1998 Land Rover Discovery LSE 4.0 Litre V8 from North America
Summary:
Rough, tough and unique
Faults:
Oil pressure low, so pump replaced with a used unit, tie rods ends, new front brake pads, driver door lock actuator and driver side seat adjustment switch.
General Comments:
Land Rover gets a bad rap for their reliability, however my '98 Disco has performed exceptional.
The LSE model has leather heated seats (driver and passenger) dual power sunroofs, multi cd changer under the passenger seat, dual climate control, dual sunroofs, power windows, power mirrors, a funky antenna built into the real side windows in the cargo area, two rear fold down seats in the cargo area, plus a bunch of other nice goodies.
4.0 V8 is rated at 182HP, but could use about another 30-40HP to help acceleration. Once it gets going, it's smooth and comfortable. The driving postion is better than any other mid sized SUV out there.
Off road capabilities are second to none. The perfect combination of ruggedness and comfort. LR ran Michelin 4x4 XPC's on these trucks. Those tires never seem to wear out.
The key to the longevity of the vehicle seems to be with scheduled service. Find a LR mechanic outside of a dealer, or someone who who is familiar with Land Rovers. These trucks do have quirks. They require maintenance. If you like Honda or Toyota products, don't buy these. If you have driven older American cars in the past, the quirks won't bother you. If you don't perform regular service on these vehicles, you will be sorry. But if you do, you will have a ball running around in these trucks.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 15th September, 2005
15th Jul 2005, 11:27
Well said. People who don't own one don't understand. My wife is still not happy with the cost of service, but she loves the seat position and the comfort of the vehicle. It's true what they say "You have to pay to play"