Discovery Ownership – 1 week in
I have owned the Discovery for just over a week, and am already hooked on it.
My first impressions of the Discovery weren't all that favourable, but i have spent a lot of time driving in the snow on Dartmoor this week, and it is starting to grow on me a lot.
I have found the Discovery, like all good Land Rover's, is taking on a character all of it's own. I am starting to learn all the little things that don't quite work right but add to the character of the vehicle - for example:
- The heater speeds up and slows down whenever it feels like it
- Only the top line of the heated rear screen actually clears
- The indicator light on the dashboard work's when it feels like it
- The rear wiper motor makes an aweful grinding sound. Kinda like Freddy Kruger is trying to get into the car
- The mud I removed from the underside of the Disco means the exhaust now rattles
- The sunroof leaks (no suprise there then)
- The passenger window opens with a clunk
- The passenger door handle will only open if you caress it gently. It doesn't like being forced into action - does it Chris?
My buddies who have joined me on the snow trips to Dartmoor actually like this Discovery better than my old Discovery 2 TD5. (wtf!!) They reakon I am not so scared to actually damage or scratch this one, and I will use it to it's full potential off road.
I guess this is true, because when I reversed the Discovery into a dry stone wall on Dartmoor the other day, for the first time ever I didn't freak out - I just wondered which bit of rust fell out as I came to an abrupt halt. (the wall was fine in case you were wondering!)
Another postive thing in favour of the new Discovery, was a trip to see Dave at Highwell Land Rovers. He has a number of old Discovery shell's which he said I can take parts/panels from to repair & replace the bits on my Disco. He also said he will tweak the fuel pump to get the old girl to raise her pace a little.
So all in all, I am one happy bunny. My intial reactions a week ago are well and truely buried, and I am now focused on repairing & modifying my Disco to make it work even better off road.
