Test drive Land Rover Discovery LR3 2004 - 2009 SUV

To whom is science, to whom - a disco ...

English SUVs (and indeed British cars) have always been a dish for an amateur, including because of their ambiguity. Take at least Land Rover Discovery. For lovers to renew dirt, this is a discovery find, opening. For those who prefer not to climb into cobblestones, but to a curb in front of a nightclub, this is a disco disco
 
The Land Rover lineup (which then consisted of only two copies of the Range Rover and what Defender is now called) was complemented by Discovery SUV in the late 80s of the last century. The second -generation car, which will be discussed, was created in 1998. Although the second, in fact, generations? In the case of the release of 2004, there is no doubt: this is a completely different car. And in the late 90s, a modernized version of the former appeared rather. However, Land Rover found the changes sufficient in order to position the car of 1998 precisely as a new generation model. But marketers are not always right. In theory, we have before us the younger brother of Range Rover, although in the eyes of fans this is a car with their own charisma and a special aura. Let's try to understand how far the Discovery 2 has gone from its predecessor.
 
External changes are evolutionary. The same tall, narrow, slightly awkward car, which before (though, is already with one single five-door body). However, other plumage, door handles for natural grip and other small details nevertheless gave the new model a noticeably more solid appearance, and restyling carried out in 2002 further increased the gap between generations. The resistance of the SUV body does not raise questions to corrosion: the body panels are well opposed to rust. But an electrician is generally a headache for many Land Rover owners. It is generally accepted that all problems from unskilled intervention in the vehicle of the car, but experience refutes such a theory. Working, the factory anti -theft system and other devices may well refuse without outside help. Often the backlight is out of order, but against the background of generators, which also tend to break, this is a trifle.
 
The owners of Land Rover Discovery are very appreciated: the salon atmosphere: quite solid decoration materials, good equipment and the most pleasant truly English comfort that trifles create. Passengers here are quite spacious and comfortable, and those who have nothing to occupy themselves can observe the world not through standard side windows, but through embrasures carved in the rear of the roof. The only complaint to the cabin is not the most convenient access.
 
It is not easy to evaluate the running qualities of this machine. On the one hand, special stabilizers that prevent the development of rolls at the values \u200b\u200bof lateral overloads up to 0.4 G, create a feeling of driving in a sportsar with a high landing, and with another is obvious an increased tendency to skidding, especially on uneven asphalt. The great height makes Discovery 2 not too maneuverable, but with skillful handling, the car allows you to get very far into the forest or where else. But the traction properties are not on top. Diesel picks up well from the bottom (for avid jeepers the best choice), but in principle, it is weak. Basin V8 provides everyday ride and nothing more, however, it allows us to maintain high cruising speed on the highway and on the primer, where the energy -intensive suspension gives the riders incredible comfort.
 
The choice of engines is limited by the mentioned V8 with a volume of 4 liters (185 hp) and a 2.5 l diesel (138 l.). The latter, in principle, is quite reliable: relatively well digested Russian fuel, and also often occurs under the hood of Discovery (which means that everything should be fine with repair and spare parts). But for the heavy Discovery 2, he is frankly weak, and therefore, the best choice should be recognized by V8. Although he has disadvantages. With active driving, in addition to intensive fuel consumption, increased oil consumption is possible. There are other problems: knocking hydraulic compensators of valves, short -lived rollers of drive belts, high -voltage wires and a gas pump. Some compensation for all of the above is a good resource.
 
The gearboxes (and they are also mechanical and automatic) and the handout of serious complaints do not cause serious complaints, though sometimes the weak place of the transmission fails of the cross -cutting shafts (breakdown gives out vibration during movement).
 
Some are convinced that in 1998 Discovery, the suspension is stronger than the predecessor, but in fact it is not. Problems with pneumatic cylinders aligning the posture of the car, depending on the load, have not gone anywhere, especially they do not like frosts. Save cheaper non -original elements that have long appeared on sale. The compressor of the air suspension does not have heroic health, not too long for the eyelids and the usual shock absorbers (but at least they are inexpensive). Tips of steering rods, steering damper are also problem nodes. The rubbing elements of the brake system are strong enough, but the ABS sensors do not matter from which manufacturer, consumables. Their service life is very short.
 
It is believed that the possession of Land Rover is a vocation and almost religion. Therefore, probably, people lay down with increased content costs. But the confidence of the Land Rover apologists in his reliability, not inferior to other foreign jeeps, does not correspond to the truth. Land Rover break, and Discovery 2, I must admit, did not go far from the pioneer of the lineup. But this car is a real all -terrain vehicle, moreover, prestigious. And there are fewer such real machines
 
The advantages and disadvantages of the model
 
Advantages
Recognizable appearance
Good cross -country ability
Cozy salon
High status
High sled comfort
Flaws
Dear spare parts
Low reliability
High prices for used cars
Unimportant running qualities
Weak motors
 
 
 

A source: Magazine Cars and Prices No. 43, October 29, 2007