Thirsty Discovery and Z4 thread
Discussion
One thing the specialist is struggling with is getting a replacement transmission filter in time. My gut is to get them to do a flush anyway, and I'll get the filter and a full fluid change done at the next service.
Anyone have any views on the efficacy of flush vs complete change and filter?
If anyone is still following, I managed to find the eBay advert. The Autotrader ad had more photos, including close-up shots of the outside and interior, but I can't retrieve the old ad.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185440233431
Anyone have any views on the efficacy of flush vs complete change and filter?
If anyone is still following, I managed to find the eBay advert. The Autotrader ad had more photos, including close-up shots of the outside and interior, but I can't retrieve the old ad.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185440233431
Edited by C70R on Wednesday 6th July 18:20
A.J.M said:
Mega flush or don’t bother is my opinion.
If they can’t do it, just collect car and get it sorted later in the year.
That's sort of where I'm headed. I've found a specialist in Battersea who can do a filter and fluid change. So if it's doesn't get done, I have an option at least.If they can’t do it, just collect car and get it sorted later in the year.
Well, the above is moot. The specialist has found the kit and the filter will get changed along with the oil before I collect. Currently on track to pick up on Friday, followed by 200 miles home and hitting the M25 around rush hour.
Should be a good way to get to know the Disco at least. Looking forward to actually seeing it in the flesh after spending a small fortune on it!
Should be a good way to get to know the Disco at least. Looking forward to actually seeing it in the flesh after spending a small fortune on it!
Well, 4hrs on public transport, a hefty payment to the specialist, and 220 miles of motorways home, here it is.
It's as tight as a drum for a car with 105k miles, and drove faultlessly home. It seems like the previous owner (who bought it new) ticked every single option bar Bluetooth or iPod. Touch wood it will continue to repay me with good service if I maintain it well.
Bit of faff to go on with the registration plate, as the owner's widow decided to keep it at the last minute. Other than that, the plan is to sort out Bluetooth, put some new AT tyres on, and drive it plenty.
It's as tight as a drum for a car with 105k miles, and drove faultlessly home. It seems like the previous owner (who bought it new) ticked every single option bar Bluetooth or iPod. Touch wood it will continue to repay me with good service if I maintain it well.
Bit of faff to go on with the registration plate, as the owner's widow decided to keep it at the last minute. Other than that, the plan is to sort out Bluetooth, put some new AT tyres on, and drive it plenty.
Well, less than two weeks into ownership and the Disco is being treated to:
- A new battery
- A new alternator
- A new suspension compressor
All of which comes to almost what I paid the specialist who inspected the car before I bought it... Sounds like this is panning out exactly as expected.
Luckily the dealer is covering the vast majority of the cost, after a little wrangling. Read all about it here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
It appears that, based on the history, they are the only two common failure points that haven't been addressed. So here's to starting working my way back through all the faults a second time.
- A new battery
- A new alternator
- A new suspension compressor
All of which comes to almost what I paid the specialist who inspected the car before I bought it... Sounds like this is panning out exactly as expected.
Luckily the dealer is covering the vast majority of the cost, after a little wrangling. Read all about it here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
It appears that, based on the history, they are the only two common failure points that haven't been addressed. So here's to starting working my way back through all the faults a second time.
bolidemichael said:
Thirteen pages... would you care to offer a tl,dr (too long, didn't read) summary for us?
Haha. It was quite intense.Synopsis:
- I asked for advice
- I got lots of very bad advice
- My personal finances and scruples were questioned
- I got some legal advice
- The car got fixed, and the dealer was persuaded to pay for the majority of it
bolidemichael said:
C70R said:
bolidemichael said:
Thirteen pages... would you care to offer a tl,dr (too long, didn't read) summary for us?
Haha. It was quite intense.Synopsis:
- I asked for advice
- I got lots of very bad advice
- My personal finances and scruples were questioned
- I got some legal advice
- The car got fixed, and the dealer was persuaded to pay for the majority of it
Well, after fitting two new valve blocks, free of charge by the garage because they didn't solve the sinking with a new OEM compressor, Trigger's Broom rides again (and more importantly doesn't drop overnight).
It performed the classic 'London SUV' role of a tip run to dispose of garden waste this morning. The boot is truly vast, and the load liner I've fitted makes me happy to lob stuff in with gay abandon.
Here's to many more mundane miles.
It performed the classic 'London SUV' role of a tip run to dispose of garden waste this morning. The boot is truly vast, and the load liner I've fitted makes me happy to lob stuff in with gay abandon.
Here's to many more mundane miles.
bolidemichael said:
I'm pretty sure that's Wandsworth, which would put you a stone's throw from my office. Come on down to Garratt Lane for a coffee and a natter!
A keen eye indeed.I don't live terribly close (Tooting/Balham), so visits to the tip are a rare pleasure.
We should compare notes on the Discovery and your Range at some point.
As we start to gradually move a few bits into the house we've bought in North Norfolk, the Discovery is proving an excellent workhorse.
The clever 'double fold' mechanism for the second row leaves a completely flat floor, and a cavernous space for loading hefty objects.
It will have done around 600 miles in 5 days when we eventually head back to London this evening, and it's been pretty effortless stuff (if not a tad painful at the pumps). That being said, I did manage to squeeze 420 miles out of a tank on mainly motorways and A-roads, which equates to about 23mpg according to my fag packet maths. Not the end of the world.
I also feel like it looks much more at home in the countryside than pottering around the mean streets of SW London.
The clever 'double fold' mechanism for the second row leaves a completely flat floor, and a cavernous space for loading hefty objects.
It will have done around 600 miles in 5 days when we eventually head back to London this evening, and it's been pretty effortless stuff (if not a tad painful at the pumps). That being said, I did manage to squeeze 420 miles out of a tank on mainly motorways and A-roads, which equates to about 23mpg according to my fag packet maths. Not the end of the world.
I also feel like it looks much more at home in the countryside than pottering around the mean streets of SW London.
camel_landy said:
C70R said:
The clever 'double fold' mechanism for the second row leaves a completely flat floor, and a cavernous space for loading hefty objects.
IIRC - 1.98m from tailgate to cubby box. 
I'm assuming you found that when you fold the seats flat, there are a couple of toggles to hold the load-space cover??
M
I also found that the fridge works really well by accidentally turning it on while storing my sunglasses. I couldn't figure out the source of the whirring noise until I took my sunglasses out again.
The Discovery has been providing exceptional service shuttling kit between London and Norfolk for the past few weeks, and economy on a 70mph run seems tolerable (400 miles on a tank is realistic). It's also proven an excellent tool for hacking around country lanes - the suspension absorbs the rough bits, the driving position helps me plan ahead, and the directional lights are great at spotting suicidal pheasants.
True to form it's back at the garage, again. Even though the massive suspension overhaul improved the issues, I'm still seeing some sinking on the front-right when left for longer periods. Luckily the garage have agreed to rectify without charging me, as this is their third go at it (having already replaced the expensive bits).
I've also asked them to address a couple of little niggly bits while they have it. The driver's sunroof drain is full of cr*p, and I had a slightly soggy carpet after a recent monsoon. I tried clearing myself, but the shape of the tubes made it quite annoying. One of the bonnet catches isn't latching properly, which results in a little bit of movement in the bonnet at motorway speeds. I've also asked them to check the gearbox oil level, as some of the shifts (particularly when cold) aren't as smooth as I'd like.
After a saga with registration plates (the previous owner's widow decided she wanted to keep his private plate at the last minute, but had lost the v5), it's finally registered in my name and wearing my private plate.
Here's to continued good service. Photo was taken during some extreme off-roading (the car park at my local was full, so I had to park on the verge opposite).
True to form it's back at the garage, again. Even though the massive suspension overhaul improved the issues, I'm still seeing some sinking on the front-right when left for longer periods. Luckily the garage have agreed to rectify without charging me, as this is their third go at it (having already replaced the expensive bits).
I've also asked them to address a couple of little niggly bits while they have it. The driver's sunroof drain is full of cr*p, and I had a slightly soggy carpet after a recent monsoon. I tried clearing myself, but the shape of the tubes made it quite annoying. One of the bonnet catches isn't latching properly, which results in a little bit of movement in the bonnet at motorway speeds. I've also asked them to check the gearbox oil level, as some of the shifts (particularly when cold) aren't as smooth as I'd like.
After a saga with registration plates (the previous owner's widow decided she wanted to keep his private plate at the last minute, but had lost the v5), it's finally registered in my name and wearing my private plate.
Here's to continued good service. Photo was taken during some extreme off-roading (the car park at my local was full, so I had to park on the verge opposite).
A.J.M said:
The drains are a known and common issue.
They changed the design of the exit nozzle as the old one would get clogged with dirt and wouldn’t drain.
The exit for the drivers drain is behind the grill in the drivers wing.
The passenger one is behind the wheel arch.
I changed both drains to the newer ones, they weren’t expensive brand new.
The passenger one is a baw ache, it’s awful as you need to remove a fuse board behind the glove box, you’ll get plenty of cuts and scratches getting it fitted. I know I did.
Air leak, soapy bubbles and spray all of the air bag and lines. You’ll find the leak from that and save the parts cannon.
400 is a good range from a v8. I would be happy with that.
I managed to clear the exit drain, but poking a strimmer wire up revealed it was full of silt. They changed the design of the exit nozzle as the old one would get clogged with dirt and wouldn’t drain.
The exit for the drivers drain is behind the grill in the drivers wing.
The passenger one is behind the wheel arch.
I changed both drains to the newer ones, they weren’t expensive brand new.
The passenger one is a baw ache, it’s awful as you need to remove a fuse board behind the glove box, you’ll get plenty of cuts and scratches getting it fitted. I know I did.
Air leak, soapy bubbles and spray all of the air bag and lines. You’ll find the leak from that and save the parts cannon.
400 is a good range from a v8. I would be happy with that.
I'm deliberately giving the car back to the specialist to do the suspension, because I don't expect to pay for additional work to fix something they've tried twice to rectify already. They (RR London) are a good bunch, and they get a kick out of working on a relatively rare variant, but they are also body expensive and I expect expertise to come with that expense.
The economy is pretty much in line with what is prepared myself for. Pottering around London results in 8-10mpg, but 23mpg on a run is entirely bearable.
Well, as it continued to sag a tiny amount on the front-right when left for longer periods, back to the garage it went. The ride height sensor was replaced, and it was left overnight with the battery disconnected for some sort of recalibration, which appears to have done the trick.
While they had it I asked them to clear the driver's side sunroof drain, adjust the right hand bonnet catch (disconcerting to see it moving on the motorway) and check the gearbox oil level. I also asked them to look at a little rattle from the compressor area, which turned out to be a heatshield.
They ended up squeezing a dribble more fluid in and clearing the adaptations on the gearbox, which was against the advice of the previous specialist who did the fluid and filter change. It's absolutely transformed the way the car drives. Gone is the slight rev fluctuation when cold, gone is the jerky shift from 1>2, gone is the irritating jerky kickdown from 6>5 when encountering a motorway incline on cruise.
That little lot was done free of charge, as a goodwill gesture for not having resolved the suspension issue previously. Fair play to RR London, they aren't the cheapest but their customer service ethic is absolutely on the money.
As if to repay me for my efforts, the upper windscreen trim/seal decided to part company with its groove and flap around like a dying fish on the motorway. Thankfully that fix is probably within the scope of my limited talents.
While they had it I asked them to clear the driver's side sunroof drain, adjust the right hand bonnet catch (disconcerting to see it moving on the motorway) and check the gearbox oil level. I also asked them to look at a little rattle from the compressor area, which turned out to be a heatshield.
They ended up squeezing a dribble more fluid in and clearing the adaptations on the gearbox, which was against the advice of the previous specialist who did the fluid and filter change. It's absolutely transformed the way the car drives. Gone is the slight rev fluctuation when cold, gone is the jerky shift from 1>2, gone is the irritating jerky kickdown from 6>5 when encountering a motorway incline on cruise.
That little lot was done free of charge, as a goodwill gesture for not having resolved the suspension issue previously. Fair play to RR London, they aren't the cheapest but their customer service ethic is absolutely on the money.
As if to repay me for my efforts, the upper windscreen trim/seal decided to part company with its groove and flap around like a dying fish on the motorway. Thankfully that fix is probably within the scope of my limited talents.
bakerstreet said:
C70R said:
They ended up squeezing a dribble more fluid in and clearing the adaptations on the gearbox, which was against the advice of the previous specialist who did the fluid and filter change. It's absolutely transformed the way the car drives. Gone is the slight rev fluctuation when cold, gone is the jerky shift from 1>2, gone is the irritating jerky kickdown from 6>5 when encountering a motorway incline on cruise
To me the fluctuation on the rev counter is your torque converter on its way out and no amount of resetting the box or even changing the oil will fix that. However they can actually go on for quite a while like that. Next step is juddering under load. Mine did a little bit of that sometimes
Common trend is to chuck some anti judder in there. I've never been a fan of that. TC replacement is around £1200 drive in drive out and you aren't far from Planet Gears and they have a solid reputation in LR circles. Some people have seen 20k extra life out of the box with anti judder.
If the TC has goosed the box, that is around £2500-3000 depending whats wrong with it.
Thankfully nothing to report in the past month or so. I've covered around 4,000 miles in the 3.5mths since collecting, most of which has been trucking up and down the motorway between London and Norfolk. I must get a more economical car to do that trip! (current favourite is another 3L Z4)
I had a brief moment heading back to London a couple of weeks ago when, late at night and just after brimming the tank, I found myself on a very empty A11. A quick call down to the engine room and we were cruising effortlessly at 90-something mph. The car easily pulled up to and sat very happily around this figure for a good few miles, which was a real pleasure; until I looked at the expected range.
220 miles on a full tank at 90-something mph equates to 11-12mpg.
I think I'll be sticking to my usual 70mph cruise in future.
I had a brief moment heading back to London a couple of weeks ago when, late at night and just after brimming the tank, I found myself on a very empty A11. A quick call down to the engine room and we were cruising effortlessly at 90-something mph. The car easily pulled up to and sat very happily around this figure for a good few miles, which was a real pleasure; until I looked at the expected range.
220 miles on a full tank at 90-something mph equates to 11-12mpg.
I think I'll be sticking to my usual 70mph cruise in future.
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