2003 Land Rover Discovery Research & Reviews

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.01/5 Average
147 Total Reviews
This Year's Model Updates:

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."

Pros:
  • Great off-road ability, unique exterior design, advanced handling features.
Cons:
  • Difficult entry and egress, quirky interior design, not much cargo space, poor gas mileage.

User Reviews:

Showing 121 through 130 of 147.00
  • NEWBIETO THE LANDROVER FAMILY - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    PICKED UP MY NEW DISCO ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO.MIXED REVIEWS TO DATE. OVERALL, IT IS A PLEASURE TO DRIVE. ENGINE SEEMS STRONG, AND TOWING A 5K BOAT IS A BREEZE. SOLID RIDE,WITH A GREAT FINISH. SOME ITEMS SEEM CHEAPLY MADE. LIKE THE FUEL DOOR CLASP. BROKE OFF IN A WEEK. THE PROS FAR OUTWEIGHT THE CONS SO FAR. WILL REPORT AGAIN IN A YEAR.

  • You get what you pay for. - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    This is my 2nd Discovery and I have gotten what I paid for with both, a very capable on and off road vehicle, with great benefits in the fact that it is weighty and stable. I got out of a Dodge 2500HD diesel 4x4 crew cab into this and was looking for something substantial, and found it in the Discovery. I have had no major service issues. The "command position" seating is great because you can see almost everything. I feel very safe hauling around my precious cargo in the Discovery and would buy another. Dont get it if you are looking for good gas mileage, that isnt what these were built for.

  • Awful Reliability - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    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.

  • SE-7 - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    The Discovery 2003 incorporates the engine 4.6 and transmission from the 2002 Range Rover, the brakes were improved also over the 02, the front suspension was reconfigured to reduce body roll without the need of the expensive ACE system, so you basically are driving a cool series II Discovery with all the better things that were just available in the expensive RangeRover that made it famous. It is a vehicle designed 100% for offroad, that transfers a great handling SUV for your daily drive in highways. Probably the only car that looks in place offroading in high mauntains and at the vallet parking at the Opera in the same Saturday.

  • 90K miles - time to replace every gasket - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    I loved my 03 Disco until year 5. After 90,000 miles (147,000 km) every gasket in the engine had to be replaced. What originally appeared as a simple oil pan leak turned into the replacement of the head, timing assembly, and oil pan gaskets, plus radiator leaks and other miscellaneous hoses at the cost of CAD $2000 in parts and $1,300 in labor. Other annoying items: the passenger window motor self destructed, premature fading of wheel well fenders, excessive engine knocking even with regular 94 octane use, seat heater failing. The vehicle was serviced religiously. My advice - sell before the warranty expires. Im used to high maintenance vehicles but will never buy another Landrover.

  • GREAT VEHICLE - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    THIS IS OUR SECOND DISCOVERY BOTH HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT VEHICLES,GREAT HIGHWAY RIDE,VERY STABLE IN BAD WEATHER AND NO PROBLEMS.

  • Like it, But.... - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    I really like the vehicle , but there are some things that should be changed. Such as the doors should open further, in-dash cd changer should be standard, exhaust should be on opposite side of rear door handle, do away with plastic fender flares that fade in sunlight, it should have seat and mirror position memory, and the tilt steering wheel should tilt more. I dont have any major complaints, just litle things that could easily be changed to make the vehicle that much better.

  • Dont be fooled - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    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. Ive owned numerous SUVs (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! Youve 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.

  • Quirky, but loved anyway - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    Test-drove it and had to buy it. Instead of a labored acceleration from stop, the Disco accelerates with ease and relative quiet. The turning radius is more than acceptable. Braking is excellent. For such a tall SUV, body lean during cornering (even without the touted ACE option) is minimal. As stable and sure-footed as a billy goat off-road, but refined enough to serve as a daily-use vehicle. Road noise is minimal, and the suspension is neither too stiff OR too soft. Drives like a wet dream in the rain on city roads, so dont let anyone ever tell you that its useless in town. Whether towing, mudding or hauling, what a capable vehicle.

  • Caveat emptor - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    This is a high-maintenance vehicle that has lots of gizmos that go out of whack and are hard to get serviced. The commitment of the company to you after they have cashed your check is minimal. You better love the design and flexibility of the vehicle, and I mean really love it, because the problems, potential and actual, are many, and youre mostly on your own.

Land Rover Discovery Reviews By Year:
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