Overview & Reviews

Land Rover has made a number of updates to its 2003 Discovery. In terms of mechanical components, the company has installed a more powerful 4.6-liter V8 engine and has improved the steering, brakes and suspension. Styling is revised front and rear, including headlamps that mimic its bigger brother's, the Range Rover. New interior treatments grace the cabin, and a rear park distance control is now an option. Finally, Land Rover has dropped the "Series II" nomenclature, and it's now simply called "Discovery."

• Great off-road ability, unique exterior design, advanced handling features.

• Difficult entry and egress, quirky interior design, not much cargo space, poor gas mileage.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 147.00

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  NIGHTMARE - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
  By brad - August 2 - 11:06 am

  Bought the car with 65,000 miles. It overheated on my cross country move at 67K (left me stranded with my family in Nebraska) and now there is irreparable damage done to the engine. I need a new engine which costs $12,000!!! WTF this is a total NIGHTMARE. Be careful Head gaskets go early and often. Land rover makes a horrible engine. I thought I was getting a unique car that would be a beast offroad, but it couldnt even handle on-road driving. I would not use this car to tow anything. It says there is a 7700 lb towing capacity but the weak engine shouldnt be forced to tow anything but the car itself.

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  Enjoyable but disappointing - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
  By mrmhouston - January 13 - 1:10 am

  I love driving my Land Rover. It is great in Houstons frequent high water and I take it off road about a dozen times a year. It has been disappointing, though, due to the amount of times Ive had to take it in for repairs (approx every 3,800 miles while under warranty). Maybe the bugs have been worked out? It is a good working vehicle, not a lot of bells and whistles that most of todays cars have. Is the trade-off worth? I cant tell yet.

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  Discovery-atic - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
  By abombard - September 7 - 11:01 am

  Well, I have owned three Discoveries now; a 98, 2000, and 2003. I have had problems with every one I have owned, in fact, the one I currently own is being repaired - the tail light spontaneously caught on fire. The crazy thing is, I would buy another one; although I would like my next LR to be a Defender. I love the way they feel on and off road - particullarly off road.

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  DISCO x 2 - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
  By dblake - August 27 - 4:18 am

  had a 04, HSE destroyed in Katrina, Bought an 03 right after. Typical issue as everyone elses. But one thing you have to realize is if you want town this type of vehicle be prepared to spend the maintenance cash. Yes its expensive to maintain & i have found parts via ebay OE sellers, in addition i happen to have my own personal mechanic with 30+yrs of experience & a 65$ an hr labor rate, so maybe not to shabby for me. For sure if i had to pay the dealer for all the work done so far it may have been sold long ago. I am @ 127k, replaced the Head gasket which is now leaking again 3yrs later. & just routine work. Its long paid off now & i invested so much in repairs ill run in 4ever

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  dissapointed - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
  By J Davis - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Well considering I paid $41,000 for this car I have to say I miss my old RR 98 model. The drivers window fell out, Alternator packed up. 3 sets of brake pads in 1 year. New jack didnt work when tire went flat. Insurance rate on this car is ridiculous and every service still costs $$$$$ for the smallest little repair. Gear train is noisy as hell and people constantly comment on how loud the whining of the engine sounds. Fule economy is amazingly bad and turning radius is a joke for an off road vehicle. Then a dealer tells me that after a year I would be lucky to get $20,000 for it.

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  never again - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
  By casper - June 30 - 4:03 pm

  Poor interior comfort. Horrible gas mileage and performance. Re-occurring mechanical issues. Yugos still have better resale value than these overpriced tanks. Never again!!!

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  Run from this! Land Rover is the worst. - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
  By Nitzervon - May 9 - 8:30 pm

  There is not a seal on it that does not leak, in 90,000 miles: new motor (twice), transfer case (three times), both differentials, rear driveshaft, power steering pump, power steering box, hydraulic hoses, starter, replaced plug wires (twice, due to sparking between wires), Brakes only last 10,000 miles. I averaged $900 each month in just repair bills. Not to mention 8 miles per gallon. My wife has a Jaguar that is the same way. No wonder every car company in England has to be sold every few years.

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  Land Rover Discovery Not Comfortable - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
  By tester27 - April 23 - 5:00 pm

  Drivers seat does not sit back far enough nor does the steering wheel lift up far enough for me to get comfortable. Also - gas and brake pedals are too close together... 6 1" - 220 pounds

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  wish test drives were a 1000 miles - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
  By crashajeep - February 18 - 2:00 am

  cruise control surge. gear box high pitched whine,both fixed now there worse than they were before.factory says to bad. 5 times in shop

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  DONT GET SUCKED IN - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
  By Pete - January 15 - 8:36 pm

  Dont let this vehicles awesome look bring you to purchase one. I bought a 2003 disco 4 months ago in pristine condition. Until after having it a weak the Lifters failed, the oil pump went and needed a total engine replacement at 58,000 miles. Local LR dealership put in a "used" engine in "good" shape and repair cost $8000. Two weeks after getting it back the head gasket blew on the replacement engine! Also a $3000 repair not covered by the warranty! I have never had a more terrible experience with a vehicle in my life. Its funny sitting in a million dollar showroom around all these high end vehicles,while theyre telling you that these repairs are normal. I sold the car after 5 months