RE: Shed Buying Guide: Land Rover Discovery 3

[Cold]

AB1canotbee said:

Sorry but we {design engineering crew at DB Stuttgart} used to say this about 20+ years ago ,long before the clowns on Top Gear etc were quoting it.The Landrover mark was then ,as now , a joke, but despite this I tried to support the [buy British] company when I returned from working there back in the 80's,and have owned several...the last one being the infamous P38 diesel some years ago...never ever again !
Don't take remarks about the seat comfort too seriously, after all it was one of the few redeeming features of the cars [apart from the series 2 and 3 land rovers of course].

Good to see your product knowledge is up to date.

[300bhp/ton]

AB1canotbee said:

Sorry but we {design engineering crew at DB Stuttgart} used to say this about 20+ years ago ,long before the clowns on Top Gear etc were quoting it.The Landrover mark was then ,as now , a joke, but despite this I tried to support the [buy British] company when I returned from working there back in the 80's,and have owned several...the last one being the infamous P38 diesel some years ago...never ever again !
Don't take remarks about the seat comfort too seriously, after all it was one of the few redeeming features of the cars [apart from the series 2 and 3 land rovers of course].

[anonymous-user]

I’ve always admired these, but there seems to be no middle ground, they’re either ‘very good’ or ‘moneypits’

[alfabeat]

Is the Disco 4, vastly different to the Disco 3?

Ive had a 2009 Disco 4 for 4 years (120k miles) and it has been pretty much faultless apart from routine servicing and consumables.

Tows pretty much every other day. Has a tough life.

It is an absolutely brilliant vehicle. When / if this one dies, I'll be looking to get another later Disco 4. Just the right amount of comfort and luxury and workhorse ability. Super cars.

[aaron_2000]

alfabeat said:

Is the Disco 4, vastly different to the Disco 3?

Ive had a 2009 Disco 4 for 4 years (120k miles) and it has been pretty much faultless apart from routine servicing and consumables.

Tows pretty much every other day. Has a tough life.

It is an absolutely brilliant vehicle. When / if this one dies, I'll be looking to get another later Disco 4. Just the right amount of comfort and luxury and workhorse ability. Super cars.

I think by then they had a good amount of issues sorted out. Much nicer car all round too IMO, especially the interior.

[shirt]

i believe the main changes were around suspension, drivetrain and interior. not sure if the suspension changes makes it easier on the bushes but you should know given the length of ownership and mileage.

LR4 had 5.0l 400bhp n/a v8 in ROW markets. a final year [2013 before they swapped to the SCV6] v8 with the full meridian sound system and pano roof is something i lust after.

[st4]

shirt said:

i believe the main changes were around suspension, drivetrain and interior. not sure if the suspension changes makes it easier on the bushes but you should know given the length of ownership and mileage.

LR4 had 5.0l 400bhp n/a v8 in ROW markets. a final year [2013 before they swapped to the SCV6] v8 with the full meridian sound system and pano roof is something i lust after.

Yep - much better engine for the car than the diesel and I believe a decent engine unlike the self immolatimg v6 diseasal

[snowandrocks]

300bhp/ton said:

snowandrocks said:

Which Land Cruiser are you speaking about? "Land Cruiser" is just the brand not a specific model and covers everything from a basic workhorse 70 series to a £60k V8 200 series. Have you even driven a modern 100/200 series?

Edited by snowandrocks on Thursday 14th March 07:19

Toyota only offer 1 Land Cruiser for the UK market:
https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/land-cruiser/

And lets be fair on this, there is little point comparing a brand new '19 plate top of the range model with a £3k 2004 Disco 3, just to claim the Yota is capable on the road.

So lets keep it sensible, you either compare 2004-2011 UK Land Cruiser or whatever Land Cruiser you can currently buy with ease in the UK of a value of £3000-9000.


BTW - I like the LC, so I'm not bashing on it.

I wasn't comparing a new land cruiser with an old discovery. 2004 to 2011 puts you on the change over from the 100 to 200 series.

100 series - 4.2 straight 6 202 bhp
200 series - 4.5 diesel v8 282 bhp

Both feature just about everything you could probably wish for in a big 4x4 and are perfectly capable of cruising comfortably at even 3 figure speeds. Portraying the modern big Land Cruisers as basic and unrefined really isn't fair. They're certainly as comfortable, refined and well equipped as the equivalent discovery.

Sadly, in the image obsessed UK the Land Rover brand is somehow still more saleable than a well designed, well built vehicle that's actually fit for purpose.

[Slow]

Disco has more height to use, it’s not all image.

[300bhp/ton]

snowandrocks said:

I wasn't comparing a new land cruiser with an old discovery. 2004 to 2011 puts you on the change over from the 100 to 200 series.

100 series - 4.2 straight 6 202 bhp
200 series - 4.5 diesel v8 282 bhp

Both feature just about everything you could probably wish for in a big 4x4 and are perfectly capable of cruising comfortably at even 3 figure speeds. Portraying the modern big Land Cruisers as basic and unrefined really isn't fair. They're certainly as comfortable, refined and well equipped as the equivalent discovery.

Sadly, in the image obsessed UK the Land Rover brand is somehow still more saleable than a well designed, well built vehicle that's actually fit for purpose.

You seemed obsessed with not listening to what I said. I’ve not dissed the LC. I’ve just said the Disco will ride on the road better. Do high speed stuff better. Probably have a nicer interior and match or exceeed the LC off road.

[st4]

snowandrocks said:

I wasn't comparing a new land cruiser with an old discovery. 2004 to 2011 puts you on the change over from the 100 to 200 series.

100 series - 4.2 straight 6 202 bhp
200 series - 4.5 diesel v8 282 bhp

Both feature just about everything you could probably wish for in a big 4x4 and are perfectly capable of cruising comfortably at even 3 figure speeds. Portraying the modern big Land Cruisers as basic and unrefined really isn't fair. They're certainly as comfortable, refined and well equipped as the equivalent discovery.

Sadly, in the image obsessed UK the Land Rover brand is somehow still more saleable than a well designed, well built vehicle that's actually fit for purpose.

Agree.

[snowandrocks]

300bhp/ton said:

snowandrocks said:

I wasn't comparing a new land cruiser with an old discovery. 2004 to 2011 puts you on the change over from the 100 to 200 series.

100 series - 4.2 straight 6 202 bhp
200 series - 4.5 diesel v8 282 bhp

Both feature just about everything you could probably wish for in a big 4x4 and are perfectly capable of cruising comfortably at even 3 figure speeds. Portraying the modern big Land Cruisers as basic and unrefined really isn't fair. They're certainly as comfortable, refined and well equipped as the equivalent discovery.

Sadly, in the image obsessed UK the Land Rover brand is somehow still more saleable than a well designed, well built vehicle that's actually fit for purpose.

You seemed obsessed with not listening to what I said. I’ve not dissed the LC. I’ve just said the Disco will ride on the road better. Do high speed stuff better. Probably have a nicer interior and match or exceeed the LC off road.

Having driven and been passenger in both the differences on the road are marginal at best although the Land Cruiser engines do make the 2.7 PSA unit feel pretty weedy.

The Land Cruisers have height adjustable hydraulic suspension, locking rear axle differential/off road optimised A-trac traction control system and massively heavy duty drive train components built to withstand hundreds of thousands of miles of hard off road use. Again in the real world, any difference in off road ability is academic at best.

You were arguing that the difference in capabilities justified the appalling reliability record and engineering flaws of the Land Rover. I don't believe it does but each to their own.

[NikTheGeek]

The article said that on earlier ones you could do an "EGR delete and blanking plate for around £100". Surely under the revised MOT rules that would be an instant failure (if spotted)? I thought it was now illegal to remove EGRs just as it is to remove CATs and DPFs. I'm here to be corrected, but I thought that if an emissions component was supplied from the factory, it had to be present at the test.

But then the author would know this, so it can't be true. Anyone?

Nick

[Slow]

NikTheGeek said:

The article said that on earlier ones you could do an "EGR delete and blanking plate for around £100". Surely under the revised MOT rules that would be an instant failure (if spotted)? I thought it was now illegal to remove EGRs just as it is to remove CATs and DPFs. I'm here to be corrected, but I thought that if an emissions component was supplied from the factory, it had to be present at the test.

But then the author would know this, so it can't be true. Anyone?

Nick

On any modern car you cant see anything but plastic covers anyway. Wouldnt worry about it for mot, only would care if you personally care for the enviroment.

[sparkythecat]

The latest MOT changes make mention of the DPF, but there is no mention of the EGR

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-cha...

[RangeyRover]

I seem to be going against the grain of the thread but....
had a 4.0 litre V6 petrol in Oz. fantastic car. engine derived from the cologne v6
104K to 180K before it got moved on for a diesel D4
Had only maintenance items, but they are speeeeeeeendy at maintenance time
Lower control arms x 2 (Yes these are maintenance items essentially on a D3)
Transmission oil & Filter change and sump change for a BMW one (the land rover item is plastic)
When it was sold it needed a new prop because the splines were worn causing a big clunk

the D4 Twin Turbo is a delight.

However, unless you are from the parish of barge and understand maintenance on elderly british iron is ruinous and vital, don't do it.
If your barge maths means you can afford proper maintenance, enjoy one of the finest 4wd steers you can get.