Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: gloucester
Posts: 685
buying a D4
Im thinking of buying a D4 around the 2012 ,first is there much benefit in the 8 speed over the 6 and when did the 8 speed come out . What spec are the Commercial D4 and are they a easy seat conversion ?
It will need to have Full service history but what else should I be looking for .
2nd Feb 2020 3:49 pm
disco5
Member Since: 23 Dec 2012
Location: birmingham
Posts: 1088
12 onwards for 8 speed and seat conversion as easy as a d3 comm to car.
You use all the same bolt holes you take out to get the commercial liner out to re fit the seat bolts back into .... u need to buy new bolts as LR use Kilner bolts head on bolts is made so they only do up and cant un bolt them ... use a urwin bolt remover think its a 17 mm.or search on here its all been covered
2nd Feb 2020 9:17 pm
galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
8 speed will have knob and paddles..far better
3rd Feb 2020 12:03 am
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2136
Go an try both, but think general rule of thumb is buy the best you can afford. Buy on condition and history etc.
I like the 6 speed, I find the 8 speed a bit irritating on the motorway as it keeps jumping gears instead of using the torque. A very nice smooth gearbox though. It’s better around town, or in hilly areas, but I prefer the 6 speed on the motorway or cross country roads.
Current: D4 HSE
Previous: BMW Z4M Coupe
Previous: Land Rover Defender 90 CSW Td5
Previous: Land Rover Discovery Td5 ES
3rd Feb 2020 8:44 am
Pedros
Member Since: 25 Jun 2011
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 454
The 8 speed is better. In effect it gives 10bhp more. Although some say they can't get away with the knob and paddles as opposed to the normal auto stick, you do get used to it fairly quickly. But the 6 speed is mighty fine too. Buy the best one you can is simple but accurate advice. Depending on the mileage/age, check the big service with the belts is done or at least it's price appropriate.
3rd Feb 2020 3:50 pm
Browny90
Member Since: 19 Jul 2016
Location: Ashbourne
Posts: 687
I have a MY12 8 Speed XS and love it..
If its anywhere near 100K or 7 years (which I guess it will be looking for a MY12) then make sure it's had the belts changed ..
See if its had the intake manifolds, no doubt it's had at least 1..
See if its had a compressor
Check if it has a tow bar in the boot
Have a good look at the last MOT for advisories (there maybe some suspension bushes worn which can add up if they all need doing..
Check the EPB works
Don't worry about the crank snapping.. if you think about it too much it'll make you worry more..Disco4 MY16 SDV6 Landmark Black
Disco4 MY12 SDV6 XS Orkney Grey (Gone)
Defender 90 200tdi Completely rebuilt.
3rd Feb 2020 4:59 pm
pigeon
Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: gloucester
Posts: 685
many thanks .
having read some of the posts on the engine and crank it makes me think im buying a ticking bomb ,no matter if you have full service , low mileage or high etc etc the crank can give up .
Are the D3 any better .
Anyone heard of trading standards getting involved .
3rd Feb 2020 8:53 pm
DiscoBadger
Member Since: 20 Jan 2017
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 34
I've had my 2010 D4 as family transport for 4 years now and it hasn't missed a beat (apart from when the fuel filter came off but that was the LR dealers fault). Just try and pick a good example, get it inspected and service it when due. I chose an early D4 in preference to a late D3 as it just felt nicer inside and I'd read that LR had ironed out a few of the issues that the D3 had.
3rd Feb 2020 9:09 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
pigeon wrote:
many thanks .
having read some of the posts on the engine and crank it makes me think im buying a ticking bomb ,no matter if you have full service , low mileage or high etc etc the crank can give up .
Are the D3 any better .
Anyone heard of trading standards getting involved .
If in no hurry I would wait, as I have noticed D4 prices dropping quite a bit over the last 12 months, I realise they age but it seems out of proportion to that?
4th Feb 2020 8:07 am
Mr Kington
Member Since: 12 Dec 2011
Location: Scottish Borders
Posts: 1549
I was also thinking about the D4 a while back. But couldn’t take the risk (however small) and the crank is a lottery. To minimise the risk it looks like you need to buy a full main dealer service history model (and continue with this at main dealer prices) or take out Warranty Direct cover. Both clearly are not cheap, especially on a car that does need a lot of looking after. I do think this is why the used prices on D4 have dropped so much recently. Shame as they are amazing cars. If JLR stood by their product and looked after people with the failed crank then I would be driving one now. But they are not willing to do so, hence I am now driving something made in South Korea with a bumper to bumper 7 year warranty.James favourite hobby is writing in the third person.
4th Feb 2020 8:47 am
RedD4
Member Since: 13 Jan 2020
Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon
Posts: 8
Bought MY12 XS over 18 months ago and don't regret it one little bit. It had full service history, plenty of extras (including electric seats, heated windscreen and tinted glass - worth considering from the base XS) and I've recently done the belt change (I factored this in when I bought it).
Haven't looked recently, but I suspect there are some good deals around (I agree with the comment above the the prices do seemed to have dropped a bit)
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
