Faults:

3rd engine in 2 years. Cracked block, auto gearbox problems.

Radiator replaced.

Steering box replaced.

Both roofs leak.

Many minor problems.

General Comments:

This Td5 is nothing like the 200 or 300 series. Neither of my 200 or 300 Disco's had any problems, even after 200,000 miles. The TD5 has been a headache from day 1. The engine is useless. If I could trade this in for a lovely 300, I'd do it without a second thought.

The car has been maintained without thought of cost, and now the engine has gone again, I have lost patience. It can sit and rot in my garden now unless someone can tell me how to fit a nice 300TDI engine to it. At least my chickens will have a nice new home.

Faults:

Fuel Filter replaced

Shocks replaced

Battery replaced.

General Comments:

I have owned a number of vehicles throughout the years, from luxury to performance cars and everything in between, but I honestly say that I have never appreciated or loved a car more than I do my 1999 Land Rover Discovery I. Not only has it been the most reliable and most trouble-free car I’ve owned, but also the one that has served me and my family the most. We’ve taken numerous long trips in it, through mountain roads and barely driveable off-road trails, through snow and through deserts, and it’s never let us down once. At 79,000 miles, it’s still my daily commuter, and although I own two other vehicles, one of them a Land Rover LR3 V8, I still prefer to drive the Disco. This car has character.

Faults:

Problems inherited (pre-owned) :

Broken headlight washers.

Loose headlights.

Rear center armrest cup holder won't open.

Front passenger seat-belt height adjuster.

Cacophony of "plastic" squeaks.

General Comments:

I love my 99 Disco II! While I wouldn't pay US$40K + for a new one, $11,400 was a bargain and worth every penny. It was in remarkable shape and condition considering the 82K miles. Born and raised in Hong Kong, I still have an affinity for things British.

DRIVE-TRAIN: It's a tad sluggish compared to my buddies' GMC Envoy, Dodge Durango and Chevy Avalanche, but nevertheless the small block 4-liter V8 is very responsive with no noticeable lag. Plenty of low and mid-range torque. Once you get it up to speed, it just buzzes along quite happily.

The engine hums and whines like a 1000 h.p. gas turbine, and my buddies think it's the coolest thing. They also enjoyed the curiously high driving position, visibility, headroom, elbow-room, etc.

The 4-speed automatic tranny shifts very smoothly, and the gear transitions are barely perceptible and free from lurch.

I figured out the numerous plastic squeaks were from the silicone-based plastic dressing that the detailer enthusiastically sprayed everywhere. Drove me nuts. I fixed ALL the annoying squeaks by countering with a mineral-based light lubricant wherever squeaky noises were emitted. Avoid spraying silicone-based leather/plastic dressing - especially where plastic meets plastic.

LUXURIES: I'm truly enjoying the 11 speaker CD stereo now that I've remedied the squeaks. My friends are impressed with the sound dispersion and clarity.

The front seats with the lumbar supports are very comfortable. The rear seats feel a little stiff and slightly awkward, but are quite OK.

I took the day off and fixed all the inherited problems. The loose headlights were caused by dislocated ball-joint mounts. The rest of the annoyances were just as easy to remedy.

FUEL CONSUMPTION: After five fill-ups, I'm pleasantly surprised to note it's averaging 17 mpg with 80% highway driving at 70-80 mph. Pretty good for a 5000 lb. square rigger. It could be that I exploit the vehicle's mass and inertia by anticipating stops, etc.

HANDLING: For such a high-profile vehicle, the stability and cornering is impressive. I guess the Active Cornering Enhancement (ACE) really works, keeping the vehicle relatively flat.

The steering is predictable, and the short wheelbase makes for a certain responsiveness.

Finally, I love the high sheen black exterior. I caught myself smiling at my Disco II, and I could see my teeth. A paint job like that here in California will set you back $5K at a premium body shop.