All,

I've been considering buying a 1997 Land Rover Discovery but I've heard more bad things than good. To view it, go to www.selectmotors.com. Go to Vehicle Inventory.

I figured that I'd come here for the most qualified opinions! Unless I find a buyer for my 89 300SE, I will be trading it in. It's a very nice, completely rust free W126 w/101K miles, color is Garnet with Cream Beige interior.

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I did see a Land Rover broken down in the right hand lane of a major road today holding up traffic! Yes, that's a small, subjective opinion.

HEY Nice Benz!

Discos have gotten a lot better over time, but '97 wasn't far from the beginning of the series, and age doesn't improve them. This may rank up there with the '95 Range Rover (P38, not the classic) as the least reliable SUV of all time.

If you think benzes are expensive to maintain, don't by a Discovery.....they'll chew a hole in your wallet real quick.

Nice 300SE !

__________________
Brandon



2008 S550
1957 Dodge D100
1967 VW Microbus 21 Window
2001 Suburban
2004 Beach cruiser bicycle
-----------------GO DUKE!-----------------

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here." Patrick Henry 1776

My best friend owns a '01 LR Discovery. He too has heard if its dubious reputation (almost as bad as the early MLs), but I believe the millenium models have for the most part been devoid of the reliability issues of the late 90's series.

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

My 1994 Land Cruiser has been problemless for its entire life except for a stater motor that went bad two years ago. If you're willing to deal with the terrible fuel mileage, it's a great car. Reliable, roomy, versatile and very well built.

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

WOW NICE BENZ!!

did I say WOW NICE BENZ?!?

That should explain my opinion.

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99 C43
98 S420
99 C230K
01 C240

Thanks for the complement! I'm willing to practically give my Precious MB away at this point. With the seats cut, not a lot of people are willing to go that extra step to fix it and I've already put so much money into it already...i.e., radiator, shocks, Michelin X1 tires (just last week), A/C conversion, total repaint (original rust free). Once the seats are fixed, you're looking at a very, cherry ride! First $7k takes it!

KP. I own two MB ('89 260E and '75 450SL) and a '96 Land Rover Discovery SE7. All are expensive when they break, much more so than my other vehicles (Chevy p/u and Mazda RX7). But the Discovery seems to break more often, or at least initially. I've had it for almost three years. The first year I put so much money in it, I thought I would have to refinance the house. Total repair bills were $5K. Besides a blown head casket, practically every piece of rubber that was suppossed to seal something...didn't. Leaks everywhere. Had one LR dealer suggest I get a gravel parking pad like they have in the U.K., then just ignore the leaks. Since all the initial work, the LR is my daily driver. I've put about 50,000 miles on in three years, and it's never left me beside the road. I'm rambling, so the short version is I don't know if I'd buy another one. Every time I go in for a service (7,500 miles) they give me a new loaner to drive. VERY NICE, and my guess is many of the problems are gone. But, also quite expensive at 35-45K. They do pull well, climb mountains well (yes, mine has been off the pavement), and they cruise easily at freeway speeds. But don't challenge anyone to a dragrace, don't expect good mileage (13 city/16 freeway), and don't expect cheap repairs. If you can live with that, it's a fun vehicle, and it is different than the typical SUV parked in my neighborhood.

In addition to my MB's, I have a 94 Range Rover Classic LWB. If you are willing to fix the vehicle yourself they aren't that bad to fix. My first year with the Rover was expensive. I use the Rover as my winter car mostly. The gas millege is the only hard thing to take. The capabilities of the Land Rovers is literally amazing! Most true LR owners are like us true MB owners...we give thumbs up when we see another owner...and fellow owners help one another out. I will always have a Range Rover or a Defender around. The 2003 RR is incredible (built under BMW)! At the dealer they have a mockup display to show how much more substantial LR are to Jeeps...for example the LR lug nut is 3x the size of a Jeep nut, and all the parts are much larger.

Kelly,

whatever you do, do not buy the Land Rover.

Did you see the latest JD Power and Associates 3 year quality ratings?

The Kia was dead last. What came next?

Land Rover.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I had one of these P.O.S.. and I traded it, it drove nice but the electronics are the worst...something always going out....and the resell value drops like a rock..

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2000 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4
2006 Mazda Tribute
1983 Black 300 D (donated to charity)
1993 Teal 300 D (160K) Sold
"I love the smell of burnt diesel fuel in the morning, it smells like ....VICTORY"

Semper Fidelis
USMC 1973-1976

don't get one, unless you enjoy haveing to clean up oil spots.

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1984 380SL-driving and service privileges.

I have a customer with a '94 with over 300K and is still running strong he said other that oil changes he has about 2k in repairs 1000 was one service Timing belt and a/c.

Thanks to all of you for your insite. Overall, you've been confirming what I've been reading all along. I'm passing on the LR, Disco. I also am, reluctantly, considering the (domestic and painfully common) Ford Expedition. Also, I see that the Excursion is priced about the same but with far less miles. Do I want to go in this direction? Gas Hog Heaven!

Basically, here's my situation: My wife has a Collie and I just bough a Std Schnauzer pup...coming home end of August (can't wait...I'm so excited!!!). There's no way in HELL that I'd ever going to let the Collie in my car ever again. Those dogs shed EVERYWHERE!!! So, I need a vehicle that I can kick around and let these two dogs loose in, but, I hate the fact that I'll be driving something like an Expedition or Excursion and just blend in! I've been considering the ML's, but those aren't THAT masculine and I see more women driving them, than men! Am I wrong? And the MB G-Wagon is just way out of my price range!

Hey PaulC, What do you know about the Toyota Land Cruiser? I see that you mentioned that one?