2003 Land Rover Discovery Consumer Reviews

What a nightmare !!

Written by: NO more Disco on 09/13/2009

Vehicle

2003 Land Rover Discovery SE 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 4A)

Review

Bought this from the Land Rover Dealer, They forgot to mention this year has a problem with ABS/Downhill Assist/Traction control failing,and with Engine Oil pumps. They remembered it after I bought it, "yes they have had a few problems with this year" The 2003 is not the year to buy, the locking diffs, and transfer case are not on this model year but on the 2002 and 2004. Should have bought a jeep. It looked cool, when it ran it was awesome when it did not it was awful.

Favorite Features

It looks sooo cool, love the climate control.

Suggested Improvements

Fuel footage.. enough said.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Disco is dead

Written by: ROVER NO MORE on 07/28/2009

Vehicle

2003 Land Rover Discovery S 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 4A)

Review

My wife saw this Disco and had to have it and just like the music it didn't last. The real problems started last year when we replaced the power steering pump, then the head gasket went at 67k, then the throttle body heater. The car never went off-road and we had to replace the transfer case at 88k. So much for its legendary off-road capability. And Finally after all that we were told after a flashing service light, one of many, that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced at 93k. Six years old five years owned, bought with 8500 miles. P.O.S car. Never buy english V8s.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Build an engine that can make it to 100k. Not a lot to ask for.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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FANTASTIC RELIABILITY (266301 kms )

Written by: td on 07/12/2009

Vehicle

2003 Land Rover Discovery SE 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 4A)

Review

i bought my discovery just as it came off of a lease return. i've had many off road vehicles and have done my stint in the military and saw my share of off roading there! i'v been very impressed with the reliablity of this vehicle and will proabably always have a discovery or other landrover in my stable. i travel all aross Canada on business with my disco, as well as hooking up with some off road clubs. it is awesome on ice roads,deep snow and mud! it goes through all this and still looks awesome for business meetings. i now have 266301kms and counting with only regular tune ups,and tire replacements! SIMPLE AMAZING! BUT,if you own one, you HAVE TO do the regular maintenance!

Favorite Features

great in the horrible Canadian winters (snow tires make it amazing!) very good reliablity(like i mentioned, dont neglect the regular schedualed maintenance) dual sun roofs are awesome for the family. strong under carraige components (larger swaybars,torque bars,etc.-than other suvs eg:Toyota FJ

Suggested Improvements

gas milage isn't great, an extra gear in the tranny would help. offer the diesel version in north america!! (lucky UK )

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Oh God I've Made A Terrible Mistake

Written by: please take it back on 05/05/2009

Vehicle

2003 Land Rover Discovery SE 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 4A)

Review

I have never known true regret until I bought my 2003 Discovery. There it was sitting in the lot gleaming, little did I know that the Devil can come in the shape of a car. I should say that I bought it used, with 55,000 miles on it, it drove wonderfully for the first 3 months when my monthly sojourn to the Land Rover Service Lot began. Every light on my dashboard has lit up like the 4th of July sky, I especially enjoy the ones with the exclamation marks. Every gasket, every hose, everything except the engine, whose failure I am currently awaiting, has failed. Anyone who comes across this vehicle should run, not walk in the opposite direction. A demon lurks beneath the gleaming hood.

Favorite Features

nothing any more

Suggested Improvements

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The good in the bad

Written by: saharatj98 on 04/05/2009

Vehicle

2003 Land Rover Discovery SE 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 4A)

Review

Oh, the stigma... You always hear the complaints and not the praise. Land Rovers do have their quirks. I have to say though that I will never own an American made car for reliability, resale, dealer professionalism, quality and just general engineering mediocrity. That said, the Land Rover shines in comparison. Many of the complaints are due to mis understanding as far as how it is designed. Reliability is a crap shoot. Mine have all been great. 288k on a 89 Rangerover is above average for any make. You have to maintain them to keep them happy as any European car. Off road these things are incredible and I've owned Jeeps of all types. These were never intended to compare to a highway SUV.

Favorite Features

off road prowess. High ground clearance with a flat bottom (everything is tucked up unlike a Jeep). Diffs are both of center and in line and use fixed yokes unlike a Jeep, lower gearing in low range, over built frame and suspension components, drives great for a solid axle on frame truck.

Suggested Improvements

fuel mileage. There is no excuse for a 4.6 V8 to only have 220hp and get 12- 16mpg!lack of a center diff lock in some models although traction control is very immediate even with a tire in the air.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Don't be fooled

Written by: Toyotas From Now On on 02/24/2009

Vehicle

2003 Land Rover Discovery SE 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 4A)

Review

This was my first and last experience with Range Rover! If you want to throw your money away, this is your brand. Do your homework before you get caught in the hype of Range Rover. I've owned numerous SUV's (Mercedes, BMW, Land Cruiser etc.)and this brand is truly "tall hat-no cattle!" Never purchase this brand without a thorough pre-inspection by a certified Rover mechanic. Get to know him well because you will be helping put his kids through college! You've just met your new best friend. The ride quality and rugged good looks are the only redeeming characteristics that stands out to me. Toyota/Lexus is your stand-out best-choice every day of the week.

Favorite Features

Upright seating position, dreamy feel on the road and handsome design almost lure you in.

Suggested Improvements

Loose the rear seat headrest, buy stock in your local gas station and drive in constant fear of that next new noise because you are about to get rear-ended. When you go to sell it you will need to find a bigger fool than yourself. Now, ask me how I really feel.

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Bad, bad, bad

Written by: Run Away Now! on 02/17/2009

Vehicle

2003 Land Rover Discovery S 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 4A)

Review

Purchased this vehicle as a demo model. Has been nothing but unreliable since day one. Yesterday I had to junk it because the engine failed totally! Beware of this year and model car. Look online for issues involving oil pump engine failures. The car was in the shop more than out -- sometimes months at a time -- power window failures, leakage, tailgate failure, numerous mechanical issues and basically a very rough riding car. Since this model year, I will pride Land Rover in coming out with the LR3 --I have heard a much better designed car. But don't buy a 2003 Discovery!

Favorite Features

Car pooling, enough room to haul kids and all their gear. Nice step up into third row from back. Great and fun in the snow. Safe car for wife and kids.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage. Runs very rough, like a truck Reliability! Please!

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Awful Reliability

Written by: DisgustedNSF on 02/13/2009

Vehicle

2003 Land Rover Discovery SE 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 4A)

Review

I am the unfortunate owner of a 2003 Land Rover Discovery that I purchased new in August of 2003. Since the vehicle was first placed into service, the vehicle has been the most unreliable, frustrating and irritatingly expensive vehicle I have ever come across, let alone own. Although the vehicle is only 5-1/2 years old with approximately 78,000 miles, it is worth no more than the market value for its scrap metal due to its habitual mechanical failures.Despite religious maintenance, the mechanical failures have included: Rear-end differential failure at 30,000 miles; Power window failure at 55,000 miles; Blown head gasket at 55,000 miles; cracked engine block at 78,000 miles.

Favorite Features

Good 4-wheel drive capability.

Suggested Improvements

Dependability.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Best 4x4 ever!

Written by: Daniep on 01/29/2009

Vehicle

2003 Land Rover Discovery SE 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 4A)

Review

I'm a 16 year old high school student and I love my Disco. It has a good sound system, and it sits really high. The ladies love it. Lots of storage room and great on the snow and ice. The V8 has lots of power and pulls away from my friend's 6 liter V8 gmc sierra. Great for off roading and camping.

Favorite Features

Awesome driving view, heated seats, diff lock, great handling, 4x4 features, and it's a Land Rover

Suggested Improvements

5 speed trany

2 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Ruff Rider

Written by: "LANA ROVA" on 01/17/2009

Vehicle

2003 Land Rover Discovery SE 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 4A)

Review

I'm at 150,000 Km and am finding that every few months I'm having to spend a couple of hundred dollars on repairs. But I absolutely love my Disco! I read all of the reviews out there before I bought it (so I knew what to expect but decided I didn't care). Something about these you either love 'em or hate 'em. Just make sure you take into consideration the high cost of maintenance on this vehicle in conparison to an American or Japanese vehicle. As for the style or ability, there is nothing else like it out there.I hate all of these bubble crossovers. Bottom line I've had my truck for almost 3 years and still look forward to getting inside and driving around town especially in the snow.

Favorite Features

Round head lights, 2 sunroofs, rear jump seats for my boys, rear DVD and third row audio controls, all my bush bars, coloured piping on seats & Harmon Kardon sound system, I love that I have only seen about 15-20 of these trucks in Toronto in the 3 years I've been driving it.

Suggested Improvements

Gas consumption is wicked, very awkward to get in and out of 2nd row seats, difficult to even find tires for this vehicle.I also wish that Land Rover didn't have such a monopoly on maintenance of these vehicles but I guess that's the price you pay to not drive what everybody else drives.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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