Overall, the Discovery coddles its occupants in genuine English charm and comfort that’s proper and refined yet occasionally crude due to periodic drivetrain clunks and thumps. I once asked a Land Rover mechanic about such gremlins. He humorously replied that one ought to worry when there are no thumps and clunks arising from a Discovery’s drivetrain.
Despite the auditory oddities, the Disco’s 4-wheel drive system is by all accounts bulletproof.
Behind the wheel
Those riding in a Discovery for the first time are amazed by its high seating arrangement and the outstanding visibility provided through the large sheets of glass that surround the vehicle, the combination of which greatly aid parking exercises and off-road rock crawling.
Despite the benefits derived by the optional ACE suspension setup, the Discovery is not a quick, nimble performer. Steering response is slow due mainly to a lazy steering ratio that compels lots of wheel turning.
Bringing the 2,045-kg (4,500-lb) behemoth to a stop is easy enough though thanks to its powerful 4-wheel antilock disc brakes. Stopping distances however are not as brief as those that more modern SUVs are capable of. Prospective Discovery buyers should also be aware of its considerable thirst for premium nectar.
Fortunately my Disco isn’t a daily commuter, so its trips to the pumps are minimal. Long-distance users may want to slash as they watch the fuel gauge descend to the basement with alarming rapidity.
Foibles aside – it’s got character and it’s an inexpensive used-SUV buy.
Regardless of the many negatives one can express, the Discovery Series II is a charmer that works its way into your heart by working its guts out for you with nary a complaint.
Series II reliability is actually quite good—certainly more so than one might think. At the time of production, Land Rover was owned by BMW, so some German precision may have favorably influenced the Discovery’s design and manufacture.
As a recreational vehicle, the Discovery Series II is hard to beat due to its comfort and capability, and the massive depreciation these vehicles undergo. The huge savings will certainly fund plenty of fuel to keep the thirsty Discovery topped-up.
So do an old soldier a good turn and give a Discovery Series II a caring home. You’ll grow to love the quirky beast.
Despite the auditory oddities, the Disco’s 4-wheel drive system is by all accounts bulletproof.
Behind the wheel
Those riding in a Discovery for the first time are amazed by its high seating arrangement and the outstanding visibility provided through the large sheets of glass that surround the vehicle, the combination of which greatly aid parking exercises and off-road rock crawling.
Despite the benefits derived by the optional ACE suspension setup, the Discovery is not a quick, nimble performer. Steering response is slow due mainly to a lazy steering ratio that compels lots of wheel turning.
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| 1999 Land Rover Discovery Series II (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
Bringing the 2,045-kg (4,500-lb) behemoth to a stop is easy enough though thanks to its powerful 4-wheel antilock disc brakes. Stopping distances however are not as brief as those that more modern SUVs are capable of. Prospective Discovery buyers should also be aware of its considerable thirst for premium nectar.
Fortunately my Disco isn’t a daily commuter, so its trips to the pumps are minimal. Long-distance users may want to slash as they watch the fuel gauge descend to the basement with alarming rapidity.
Foibles aside – it’s got character and it’s an inexpensive used-SUV buy.
Regardless of the many negatives one can express, the Discovery Series II is a charmer that works its way into your heart by working its guts out for you with nary a complaint.
Series II reliability is actually quite good—certainly more so than one might think. At the time of production, Land Rover was owned by BMW, so some German precision may have favorably influenced the Discovery’s design and manufacture.
As a recreational vehicle, the Discovery Series II is hard to beat due to its comfort and capability, and the massive depreciation these vehicles undergo. The huge savings will certainly fund plenty of fuel to keep the thirsty Discovery topped-up.
So do an old soldier a good turn and give a Discovery Series II a caring home. You’ll grow to love the quirky beast.
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