Discovery 4 5.0 V8 - would you?
Discussion
Ex 4.4 V8 L322 owner so some experience of LR's products. During our ownership it never really went wrong and we loved it.
Recently I started looking at Discovery 4's to replace my wife's Yeti. I showed her a few and it was a firm 'urgh, no thanks' from her (she wants a back-to-basics Defender for some reason) but I've found myself really liking the Discovery. I'd even put up with it being a diesel.
However, I also found out that you can buy imported Jap 5.0 V8s. These really appeal.
The question is; would you / should I? Other than economy which I don't really care about, what potential pitfalls are there in addition to any that apply to the Discovery in general?
Thanks.
Recently I started looking at Discovery 4's to replace my wife's Yeti. I showed her a few and it was a firm 'urgh, no thanks' from her (she wants a back-to-basics Defender for some reason) but I've found myself really liking the Discovery. I'd even put up with it being a diesel.
However, I also found out that you can buy imported Jap 5.0 V8s. These really appeal.
The question is; would you / should I? Other than economy which I don't really care about, what potential pitfalls are there in addition to any that apply to the Discovery in general?
Thanks.
Steviesam said:
Most of the usual Discovery issues are removed when having the V8.
All the benefits with none of the engine aggro. I couldnt find one when I wanted one.
This was my thinking; mitigate any potential diesel issues. All the benefits with none of the engine aggro. I couldnt find one when I wanted one.
Are there any other Discovery foibles to be aware of? Local garage owner loves them. I popped in to ask his opinion but he was out. His wife said window regulators can fail but they've never had an major issue with any ones they've owned.
The V8 can have timing chain issues, however, one of the importers on eBay who lists them. Has that fixed as part of the sales prep. Hopefully they fix the rear coolant pipe as it’s known to split being made of plastic, there’s an upgraded metal pipe to replace it.
Otherwise usual D4 stuff.
Wheel bearings, front lower and rear upper arms can wear out.
Make sure suspension works as it should. Raise and lower it a few times to see if the compressor works or faults out.
Make sure the autobox has been serviced, if not. Get it done.
Rust. Back arches and the rear part of the sills can be a weakness.
A 5.0 V8 has nearly 400 bhp so it can shift nicely but will be thirsty on the fuel.
Otherwise usual D4 stuff.
Wheel bearings, front lower and rear upper arms can wear out.
Make sure suspension works as it should. Raise and lower it a few times to see if the compressor works or faults out.
Make sure the autobox has been serviced, if not. Get it done.
Rust. Back arches and the rear part of the sills can be a weakness.
A 5.0 V8 has nearly 400 bhp so it can shift nicely but will be thirsty on the fuel.
A.J.M said:
....one of the importers on eBay who lists them. Has that fixed as part of the sales prep. Hopefully they fix the rear coolant pipe as it s known to split being made of plastic, there s an upgraded metal pipe to replace it.
Thanks for that. As for the importer, I noticed two on ebay; would the one you speak of be north of the border? The other was from the area that PHeaders say never buy a car from.If it s summat you fancy and the price is right I d go for it.
The only negative could be if you re gonna cover big miles
I had a Range Rover sport, v8 diesel, which was thirsty but I bought with high mileage at around 85k, then kept it as a daily for another 6 years and sold it for peanuts with 170k miles on it.
I felt it owed me nothing even though it was thirsty because I’d had good use from it and had I bought something new even if it was a cheaper to run modern car, I’d have lost 20k plus in 2 years anyway so the bigger older car was probably a better deal.
The only negative could be if you re gonna cover big miles
I had a Range Rover sport, v8 diesel, which was thirsty but I bought with high mileage at around 85k, then kept it as a daily for another 6 years and sold it for peanuts with 170k miles on it.
I felt it owed me nothing even though it was thirsty because I’d had good use from it and had I bought something new even if it was a cheaper to run modern car, I’d have lost 20k plus in 2 years anyway so the bigger older car was probably a better deal.
Edited by wilpert on Friday 9th January 19:07
WH16 said:
A.J.M said:
A 5.0 V8 has nearly 400 bhp so it can shift nicely but will be thirsty on the fuel.
Yeah, but I imagine not needing to have a £15k 'crank-shaft bork fund' makes up for it.Which is close to what my crankshaft snap cost me.
I did go bumper to bumper and sorted everything while it was apart.
I have warned the specialist that fixed mine with a new engine.
If it does it again.
We are fitting a 5.0 supercharged V8 into it and aim for 700bhp like a guy in the USA has done.
In truth, I don’t know if the garage on eBay is the good or the bad one. I’ve not heard about that before.
Like AJM has said, only worth it if you get the chains and guides doing. Its a hugely expensive job and usually has to go to an engine specialist to get done as not all garages want to do that work.
Buying an Import D4 doesn't exclude you from all the usual D4 problems.
- Air Suspension and all associated issues with airlines, cylinders, sensors, compressors
- EPB. Hateful things. If memory serves the design is the same as what was on the D3 and can be absolute pain. Needs to be serviced annually and even then it can still go wrong
- Leaks
However, at least, you wouldn't need to worry about the crank going, EGR issues, turbos, cross over pipes, inlet manifolds.
You'd also get something that is ULEZ friendly and that is worth a lot now as most D4s aren't and it means they are taking a hammering in value despite them being one of LR's greatest models.
Buying an Import D4 doesn't exclude you from all the usual D4 problems.
- Air Suspension and all associated issues with airlines, cylinders, sensors, compressors
- EPB. Hateful things. If memory serves the design is the same as what was on the D3 and can be absolute pain. Needs to be serviced annually and even then it can still go wrong
- Leaks
However, at least, you wouldn't need to worry about the crank going, EGR issues, turbos, cross over pipes, inlet manifolds.
You'd also get something that is ULEZ friendly and that is worth a lot now as most D4s aren't and it means they are taking a hammering in value despite them being one of LR's greatest models.
How much does it usually cost to have the chains and guides done out of interest?
Getting the belts done on a D4 isn’t exactly cheap when it’s done alongside a service. I’ve had them done twice on my D4!!!
But, it’s a shame it needs doing at all. I’ve read it’s less likely
To happen if it’s had regular oil changes, but not sure how true that is.
Getting the belts done on a D4 isn’t exactly cheap when it’s done alongside a service. I’ve had them done twice on my D4!!!
But, it’s a shame it needs doing at all. I’ve read it’s less likely
To happen if it’s had regular oil changes, but not sure how true that is.
CornishRob said:
How much does it usually cost to have the chains and guides done out of interest?
Getting the belts done on a D4 isn t exactly cheap when it s done alongside a service. I ve had them done twice on my D4!!!
But, it s a shame it needs doing at all. I ve read it s less likely
To happen if it s had regular oil changes, but not sure how true that is.
To get chains and guides done is probably £2-4k.Getting the belts done on a D4 isn t exactly cheap when it s done alongside a service. I ve had them done twice on my D4!!!
But, it s a shame it needs doing at all. I ve read it s less likely
To happen if it s had regular oil changes, but not sure how true that is.
My understanding is this is the same engine they use in the 5.0 Supercharged but with out the Superchager. My other area of concern is finding someone willing to even do the work, as how many of these 5.0 D4s are even in Europe, let alone the UK. This is where imports can be a real PITA and yes, I have owned two imports. There must be some differences between those two engines beyond the Supercharger.
I did have a 5.0 Supercharged L322 for about 18 months and it is a beast of an engine. May return to one at some point.
This is them.
The do do TDV8 conversions, but also 4.2 Supercharged conversions
https://www.ilsautomotive.co.uk/
The do do TDV8 conversions, but also 4.2 Supercharged conversions
https://www.ilsautomotive.co.uk/
Steviesam said:
This is them.
The do do TDV8 conversions, but also 4.2 Supercharged conversions
https://www.ilsautomotive.co.uk/
I know them. I think you have to love the D4 to sink £15-20k into them now, but I can see the appeal. I can foresee a resurgence in interest when they become classics though. The do do TDV8 conversions, but also 4.2 Supercharged conversions
https://www.ilsautomotive.co.uk/
Steviesam said:
This is them.
The do do TDV8 conversions, but also 4.2 Supercharged conversions
https://www.ilsautomotive.co.uk/
Ah ha... OK. I've come across them with the TDV8 conversions but didn't realise they did the 4.2 Supercharged too.The do do TDV8 conversions, but also 4.2 Supercharged conversions
https://www.ilsautomotive.co.uk/
I initially thought about the 4.4 petrol, as parts are essentially off-the-shelf but didn't think about the SC.
M
Forums | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff