Early Disco 4 borkage factor?
Discussion
Yes you should, but they are on the whole they are better than early d3s. I hope to eventually spend £15k on a D4 to replace my D3.
Early D4 will still have the same 6Sp box as the D3 and if there are any issues caused by a knackered Torque Converter than that can lead to a re-built box and you should budget £2-2.5k for that depending on how bad the box is. TC is £1200 fitted from a numerous specialists. Even at 100k, look out for fluctuations on the rev counter at cruising speeds and if there is any rumbling on acceleration, then I would walk away.
Fuel gauges can go wrong and the tank has to be removed to rectify it.
Compressor can go, but that is fairly standard on these cars.
From what I've gathered, the D4s are considered to be much better than the D3s. Interior quality is in another league compared to the D3. Upgrading the audio can be a nightmare if you don't have something like Bluetooth streaming as standard.
Ultimately I would advise getting a warranty, as its still a Land Rover!
Early D4 will still have the same 6Sp box as the D3 and if there are any issues caused by a knackered Torque Converter than that can lead to a re-built box and you should budget £2-2.5k for that depending on how bad the box is. TC is £1200 fitted from a numerous specialists. Even at 100k, look out for fluctuations on the rev counter at cruising speeds and if there is any rumbling on acceleration, then I would walk away.
Fuel gauges can go wrong and the tank has to be removed to rectify it.
Compressor can go, but that is fairly standard on these cars.
From what I've gathered, the D4s are considered to be much better than the D3s. Interior quality is in another league compared to the D3. Upgrading the audio can be a nightmare if you don't have something like Bluetooth streaming as standard.
Ultimately I would advise getting a warranty, as its still a Land Rover!
Have looked at this myself in the past. General consensus seems to be to aim for one of the slightly later ones with the 8 speed gearbox (rotary shifter not traditional gearstick) as the facelift gave them the SDV6 which has more go than the TDV6, and a bunch of other reliability issues got sorted at the same time.
Shirt587 said:
Have looked at this myself in the past. General consensus seems to be to aim for one of the slightly later ones with the 8 speed gearbox (rotary shifter not traditional gearstick) as the facelift gave them the SDV6 which has more go than the TDV6, and a bunch of other reliability issues got sorted at the same time.
A valid point but they are 5 to 10k more expensive! A remap on the early TDV6 in 6sp will see north of 260bhp and that will be fine in a Disco. The D3 managed with 190, but I will admit that it does feel under powered in standard form. I've just been through the same process having called time on my trusty old Disco 2 and bought a Disco 4.
As already said 2011/12 was the change over year up to 8 speed box & SDV6 (twin turbo rather than single).
Although I did not test a 6 speed the 8 speed is supposed to a big improvement over the 6 speed.
Potential for going wrong is huge! with some truly terrifying numbers being quoted on various forums (£16 k engine replacement).
I ended up spending more and buying a 2012 HSE with LR approved warranty for a bit of reassurance.
The day after I collected it threw a limp home mode error message, its in at the moment and they are talking turbo issues!
The big concern is crankshaft snapping issues. It seems a fairly common occurrence on forums, and can effect any engine at any mileage. But reading between the lines it's not that common, just a fair number of the people go onto forums to raise the issue. LR extended warranty may not pay out, aftermarkets may. I got it in writing that mine was covered but I hope never to have to test it.
The issue with this is that only LR supply new blocks/cranks, nobody does aftermarket rebuilds reliably so you are stuck with LR prices.
Other than that, the usual things crop up, turbos, wishbones, compressors etc. Nothing too scary and as always there's a massive LR community out there to assist.
6 weeks in, despite a couple of trips to the dealer I'm loving the new car. Still not taken it off road (greenlanes only for me) but its a great drive plenty of power (coming from a Td5!) more toy's than I know what to do with. Off to Italy next month with the tin shed so that'll be a test for it but not expecting any issues.
Fully intend to keep this for 10 years so I'm trying to plan ahead with waxoyling planned, also already bought a full diagnostic device to try and save some pain in the dealers later on. I'm getting rubbish MPG at the moment so need to investigate possible causes once the dealers finished with it.
If you need any further info just ask.
Oh and check out disco4.com / .uk - loads of info on there & also plenty of members cars passing through for sale.
Sandy.
As already said 2011/12 was the change over year up to 8 speed box & SDV6 (twin turbo rather than single).
Although I did not test a 6 speed the 8 speed is supposed to a big improvement over the 6 speed.
Potential for going wrong is huge! with some truly terrifying numbers being quoted on various forums (£16 k engine replacement).
I ended up spending more and buying a 2012 HSE with LR approved warranty for a bit of reassurance.
The day after I collected it threw a limp home mode error message, its in at the moment and they are talking turbo issues!
The big concern is crankshaft snapping issues. It seems a fairly common occurrence on forums, and can effect any engine at any mileage. But reading between the lines it's not that common, just a fair number of the people go onto forums to raise the issue. LR extended warranty may not pay out, aftermarkets may. I got it in writing that mine was covered but I hope never to have to test it.
The issue with this is that only LR supply new blocks/cranks, nobody does aftermarket rebuilds reliably so you are stuck with LR prices.
Other than that, the usual things crop up, turbos, wishbones, compressors etc. Nothing too scary and as always there's a massive LR community out there to assist.
6 weeks in, despite a couple of trips to the dealer I'm loving the new car. Still not taken it off road (greenlanes only for me) but its a great drive plenty of power (coming from a Td5!) more toy's than I know what to do with. Off to Italy next month with the tin shed so that'll be a test for it but not expecting any issues.
Fully intend to keep this for 10 years so I'm trying to plan ahead with waxoyling planned, also already bought a full diagnostic device to try and save some pain in the dealers later on. I'm getting rubbish MPG at the moment so need to investigate possible causes once the dealers finished with it.
If you need any further info just ask.
Oh and check out disco4.com / .uk - loads of info on there & also plenty of members cars passing through for sale.
Sandy.
There is a lot of wrong information on this thread.
All 3.0l TDV6/SDV6 are the same engine. Twin turbo V6.
2009-2011 ish, the 3.0l TDV6 has 245hp 6sp (most didn’t have DPF as option)
2011-2012 ish, the 3.0l SDV6 is rebadged but same as above apart from dpf standard. Same hp, same gearbox.
2012-2014ish, the 3.0l SDV6 has 255hp (same engine as above) but 8 speed box dpf etc.
The later ones got stop start, as blue etc
The above is a rough outline of the engines, but untimely all years will suffer the same engine problems. The same engine is in the RRS and FFRR although with different power output. Same engine was also in first release D5 with single turbo, but they are dropping it and going back to same engine with twin turbo.
All 3.0l TDV6/SDV6 are the same engine. Twin turbo V6.
2009-2011 ish, the 3.0l TDV6 has 245hp 6sp (most didn’t have DPF as option)
2011-2012 ish, the 3.0l SDV6 is rebadged but same as above apart from dpf standard. Same hp, same gearbox.
2012-2014ish, the 3.0l SDV6 has 255hp (same engine as above) but 8 speed box dpf etc.
The later ones got stop start, as blue etc
The above is a rough outline of the engines, but untimely all years will suffer the same engine problems. The same engine is in the RRS and FFRR although with different power output. Same engine was also in first release D5 with single turbo, but they are dropping it and going back to same engine with twin turbo.
There is almost next to nothing you can do to prevent the snapped cranks, so it's not something that I would worry about if I'm honest. Regular oil changes will of course help, but I don't think they will stop a crank snapping. If the crank snaps in my D3, I'm writing it off. Just won't be worth putting a new engine in it.
One of the garages I use recon 6 years on the suspension arms and you should budget £500 for a pair. Most garages are fairly skilled in this.
I had a lengthy chat with a well regarded gearbox specialist the other day and he recons the 8Sp boxes are an improvement over the 6Sp, but they still have issues and its mainly the mechatronic unit, which he claimed was worse than the one in the 6Sp box.
I'm locked into my D3 now for at least four years now or at least as long as I'm working in London as I have just sunk a load of money into a new car for Mrs BakerStreet, but I already feel like my D3 replacement will be a D4. I look at Audi RS4/6, but nothing really has the same appeal as the Discovery. Wanted them since I saw the press images in 1989
Also Clarkson's original Discovery 3 up a mountain TG film was quite influential.
One of the garages I use recon 6 years on the suspension arms and you should budget £500 for a pair. Most garages are fairly skilled in this.
I had a lengthy chat with a well regarded gearbox specialist the other day and he recons the 8Sp boxes are an improvement over the 6Sp, but they still have issues and its mainly the mechatronic unit, which he claimed was worse than the one in the 6Sp box.
I'm locked into my D3 now for at least four years now or at least as long as I'm working in London as I have just sunk a load of money into a new car for Mrs BakerStreet, but I already feel like my D3 replacement will be a D4. I look at Audi RS4/6, but nothing really has the same appeal as the Discovery. Wanted them since I saw the press images in 1989
Also Clarkson's original Discovery 3 up a mountain TG film was quite influential. May or may not help, we ran a few 2010/2011 SDV6 Discos as Police ARV's for a few years. Very unusually for an ARV they were binned at the 100k mile mark due to their horrendous reliability. Thinking back I struggle to think of a blue light run I completed in one without at least getting some kind of warning light coming up on the dash.
They were quick enough for their size and handled reasonably well, though not as well as the X5. Fantastic cruisers and very comfortable. Generally the drivers seat was a nice place to be. But they were broken with alarming regularity. By contrast, the last X5 we got rid of had just shy of 300k miles on it and was still a decent, though very tired, motor. I appreciate that our cars really do take an absolute hammering compared to those used for normal purposes, but even in our terms the Disco was bad. Even slightly worse than the god awful Volvo XC70's we endured for 4 years.
They were quick enough for their size and handled reasonably well, though not as well as the X5. Fantastic cruisers and very comfortable. Generally the drivers seat was a nice place to be. But they were broken with alarming regularity. By contrast, the last X5 we got rid of had just shy of 300k miles on it and was still a decent, though very tired, motor. I appreciate that our cars really do take an absolute hammering compared to those used for normal purposes, but even in our terms the Disco was bad. Even slightly worse than the god awful Volvo XC70's we endured for 4 years.
focusxr5 said:
May or may not help, we ran a few 2010/2011 SDV6 Discos as Police ARV's for a few years. Very unusually for an ARV they were binned at the 100k mile mark due to their horrendous reliability. Thinking back I struggle to think of a blue light run I completed in one without at least getting some kind of warning light coming up on the dash.
They were quick enough for their size and handled reasonably well, though not as well as the X5. Fantastic cruisers and very comfortable. Generally the drivers seat was a nice place to be. But they were broken with alarming regularity. By contrast, the last X5 we got rid of had just shy of 300k miles on it and was still a decent, though very tired, motor. I appreciate that our cars really do take an absolute hammering compared to those used for normal purposes, but even in our terms the Disco was bad. Even slightly worse than the god awful Volvo XC70's we endured for 4 years.
I also heard about this and similar things from the ambulance service about the use of D4s. It is pretty tragic really. I'd also imagine that the X5 whips the D4 when it comes to handling. X5 has to be a few hundred Kg lighter than the D4 and I'd expect it handle much better too.They were quick enough for their size and handled reasonably well, though not as well as the X5. Fantastic cruisers and very comfortable. Generally the drivers seat was a nice place to be. But they were broken with alarming regularity. By contrast, the last X5 we got rid of had just shy of 300k miles on it and was still a decent, though very tired, motor. I appreciate that our cars really do take an absolute hammering compared to those used for normal purposes, but even in our terms the Disco was bad. Even slightly worse than the god awful Volvo XC70's we endured for 4 years.
Friend of mine is in Armed Response and he said they tested the new XC90 hybrid and that also produced a few warning bongs on blue lights and the driver aids were too intrusive for blue light driving. X5 was apparently still the favourite.
Close protection for Royals and politicians still seems to be LR based. Maybe they get less of a hard life? I think the SAS still use them too for travelling in plain sight under blue lights.
Thoughts?
https://www.motors.co.uk/car-49629206/?i=1&m=s...
Clean sweep of MOT passes apart from a washer fluid
https://www.motors.co.uk/car-49629206/?i=1&m=s...
Clean sweep of MOT passes apart from a washer fluid
miniman said:
Thoughts?
https://www.motors.co.uk/car-49629206/?i=1&m=s...
Clean sweep of MOT passes apart from a washer fluid
Could be fine, could be a dog - it’s impossible to tell from an advert. ‘Lady owner’ is meaningless. Well, it usually means kerbed alloys and misaligned tracking and if my wife is anything to go by it means it’ll have had a few bumper resprays!https://www.motors.co.uk/car-49629206/?i=1&m=s...
Clean sweep of MOT passes apart from a washer fluid
I’d be tempted to try and source one from an enthusiast on one of the forums like disco3, you’re more likely to get one that’s been pampered and has four matching, quality tyres etc...
My Dad has a 2010 RRS to the same spec as this and even with sub 60k miles it’s starting throw up a few issues - suspension, fuel gauge (causes the car to be undrivable), random losses of power, unfixable shimmy like unbalanced wheels, door locks that don’t always unlock etc... He’s still under LR Approved warranty and everything has been covered but you’d have to be quite brave to run one of these without!
Any chance of finding an extra few pennies and getting a low mileage, base spec 2014 facelift from a dealer? Might be easier to sleep at night knowing that generally they don’t argue with the payouts.
Edit: Just to say that I’ve had a D3 and currently a 2015 D4 and nothing compares, not even the new one! Fantastic cars (when they work)!
Also another thing to note, the LR used/extended warranty won’t pay for a crankshaft snapping as it’s a known fault. The warranty company I believe is car car plan or similar name under the LR logo.
So people who buy from a dealer thinking they are covered are probably not.
Warranty direct for example should pay.
Lots of info on disco3.com
I happen to think the D4 is a great machine. I have a 2010 and I preferred it over the 8 speed. I didn’t like the fact it was always changing gear, but the 8 speed is a slightly smoother box. I do the odd bit of green laning and the stick is preferable in my opinion. Good luck on your search.
So people who buy from a dealer thinking they are covered are probably not.
Warranty direct for example should pay.
Lots of info on disco3.com
I happen to think the D4 is a great machine. I have a 2010 and I preferred it over the 8 speed. I didn’t like the fact it was always changing gear, but the 8 speed is a slightly smoother box. I do the odd bit of green laning and the stick is preferable in my opinion. Good luck on your search.
CornishRob said:
Also another thing to note, the LR used/extended warranty won’t pay for a crankshaft snapping as it’s a known fault. The warranty company I believe is car car plan or similar name under the LR logo.
That’s the rumour but it seems hit and miss - some have had it paid, some say they’ve been rejected. My LR dealer spoke to the warranty company and assured me that it would be covered as I was going to sell the car otherwise. In the same way that the fuel gauge failing is a known issue yet was paid out on my Dad’s out of ‘good will’. I guess it might depend on the history of the car and your history with the Land Rover network of dealers and/or the brand. If I got shafted LR would never see another penny from me!
miniman said:
Thoughts?
https://www.motors.co.uk/car-49629206/?i=1&m=s...
Clean sweep of MOT passes apart from a washer fluid
A well-serviced lady owner? Lucky lass!https://www.motors.co.uk/car-49629206/?i=1&m=s...
Clean sweep of MOT passes apart from a washer fluid
Crumpet said:
Could be fine, could be a dog - it’s impossible to tell from an advert. ‘Lady owner’ is meaningless. Well, it usually means kerbed alloys and misaligned tracking and if my wife is anything to go by it means it’ll have had a few bumper resprays!
I’d be tempted to try and source one from an enthusiast on one of the forums like disco3, you’re more likely to get one that’s been pampered and has four matching, quality tyres etc...
My Dad has a 2010 RRS to the same spec as this and even with sub 60k miles it’s starting throw up a few issues - suspension, fuel gauge (causes the car to be undrivable), random losses of power, unfixable shimmy like unbalanced wheels, door locks that don’t always unlock etc... He’s still under LR Approved warranty and everything has been covered but you’d have to be quite brave to run one of these without!
Any chance of finding an extra few pennies and getting a low mileage, base spec 2014 facelift from a dealer? Might be easier to sleep at night knowing that generally they don’t argue with the payouts.
Edit: Just to say that I’ve had a D3 and currently a 2015 D4 and nothing compares, not even the new one! Fantastic cars (when they work)!
Car forums are just another channel to purchase a car from. Nothing more, nothing less. I'd imagine many people sell D3/D4 because they are fed up with the issues can't be bothered to fix a few. Most D3s are sold with a toque converter on its way out. D4 is still probably better D3 though. I’d be tempted to try and source one from an enthusiast on one of the forums like disco3, you’re more likely to get one that’s been pampered and has four matching, quality tyres etc...
My Dad has a 2010 RRS to the same spec as this and even with sub 60k miles it’s starting throw up a few issues - suspension, fuel gauge (causes the car to be undrivable), random losses of power, unfixable shimmy like unbalanced wheels, door locks that don’t always unlock etc... He’s still under LR Approved warranty and everything has been covered but you’d have to be quite brave to run one of these without!
Any chance of finding an extra few pennies and getting a low mileage, base spec 2014 facelift from a dealer? Might be easier to sleep at night knowing that generally they don’t argue with the payouts.
Edit: Just to say that I’ve had a D3 and currently a 2015 D4 and nothing compares, not even the new one! Fantastic cars (when they work)!
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