Q: I'm looking into older model Landrover Discoveries (1997-2001). Anyone familiar with these vehicles...mpg, reliability, off-road ability, etc...? Any input would help. Thanks, Steve
A: I had a 2004 Discovery SE in Adriatic Blue for the past three and a half years. I get about 12mpg in it, and it is reliable as long as you keep up with the scheduled maintenance religiously. Any deferred maintenance will accelerate the development of problems. The one thing I noticed is that the brakes wear very fast because it's such a heavy car. The stock Land Rover brake pads last about 20,000 miles per set. The rotors require replacement every two pad changes. I stuck with the OEM brake pads because I heard that some aftermarket pads can generate dust that might foul the ABS sensors. I've also driven an LR3 loaner when I brought my Disco in for servicing, and I definitely like the Disco better. The Disco has a softer interior and very nice panoramic windows, while the LR3's interior panels are very angular, hard-edged and it feels like you are sitting a lot lower in the car (which made the view out the windows much less panoramic). If you want a Disco, you have to be ready to accept the fuel and maintenance costs. And I suggest you go for a 2004-- It is the most refined of the Discos (being the last of the Disco IIs) and less prone to problems in my experience.