Discovery vs RR vs RRS - Conundrum!
Discussion
Mrs I is currently dragging a horse and horsebox around the countryside behind a Passat. It's a great car but she's not feeling safe, especially on the motorway. So it's time for something more suitable. Performance cars I know about, 4WD is a new thing to me...
Budget is £30k and I'm thinking up to 4 years old and 60k miles. And 'cos I'm paying it needs nice ICE (logic 7)! A quick survey reveals that at this price point, all three big LR products appear in HSE form. In fact I don't see any price differential at all - which is nice in a way - but makes the decision harder!
We live in the back-end of beyond and the vehicle WILL be dragging a horse box across muddy fields on a regular basis. D4/RRS do 30mpg with TDV6 engines and the RR 25mpg with TDV8 - and fuel cost isn't inconsequential - but otherwise I'm not sure why I'd get the Discovery when the 'premium' products cost the same.
Or do I just go German and get an X5/Toerag/Q7?!
Any anecdotes/advice/help gratefully received from those that know!
Budget is £30k and I'm thinking up to 4 years old and 60k miles. And 'cos I'm paying it needs nice ICE (logic 7)! A quick survey reveals that at this price point, all three big LR products appear in HSE form. In fact I don't see any price differential at all - which is nice in a way - but makes the decision harder!
We live in the back-end of beyond and the vehicle WILL be dragging a horse box across muddy fields on a regular basis. D4/RRS do 30mpg with TDV6 engines and the RR 25mpg with TDV8 - and fuel cost isn't inconsequential - but otherwise I'm not sure why I'd get the Discovery when the 'premium' products cost the same.
Or do I just go German and get an X5/Toerag/Q7?!
Any anecdotes/advice/help gratefully received from those that know!
The Discovery is still premium it just doesnt shout about it like the others.
The Discovery will also be the most practical.
You'll get the SDV6 at that price point, decent units.
I'm biased as I have one, but the Discovery does everything a busy family could wish for.
As for Ze Germans, you are on a Land Rover forum right, so that's your choice...
The Discovery will also be the most practical.
You'll get the SDV6 at that price point, decent units.
I'm biased as I have one, but the Discovery does everything a busy family could wish for.
As for Ze Germans, you are on a Land Rover forum right, so that's your choice...
Edited by Uncle John on Thursday 14th August 10:23
Crossflow Kid said:
Ionican said:
Or do I just go German and get an X5/Toerag/Q7?!
Can you repeat that bit about dragging a dobbin box across a muddy field again?Ionican said:
Ok point taken (apologies for LR newbie-ness!) - so the LR products really are better in the muddy field scenario? ie it's not just all about the tyres?
Tyres are the most critical bit, and in very general terms the LR range at least appears to have far more on offer to it in the way of rubber.The one or two Q7s I've seen straying off the Tarmac have usually needed towing back on to it.
X5 not much better without a lot of modification/upgrade.
All could do the job. Disco has biggest useful load area and optional 7 seats if that's ever an issue. FFRR is nicest inside, DV8 is nicest up front. RRS had that too though, and is arguably the most attractive looking, and is a bit smaller than the FFRR.
They're all the same price as the D4 has kept its value better; they're properly practical and no-nonsense. I wouldn't hesitate to get another D4, but I'd be tempted by the L322 FFRR if I wanted a bit more lux and didn't need 7 seats occasionally. RRS is a bit gauche for my tastes but can do everything the other two can in muddy fields and towing.
Probably best if you let the missus decide on looks, size and comfort.
They're all the same price as the D4 has kept its value better; they're properly practical and no-nonsense. I wouldn't hesitate to get another D4, but I'd be tempted by the L322 FFRR if I wanted a bit more lux and didn't need 7 seats occasionally. RRS is a bit gauche for my tastes but can do everything the other two can in muddy fields and towing.
Probably best if you let the missus decide on looks, size and comfort.
Many thanks for that... The Discovery certainly looks the sensible and pragmatic option.
...only problem is - I've seen FFRR 4.4 TDV8's at around 31k... lotta car for the money (but then I hear probably a lot of bills!) Can't really afford that but the FFRR owners seem to be very passionate about their vehicles...
...only problem is - I've seen FFRR 4.4 TDV8's at around 31k... lotta car for the money (but then I hear probably a lot of bills!) Can't really afford that but the FFRR owners seem to be very passionate about their vehicles...
On looks alone, I'd rule out the RRS.
I've had two for a few weeks as loaners and, although very nice to drive and immensely comfortable, lacked interior room compared to my L322.
I wasn't a fan of the SDV6 engine, either. I found it lacking in oomph, but then my supercharged L322 has nearly 500bhp so I suppose the comparison isn't entirely fair.
For sheer practicality, I'd say the Discovery. It has the essential split tailgate that comes in handy for so many things - changing mat for my daughter, seat, work area, table... The 7 seats may, or may not, be useful to you. It offers everything you'd need in a nicely wrapped package.
But PLEASE try the L322 before you decide. Whilst it may lack the practicality of the Discovery, do not ignore the better build quality, materials and improved ambience (my opinion).
As an aside, the Supercharged L322's have a locking rear differential as standard. You may find that handy in a slippery field.
Tyre choice, as others have said, is essential. There's an increasing selection for 20" wheels these days. Cooper offer some excellent semi-offroad patterns and compounds for very affordable amounts these days.
Can't comment on your non-LR alternatives, but I'll leave you with our observed memories of an X3 attempting to climb the hill we live on, covered in compacted snow one winter. Repeated attempts all ended with the car stationary and all 4 wheels spinning mid-climb. It never made the short distance to the top. Conversely, our 1973 Series 3 Land Rover did the hill on standard tyres with no wheelspin whatsoever and simply trundled past.
I've had two for a few weeks as loaners and, although very nice to drive and immensely comfortable, lacked interior room compared to my L322.
I wasn't a fan of the SDV6 engine, either. I found it lacking in oomph, but then my supercharged L322 has nearly 500bhp so I suppose the comparison isn't entirely fair.
For sheer practicality, I'd say the Discovery. It has the essential split tailgate that comes in handy for so many things - changing mat for my daughter, seat, work area, table... The 7 seats may, or may not, be useful to you. It offers everything you'd need in a nicely wrapped package.
But PLEASE try the L322 before you decide. Whilst it may lack the practicality of the Discovery, do not ignore the better build quality, materials and improved ambience (my opinion).
As an aside, the Supercharged L322's have a locking rear differential as standard. You may find that handy in a slippery field.
Tyre choice, as others have said, is essential. There's an increasing selection for 20" wheels these days. Cooper offer some excellent semi-offroad patterns and compounds for very affordable amounts these days.
Can't comment on your non-LR alternatives, but I'll leave you with our observed memories of an X3 attempting to climb the hill we live on, covered in compacted snow one winter. Repeated attempts all ended with the car stationary and all 4 wheels spinning mid-climb. It never made the short distance to the top. Conversely, our 1973 Series 3 Land Rover did the hill on standard tyres with no wheelspin whatsoever and simply trundled past.
Having driven both a L322 TDV8 Vogue and owning a D3 hse.
My opinion may be biased to what i prefer.
The Disco would suit your needed perfectly, a HSE spec is very well equiped and £30k will get you a car that's 4 years old at most. If you could find one, an 8 speed would be better still.
They have moved the game on from the D3 for engine, and interior, it also has a revised TR system over the D3's, which gives even better control off road.
They come with 19s, for getting over the brakes which are the same size as what was fitted to the Mk1 RRS supercharged and tdv8. You can get a decent selection of AT tyres for both off road performance but also on road handling and grip. Duratrac, GG AT, LTZ are all decent makes. I've seen on the Disco forum a guy getting 56k from a set of GG AT and reused one of them as the spare.
The D3/4 platform has won plenty of towing award's for good reason, it's long, heavy and extremely stable at speeds towing anything behind it.
However, the L322 i got a shot of, was a lovely car as well. The engine was better than the D3 2.7 unit i have, it was smooth had plenty of power and sounded nice under full throttle.
The interior was nicer as well, it's hard to say exactly but everything felt that bit more special.
It did however, have the tdv8 turbo issue present, which seems to haunt tdv8s which put me off it a bit.
My issue was because it's much nicer, i would feel bad about using it in the same way i use the D3, for fear of damaging it wheras the Disco is more hard wearing.
It's a hard choice. Take a test drive of all 3 and make a choice from there.
It's good to get views and opinions from people, but nothing sells or ruins a car like 10 mins behind the wheel.
Whatever you get, make sure to keep it serviced, change the oil regularly for the turbo's sake and get the autobox flushed at 75k or sooner. ZF make the boxes and that's what they say.
I got my 126k oil changed this week and it's made a huge difference to the car.
Good luck and keep us informed.
My opinion may be biased to what i prefer.
The Disco would suit your needed perfectly, a HSE spec is very well equiped and £30k will get you a car that's 4 years old at most. If you could find one, an 8 speed would be better still.
They have moved the game on from the D3 for engine, and interior, it also has a revised TR system over the D3's, which gives even better control off road.
They come with 19s, for getting over the brakes which are the same size as what was fitted to the Mk1 RRS supercharged and tdv8. You can get a decent selection of AT tyres for both off road performance but also on road handling and grip. Duratrac, GG AT, LTZ are all decent makes. I've seen on the Disco forum a guy getting 56k from a set of GG AT and reused one of them as the spare.
The D3/4 platform has won plenty of towing award's for good reason, it's long, heavy and extremely stable at speeds towing anything behind it.
However, the L322 i got a shot of, was a lovely car as well. The engine was better than the D3 2.7 unit i have, it was smooth had plenty of power and sounded nice under full throttle.
The interior was nicer as well, it's hard to say exactly but everything felt that bit more special.
It did however, have the tdv8 turbo issue present, which seems to haunt tdv8s which put me off it a bit.
My issue was because it's much nicer, i would feel bad about using it in the same way i use the D3, for fear of damaging it wheras the Disco is more hard wearing.
It's a hard choice. Take a test drive of all 3 and make a choice from there.
It's good to get views and opinions from people, but nothing sells or ruins a car like 10 mins behind the wheel.
Whatever you get, make sure to keep it serviced, change the oil regularly for the turbo's sake and get the autobox flushed at 75k or sooner. ZF make the boxes and that's what they say.
I got my 126k oil changed this week and it's made a huge difference to the car.
Good luck and keep us informed.
I've driven all of them, extensively...
The D4 would be perfect for your needs. It also has some additional safety features, specifically aimed at towing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goK-qm_IQ5Y
M
The D4 would be perfect for your needs. It also has some additional safety features, specifically aimed at towing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goK-qm_IQ5Y
M
if you don;t need the extra seating why bother with the Disco or the extra size of the FFRR? We've just bought a RRS and to be honest absolutely love it, it seems to be the smallest of the three - though to be fair 'smallest' is all relative. IIRC at your price range you're looking at a 6sp RRS but with a 3ltr engine - which is lovely (apparently way better than the old 2.7 unit), seems to hesitate a fraction before taking off (could be the 8sp box causing this, but it does seem to be something discussed and isn't a problem TBH) and mixed driving is currently nudging 30, which I'm more than happy with.
L322 owner who has also spent a lot of time in a Discovery (and therefore by default in an RRS 
).
My thoughts: personally I wouldn't have an RRS (ignoring the Discvery comment above) - for me this is purely down to image. The RRS has too many chavwagon associations for my liking (apologies, owners here).
So it's down to the L322 or the Disco. Personally I would say the L322 is a much nicer, much more special experience than the Disco. On the other hand, that very fact may make you feel more comfortable making a mess in/around the D4. So, weigh up how often it is going to get "cosmetically trashed", then decide whether you want to do that to a "Bentley on stilts" or whether you would feel better with something slightly more utilitarian (only in comparison, they're not utilitarian at all really).
).My thoughts: personally I wouldn't have an RRS (ignoring the Discvery comment above) - for me this is purely down to image. The RRS has too many chavwagon associations for my liking (apologies, owners here).
So it's down to the L322 or the Disco. Personally I would say the L322 is a much nicer, much more special experience than the Disco. On the other hand, that very fact may make you feel more comfortable making a mess in/around the D4. So, weigh up how often it is going to get "cosmetically trashed", then decide whether you want to do that to a "Bentley on stilts" or whether you would feel better with something slightly more utilitarian (only in comparison, they're not utilitarian at all really).
Thanks all again for the great feedback.
I completely take the point about it being trashed - I love that cream leather in the FFRR with the piping and stuff, but Mrs I will be clambering in and out covered in horse-poo and with wellies a foot deep in mud on occasions.
Equally if we had a Disco she'd be doing the same - seems odd to worry that better quality leather is being made equally dirty when the cars cost the same :-)
Thankfully it certainly sounds like there isn't a 'wrong' answer here and the info has been really great.
Trailer Stability Assist looks extremely useful - but am I wrong in thinking it's fitted to all LR products from 2010 on?
I completely take the point about it being trashed - I love that cream leather in the FFRR with the piping and stuff, but Mrs I will be clambering in and out covered in horse-poo and with wellies a foot deep in mud on occasions.
Equally if we had a Disco she'd be doing the same - seems odd to worry that better quality leather is being made equally dirty when the cars cost the same :-)
Thankfully it certainly sounds like there isn't a 'wrong' answer here and the info has been really great.
Trailer Stability Assist looks extremely useful - but am I wrong in thinking it's fitted to all LR products from 2010 on?
- I guess 911 owners had that same issue in the 80s lolIf you want a functional 4x4 that is not just designed to look good around town, go for a Land Rover. Out of the three LR's my order would be RR, Disco and then RRS for your needs. Just go for the RR, it is the highest spec car out of the three and there isn't anything else like it out there. You won't be disappointed!
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