LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4x4 2004 on

I love it, the most practical car you could own, regularly carries almost half a rugby team & their kit, carried fridges, freezers, washing machines & wardrobes for the family, takes the grandkids & all their pushchairs, carry cots, bikes scooters & high chairs. It's the most comfortable cruiser I've ever had, loves trips to the South of France, tows a big caravan as if it's not there. Bad weather means nothing. We live in a very hilly area & did the shopping for most of the village during the last 2 winter's snow on uncleared roads.

I get 28 mpg on average, 23 when towing. M'way driving is 30mpg. Servicing averages £300-£400 but the next one is a biggy with a cam belt replacement (£800) I've had front and rear discs replaced (£250 inc. pads) & 2 sets of tyres at £150/tyre.

In 5 years & 75,000 mile had one front wheel hub bearing replaced (£300) suspension compressor replaced (£350) the electronic handbrake stuck on (£100) & an EGR valve failure (to do with emission control) £300. I've had VW's Volvos Jags & Fords with similar reliability but nothing like as comfortable or capable!

Ok, I've owned it 2 years and so far it's cost £5000 in repairs. Failed suspension, blown turbo, high speed wobble, permanent power drain so have to keep a power starter in the boot. Park brake warning light comes on without fail every drive although it's been checked out as fine. It's a disaster of a car considering its almost top of the range, under 80,000 miles and 7 years old. I was expecting high running costs but this is just a joke. Why have I still got it? Cos I love it! Nothing else feels so commanding on the road. On flattening the seats I managed to fit in an entire sofa and close the boot! This cars is liking having the most beautiful wife in the world but she keeps having affairs! Wish I never bought the car but cant imagine not having it! Only buy this car if your seriously wealthy or you are a mechanic with your own garage business.

This truely is a fantastic car, it has n ever let me down, its very reliable and lovely to drive.Very easy to get my little boy in and out as its high up.It lowers too so very handy when putting shopping etc I cant recomment it enough.

The Land Rover Discovery is so good I bought it twice. In my opinion the most capable car in the world. It can go through any wether the world can throw at it, it is safe and reliable and has enough rolm to be used as a van, transport 7 in comfort and ride across europe like a limosine. Genuinely the best car I have ever owned.

Had our 2004 for 4 years now and it been very reliable apart from the odd glitch like the radio not working, sat nav not working, parking sensors not working, but all would start working again if car was turned off for about 30 minutes BUT all these little gremlins have been sorted by changing the battery, so please note the battery has got to be 100% otherwise you too will get these little issues. I have had the EGR valves pack up and had a bypass kit fitted cost = £100 however on the newer cars (2008 on i think) new valves would have to fitted at a cost of about 1k, only other issue has been one of the parking sensors has packed up.

Some of the roads today are flooded other motorist were having to do U turns, at one point there was a long traffic jam because ordinary cars could only use one side of the road it was great being able to just overtake them

Its a great car and would recommend one to anyone, just use a specialist for the repairs because they are a lot cheaper

This is the best car I have ever owned, it is 4 cars in one- a luxury car, family car, off road car and tow car. It does all of these jobs excellently.

We have a twin axle caravan and it tows it with ease, even from the North East of England all the way too southern France.

It has all so been extremely reliable and in the 4 years i have owned the car from new it has never put a foot wrong.

The car is amazing in snow and off road on the rare occasion we need to use it excels, even pulling a caravan up a hill in muddy rutted field with the handbrake applied on the caravan !

The only problems are that the clock is rubbish and the MPG is especially good averaging around 26mph

To sum it up this is an amazing all rounder

We bought this car just over 2 1/2 years ago purely to pull our very large caravan. Ours is a 2007 Discovery 3 and only done 38,000 miles. I have to say it's the nicest car we've had. It is a dream to drive and pulling a 2.7 ton twin axle caravan, you hardly notice it's there! I couldn't fault it for the purpose we bought it and it's fantastic in the snow. It feels solid and safe. Yeah the fuel consumption is costly and the tax very high but we took this into consideration when we bought it and considered it to be a necessary evil. We get about 21m/g, when towing the caravan which I didn't think was too bad and about 28 m/g around the doors without the caravan. The 7 seats are great and even the back ones are quite comfortable, masses of space.

Now the negatives: it's hardly been away from the garage!. Firstly the engine management light came on and the car went into 'limp' mode with reduced power. The fault was the EGR valve. This was repaired under warranty. A few months later the same thing happened again!

Then came the faulty rear parking sensor which had to be replaced costing a tidy £120.

Then worst of all the car just cut out when travelling on the A1 towing the caravan, we had to be recovered which was a nice start to our holiday. Turned out to be the fuel pump belt had snapped. Cost to replace, over £1000.

Now we've recently noticed a noise coming from the rear and it turns out the rear diff is on it's way out with a cost of over £1200 to replace it.

I am now put off by the poor reliability and as we take it to France I don't want to risk it. We are looking to get rid and get either a Land Cruiser or Shogun.

My advice would be if, like us, it's reliability you're after, don't bother. If you're happy to risk the occasional break down and have plenty money then it's a great car. Maybe we've just been unlucky but somehow I don't think so, judging by the other reviews. I will be sad to see it go as I do love it but just can't depend on it.

Best car i've owned, and I've had a few ! Good solid car on the road, great power for such a heavy vehicle, well though out in the design stage, with all the fruit you could want in a 4x4, loads of space in all areas, comfortable and safe. Thirsty beast though, don't buy one unless you can afford the fuel, insurance and tax !

Could benefit from a more simple and easy method to lift and lower the 3rd row of seats.

It's bigger than the average family saloon, it looks like a brick and it uses too much fuel, but I love it.

These limitations pale into insignificance when you take into the extreme versatility of this go anywhere go everywhere vehicle. Pack in the grandchildren and/or the grandparents, this vehicle takes 7 adults in comfort. Load up with a kitchen sink or even a bath from the the local DIY center and wonder how you lived without the Disco. Travel on country roads, on motorways or up mountains in sun,wind,rain or snow and you feel safe, secure and comfortable in this competent machine. Visit friends, go on holiday or arrive at a posh hotel and the Land Rover Discovery just fits in; it's classless.

It may cost a little more to buy and run but the return is a flawless ride across any terrain in comfort and safety.

This is my forth Land Rover and is certainly the best so far. I have owned the car for 2 1/2 years and it has been utterly reliable and a pleasure to drive. I particually enjoy the comfort over long journeys, the easy, friendly driving experiance, and the adaquate power and tourqe of the smooth 3.0 ltr engine. The Disco is a great versatile family car, easily carrying up to 7 people, 2 dogs, and a couple of mountain bikes. The overall quality of the materials and the drive is on a par with my previous Range Rover.

Only downside really is the 27 average MPG and the road tax at £450.00.

Well done Land Rover, a great car!