Discovery Handling/Ride - what's normal?
Discussion
We're looking for a family bus and quite like the features of the Disco 4. We are looking for an HSE spec ideally, probably reasonably high mileage around the 2010-11 vintage.
Anyway, we went out in our first today from a main dealer, 70k, 2010. It was an XS.
First impressions were very disappointing and I'm wondering if it is normal. We went on the dealers recommended 'test route' with a mix of roads and over anything other than smooth A-Road tarmac the car wallowed, bounced and swayed. I was driving and did feel a bit sick and I wasn't pressing on at all (I haven't felt car sick for 30 years!)
The salesman was with us and I was asking him if the ride settings were correct, all set to road use etc. and he reassured me it was fine. My partner was very disappointed and said it was like being a passenger in an old van.
It pulled well, auto box was ok. Steered straight and seemed fine.
I currently drive a horrid company Outlander PHEV and the ride quality on the PHEV was leagues ahead of the disco 4 and it doesn't have air suspension weighs a not insignificant 2t.
Any comments? I strongly suspect I tested a dodgy example...
Anyway, we went out in our first today from a main dealer, 70k, 2010. It was an XS.
First impressions were very disappointing and I'm wondering if it is normal. We went on the dealers recommended 'test route' with a mix of roads and over anything other than smooth A-Road tarmac the car wallowed, bounced and swayed. I was driving and did feel a bit sick and I wasn't pressing on at all (I haven't felt car sick for 30 years!)
The salesman was with us and I was asking him if the ride settings were correct, all set to road use etc. and he reassured me it was fine. My partner was very disappointed and said it was like being a passenger in an old van.
It pulled well, auto box was ok. Steered straight and seemed fine.
I currently drive a horrid company Outlander PHEV and the ride quality on the PHEV was leagues ahead of the disco 4 and it doesn't have air suspension weighs a not insignificant 2t.
Any comments? I strongly suspect I tested a dodgy example...
Sounds odd, we've had a couple and none have been been as bad as you described .....bit of lean but overall descent enough ride.
They have height adjustable air suspension, it could be possible it was set incorrectly ??
Also try and stretch to a 8 speed (late 2011 onwards) ..we've had both and I would say it was a big step up....(8 speed and later 3.0 255 bhp engine)
They have height adjustable air suspension, it could be possible it was set incorrectly ??
Also try and stretch to a 8 speed (late 2011 onwards) ..we've had both and I would say it was a big step up....(8 speed and later 3.0 255 bhp engine)
The D4 should handle like the early RRS...
...but don't forget it's not a sports car - It's 2.7 tonne of car!!
There's nothing you can do from the driver seat to change things for a 'normal' drive as the suspension will automatically select the correct ride height. My money would be on worn suspension bushes. Book yourself a drive in a couple of other identical cars so you can compare.
HTH
M
...but don't forget it's not a sports car - It's 2.7 tonne of car!!
There's nothing you can do from the driver seat to change things for a 'normal' drive as the suspension will automatically select the correct ride height. My money would be on worn suspension bushes. Book yourself a drive in a couple of other identical cars so you can compare.
HTH
M
Chrisk, I never really found mine anything other than average family car in regards handling.
It's a big heavy beast and you can't defy gravity.
Fair bit of lean, which takes some getting used to, but the sheer mass will never make it anything other than average.
I spent over a grand on bushes on my D4 XS , tightened up the knocking noises, but still didn't improve it overall.
It's a big heavy beast and you can't defy gravity.
Fair bit of lean, which takes some getting used to, but the sheer mass will never make it anything other than average.
I spent over a grand on bushes on my D4 XS , tightened up the knocking noises, but still didn't improve it overall.
I've just gone from a 2009 D3 to a 2015 D4. Despite what I've read by some people they handle exactly the same as each other and if anything the 19" wheels on the D3 were a bit more compliant than the 20" wheels on my D4. Both of them handle like big, lumbering barges but they're very sure footed and solid in the way they deal with bumps and get down the road. I find them way more comfortable than most cars and certainly never get motion sickness in them as they don't sway around as you describe - they just lean heavily in corners (but grip like anything!).
Edited by Crumpet on Thursday 9th June 17:20
Crumpet said:
I've just gone from a 2009 D3 to a 2015 D4. Despite what I've read by some people they handle exactly the same as each other and if anything the 19" wheels on the D3 were a bit more compliant than the 20" wheels on my D4. Both of them handle like big, lumbering barges but they're very sure footed and solid in the way they deal with bumps and get down the road. I find them way more comfortable than most cars and certainly never get motion sickness in them as they don't sway around as you describe - they just lean heavily in corners (but grip like anything!).
This.Edited by Crumpet on Thursday 9th June 17:20
I love driving my Wife's D4.
Yes, you get some wobble if the road conditions are right (wrong) but that has always been expected by me because of what the car is.
For long drivers, motorway etc., I actually prefer going in the D4 over my MB CLS.
Driving down to Portugal in a couple of weeks in my Tuscan but keep think how good it would be in the Discovery.
Yes, you get some wobble if the road conditions are right (wrong) but that has always been expected by me because of what the car is.
For long drivers, motorway etc., I actually prefer going in the D4 over my MB CLS.
Driving down to Portugal in a couple of weeks in my Tuscan but keep think how good it would be in the Discovery.
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