Discovery Sport experiences

[scotch_egg]

Almost time for a new vehicle. My Volvo XC 90 needs a few bits doing and although having been a good bud for several years will be moved on. I no longer have the nice second car and will be going to one vehicle. I had also been looking at the newer X-trails but think the middle seat in the back won’t be big enough.

Now is the Discovery Sport going to give me the dreaded Land Rover game of Russian Roulette with reliability? Is there anything to look out for? I know the members on here have a. Vast amount of knowledge with vehicles. The Discovery Sports seem relatively good value when looking at prices. Thanks in advance.

 

[Covert]

Have had a couple, one good and one bad experience.
Very capable off road, lot of room inside, drive well and found it to be the perfect size vehicle for driving on rural roads.
If I had one again I would ensure Manufacturer's warranty was in place.
Had one from new, had done 75k miles just out of warranty and ECU went bang. Upshot was main dealers wouldn’t touch it , independent garages wanted you to pay wanted north of £5k to sort it. Ended up moving it on through auctions. Lesson learnt.

 

[tozzybum]

Neighbour had 1 ,2 people on our shoot had them .All got rid due to engine troubles.
Seems to be another case of no don't bother.
Neighbour went to Audi ,Andy got a Volvo ,the other 1 has a Nissan.
Not worth the risk atb

 

[Rhodesianjess]

Boss had Disco Sport,by 87k was on 3rd engine seemingly electronic problems and easier to replace than fix. All under 100k warranty.
Now Range Rover hybrid, seems happy with it. However,no tailgate so muddy bum when putting boots on as you sit on the bumper. Also boot space shocking, just dogs or kit,not both like the Disco.
Driving wise both good, albeit hybrid quicker for overtaking or getting out in traffic due to the electric system.
Around the estate here though it's his old favourite, Subaru Outback. It does go anywhere, only been stuck once in all the time he's had it, plus swallows dogs,kit and 4 adult men.

 

[Wapinschaw]

Boss had Disco Sport,by 87k was on 3rd engine seemingly electronic problems and easier to replace than fix. All under 100k warranty.
Now Range Rover hybrid, seems happy with it. However,no tailgate so muddy bum when putting boots on as you sit on the bumper. Also boot space shocking, just dogs or kit,not both like the Disco.
Driving wise both good, albeit hybrid quicker for overtaking or getting out in traffic due to the electric system.
Around the estate here though it's his old favourite, Subaru Outback. It does go anywhere, only been stuck once in all the time he's had it, plus swallows dogs,kit and 4 adult men.

+1for the Subaru. I have had Legacy estates for >30 years, five in a row. They were not abused, mostly ran on tarmac but did shine on the occasions they went off piste or into snow. The only significant failure in all that time was a front drive shaft joint, the boot split during the course of a trip from Aberdeen to the in-laws in Pembrokeshire. I did not find it until all the grease had been chucked out and it packed up a couple of months later. OEM parts are expensive but you rarely buy any. Apart from consumables of brakes, batteries and exhausts I'm pretty sure that's the only costly item in many years. The last Legacy needed an exhaust which at the time was only available from Subaru, but a local custom made stainless steel system with 10 year warranty was half the price.

The Legacy was discontinued some years ago so my current vehicle is the newer style Outback because the Legacy replacement, the Levorg is a bit low slung for peace of mind in a rural situation. The Outback is stuffed with loads of electronics, a new generation from the Legacy. Mine is now just over 4 years old, thanks to Covid and Nicola Sturgeon it has spent most of that time in my garage, it has only done 8K miles!

Both the Legacy and the Outback have excellent boot space, we rarely have 4 people up but dogs and gear have never run out of space. They both drive well, very comfortable on a long haul, perhaps a bit thirsty but in mitigation they are a relatively big, heavy vehicle. I have always gone for petrol, I moved to automatics on the second one because the commute into Aberdeen often involved a 30 minute crawl in heavy traffic and my left knee is not in good shape following an injury decades ago. I don't have a bad word to say about the vehicles, main dealer servicing costs are a bit steep but that's true for pretty well anything. Build quality is excellent, they don't develop rattles and the cabin is solid and well thought out. They also fit a standard domestic garage, a lot of 4x4 vehicles are a bit high.

 

[Cris]

Have one now for three years and not a problem. Drives well and capable off road. Just under 90k on the clock now but will be changing soon but have been very happy with it.

 

[Dodder]

We had a friend buy a s/h Discovery Sport with low mileage (sub 30k I think). Had it a few weeks, warning light on the dash, needed a new engine. All done under warranty but when repaired she refused to take it back and now has an X5 - avoid would be my advice! Another friend with a Disco also had a new engine (3.0td) fitted at around 80k miles. For comparison my D5 Volvo V70 (yes I know it's not 4wd) has done 303k, alternator bearing faided at 100k and then unbelievably a trackrod end at 295k - outrageous!

 

[Bavarianbrit]

+1for the Subaru. I have had Legacy estates for >30 years, five in a row. They were not abused, mostly ran on tarmac but did shine on the occasions they went off piste or into snow. The only significant failure in all that time was a front drive shaft joint, the boot split during the course of a trip from Aberdeen to the in-laws in Pembrokeshire. I did not find it until all the grease had been chucked out and it packed up a couple of months later. OEM parts are expensive but you rarely buy any. Apart from consumables of brakes, batteries and exhausts I'm pretty sure that's the only costly item in many years. The last Legacy needed an exhaust which at the time was only available from Subaru, but a local custom made stainless steel system with 10 year warranty was half the price.

The Legacy was discontinued some years ago so my current vehicle is the newer style Outback because the Legacy replacement, the Levorg is a bit low slung for peace of mind in a rural situation. The Outback is stuffed with loads of electronics, a new generation from the Legacy. Mine is now just over 4 years old, thanks to Covid and Nicola Sturgeon it has spent most of that time in my garage, it has only done 8K miles!

Both the Legacy and the Outback have excellent boot space, we rarely have 4 people up but dogs and gear have never run out of space. They both drive well, very comfortable on a long haul, perhaps a bit thirsty but in mitigation they are a relatively big, heavy vehicle. I have always gone for petrol, I moved to automatics on the second one because the commute into Aberdeen often involved a 30 minute crawl in heavy traffic and my left knee is not in good shape following an injury decades ago. I don't have a bad word to say about the vehicles, main dealer servicing costs are a bit steep but that's true for pretty well anything. Build quality is excellent, they don't develop rattles and the cabin is solid and well thought out. They also fit a standard domestic garage, a lot of 4x4 vehicles are a bit high.

I have a 2018 Impreza and am well pleased also due to Covid it now only has 56k kms but has all the gadgets I will ever need and comfy and quiet as for build quality? Well made in Japan says it all.

 

[andy R204]

Have you thought about a Freelander 2.I can't fault my 60 plate.
I was looking at Discovery's but as said it's Russian Roulette, get a Good one happy days,get a Bad one..bankrupt

 

[andy R204]

+1for the Subaru. I have had Legacy estates for >30 years, five in a row. They were not abused, mostly ran on tarmac but did shine on the occasions they went off piste or into snow. The only significant failure in all that time was a front drive shaft joint, the boot split during the course of a trip from Aberdeen to the in-laws in Pembrokeshire. I did not find it until all the grease had been chucked out and it packed up a couple of months later. OEM parts are expensive but you rarely buy any. Apart from consumables of brakes, batteries and exhausts I'm pretty sure that's the only costly item in many years. The last Legacy needed an exhaust which at the time was only available from Subaru, but a local custom made stainless steel system with 10 year warranty was half the price.

The Legacy was discontinued some years ago so my current vehicle is the newer style Outback because the Legacy replacement, the Levorg is a bit low slung for peace of mind in a rural situation. The Outback is stuffed with loads of electronics, a new generation from the Legacy. Mine is now just over 4 years old, thanks to Covid and Nicola Sturgeon it has spent most of that time in my garage, it has only done 8K miles!

Both the Legacy and the Outback have excellent boot space, we rarely have 4 people up but dogs and gear have never run out of space. They both drive well, very comfortable on a long haul, perhaps a bit thirsty but in mitigation they are a relatively big, heavy vehicle. I have always gone for petrol, I moved to automatics on the second one because the commute into Aberdeen often involved a 30 minute crawl in heavy traffic and my left knee is not in good shape following an injury decades ago. I don't have a bad word to say about the vehicles, main dealer servicing costs are a bit steep but that's true for pretty well anything. Build quality is excellent, they don't develop rattles and the cabin is solid and well thought out. They also fit a standard domestic garage, a lot of 4x4 vehicles are a bit high.

Thr Cruelty Officer(wife) had a 04 Forester XT a while back.Great motor but the road tax was getting very expensive,so Px'd it.
She didn't like the new Forester so ended up with a 4wd CRV,it's never let her down.Must be something in the Japanese engineering.

 

[Donkey Basher]

I have a recollection that the early diesel Ingenium engines had a major issue with oil dilution leading to very frequent service intervals to ensure engine didn’t go bang… Was in the stealers with the FL2 for service about 5 years ago when I overheard a phone call inviting a Disco Sport owner in for a ‘complimentary oil service’ Incidentally, bought a very model FL2 instead of a DS as ‘tried & tested’.

 

[ASHCROFT9491]

Another thing to consider is insurance cost , a lot of companies are not insuring them moving forward and costs for those that do will be going up significantly due to high theft rates across all range rovers , step sons company told him he cannot renw as they are stopping insuring rhwm and all new quotes were more than double previous years

 

[scotch_egg]

Thanks folk’s definitely put off the disco sport.

Some real horror stories. Think I’ll go with the x-trail. I’m sure there will be issues with them as well but fewer fingers crossed

 

[tozzybum]

Check clutch history around 100 to 120,000 miles itl need replacing allegedly atb

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Every vehicle has issues, some more than others,
Discovery sport, go for the 2.2. Stopped making them in 2015. Same engine as in the FL2. Later ones have the 2 litre which has, um, a reputation.
I’m currently running an FL2, think it’s great, but it is 15 years old and 130,000 on the clock. Will probably keep it until it becomes troublesome.
Range Rover Sport v6 3 litre, well known lottery with crankshafts. Lots about it on the web, google LRtime on you tube. He goes into great detail as to why they fail.
Subaru's, avoid the auto which is a CVT. in fact, many would say, avoid CVT if at all possible on any models, even Honda. Ok when new but issues (generalisation) when they go above 60/70k.
X5s can have turbo issues, but not read lots about it.

In all honesty I am not sure what I would recommend now that has 4 wheel drive and decent ground and wading clearance, I was up in 26 inches of water 2 weeks ago in my FL2. I was bricking it but had no issues.

So I’m interested to see what other suggestions people have to offer.

 

[tozzybum]

I use a kia sportage awd 2.crdi and have all terrain tyres on it.
Last Thursday I drove through the river Trent for about a mile as it decided to flood from the Memorial Arboretum to Catton Hall lakes .
Scary about 2ft deep but got through after a change of undercrackers.
Yes they have issues but go anywhere and mine came with all the extras someone paid for when new.
Had 2x fallow n a Roe in the boot ,has a real spare wheel not a tin of crap.
Cheap to service yourself, decent mpg and reasonable insurance.

 

[Heym SR20]

Have a look at the Vw Touareg as well.

 

[Ronin]

A4 Allroad

V60 Cross Vountry

Too many potential issues with an Outback

Wouldnt have Discovery unless I owned a two post lift

 

[Pedro]

It's the Ingenium engine that's the problem by all accounts. Very early ones didn't have that engine and are a better bet. I've owned 3 full fat Discoveries, two mk2s and a 4. One of the 2s was great, the other was a nightmare. I can't really complain too much about the 4. But as time went on, the big bills kept coming. They are great, just cost a serious packet to run. At present, I've just got the runabout, a 2010 Fiesta (how many Reds do you get in a Fiesta? Four, two in the front, two in the back). It costs about threpence a month to run. Enjoying that!

I'm looking for something, but in no hurry as I've at least got wheels. I don't think a Discovery Sport is on the short list though due to those engine issues. Seriously thinking about a smaller SUV. Every manufacturer does at least one and they all have a 4WD version. Which, for the off road stuff and carrying capacity I do now would be fine. But which one? Spoilt for choice. But no hurry.

 

[ruger77]

I’m an independent LR specialist the discovery sport 2lt has loads of engine problems I.e timing chain snapping ,pistons picking the coating off cylinder walls resulting in crankcase pressure ,turbo actuator faults ,timing chain stretching so cam and crank sensor out of correlation the list goes on ,A new engine at the moment is £8k plus’s fitting £2k ,If I was spending my own money I would go down the disco 5 route with the 3lt engine I have some in the workshop with over 100,000 miles still going well with no issues