Member Since: 13 Aug 2009
Location: Not London Anymore (or the US for that matter)
Posts: 1923
Help wanted: Anyone in Lincs who could look over a new LR4?
Hi,
I'm considering the purchase of a new 2016 (ex-LR stock) LR4 V6 spec'd for the US market. The car is at Witham Specialist Vehicles in Colsterworth. Unlike the car, I'm in the US and I can't get over to see it.
Big ask I know, but I wondered if there's anyone very nearby who (a)knows their way around a Disco 3 or 4 well enough to know what to look for (ideally with an IID, but that's a nice to have!) and (b) who'd be prepared to take a look? The car has delivery miles so shouldn't have anything mechanically wrong, but it has stood somewhere for 4+ years so I'm trying to see if I can get an objective view on how it looks.
They're very helpful and have offered to put it on a lift or over a pit.
Here's the address if that helps.
Please PM me and we can have a chat. Beer tokens provided, naturally!
Thanks
Witham (Specialist Vehicles) Ltd
Honeypot Lane
Colsterworth
Lincolnshire
NG33 5LYPAGODA
If it’s general functionality and checks for odd noises etc. Then I wouldn’t mind heading over for an hour as I’m only 10 miles away from them.
I don’t have IID tool though.
30th Jul 2020 8:44 pm
Oxford-boy
Member Since: 07 Sep 2015
Location: Oxford
Posts: 1061
That sounds very much like your desired car will have been sat on the disused runway at the now defunct RAF Upper Heyford on the edge of the Cotswold Hills. Your fellow countrymen used to operate their aircraft from there but now it has a life of many functions, car storage (thousands of) being one.
I'd take up the offer of the above poster and have him drive it hard. Check the aircon (front only on a MY16) and give it a full once over.
Dare I ask how the warranty situation works for you on such a 'new' car?
Jim
2014 Discovery 4 XXV SDV6 Causeway Grey
2016 Discovery 4 HSE Lux SDV6 Loire Blue - now gone
30th Jul 2020 9:06 pm
pagoda
Member Since: 13 Aug 2009
Location: Not London Anymore (or the US for that matter)
Posts: 1923
Thanks both.
@Snowmonkey - Thank you, Sir. I'll shoot you a PM.
My 'fellow countrymen' are in Cornwall. I'm not a Septic!
Storage of these cars is a question I've asked. They can be stored anywhere, including outside the UK. You're quite right that ex-airfields are often used. LR have a large multi-story carpark somewhere that they use. Others are stored in Germany, or even the Mid East. But it's a great question and it's why I'd like it looked at. The cars can be ex-show cars; there's certainly some funky stuff. They have a black LR4 top spec with two-tone seats (ivory and black) on their site. The car's build colour was not the colour of the car now (seems to have been re-sprayed with a special colour choice). The other HSE Lux is highly spec'd (for a US build) but has no roof rails for instance.
And there is no warranty, sadly. So I'm hoping that through the good offices of this forum to turn 'as-is' to at least 'as seen'!
Cheers.PAGODA
30th Jul 2020 9:32 pm
Oxford-boy
Member Since: 07 Sep 2015
Location: Oxford
Posts: 1061
First time I have heard of those other storage options but I am sure they are valid...
I'd want to know if i was paying top dollar for a 4 year old car... It may have been here
Jim
2014 Discovery 4 XXV SDV6 Causeway Grey
2016 Discovery 4 HSE Lux SDV6 Loire Blue - now gone
31st Jul 2020 12:10 am
pagoda
Member Since: 13 Aug 2009
Location: Not London Anymore (or the US for that matter)
Posts: 1923
I think I see it in your photo - 357th in from the right!
That's exactly why I'd like to get the car inspected. I have no idea where this was stored. It's been used as a show car, but it could have been in the US before. (It's complicated).
Thankfully it's not top dollar. If the car works out, it would be good value. Not a steal by any means, but a little better than a fair price.PAGODA
31st Jul 2020 12:23 am
Oxford-boy
Member Since: 07 Sep 2015
Location: Oxford
Posts: 1061
I feel your dilemma....
What are comparable US options going for?
Jim
2014 Discovery 4 XXV SDV6 Causeway Grey
2016 Discovery 4 HSE Lux SDV6 Loire Blue - now gone
31st Jul 2020 12:26 am
pagoda
Member Since: 13 Aug 2009
Location: Not London Anymore (or the US for that matter)
Posts: 1923
As I say, there's no huge arbitrage opportunity here, it's rather that this car has the spec I want, a colour I like and has the advantage of being unmodified. US cars don't have - it turns out- the low range box as standard and I use it. Similar cars in the US would go for less than the total price I'd need to shell out given shipping and import costs, but if the car seems good I'm ok with that.
The lack of roof rails is an annoyance, however. PAGODA
31st Jul 2020 12:44 am
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4626
Nice cars and I hope you get to own the one you want.
There are "tell tale" markers for the person inspecting to look out for besides the more obvious visual checks. The brake discs will give some idea of whether it has been stored outside or not. Very light surface rust that is erased having been driven a few miles is what you would expect to see for a car stored indoors. Deeper or pitted disc surfaces would suggest otherwise.
Bleached or mismatching interior colouring from the sun is another sign of outdoor storage.
There may be flat spots on the tyres caused by the car standing for a very long time. New tyres can always be had, but the driver needs to be aware of this and not mistake / confuse it with something more serious during the test drive. Thorough inspection beneath the front and rear carpets is a must, and any signs of dampness walk away!
The offer to inspect the underside should be exploited fully, and by someone who knows what they are looking at. Any signs of rust here would signal outdoor storage. Rodent damage is not something you will easily spot, but should be aware of by the person inspecting. Expect it to look like new underneath, with no traces of fluid loss or "wet" areas. Ask them to take plenty of photographs.
If you do buy you should very seriously consider changing the timing belts as these will be approaching their end of life soon anyway. (If it were me I'd have them done immediately)
Along with a change of engine oil and fluids, as these will be at end of life now also.
If the initial inspection goes well and you are happy to proceed with the purchase. It might be worth considering paying for a professional appraisal by a LR specialist, or even an experienced forum member.
Best of luck with it and I hope it works out for you. yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
31st Jul 2020 10:17 am
kajtzu
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6563
It’s got chains, it’s a SCV6. The problem with them is the tensioners but I think that was fixed earlier than 2015.
(very good suggestions, Profsr G)
31st Jul 2020 10:28 am
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4626
Quote:
kajtzu
It’s got chains, it’s a SCV6. The problem with them is the tensioners but I think that was fixed earlier than 2015.
Ah yes of course it is well spotted thanks yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
31st Jul 2020 10:37 am
GLYNNE
Member Since: 06 Oct 2006
Location: KENT
Posts: 4645
pagoda wrote:
The lack of roof rails is an annoyance, however.
Very easy to fit though so don’t be to disheartened
31st Jul 2020 10:49 am
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2136
Are there any local independent you could pay, to go over and inspect it?
Would have diagnostic tools, and know what they are looking for.
For the price of it, I’m sure it would be very small
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31st Jul 2020 1:04 pm
darrind
Member Since: 04 Jul 2008
Location: In A World of My Own!
Posts: 2863
Hi Jim
As before Im happy to drop down and see the car for you, if its not already sorted, I normally drive past there 3 times a week, and am happy to drop in and see if they have any harriers, gazelles or other interesting big boys toys whilst Im there!
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well spotted thanks 
