it'll take all the abuse in the world AND come back for more...

Get a lemon and you might as well burn your money...

[zumbruk]

Dang, something went wrong with my 2002 Td5 ES.

The knob fell off the electric seat adjuster.

Better take it back.

(And it tows the Chim better than the V8 did. Best car I've ever owned.)