Land Rover Discovery Questions & Answers (page 3 of 3)

I have sold my Discos on after 4 years, with extended warranties so the new owners need not worry about service issues for a year or 2. They are complex beasts and expensive to fix if something goes wrong. Don't use a main dealer once the 3 year warranty is finished and you'll save a bundle. Go for a Disco 4 if you can stretch to one as they are a big step up from a 3. My advice would be to get a second-hand Disco 4 that has an extended warranty on it and then make sure everything is ship-shape before the warranty expires.

I also have a Disco 4 and love it!
No issues at all it's a 2010 2.7 diesel and their not expensive to service in fact the service cost is about $700 at the dealers where I take it once a year. All other services I do and their easy. Let's face it if you want your free services go elsewhere and then you'll be stung for the parts that aren't included usually filters etc which can be expensive.
We tow a caravan and my brake pads lasted 70k which I think is fine the vehicle is superb and one day in another 5yrs I'll buy another one.

Damn ! I guess it always pays to get a real Land Rover mechanic.

Report him if you've been stung and he won't fix it as there should be a warranty

I would dare say it is a coolant leak from the water pump. Give a clean around the area, check coolant levels and then keep an eye on it to see if the green liquid returns (matched by dropping coolant levels).
The water pump should be replaced every time you do the timing belt (do the thermostat at the same time).
If it doesn't come back, it might of just been excess coolant from when the mechanic serviced the car.

A discovery 3.

They are the best 4wd seats known to man!!!!

Ask around, find a good reputable upholsterer that will work on cars. Talk to them about EXACTLY what it is about your seats that makes them uncomfortable. The upholsterer will generally suggest 3 options.
1) Get your seats re-padded, which can make the original seats softer or firmer as required to your taste. This usually retains the original seat covers and trims.
2) Get your seats re-padded AND re-bolstered, which can change the contour and shape of the seat to give support where you require it, usually re-uses the original covers and trim, sometimes with extra matching (or contrasting i.e. suede / leather / cloth) panels added in to fit the new shape of the original seat as needed.
3) If 1 or 2 scares you, get the upholsterer to make additional pad "inserts" that attach to your original seats with tie on straps. This works OK within limits, but is reversible by removable.

Of course, you could always purchase new, custom seats and have them fitted; there are lots of options, from moderately expensive to $$$$.

Hi Richard, unfortunately I can't help with that question mate. I do know that the Disco has auto load leveling suspension so doubt anything in addition to this would be necessary, particularly as you're only towing 2T.

Hi Richard, no you don`t need load levelling devices, I tow perfectly without it.
We don`t own Toyotas!

Thanks Guys I have now been advised that Landrover say they must not be used

Hi Ella79
If you are buying the car for short trips generally that's ok but if you do a few km you will be disappointed. We have the TDI (diesel) model which is quite fuel efficient but all petrol 4 week drives are very thirsty. Most petro 4 wheel drives use about 15+ Ltrs per 100 km. Diesels are more expensive though. All the best with your hunt.

Trevor

Hi Chad
I can't really answer all of your questions but from our experience the LR Discovery 2003/4 TDI has been excellent. People talk of oil leaks etc but I think that those issues we fixed in early than 2003 models. We havn't had any. A friend of mine had a serious transmission problem with a 2000 model but reportedly it had not been serviced for a very long time. I am led to believe that the engines can do 500,000 easily if serviced reasonably. Ours has been very reliable so far. I think that it's worth getting an RACV or similar test done to be sure about the condition.

Ours is still running like new. Seriously - it still drives like a new car.

Regards
Trevor

The TD5 is the Discovery I'd recommend. Great strong engine very tunable if you need to and great fuel consumption. To be honest you'll barely notice your towing a five metre boat with the Disco.
A good TD5 can go forever (1,000,000k) but I'd go for one with a good service history. If you get a bad one parts can be pricey. I buy mine from the UK when I need to.
Be very careful buying any 4x4 from places like the Sunshine Coast. The beach is bad for anything even Land Rovers so get right under it and have a good look.
Again service history and full log books are priority!!!
Good luck!!

Bought mine (TD5 Auto) in 2001. Still got it with 190,000k's on the clock. I've owned many cars in my life - THIS ONE IS THE BEST - and I never want to sell it !

10 litres per 100 k's around town and around 9 on the highway from my experience. I've found on the highway if you stay below 100 it makes a big difference to consumption as they are not very aerodynamic. My TD5 was chipped and it used to get 8 per 100.
Cheers

Hi Robert
Similar to the previous reply, on a trip (staying between 95-100km) we get between 8-9litres per 100km and our mixed average is about 10-11 litres per 100. (I don't know about pure city driving - don't have to do it) I think that this is excellent for a larger vehicle. It doesn't seem to matter too much whether we are carrying 1 or 6 passengers. Whilst pulling a 6x4 trailer full of luggage with a car full of teenagers from Melbourne to Sydney we still had a little fuel left in on arrival in Sydney's CBD. (Perhaps we had a tail wind) That was Ringwood via Yarra Glen, Yea to Benella then up the FWY. The fuel light did come on towards the end. I hope that this helps

Cheers
Trevor

about 800-850 km to a tank

hi i dont know i have a 2002.........

Mine is usually 1L/100km more than the trip computer.

I wouldn't bother with a V8. The 3.0 V6 diesel has all the torque you need and much better fuel consumption. Though I must admit a V8 sounds gorgeous.

I have a V8 D4. Smooth as silk and oozes power compared to a SDV6. Reliability at 70k has been excellent, however, you get what you pay for as the V8 version was pricey (new) as it came with every conceivable option.

Frankly, I will not consider a Disco till they come out with an equally powerful engine...till then I'll keep the beast or buy a RRS.

I recently purchased a 2010 Disco 4 with the 5 litre V8 Jag motor and I'm extremely pleased so far. Smooth and effortless and quiet as a mouse! Until you lean on the throttle. Make sure you turn off the Harmon Kardon so you can hear that Jag V8 sing its song! It's a beautiful thing! Fuel economy isn't as good as the diesel offerings but I already knew that. I drive a diesel truck every day at work and I'm not interested in having one in my Disco. To me it's a lifestyle vehicle and the V8 suits my lifestyle perfectly! My last Disco 2002 D2 was a V8 and I loved it, but this Engine is worlds ahead. Also the features that come with the V8 Disco 4 are unbelievable! I could never afford a new Land Rover so I've never owned such a well appointed vehicle in my life. even at 6 years old it has every conceivable option I could ever use! I love my Disco 4 V8.

Jared, if that is your only problem you are lucky! I sold mine after 2 years and over $20k in repairs and I still wasn't confident it would get me from A to B. Yours is probably a battery problem but the answer may be available on the Australian Landrover Owners website. Just google it and you will be enlightened as to how many other things are likely to go wrong.

The key is supposed to recharge in the ignition. I would say the key has come to the end of its life. I haven't replaced one but I know they aren't cheap. Does the key open the tailgate or any other doors? i would troubleshoot first could be electronic problem. Most locksmiths can do a quick check of the responder these days, they will tell you straight away if there is a fault with your keys, take the spare set it helps.

The solenoid which operates the catch is shot; a common problem. Simple to replace if you have the skills and available on line from "Rover Parts" a local Ballarat firm. Otherwise expect to pay up to $500 for a dealer fix.

The electronic component is cactus. Needs to be replaced. Be prepared to pay. Welcome to the big wide world of Land Rover.Just a thought.... what if this happened to you out in the bush and you have a flat tyre....how would you get to your spare? Unbelievably dumb engineering.

2008 Land Rover Discovery III XE Comm
Dose it have turbo .

If it is a Disco 3, then it's a good car to buy. The V8 from memory has better fuel economy than the V6 just. Check service history and as a note I just had to replace compressor for my air suspension- cost about $1300. Otherwise expect some minor mechanical costs of a car 6 years old. Apparently the transmissions are pretty good.

In my opinion, no Discovery 3 is a good car to buy.

Only if you have a lot of money spare to pay for the many ongoing repairs the Disco requires!