1998 Land Rover Discovery TD5 review from UK and Ireland

How long have you got?

Head light dropped out, windscreen leaked, immobilizer had a life of its own. Rust bubbles and dodgy door seals.

Where to start.

With this Disco' I enjoy a love hate relationship.

Off road, only a tank is better, or maybe a Range Rover.

The front seats are comfortable and the visibility is very good. In the back however, it's a different story. The rear passenger access doors look big, but the gap between the door pillar and the seats is very small, and you have to be a bit agile to wriggle your way in. Once in the back, the leg room is somewhat limited and the seats are not the best.

The loading bay is very spacious, but the back door is enormous! If the wind catches it while you're opening it, be careful! It's like a huge metal and glass sail with a wheel bolted on. The Range Rover's split tailgate is better. The Disco would benefit from a similar design, either one up, one down, like the Range Rover or outwards like most vans. It should be fitted with stays too, to prevent it blowing shut on you. That hurts, A LOT!! Opening the tailgate on hills is a dodgy exercise as well. Just make sure that the car's leaning to the right or you'll never get in the boot.

The TD5 isn't too bad on fuel, but the performance is woeful; large warships will out accelerate the Disco' diesel. This makes overtaking a stunt form and not a pleasure. That said, once up to speed, the Disco' happily barrels along with everyone else.