Car Equality - The Land Rover Specialist

‘Of all used Land Rovers around today, the 300 TDi Discovery is one of the best in terms of price, condition and all-round usefulness. Mechanically, the 300 TDi is bullet-proof’

Luke Edwardes-Evans
Land Rover World, November 2005

The Land Rover Discovery has established itself as a legendary, versatile all rounder in terms of style, durability, spaciousness and performance. Land Rover launched the innovative Discovery in September 1989 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Designed to fill the gap between utility Land Rovers and luxury Range Rovers, it was specifically aimed at the family market as a Sports Utility Vehicle (a 4WD vehicle with a spacious interior that performs well on and off road).

The Discovery was a huge worldwide success. It established a reputation as a reliable, solid and popular 4WD vehicle and was hailed as the saviour in the fortunes of Land Rover. It has generated a very loyal following with aspirational image. As you’d expect from a Land Rover, it also boasted the best ‘in class off road ability’.

As a true seal of approval for off-road ability, the Discovery was chosen by Land Rover for the 1990 Camel Trophy in Siberia and used in most of the subsequent events. It also offered excellent towing capability and performs well even when pulling twice its own weight. It remains a popular choice for caravan towing.

The Series 1 (S1) Discovery (known as ‘Project Jay’) first appeared only as a 3 door with a 200 TDi (Turbo Diesel Injection) engine and a V8 petrol (3.5 L) as Land Rover tried to balance the appeal of the Discovery between its traditional agricultural customer base and the emerging family SUV market. In 1990, the more practical 5 door versions were also introduced.

As with all Land Rover vehicles, the transmission was designed with the ‘trademark’, permanent 4WD system, with a locking centre differential at the transfer box.

The TDi versions have always vastly outsold its counterpart V8, especially in the UK, because it offers respectable performance and fuel economy. It shared the same chassis, modified drive train and front and inner shell of the Range Rover, but at the back end it had a higher roof and side opening door, with an interior designed by Sir Terence Conran.

The high roof line and raised rear end made it incredibly spacious especially in the 5 seater versions. The 7 seat option gave the Discovery massive appeal as a family vehicle which previous Land Rover products lacked. The 2 extra rear seats, when needed, are occasional side-folding seats which make the school run much easier. These rear seats can also be added to 5 seater models if you can get your hands on a quality used set.

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In 1994, the 200 was superseded by the 300 known as ‘Project Boost’. The introduction of the 300 TDi, marked a significant step forward for the Discovery. The new version (now known as the TDi) included new engine technology, improved exterior body styling, ventilation, sound insulation and more cabin comforts. Overall, it offered a much quieter ride and superior refinement to the 200 TDi. (The new V8 3.9L was also introduced).

Many of the now familiar characteristics of the Discovery, including the rectangular headlights, grille, bumper lights and interior facia were also introduced with the 300 TDi series.

The TDi rolled off the Solihull production lines between March 1994 and November 1998, with close to 386,000 units being produced. Many were made to export specifications - including left hand drive versions for the North American market and right hand drive versions for Japan (where they drive on the left as we do in the UK.)

Significant engine changes in the 300 TDi Series included a catalytic converter, EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation), a 'fly by wire (EDC)' electronic accelerator and electronic engine control for certain markets and serpentine drive belts.

The 4 speed automatic transmission, launched in 1993 (TDi only), is also very lively and gives good performance and excellent fuel economy. The 'fly by wire (EDC)' version is a vast improvement on the earlier mechanical type.

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