1996 Land Rover Discovery S 2.5 TDi

Summary:

Outstandingly solid and well designed machine for bumpy places. Don't waste it on the high street!

Faults:

Virtually nothing, despite hammering on dirt roads all around the Andes and the Egyptian desert.

Extreme heat caused LCD clock to fail (an old BL one cost £5 at a breaker's).

Shock absorbers replaced at 29,000 miles due to extensive off road use. Occasionally after very heavy rain the driver's door lock won't work.

People say the Discovery is unreliable. Not in this case.

General Comments:

A slow, heavy, likeable, durable workhorse.

Very easy to service and anyone, anywhere can do it - mechanicals very similar to Defender. Main parts available in farthest corners of globe.

Immense ground clearance and impressively low bottom gears. Towing a doddle, including really big trailers.

Will go up almost any hill and along most tracks. Even high altitudes cause no problems (4,000M!). Limited only by driver courage!

Extremely comfortable, spacious and durable inside. Can hose inside out to remove mud.

Air conditioning rather feeble for size of car.

Noisy at motorway speeds (80 MPH is practical limit).

Suspension designed for straight lines at speed, definitely not curves.

Rear side facing seats for tiny kids only. (Take sick bags).

Fuel consumption not terrific (but in most places, diesel is cheap).

A map reading light would be nice...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd July, 2001

1996 Land Rover Discovery ES 2.5 turbo diesel

Faults:

Transfer gearbox had to be replaced and then subsequently leaked oil.

Turbo failed due to rubber pipe collapsing - took nearly two weeks for them to find and fix this.

Corrosion on rear bumper.

The cruise control meanders +/- 5 mph but I live with this!

General Comments:

Very relaxing car to drive despite its performance and noise shortcomings. High seating position is also great for kids. Excellent towcar. Built like a tank.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th January, 1999

1996 Land Rover Discovery TDi 2.5 turbo diesel

Faults:

Nothing with this one but last two both had head gasket failures at around 100k - simple to change so any one who has a high miler do it now! Saves the cost of new turbo and injectors.

General Comments:

Big tough good long haul car, all my farmer mates say it's THE BUSINESS off road. VERY cheap bits (4x4 mags abound with them). Simple to fix (big spanner). Wife loves it. Fantastic tow car, great to travel in the back too.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th September, 1998

1996 Land Rover Discovery TDiS 5Dr 2.5 turbo diesel intercooler

Faults:

Nothing really. Only intermittant fault on the diff lock warning light - it comes on sometimes for no reason!!!!

General Comments:

Excellent off-road. However, compromised for use as a car. Not very quick due to engine seeming to loose power over about 3500rpm! Best driven between 1500-3000rpm! Excellent for towing however, you don't notice that anything is on the back!

The suspension is very compromised for on road use. It sends all the bumps into the cabin yet still rolls well round corners. I can never get near the claimed 33mpg, nearer 28 is the norm and it is not driven hard. Also, the turning circle is terrible meaning that parking and turning round can be difficult. Never mind though, I just drive over most obstacles!!

Don't buy one if an estate car can fulfil your needs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th February, 1998

1996 Land Rover Discovery S 2.5i turbo diesel

Faults:

Rear electric windows failed soon after delivery, but were fixed at initial service. A few squeeks from the plastic of the dashboard but otherwise fine.

General Comments:

Great to drive.... anywhere!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd October, 1997