Member Since: 07 Mar 2014
Location: Clare
Posts: 688
On the issue of the D4 being 'peak Landrover', I have posted before but there is a great chat about the D4 on the Collecting Addicts podcast / youtube channel. Must say, I have really grown to like the series
It is one of the first things chatted about in this episode
5th Mar 2024 10:41 am
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2821
Lady Nasher threw me a curve ball yesterday.
This post comes with a warning that it may cause offence to some members on here.
We were parked outside the Ineos dealer in Portsmouth, so had a wander round them because Lady N hadn't even seen one on the road.
She declared that apart from the front bumper she liked them, and would far rather one than a new Defender. This surprised me to be honest.
She's a teacher at an Independent school, and when pushed for an explanation she was, lets just say, highly uncomplimentary about the people who drive them.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
17th Mar 2024 9:37 am
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14478
My wife totally would get that! Her beef on the school run was the yummy mummies in Range Rovers and X5s. Mind you my daughter used to drive her D3 to school for her final 6 months.
She loved to park her Fiat 500 amongst them just to make a point.
Anyway, just a heads up, but on the Defender forum there a lot of chat about left foot room in the Ineos but also lots of crazy good prices for new ones or low mileage.
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
17th Mar 2024 9:44 am
popsdosh
Member Since: 09 Nov 2009
Location: cambs
Posts: 442
They are not flying off the shelves as they say . For a start There is the issue with VAT being unreclaimable. then they are having heavy fuel usage . Its a shame BUT the VAT issue is unforgiveable.
17th Mar 2024 11:13 am
pkhumanis73
Member Since: 09 May 2024
Location: USA
Posts: 1
A.J.M wrote:
You do get spoiled with the D3/4 practicality.
It really does do many things very well.
I’ve kept my D3 and a couple of weeks ago, dropped it off to get restored and brought back to glory.
However, I did take a test drive of a new defender when they were first launched, emma and I loved it so at some point we will get one of them.
The D3 is staying though. So what the defender can’t do, the disco can.
That should cover all bases I can think of.
So the obvious answer is to get a new defender and get and restore an early D3.
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9th May 2024 7:54 am
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2821
Once again my D4 HSE Lux has proven it’s versatility.
At the beginning of June I gave it a wash and hoover out as it was being used to ferry some of the less mobile guests around the farm in luxury at my eldest son’s wedding.
And now I’ve just finished my annual 2 weeks leave from work, during which time we’ve done day trips out, some building work at home, and I’ve collected some significant parts to rebuild Our Boat Trailer.
As usual my delivery order from Selco wasn’t nearly enough materials, so the D4 was called upon once again to shift Bags of Cement and Sand, Patio Slabs, Timber, and 3 trips to the recycling centre fully loaded with all sorts of stuff.
It towed a Plant trailer to move some gear around for Lady Nashers mate, and with the front passenger seat moved forward I got both new braked axles for the boat trailer in the back diagonally and could shut the tailgate to drive home.
I wish I could say I've towed the Boat and trailer this year but other things have got in the way.
We did a couple of days out to go walking in more remote parts of the Downs, and sat on the tailgate to picnic and brew up with the Jetboil.
We got down to the beach one morning before sun up so we could sit in the back, brew up and watch the sun come up before walking the dog along the beach.
Etc
Etc.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
4th Aug 2024 9:12 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14478
Let's hope the rumoured D6 gets us back to what the Discovery was. The D3/4 are still the best cars LR ever made.
I have a L663 Defender and have been using my daughters D3 whilst she's been on a post A level Gap year. It's a brilliant car and so practical and has done all the things my Defender can't. D4 HSE EU6 (Known as Jeeves)
New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!) Sold
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
4th Aug 2024 11:34 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2821
We spent our normal week in Cornwall last week around the Camel estuary area walking the beaches and coast paths.
We go every year in the D4 for the week before the state school ½ term as Lady Nasher teaches at an independent school and they get two weeks.
Almost everything is still open, but it’s obviously far less busy than it would be this week whilst all the schools are off.
And next week everything is shut until Feb ½ term.
We try to avoid the busy surfing beaches, but do like to park up on Polzeath beach for a couple of hours and sample the excellent Soups on offer at the Beach box there.
It’s funny really, but as it’s mainly families of kids at independent schools all the beach car parks, especially Polzeath, are full of Discoveries, mainly D5s but also D3/4s, and Defenders, with a few Range Rovers, Sports and Velars mixed in. Although the FFRRs are almost exclusively L322s and it’s the grandparents in Velars.
There are obviously lots of VW transporters of various specs and ages, which are also an Independent school carpark staple, plus a few XC90s, X5’s, and GLs.
This year I did notice a couple of Grenadiers joining in the gathering of the well-heeled wannabee beach bums.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
It’s a great opportunity to do a little people/vehicle watching with regard to using the various vehicles for what we like about the D4.
And it’s prompted a bit of an update to this thread.
I’m not saying at all that there is yet anything to replace the D4, but am looking at the various choices if you want something newer.
D5. Dare I admit, shock horror, that the D5 aesthetically is starting to grow on me, but that’s probably because I’m getting use to them.
There is no denying that the tailgate treatment is excellent in comparison to a D3/4, maybe even better because the upper tailgate is longer giving even better weather protection.
And the availability of Straight Six(D300) engined versions on the used market is a big Bonus.
Defender 110. They do look great, I love the presence of them, but it’s obvious when seeing people turn up at the beach for a day out that the side opening tailgate is simply a pain, and the boots look crammed full in comparison to the D3/4/5s. I noticed the 110s almost exclusively had roof boxes fitted, which says a lot.
Sitting in the boot like you can easily do in a D3/4/5 and FFRR is nowhere near as easy or convenient.
There is also a huge ‘Trendy Tax’ to pay when looking at used examples.
The FFRRs appeared to be very much in the same class as the Discoveries with regard to how people were using them in that situation.
I’m still leaning heavily towards a post 2017 L405 4.4 Diesel for when I eventually replace my D4, and will find a way to make the boot floor flat with the second row seats folded.
The post 2017 low tax rate ones are a massive amount of useful vehicle for the money, especially compared to the cost of a used 110.
RR Sport. These are growing on me too, I like the look of them, and they have a tailgate, but for us the loadspace is simply too small.
Velar. I must admit just one word comes to mind when I see one – Why.
Grenadier. I like them, I’ve admitted that before, they look almost as good as a 110 and the rear doors would be a little easier to live with, but the big step in the load space I think discounts them for me.
XC90. There is no denying these are good, and I hear great things about them, they appear to have almost everything a D4 does but the towing capacity and car rather than 4x4 feel doesn’t do it for me.
X5, GLs, etc. Not for me I’m afraid and I can’t bring myself to pay much attention to them.
Transporters, yes of course I like them, but the towing capacity and lack of 4x4 capability on all but the 4motion versions means they are useless to me.
Oh and of course the huge ‘Trendy Tax’ applies.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
31st Oct 2024 2:32 pm
HairyFool
Member Since: 04 Jan 2023
Location: North Essex
Posts: 704
I can't see me ever getting rid of the D4.
Yes it's potentially expensive to maintain but vs the depreciation of a much newer D5/Defender/FFRR it would cost no more to keep on the road. And none of them are the car I would want.
Nobody has a crystal ball and knows what will fail in the future but I had the rear brake pipes done before they failed the MoT last month, having the play in the steering sorted next week and plan for all 8 suspension arms before the next one.
Yes for many the crank problem would be a breaker but I'm not even so sure about that.A visitor from the dark side, my other vehicle is an is still an EV. Strictly speaking its SWMBO.
31st Oct 2024 8:05 pm
Icarus
Member Since: 15 Jul 2023
Location: Essex
Posts: 107
Agree 100% with Hairy Fool on this.
From the very first moment I drove my D4 (132,000 miles on the clock, and needing some attention), I just knew that this is a very fine vehicle indeed.
After roughly 4500 miles since buying it (and a couple of £1000 bringing it up to as near perfection as a 14 year-old vehicle could be), I just know that it is absolutely irreplaceable.
From now on, it’s just a “ rolling restoration”, by careful preventative maintenance and regular frequent servicing. I budget each year now from MOT to MOT, my next jobs being rear brake disc and pads, and a reasonably comprehensive underbody and chassis clean-up and anti- rust treatment.
I do worry a little about the crank issue, but if it happens I’ll have to find a way to deal with it. I have a very good Indie to look after it, so I’m just going to enjoy what I consider to be the finest Land Rover ever produced - and a future classic without doubt.I’m a Disco 4 believer. What a vehicle!
31st Oct 2024 8:45 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14478
Its funny. When my daughters were at school there were lots of D3/4, L322 and L405, the odd Rexton but very fe D5s. It just never seemed to catch on. When the Defender was launched there appeared a spate of them but the D3/4 seemed to rule the roost.
The one thing I really miss with my Defender is the split tail gate. I really hate the side opening door and small boot. I thought I'd get used to it, but I haven't.
I'm now looking at going backwards and getting a D4 again. The D5 just doesn't do it to me. I know the risks with the TDV6 but the practicality and functionality out weigh that for me. I've taken the view that if the engine goes bang, I'll just replace it. I did think about a new Land Cruiser but the four pot engine leaves me cold and I'm still unsure re the Grenadier. As for the FFRR, it's just not us.
If only LR had done real market research for the D5 rather than Mumsnet.. D4 HSE EU6 (Known as Jeeves)
New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!) Sold
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
2011 D4 XS - OBD port protection, RLD spare wheel protector, All LED interiors lights, Timed Climate enabled, iiD tool paired.
2011 D4 Landmark - Stolen from same dealer before I paid for it
2011 D4 GS - Stolen whilst at dealer ... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
1996 300Tdi - Eaten by tin worms
31st Oct 2024 10:51 pm
LiftedDisco
Member Since: 10 Jun 2010
Location: Towcester
Posts: 1002
Moo wrote:
I'm now looking at going backwards and getting a D4 again. The D5 just doesn't do it to me.
If only LR had done real market research for the D5 rather than Mumsnet..
Having had three D4’s, then a D5 and a bit of a hiatus away from Discoveries for a few years, I picked up a 16MY D4 Commercial a year ago - now on 203k miles and it does everything I need or want, with style - load it up with site gear and work for its’ living, or wash it off and do the client meetings.
Always looks like the sensible option - no-one judges you like they might in a new Defender or a FFRR.D4 Commercial - 65 Plate, 2016MY
D5 Commercial - Handed back when I left that job…
D4 Commercial (2014MY) - gone
D4 Commercial SDV6 - Baltic Blue (also gone)
D1 300TDi... 2" lift, HD bumpers (both), detachable tow hitch, 9,500lb winch, 235/85/16 muds and plenty of other toys (gone to make way for the next toy...)
Smiles per Mile - Tornado Motorsports caged Evo 3... 100" Defender look-alike, with Range Rover running gear - all fully IVA'd and registered!
11th Nov 2024 8:28 pm
Bicycle repairman
Member Since: 18 Sep 2019
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 188
Well I for one am glad you keep resurrecting this thread as its been going for as long as I've owned mine and it has been a joy to read.
In respects I'm one of the lucky one's that don't have to pay out on labour costs it's a bonus to be able to fix it myself even do my own 4wheel alignment and having covered 12000 miles so far I wouldn't change it for anything else.
Having taken a sabatical from the spanners for 8 months I went to wash cars for Enterprise (hateful job) and had the chance to drive many of the options mentioned in this thread no Grenadiers or G wagons but plenty of Volvos XC90s Audi Q7s Merc GLBs 663 defenders etc my main thoughts came down to boot space and was there enough room for my 2 labs and the only one's that had the room I'd like was the 110 defender and the D5 (not a rental) but they are not as pratical as the D4, wouldn't be getting a pair of big armchairs in any of the others which all to narrow on top. It tows my caravan effortlessly and pulls motor homes off muddy campsites even if they have left the handbrake on. Look after it forgive its hissy fits when/if it has them, they are unique and we may never see their equal again.
Click image to enlarge
D4 GS let the retro fit begin
Heated steering wheel
Aftermarket TPMS
Double Din head unit satnav and TV
Reverse Camera
Cubby fridge
Door panel upgrade
Mood lighting
Digital Dash personalised
Back lit sun visors
4.5 Facelift front, rear and memory mirrors
Stainless bumper tread plate
6 pot Brembo conversion
HSE heated memory seats
Retro fit auto lights and wipers
LR 663 Defender alloys
275 45 20 GG AT3s
quarter of a D3
12th Nov 2024 10:34 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2821
I must thank everyone for continuing to humour me with this one.
Like everyone else I don’t want to move on from my D4, but practicalities will eventually get in the way.
It’s my car that does everything, because it’s so good.
That means the miles rack up, it works hard, and no matter how well maintained a vehicle is it can’t remain as reliable as I need it to be, and can’t last forever, so will eventually need to be replaced. There will also come a point where used low milage D4s are simply not available to replace worn out ones.
If I suddenly didn’t have the D4 I’d need a replacement immediately, I wouldn’t have the luxury of trawling around for months finding the replacement, or figuring out what to buy.
I need to have a sustainable plan to implement when needed.
For us, at the moment anyway, the post 2017 L405 4.4 does more than any other option in comparison to a D4, for us they are the least compromised in comparison to a D4, and they are really good value for money at the moment. In a few years time the current L460 would appear to be the option, although they have far too few mechanical buttons for my liking.
For other D4 owners the answer will be different.
But that’s because the D4 is so versatile.
I also can’t deny that I’ve wanted a V8 Range Rover for probably nearly 50yrs, and I don’t want it to be on the list of things I didn’t do when I toddle off.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
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