October 2002

The legend of Land Rover doesn't need repeating, but buying into the heritage of one of Britain's most famous brands doesn't have to be too expensive. The Series II Discovery has been around for four years, and with plenty of examples to choose from there are some excellent savings to be made if you opt for a used buy.
In 1998, the Series II replaced the original Tdi-series Discovery, which had been a mainstay of Land Rover since 1989. The second generation uses the same bodyshell, but an extensive rework makes it much more modern. As well as bigger bumpers, there are larger light clusters - and smart alloy wheels on upmarket variants. The reliable but unrefined 300 Tdi diesel engines were replaced by an all-new five-cylinder Td5, which is more responsive and smoother at speed. The old V8 petrol models soldier on with a 4.0-litre capacity, but account for little over 10 per cent of sales. Whether you're looking for a luxury vehicle or a rough'n'tough off-roader, there's a Disco to fit the bill...
Checklist
* Land Rover gearboxes are notoriously complex and can be costly to fix. Listen for rattles and check that the gearchange is positive and precise. If the car has never been off-road, make sure the low-ratio lever engages freely.
* Check the underbody for off-road damage. The suspension and steering components should be straight, too.
* Interior trim can be damaged from muddy off-roading, while sunroofs have been known to let in water, so look for staining on the upholstery.
* The spare wheel can put pressure on the rear door hinges. Check for undue movement in the door frame.
* LPG conversions are common on V8s. Only consider one if you're confident that the modification has been carried out professionally.
Glass's View
The Discovery has a strong aspirational image, and despite its heavy-duty nature it is accepted as a desirable luxury vehicle, says Glass's Consumer Values. So residual values, especially for top-of-the-range models, are very strong. Nothing can match Land Rover's heritage, history or reputation for being practical. These features make it an extremely popular - and wise - used car choice.
My Discovery...
Company director Stefan Tapp bought his 2000 X-plate Discovery Td5 ES auto in February, saving more than ΂£10,000 on the price of a new one. It replaced an R-reg Discovery V8, which he had owned for three years. "That was my first Disco and I loved it so much, I bought the Series II, but chose a diesel this time. I do about 25,000 miles a year, so the fuel savings are massive," he said. Stefan, from Southampton, is a big fan of the Disco's practicality, as the seven seats often get used on family outings. He also owns a German Shepherd dog, which travels comfortably in the back.
Despite his enthusiasm, Stefan reported a number of faults with the ES. "The sunroof leaks, the gaps in the door seals let in water if I go off-roading, I've had a gearbox fault and the dealer servicing is too expensive," he commented. Yet he's not been deterred from buying another Disco when he looks for a replacement in two years' time. "By then, the current model will be available second- hand. And if it's as good as the one I have now, there'll be no other car for me!" he added.

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