Member Since: 02 Feb 2014
Location: Parallel Universe
Posts: 228
Farewell D4 and final thoughts!
Well, I've bitten the bullet! The D4 is going. We've had it for just over 2 years and it's certainly one of the best cars we've had. So why get rid? Well, it's done nearly 100k and is over 6 years old so, apart from the inevitable cambelt change, the thought of unexpected and expensive repairs looming has become worrying.
I did try a later model D4 honest! But even with around half the miles, the 8 spd box and a year’s warranty, at £15k to change, the intangible benefits of the lower mileage and a year’s warranty didn’t seem to justify the expense – it really didn’t drive any better than ours and had less equipment so just didn’t feel worth it.
So we’re getting a 2015 Audi A6 Allroad with 16k on the clock and 2 years warranty remaining. Ok, of course it’s not as capable: although it has extra ground clearance over the Avant, it’s not a real off-roader but it should cope with farm tracks and grass fields which is all we really need; it doesn’t have anything like the load space so I need to buy a new dogbox; the driving position is not so commanding and the seats are not electric memory ones (which really helps when one of you is 6ft and the other 5!). But, it will be more economical (realistically 35-40mpg where the D4 averaged 25-27), certainly much quicker (but that was really not important) and cheaper to tax (again marginal).
However it is better designed. The D4 has many design faults – all of which have been discussed on the forum at length for years but they have not been addressed by LR: the daft glove box/ledge dilemma, the wave that breaks over the windscreen if you go through a puddle and the tailgate latch frailty. The thought of having to cut up the dogbox to get access to the tailgate if it stuck shut when the cable broke – as one day it surely would – was simply the sword of Damocles for me. Oh and yes the Audi does have an internal emergency release cable!
So farewell and heartfelt thanks for all the help and advice I have received from members.2010 D4 HSE Ipanema Sand on GY DTs (was on GG ATs)
24th Apr 2016 7:46 am
Fitzy73
Member Since: 09 Feb 2014
Location: Truro
Posts: 2407
That is sad news, but I understand what you are saying, I nearly jumped ship a few months back to one of the last XC70s, but in the end even a £10-11,000 discount just wasn't enough.
I was also looking at a new Graphite on Friday, but I have to say I didn't really like it, due to the Meteor trim, it looked a bit cheap and I didn't like the grey wheels either, so I think mine is staying, especially as I have now done the7 year service.
Good luck with the Audi Andy
24th Apr 2016 7:54 am
fishinmad
Member Since: 30 Jan 2012
Location: St Ives
Posts: 877
If you look on the forums I think the Audi A6 all road has a similar list of faults to LR! I think its somewhat luck of the draw on if you get a good car or not.
I had a BMW 5 series did 268k miles the only thing that ever needed replacing were some tail light bulbs, but look on the BMW forums there is a long list of faults fixes.
Indeed the auto gear box which I think is the same as the D3 was never touched, however on my D3 the gearbox failed at 110k miles.Club Narpy Torch
“No return to boom and bust†Gordon Brown when chancellor
He has been proved right, now there is only bust!
24th Apr 2016 7:56 am
dgardel
Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: Greater Venice
Posts: 2025
How many D4 fault you can repair with 15K???????
Keep the D4!!!!! the others are only boring eurobox
I just bought a 80000 km MY2011 D4 and I'm happy (also bought a IIDTool) and with the money saved I'll fix it and upgrade it....
Tailgate fragility? install a new latch and cable right now before it breaks, cheaper preventive maintenance and you can add the emergency cable yourself for the future.....Discovery 5 tdv6 HSE Corris Gray Outback Engineering Limited Edition IID Pro MV License
Last edited by dgardel on 24th Apr 2016 8:23 am. Edited 1 time in total
24th Apr 2016 8:18 am
Captain Slog
Member Since: 02 Feb 2014
Location: Parallel Universe
Posts: 228
Yes I agree that it's always a bit of a lottery with modern-day cars as they are so complex and share so many components anyway.
I did consider taking out a warranty on the D4 but there are so many get-out clauses and limited coverage that it didn't seem worthwhile.
I should also confess that although we only had the D4 just over 2 years, that's longer than I've kept any other car - and there have been many (too many!)
So it was a bit 'time for a new toy' too! 2010 D4 HSE Ipanema Sand on GY DTs (was on GG ATs)
24th Apr 2016 8:22 am
dgardel
Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: Greater Venice
Posts: 2025
Captain Slog wrote:
So it was a bit 'time for a new toy' too!
Well, if so, it is another thing, regardless of the car....
And going to another younger D4?
I repeat my self, after D4 the other "normal car" are so anonymous and boringDiscovery 5 tdv6 HSE Corris Gray Outback Engineering Limited Edition IID Pro MV License
24th Apr 2016 8:28 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Not aware of a problem with the D4 tailgate latch. Or the glovebox.Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 02 Feb 2014
Location: Parallel Universe
Posts: 228
Believe the D4 latch to be the same as the D3 Robbie - but you may know better?
Glovebox release catch is rendered inoperable if you put your spectacle boxes on the little ledge above it (and there's no sunglasses box provided as in many cheaper cars!) - 1st world problem I know but irritating if you're a bit OCD!2010 D4 HSE Ipanema Sand on GY DTs (was on GG ATs)
24th Apr 2016 8:44 am
Captain Slog
Member Since: 02 Feb 2014
Location: Parallel Universe
Posts: 228
[/quote]I repeat my self, after D4 the other "normal car" are so anonymous and boring[/quote]
Well should suit me fine then 2010 D4 HSE Ipanema Sand on GY DTs (was on GG ATs)
24th Apr 2016 8:46 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73086
I thought the latch was "fixed" from late D3s onwards. Hope so, have a newer one fitted.
24th Apr 2016 8:51 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Yep, actuator fix applied to the later pre-production test vehicles and standard in all D4s. The ledge thing is only when you have an object of the exact size with no give in it against a hard surface. Fixed with either a larger or smaller case, or one with some give in it or (as a complete fix) spend a few pence on:
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Friend had an A6 All Road his words mot mine Very expensive to run high 20s low 30s at best. Servicing with Audi is reduce loudly expensive and if things go wrong outdide if warranty they are bankrupting costly. He moved to Wales few years ago and kept getting stuck. Sold it and brought a late D2 to use in the girls etc snd a small run around to use in town etc. Recons the D2 to is much better than the Audi as a whole who h really shocked me.
Hope you have better luck.MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
24th Apr 2016 9:49 am
CFB
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posts: 6100
Re: Farewell D4 and final thoughts!
Captain Slog wrote:
So we’re getting a 2015 Audi A6 Allroad with 16k on the clock and 2 years warranty remaining. Ok, of course it’s not as capable: although it has extra ground clearance over the Avant, it’s not a real off-roader but it should cope with farm tracks and grass fields which is all we really need; it doesn’t have anything like the load space so I need to buy a new dogbox; the driving position is not so commanding and the seats are not electric memory ones (which really helps when one of you is 6ft and the other 5!). But, it will be more economical (realistically 35-40mpg where the D4 averaged 25-27), certainly much quicker (but that was really not important) and cheaper to tax (again marginal).
Sounds like you are trying to convince yourself, you've not convinced me but good luck 2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
24th Apr 2016 9:51 am
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2138
My friend has a 2008 A4 3.0tdi. Nice car, but it's been very unreliable.
DPF (he doesn't do many short trips) constant EGR valves, rain leaks into the car and knackered the Nav hard drive, manifold cracks, etc etc.
I hope you have more luck. Nice car when it's working though
Current: D4 HSE
Previous: BMW Z4M Coupe
Previous: Land Rover Defender 90 CSW Td5
Previous: Land Rover Discovery Td5 ES
24th Apr 2016 9:57 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
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Well, if so, it is another thing, regardless of the car....
