Land Rover Discovery Series I
Land Rover Discovery (Series I) was built from 1989 to 1998, as a 3-door estate; 5-door estate; 3-door van. Powertrain: 2.0 L T-Series I4 (petrol); 2.5 L 200Tdi I4-T (diesel; 1989–1994); 2.5 L 300Tdi I4-T (diesel; 1994–1998); 3.5 L Rover V8 (petrol); 3.9 L Ro….
Composed from the specifications below, so it states nothing the specs do not. Photograph: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons), from this generation's own encyclopedia entry.
Overview
The Discovery Series I was unveiled at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show, going on sale in the United Kingdom in October that year, after the vehicle had been developed under the internal code-name "Project Jay". The new model was based on the more upmarket Range Rover, using the same chassis, suspension and 4WD-system, and a derivative body design – with the four-door using much of the more expensive Range Rover's body structure. However, with smaller engines available, just two short side doors at introduction, and other cost-reductions, the new Discovery was priced more affordably, for a larger, more middle-class market segment, intended to counter the Japanese competition at the time.
Source: the English Wikipedia article on this model, CC BY-SA 4.0. Text may be shortened; read the full article for the complete text.
Not yet sourced for this model. Used prices swing with year, mileage, grade and country, so we publish a market range only when it comes with a named source and a date, and never an estimate. For a live figure, use the landed-cost tool with the price on the auction sheet.
- Fuel use (combined)14 mpg = 16.8 L/100 kmEPA fueleconomy.gov, model year 1998, median of 2 listed variants (13 to 14 mpg)
- Fuel cost per 100 km25.2016.8 L x your fuel price
- Fuel cost per 10,000 km2520consumption x distance x your fuel price
Costs are in your own currency: they use the prices you enter above.
Who it suits
- Families, groups and shuttle work: the people-carrier body is built around seating and access.
Check before you buy
- Check the emissions equipment (particulate filter, NOx treatment) and the destination country's emissions rules; some markets restrict used diesels.
- Inspect for corrosion at sills, floor, subframes and suspension mounts, and replace perishable rubber (hoses, bushes, boots) at import.
- Read the auction sheet grade and notes, and verify the odometer against service and inspection records. How to read an auction sheet
- Run a history check (accidents, flood, mileage) before you bid. History check guide
- Import age rules: this generation already qualifies in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Confirm the rule for your exact vehicle with customs before buying. Landed-cost calculator
General guidance for this type of vehicle, worked out from its body, powertrain and age. It is not a finding about this particular model; use an inspection and the auction sheet for the car you are actually buying.
Worked out from this generation's production years and each country's age rule. Rules also depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
Other generations of the Discovery
- Series II · 1998-2004
- Discovery 3 · 2004-2010
- Discovery 4 · 2009-2016
- Fifth generation · 2017-present
More from Land Rover · all Land Rover models
- Range Rover (Range Rover (L460)) · 2022-present
- Range Rover Sport (Third generation) · 2022-present
- Range Rover Evoque (Second generation) · 2018-present; 2021-2026 (China)
- Range Rover Velar · 2017-present
- Defender · 1990-2016
Can I import a Land Rover Discovery (Series I) from Japan?
By production year alone, Land Rover Discovery (Series I) is inside the age window for United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Rules depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
What powers the Land Rover Discovery (Series I)?
Per its encyclopedia infobox, engine: 2.0 L T-Series I4 (petrol); 2.5 L 200Tdi I4-T (diesel; 1989–1994); 2.5 L 300Tdi I4-T (diesel; 1994–1998); 3.5 L Rover V8 (petrol); 3.9 L Rover V8 (petrol).
How much fuel does the Land Rover Discovery (Series I) use?
The US EPA lists a combined 14 mpg (16.8 L/100 km) for model year 1998, the median of 2 listed variants. Your own figure depends on driving and condition.
Answered from this page's own data, not from outside claims. See the sources below.
- en.wikipedia.org (retrieved 2026-10-19)
- fueleconomy.gov (EPA) (1998)
Confidence: single-source (Wikipedia infobox). Specifications differ by market, trim and model year; the auction sheet or the vehicle's registration document is the final word on a particular car.
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