Late Discovery 4 - Am I expecting too much?
Discussion
Quick sense check from the masses, as those around you tend to agree, and I'm open to hear other opinions. (and hopefuly this doesnt just come across as a rant)
Long time Discovery 3 (TDV6) owner that's just gone past 250k miles. Will need more welding this year, have been casually hunting for its replacement.
I'm no stranger to getting underneath, and have done all the usual faults / work replacement (air suspension, compressor rebuild, EPB rebuild, wheel bearings, replaced suspension arms all round etc) Bowed to superior garage tools and paid a specialist for its (3rd!) Cambelt replacement.
As a format, the disco 3 / 4 platform is a great fit for me.
This one popped up, and ticked pretty much everything I was after (on the hunt for HSE Lux over a Landmark and this had promising MOT history record to boot)...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608165...
Now to cut a long story short, spoke to the dealer to confirm a few things, what I gathered.
They did the crank replacement themselves
They "know these cars inside out"
Have driven it (got the impression, once only) since rebuild and all is good.
They are offering 30 days warranty on the engine only
Everything else was "if you want to buy an extended warranty"
No details on manifold replacements, despite knowing the cars inside out, the chap had no idea and said they had been cleaned.
This set enough alarm bells off for me - but, am I being the awkward one here and expecting too much?
Besides the disregard for CRA, if you had any faith in your work, (business risk aside) surely you'd be offering at least 6 months /10k miles.
Long time Discovery 3 (TDV6) owner that's just gone past 250k miles. Will need more welding this year, have been casually hunting for its replacement.
I'm no stranger to getting underneath, and have done all the usual faults / work replacement (air suspension, compressor rebuild, EPB rebuild, wheel bearings, replaced suspension arms all round etc) Bowed to superior garage tools and paid a specialist for its (3rd!) Cambelt replacement.
As a format, the disco 3 / 4 platform is a great fit for me.
This one popped up, and ticked pretty much everything I was after (on the hunt for HSE Lux over a Landmark and this had promising MOT history record to boot)...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608165...
Now to cut a long story short, spoke to the dealer to confirm a few things, what I gathered.
They did the crank replacement themselves
They "know these cars inside out"
Have driven it (got the impression, once only) since rebuild and all is good.
They are offering 30 days warranty on the engine only
Everything else was "if you want to buy an extended warranty"
No details on manifold replacements, despite knowing the cars inside out, the chap had no idea and said they had been cleaned.
This set enough alarm bells off for me - but, am I being the awkward one here and expecting too much?
Besides the disregard for CRA, if you had any faith in your work, (business risk aside) surely you'd be offering at least 6 months /10k miles.
I know nothing of note regarding the car in question....but a very simple and quick desktop assessment (aka: google search) of the dealer tells/shows me the following:
a) Urbanshadow Motors Limited doesn't appear on Google or indeed Google Maps as an established company, in any shape or form - There is a very very basic one page website (generic), but zero useful information on there. Red flag
b) Because of the above, there appears to be no reviews or anything to go by, particularly in relation to their apparent history/knowledge/experience with JLR products. Red Flag.
c) The company is located in a **** part of wembley, itself a **** part of London, known for all sorts of dodgy vehicular dealings/back street garages akin to the **** holes of Birmingham. Red flag.
d) Google Street view comes back with what appears to be a pretty shady looking car dealership (under a different name, from 2025) next to a hand car wash. Red flag.
e) Companies house tells me they were Incorporated (i.e. Company set up) in March 2026, hence trading only 6 months. Reg Flag.
Based on the general colour of said flags demonstrated above, coupled to your own alarm bells already ringing, I'd suggest you find another one.
Note: Admittedly item c) is subjective....but I did grow up stones throw away and still have friends locally. Bargepole etc.
a) Urbanshadow Motors Limited doesn't appear on Google or indeed Google Maps as an established company, in any shape or form - There is a very very basic one page website (generic), but zero useful information on there. Red flag
b) Because of the above, there appears to be no reviews or anything to go by, particularly in relation to their apparent history/knowledge/experience with JLR products. Red Flag.
c) The company is located in a **** part of wembley, itself a **** part of London, known for all sorts of dodgy vehicular dealings/back street garages akin to the **** holes of Birmingham. Red flag.
d) Google Street view comes back with what appears to be a pretty shady looking car dealership (under a different name, from 2025) next to a hand car wash. Red flag.
e) Companies house tells me they were Incorporated (i.e. Company set up) in March 2026, hence trading only 6 months. Reg Flag.
Based on the general colour of said flags demonstrated above, coupled to your own alarm bells already ringing, I'd suggest you find another one.
Note: Admittedly item c) is subjective....but I did grow up stones throw away and still have friends locally. Bargepole etc.
Many thanks all.
Appreciated feedback to make sure I'm not being overly optimistic on what I should expect.
Before calling I had done a quick companies house check.. and the incorporation date was one of those things Id perhaps let slide if a known someone else had completed the engine work/invoices checked out, but add all of those red flags together.
The search continues!
(aware a replacement crank in no way means these aren't still subject to snappy cranky, would have given a bit of temporary reasurementt however)
Appreciated feedback to make sure I'm not being overly optimistic on what I should expect.
Before calling I had done a quick companies house check.. and the incorporation date was one of those things Id perhaps let slide if a known someone else had completed the engine work/invoices checked out, but add all of those red flags together.
The search continues!
(aware a replacement crank in no way means these aren't still subject to snappy cranky, would have given a bit of temporary reasurementt however)
No problem. I'm sure you'll get others along shortly with a much more optimistic outlook on such things than me...but in my view, life is too short to be 'hoping' this isn't a crash/damaged/rusty or shoddily repaired car that they are just trying to punt on. Interestingly, it looks like it might have started it's life as a Press Car...
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/q7/92670/audi-q...
Not sure if that is a good or bad thing, but it does highlight all of the black stick on 'gangster' trim which have been added over the years, plus wheels refurbed in black and red calipers, which (IMO) mimic the colour of yet another flag I would like to raise.
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/q7/92670/audi-q...
Not sure if that is a good or bad thing, but it does highlight all of the black stick on 'gangster' trim which have been added over the years, plus wheels refurbed in black and red calipers, which (IMO) mimic the colour of yet another flag I would like to raise.
Edited by MattyD803 on Monday 19th October 13:51
I reckon something like this of this age is a prime candidate for buying privately from an enthusiast on a forum. Search through their historical posts, see what faults they’ve had and what work they’ve done and buy the seller.
I’d have serious doubt as to whether an AA or RAC warranty - or whatever other s
t dealers supply - would cover the chocolate crankshaft anyway.
Still miss my D4 and wish I’d kept hold of it!
I’d have serious doubt as to whether an AA or RAC warranty - or whatever other s
t dealers supply - would cover the chocolate crankshaft anyway. Still miss my D4 and wish I’d kept hold of it!
I think it highly unlikely they did a crank replacement. It would be cheaper, less work and more cost effective to buy a used engine from a Jaguar that has not had to cart the heaver car arrond.
When the crank snaps it damages the journal. You don't get away with a replacement crank and new shell bearings through the sump .
My son and I did the swap to Jag route. He is a skilled engine builder himself working in Motorsport. We looked at the bottom of the broken engine and it was quite nasty.
When the crank snaps it damages the journal. You don't get away with a replacement crank and new shell bearings through the sump .
My son and I did the swap to Jag route. He is a skilled engine builder himself working in Motorsport. We looked at the bottom of the broken engine and it was quite nasty.
MattyD803 said:
No problem. I'm sure you'll get others along shortly with a much more optimistic outlook on such things than me...but in my view, life is too short to be 'hoping' this isn't a crash/damaged/rusty or shoddily repaired car that they are just trying to punt on. Interestingly, it looks like it might have started it's life as a Press Car...
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/q7/92670/audi-q...
Not sure if that is a good or bad thing, but it does highlight all of the black stick on 'gangster' trim which have been added over the years, plus wheels refurbed in black and red calipers, which (IMO) mimic the colour of yet another flag I would like to raise.
Your sleuthing skills are 10/10! I missed that! Perhaps also confirms the one alloy pic which on closer inspection looks like it could be a plastidip job. https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/q7/92670/audi-q...
Not sure if that is a good or bad thing, but it does highlight all of the black stick on 'gangster' trim which have been added over the years, plus wheels refurbed in black and red calipers, which (IMO) mimic the colour of yet another flag I would like to raise.
Edited by MattyD803 on Monday 19th October 13:51
Have been an active member on the disco3 / 4 forums, not that many come up of sale, agree its good to be able to dig thru what has been undertaken (on the reverse I avoided a dog of a Disco 3 via that route.. didn't even last until its next MOT before being scrapped) .
Sheepshanks said:
cliffords said:
I think it highly unlikely they did a crank replacement. It would be cheaper, less work and more cost effective to buy a used engine from a Jaguar that has not had to cart the heaver car arrond.
...or steal a car and use the engine out of that.MattyD803 said:
I know nothing of note regarding the car in question....but a very simple and quick desktop assessment (aka: google search) of the dealer tells/shows me the following:
a) Urbanshadow Motors Limited doesn't appear on Google or indeed Google Maps as an established company, in any shape or form - There is a very very basic one page website (generic), but zero useful information on there. Red flag
b) Because of the above, there appears to be no reviews or anything to go by, particularly in relation to their apparent history/knowledge/experience with JLR products. Red Flag.
c) The company is located in a **** part of wembley, itself a **** part of London, known for all sorts of dodgy vehicular dealings/back street garages akin to the **** holes of Birmingham. Red flag.
d) Google Street view comes back with what appears to be a pretty shady looking car dealership (under a different name, from 2025) next to a hand car wash. Red flag.
e) Companies house tells me they were Incorporated (i.e. Company set up) in March 2026, hence trading only 6 months. Reg Flag.
Based on the general colour of said flags demonstrated above, coupled to your own alarm bells already ringing, I'd suggest you find another one.
Note: Admittedly item c) is subjective....but I did grow up stones throw away and still have friends locally. Bargepole etc.
It also has the same address as several other car dealers so one of those 'rent a space' dealers that have no assets and can vanish overnight...a) Urbanshadow Motors Limited doesn't appear on Google or indeed Google Maps as an established company, in any shape or form - There is a very very basic one page website (generic), but zero useful information on there. Red flag
b) Because of the above, there appears to be no reviews or anything to go by, particularly in relation to their apparent history/knowledge/experience with JLR products. Red Flag.
c) The company is located in a **** part of wembley, itself a **** part of London, known for all sorts of dodgy vehicular dealings/back street garages akin to the **** holes of Birmingham. Red flag.
d) Google Street view comes back with what appears to be a pretty shady looking car dealership (under a different name, from 2025) next to a hand car wash. Red flag.
e) Companies house tells me they were Incorporated (i.e. Company set up) in March 2026, hence trading only 6 months. Reg Flag.
Based on the general colour of said flags demonstrated above, coupled to your own alarm bells already ringing, I'd suggest you find another one.
Note: Admittedly item c) is subjective....but I did grow up stones throw away and still have friends locally. Bargepole etc.
and the director seems to be in court ? https://opencourtdata.uk/criminal/case/11824921176...
Edited by Gary C on Monday 19th October 16:12
Depends a bit what you want it for and I would understand wanting a change but, the older (pre March 23rd 2006) manual Euro 3 LR3s seem a much better alternative to the old shape defender as a long term ownership prospect. Just not a rusty one.
My Coil sprung LR3 is pretty much perfect after 200,000 miles.
I dont think the crank snapping problems of the LR4 will ever go away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDqd6mmz0l8&t=...
My Coil sprung LR3 is pretty much perfect after 200,000 miles.
I dont think the crank snapping problems of the LR4 will ever go away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDqd6mmz0l8&t=...
BuyaDuster said:
Depends a bit what you want it for and I would understand wanting a change but, the older (pre March 23rd 2006) manual Euro 3 LR3s seem a much better alternative to the old shape defender as a long term ownership prospect. Just not a rusty one.
My Coil sprung LR3 is pretty much perfect after 200,000 miles.
I dont think the crank snapping problems of the LR4 will ever go away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDqd6mmz0l8&t=...
September 06 and a manual, no evidence of clutch ever being done (inc in my 55k miles) so I know that’s coming up soon. My Coil sprung LR3 is pretty much perfect after 200,000 miles.
I dont think the crank snapping problems of the LR4 will ever go away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDqd6mmz0l8&t=...
Lacquer on the roof and bonnet is no more and welding started 2 years ago after the usual issues caused by side step brackets.
I’d honestly have it restored to new if the numbers added up to similar to a 15/16 D4 but I can’t see that occurring!
Gary C said:
It also has the same address as several other car dealers so one of those 'rent a space' dealers that have no assets and can vanish overnight...
and the director seems to be in court ? https://opencourtdata.uk/criminal/case/11824921176...
Are you suggesting that UrbanShadow Motors are a bit of a... shady outfit?and the director seems to be in court ? https://opencourtdata.uk/criminal/case/11824921176...
Danns said:
Your sleuthing skills are 10/10! I missed that!
One of the checks I always do before buying a car is a google image search for the registration plate. You may find nothing, you may find nothing of concern, but if you do get a hit it often helps illustrate the car's history. As per above, another road testing role for OE15 EUB
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