Land Rover Discovery - are they any good?

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Thanks for any replies!
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My Y reg Disco is FANTASTIC and not just because it pully my 2 ponios around but it also pulled my husband's car out of mud where it had been stuck for two days 'til I got a two rope!

love it
 
Loved them right up till the new Discovery 3 version - we've had 5 between us. The Tdi was the best by far - the Td5 had lost its diff lock in favour of a computerized gizmo that couldn't work out what was deep mud and what was just pulling one wheel off the verge.

Won't be getting a new one - now looking at Mitsubishi.
 
I am going to be brutally honest and say NO! I know a lot of people like them, but I had an old Trooper which was falling to bits but still pulled like a train, it got nicked and we replaced it with a 2002 Disco TD5 auto as they came recommended (by a friend!). I do a lot of motorway towing with the horses and I find it gets pulled around more by wagons overtaking, and also sometimes I find it lacks torque when required, but do have to say that I have done a fair bit of proper off roading (dogs going awol!) and I was quite impressed.
Personally you will get a much higher spec and a more reliable and perhaps economical motor if you look at a Japanese 4x4, I am looking at a Toyota Hilux, but my OH wants Red and that has a 16 week waiting list!
Ps we have had fuel problems and major gearbox problems with the Disco (Oh and the roof leaks too!)
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I've recently bought a N reg Landrover Discovery 2.5 Tdi. It has come with the cambelt recently changed. This is was sold to me on the recommendation of a mechanic relation of mine - I wouldn't have bought a 4x4 without his advice.

I've found it very good at towing - no real difference with laden and unladen trailer. Okay its not the fastest up a hill but 50mph should only be your top speed anyway.

I would never tow with a freelander - seen a couple break down through towing then the mechanics admitting they aren't designed for towing. If you are towing a 510 then you need a long wheel base so I would recommend a Discovery, Mitsubishi Pajero or Nissan Terrano
 
my disco is great, one of the 200series. it's bodywork isnt great, but the engine is plenty powerful to tow 2 big horses in a 3 horse wooden trailer.
its a similar spec to the one Nats_uk was walking about.

i'd never tow with a freelander, they just dont have the engine capacity for it. you are meant to tow with nothing less than a 2.5l diesel engine.

the mitsubishi shogun is an excellent alternative, and a little cheaper parts if you need to replace anything, but they are a little less reliable.
 

I love my Defender, I have the 110 Station wagon. I don't tow (got to get round to taking the trailer test) but OH tows with it and with his Defender 90, never had a problem. Cheap on parts and hold their value (it's got a turning circle similar to the Ark Royal though
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A couple of people I know have 2002 Disco's. They have had a few things go wrong, but then don't you get that with all cars! They are quite juicy, but aren't all 4x4's. They certainly tow well, but can be a little sluggish to drive, but then again that depends on what you are used to.
I have the new shape Grand Cherokee, that tows well, and is a completely different drive to the older shape one (before 2005) so don't be put off trying the new one if you have previously tried the old one and hated it like me!! A bit juicy but ridiculously quick!
 
My little 90 Defender Pick Up tows beautifully, my OH prefers towing with it than his 110 pick up, and I've pulled large laden horseboxes out of deep mud with it as well at shows
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Its like an action man tonka toy but in life size!! (Esp as I have huge mud tyres, a bull bar and lamps on it!!)

I've heard the freelanders really aren't mean't for towing... they just don't have the power at the end of the day I think.
 
I loved my old J Reg Disco it was great & used less fuel than the Pajero I have now, I gave mine to my Dad when his fromterea packed up! The only thing that I don't like is the hand break! (Its a common fault apparently) & I often get stuck 1/2 way up a huge hill on the way to work most days, if it wasn't for that I would have kept it, & It has no rust at all , My pagero is great though with a 2.8 engine it has a bit more poke & pulls brilliantly, its also an automatic, so no worries about hill starts on the huge hill! or any dodgy gear changes when towing! both the Disco & Pagero have no problems pulling my old heavy Rice trailer with my 16.3 WB in it.
 
we towed with a defender for years, and only swapped cos it didn't pass its mot and was going to be too expensive to repair.

i think when we replace the disco we will be getting a shogun or a landcruiser, just cos they should be a bit cheaper if we need to repair something.

any 4x4 is thirsty tho if it has a decent engine for towing with.
 
I have just bought one and it is amazing for towing - a proper tank. The Freelander is actually not a proper 4x4 - something to do with the way that the axles work - so not made for towing. The Discovery is quite expensive to run but then aren't all 4x4s? I tried towing the trailer the other day and it didn't feel any different! I think if you get a good one then you get a very good one but the bad ones are pretty bad!
 
the other problem with the freelander is that they don't do a big enough engine - the biggest is 2.1L and the engine block comes straight out of a transit van, so all the power is at the top of the speed range - great if you want to get somewhere in a hurry, but cr*p for towing.
 
I've had the older disco's before and they are great. I currently have a brand spanking new one on hire and its lovely. Can't afford to buy one though. I don't rate the old freelanders but the new ones have just won an award for the best 4x4 in its class for 2008 and the best towing vehicle.
I still adore my Toyota Surf though as it's a super towing vehicle.
 
Mine is a 2000 reg and it is a gem.
It has been worked very hard and has very high mileage.
I thought the gear box had gone the other day but it turned out it was something very simple and cheap!! Phew!
It is a cracking car. Totally abused and to be honest I think that is what they like. It is certainly what they were built for!!
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