AboutJohn McInnis Expertise Land Rover Discovery.
I've had most of the common mechanical failures, altenator, water leaks, wiper failure, door/hinge problems, roof rust, floor rust, loads of electrical problems. Remember, I'm not a dealer or a mechanic, just an owner like most of you.
Experience
Experience Owner of a Discovery. I've had many mishaps with our Disco but I still like this vehicle. Talk to a fellow LR owner instead of a dealership rep. I'm not in this for the money. I'm just an owner who wants to help others.
Question I have a 2004 Range Rover HSE fully serviced from mile 1 at the Range Rover dealership, I currently have 64,000 miles, and just last evening got in to the car, turned it on, and heard a soft whining noise, when I accelerated I heard it louder, I continued to drive and as my speed increased the whining noise went away, and than came back again. I drove it straight to Range Rover and left it for inspection this morning. Received a phone call from Range Rover Service and was told I need a new Transmission and it would cost about $9,000. for a rebuilt Transmission. Of course my Range Rover is no longer under Warranty and I find it hard to believe that a car so new, 2004, so expensive, and so well cared for, would have a Transmission go out at 64,000 miles? HELP! Is this normal for a Range Rover Transmission, if this is what is wrong, to go out at 64,000 miles?
Answer Hi Hope,
this is not normal for '04 RR's with such low mileage. Were there any warning lights?
Consider taking the RR somewhere else for a 2nd opinion. Some dealers are notorious in their estimates and look only to profit from your trouble. More than once, I've heard about dealers taking advantage of owners who's vehicle is just off the warranty. The scam is to get you into either doing the repair ($9000) or trading in (or selling) the RR for a ridiculously low price. Meanwhile, they resell the RR for a huge profit. I don't know if that is the case here but you have to cautious.
A dealer in the west tried this on a soldier's wife while her husband was in IRAQ. It's disgusting what some dealers will do. I was able to find an independent LR mechanic who repaired her Disco for a fraction of what the (st)ealership wanted.
Get a second opinion and even look to independent LR mechanics for an estimate.
If you don't know of an independent LR mechanic, send me an email with the nearest city to you and I'll see if I can find one for you.
