Buying a Range Rover L322 vs Discovery 2, advice requested.

Old not bold Soldier · Dec 29, 2015

I am thinking about buying a Range Rover TD6 L322 ( the one with the sat nav in the dash) but my good lady insists that being a Range Rover it will cost far too much to run and maintain so she thinks I should go for a Discovery 2 instead. I wonder if anyone can help me, I have done a lot of searching and have read lots of reviews but I still have not got my key questions answered. Can anyone please tell me if there is likely to be a significant cost difference between running and maintaining them over equal mileages of say 8000 miles a year? Also I believe the Discovery 2 is much easier to carry out DIY repairs on than the Range Rover and requires much more attention by professionals (that means very expensive) - is that true? I appreciate that it all depends on ones ability; I currently do most of my routine servicing and repairs on my VW T4 Transporter and BMW E46 but I do not do anything that involves connecting a computer and being geeky!!
Any help and advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Ben Wilson · Dec 31, 2015

I just got rid of my l322 on an 03 plate. It was the 4.4 v8 with lpg.
I had so many problems with it (like you can get in any car) but as I found most the work was a pain in the backside to fix (and expensive) I was glad to get rid, I would go for a disco (unless you are lucky or have piles of money)

Ben Wilson · Dec 31, 2015

But on the flip side, the air suspension was epic

and great for showing off to mates! Until mine broke! But when I did break down, I did it luxury!

Old not bold Soldier · Jan 1, 2016

Thank you for the replies. Since I posted the first comment I have found another one on another forum and I was truly shocked by how many things had gone wrong with the chaps L322 RR. I think your comment 'unless you are lucky or have piles of money' is spot on - given that my luck is often not good and I definitely do not have piles of money I think my RR dreams are over! I had optimistically hoped that someone would say 'don't worry by now all their faults will be ironed out so get a RR and smile'! I know the Discovery 2 is a lot more basic but is still more complex than a standard 2wd veh. I am just hoping they are much more suited to diy repairs/maintenance.

The other alternative we have just started to look at is the Freelander 2. From what I understand it is not a good off road as the Discovery but is still perfect for most peoples snow, mud, and rain adventures.

Ben Wilson · Jan 1, 2016

I have not had a disco but i believe thay they are diy friendly (i believe we are talking about disco 1 and 2) Also they seem to be fairly cheap

Old not bold Soldier · Jan 2, 2016

I had a chat today with a Discovery 2 owner who said that he has had things go wrong with his Disco and that it does have its own 'quirks' but he added that most of the jobs that needed doing he could himself so it was not a major problem. Does any Discovery 2 owner have similar experience/views?

Feathers McGraw · Jan 2, 2016

Old not bold Soldier said:
I had a chat today with a Discovery 2 owner who said that he has had things go wrong with his Disco and that it does have its own 'quirks' but he added that most of the jobs that needed doing he could himself so it was not a major problem. Does any Discovery 2 owner have similar experience/views?

I've had my D2 for 6 months now. Done a few essential jobs (new fuel pressure regulator for example), did a few jobs for peace of mind (like replacing the injector harness) and did a few jobs for the hell of it (new DAB/iPod radio, sidesteps and putting illumination in the overhead mounted sunroof switches).
Did everything myself, bought a few odd new tools to help, always aimed for genuine parts where possible and found it enjoyable to do. Much valuable help available on the forum with a bit of thought in the search facility. Never once regretted it.

Shanec · Jan 2, 2016

Disco 2 owner here. Need computer to programme in new keys, had an ignition barrel fail and had to strip and bodge to save 500 quid. Parts are more expensive than older land rovers.

If its 8000 miles a year only I'd be wanting something that didn't depreciate.

If your wanting something bling make sure above windscreen isn't corroded, boot door bottom doesn't have paint flaking and around panel joints, rear wheel arches rusty inside door at the bottom, saggy rear springs if converted from air suspension on the rear, and drivers seat base isn't torn. These things really get to me.

If your looking for towing and off road capability without bling, definitely go for discovery 1. Best value for money of any landy.

MJI · Jan 2, 2016

D2 are good value at the moment.

Gearboxes do not explode, air suspension is fixable (parts very affordable), they are user weldable.

Expensive jobs are
Cracked heads (£1200 for new after market better head)
Rusty chassis (£2500-£2800 for NEW galvanised chassis is not weldable)
ACE can be repaired for less than a solid ARB conversion

You will need a Hawkeye or Nanocom

L322 I was scared off, gearboxes explode and suspension is expensive to fix

goonarmy · Jan 2, 2016

Old not bold Soldier said:
Thank you for the replies. Since I posted the first comment I have found another one on another forum and I was truly shocked by how many things had gone wrong with the chaps L322 RR. I think your comment 'unless you are lucky or have piles of money' is spot on - given that my luck is often not good and I definitely do not have piles of money I think my RR dreams are over! I had optimistically hoped that someone would say 'don't worry by now all their faults will be ironed out so get a RR and smile'! I know the Discovery 2 is a lot more basic but is still more complex than a standard 2wd veh. I am just hoping they are much more suited to diy repairs/maintenance.

The other alternative we have just started to look at is the Freelander 2. From what I understand it is not a good off road as the Discovery but is still perfect for most peoples snow, mud, and rain adventures.

Freelander2 is a good motor but not in the same league for towing and off road. They are relatively trouble free compared to the rest of the marque. A HSE with all the options is a nice motor.

Old not bold Soldier · Jan 6, 2016

Feathers McGraw said:
I've had my D2 for 6 months now. Done a few essential jobs (new fuel pressure regulator for example), did a few jobs for peace of mind (like replacing the injector harness) and did a few jobs for the hell of it (new DAB/iPod radio, sidesteps and putting illumination in the overhead mounted sunroof switches).
Did everything myself, bought a few odd new tools to help, always aimed for genuine parts where possible and found it enjoyable to do. Much valuable help available on the forum with a bit of thought in the search facility. Never once regretted it.

Thanks for the reply, I think from what I have read recently that is the big advantage of the Discovery 2 - there is a fair chance that a lot of the work that may be needed is DIY- able

Old not bold Soldier · Jan 6, 2016

Shanec said:
Disco 2 owner here. Need computer to programme in new keys, had an ignition barrel fail and had to strip and bodge to save 500 quid. Parts are more expensive than older land rovers.

If its 8000 miles a year only I'd be wanting something that didn't depreciate.

If your wanting something bling make sure above windscreen isn't corroded, boot door bottom doesn't have paint flaking and around panel joints, rear wheel arches rusty inside door at the bottom, saggy rear springs if converted from air suspension on the rear, and drivers seat base isn't torn. These things really get to me.

If your looking for towing and off road capability without bling, definitely go for discovery 1. Best value for money of any landy.

Thank you for those tips. I did actually fix an air leak in my sons air suspension on his Disco 2 a few years ago; a bit of imagination and a bit of improvisation and it was back on the road!

Old not bold Soldier · Jan 6, 2016

MJI said:
D2 are good value at the moment.

Gearboxes do not explode, air suspension is fixable (parts very affordable), they are user weldable.

Expensive jobs are
Cracked heads (£1200 for new after market better head)
Rusty chassis (£2500-£2800 for NEW galvanised chassis is not weldable)
ACE can be repaired for less than a solid ARB conversion

You will need a Hawkeye or Nanocom

L322 I was scared off, gearboxes explode and suspension is expensive to fix

Thanks for that, the prices are interesting but not too scary. I am getting the distinct feeling that the L322 is just too expensive and complicated for me.

Old not bold Soldier · Jan 6, 2016

goonarmy said:
Freelander2 is a good motor but not in the same league for towing and off road. They are relatively trouble free compared to the rest of the marque. A HSE with all the options is a nice motor.

I managed to have a long chat with a Freelander 2 owner a couple of days ago and he loved his (a 2009). He used his for work and regularly towed heavy loads over farm land etc. He agreed the Disco 2 is a better tower but added that the Freelander 2 had never let him down even when towing large loads of soil etc. The most I am ever likely to tow is a caravan or a car trailer with an MGB on it so I think the Freelander should be fine.

p.s. I have looked at loads of videos on Youtube of the Freelander 2 going across country in some very difficult terrain and it does remarkably well!

Buying a Range Rover L322 vs Discovery 2, advice requested.

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