Land Rover Discovery TD5 XS

Hands down one of the WORST ownership experiences ever. I don't know where to start. We bought the vehicle 2 years ago to tow trailers loaded with skateboard ramps all over the country. We paid £4500 for the vehiclewith 150k miles and in 2 years must of spent over 10k...yes 10k in repairs.

Everything that could go wrong did, except the actual engine and it thanked us by catching fire a couple of weeks ago whilst driving it and burnt to a crisp near the M11 in Essex.

Whilst it was actually running it made a rubbish tow vehicle, mainly due to a lack of steering lock (worst ever!) and had tendancy to start dangerously weaving at 60 mph with a trailer on. We towed the same trailer with a transit and never had the same issue.We converted the suspension to shocks and springs but still had same problem.

Also, it seemed to develop a new 'special feature' every week with bits falling off or stopping working like window switches and climate control which conveniently blew hot air on your feet all summer.The interior is similarly poor with nothing where you want it and NOT user friendly

I would only recommend buying one of these if you are stupid, rich, a patriotic fool or all 3 of the above. AVOID like a STD....

I bought this car a year ago at a cost of £7000 after checking all the faults that the Discovery can get when it reaches a certain age.

Mine had done 85000 miles and prior to my ownership apart from the usual items that you would expect to wear has had a new transfer box (74000 miles), front & rear brake discs(75000 miles), new air suspension bags (84000miles) and new sliding roof seals(5000 & 56000 miles).

Today, after 12 months and 10,000 miles of ownership the only cost I have had is having the front wheels balanced. I have given up trying to cure the rattles.I treated the rust on the chassis with Waxoyl when I first got it and hope to get a few more years out of her.

I bought this vehicle as a workhorse to tow a large, heavy trailer and is does this easily. I also own a Japanese 4x4, this has better build quality than the Discovery, but is nowhere near as good as a towing vehicle.

To sum up, the Discovery is not the best 4x4 by far, however if the service history is carefully checked it is possible to get a gooden. The air suspension can and does go wrong,with the air bags around £200(inc vat) each + labour this can be expensive, so make sure either they have been replaced or the vehicle comes with a warranty.

Gave up my company car 3 years ago due to the riduculous tax system. Now I pay it in fuel duty instead! But I do travel my 20k business miles in style. This 2003 auto model is our second Disco, up from a previous '99 GS. Bought from a Jaguar main dealer whose MD had had it for his co. car for a while from new.

My wife and I fight over who is going to drive at weekends, and the kids love it being able to see over hedgerows etc...

The XS is well speced with extras. Self levelling suspension (which is a godsend when we hang our 4-cycle rack off the tow-bar), Leather/Alcantara upholstery, 6 disc CD, Cass,Radio, 2 sunroofs, and the kids have their own audio controls in the back.

We had side steps put on, as the youngest, at 5 had difficulty getting up into it, as do his septegenarian grandparents on family days out!

The driving position is excellent, and I find it very comfortable for my long business trips. All main controls are easily to hand. although some of the minor features are hidden from sight by the Cruise Control and Audio stubs on the steering wheel.

Biggest niggle is the LR dealers. We're on our 3rd now, and I only use them as the car is still under warranty. I have never met such a group of unhelpful and disinterested individuals in my life, so I can only assume it's a corporate attitude thing! 2 weeks to get a service is not unusual, and the cost - the next is 'menued' at £650.

Thinking of buying one? Go for it! You won't be disappointed providing you:

a) budget carefully (servicing & 27mpg overall)

b) allow extra room for turning - the circle is closely related to an ocean liner

c) get the sunroofs checked. Both our cars have had to have them removed & re-sealed. Outside warranty they're £400 EACH

d) watch car-park height barriers. The Disco is 2.1m to the roof rails