Member Since: 18 Jan 2014
Location: Devon
Posts: 270
Should I buy a D5
My D4 is getting old and needs replacing soon;
I’ve looked hard at and driven a D5 but the following points have put me off - how do the D5 gang get on with these issues..?
Auto lowering on parking - what happens when it’s on rough ground?
Deep doors - I can see them being a pain in ruts or beside a tall curb?
Interior has lots smooth and shiny surfaces - looks like it will be scratch tastic!
Tail gate is not very high and has sharp pointed corners I will catch my head on😡
Rear window rake is steeper than a D4 and cargo space / big square object loading space is lost
Wide - yes the figures show it isn’t much bigger than a D4 but in the real world there’s a lot of metal a lot further out than a D4 lanes and hedges are going to wreck it!MY14 post man pat van
70series land cruiser
1947 willys jeep
Hobby 670 motor home
And lots of other stuff in my shed, on my driveway or abandoned in the village
Several VW T5's
Mitsubishi outlander
And a Suzuki X90... Only drive that at night
24th Aug 2018 7:18 am
Ja92mie
Member Since: 16 Sep 2014
Location: Newquay
Posts: 1259
In regards to auto lowering, I’m pretty sure this can be turned off in the vehicle settings
24th Aug 2018 7:35 am
jimbg
Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 478
You can turn off auto lowering.
For the other points it is really your decision, I also live in Devon and do not really have much trouble with narrow lanes, my previous car was a Sport.
You can ask on the Disc05 forum as there are plenty of ex D4 owners there.
24th Aug 2018 7:44 am
Down&Dirty
Member Since: 17 Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere out back
Posts: 1293
jeepmadmike
Auto lowering can be disabled
In off road height plenty of room for door
Interior only bit that I’m extra careful with is around the gear selector but thinking of using some helicopter tape there to stop any scratches
I’m 6 foot 3 and never caught my head on tail gate,which can be set to open to different heights
For big items drop back seats
Careful driving can help not wrecking it
MY24 Defender 90 X-Dynamic HSE
MY18 Disco 5 HSE Santorini Black Now Gone.
24th Aug 2018 7:45 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
If it is on uneven ground it won't auto lower even when it's switched on
24th Aug 2018 7:47 am
Someone-Gone
Member Since: 21 Dec 2015
Location: Gone
Posts: 5117
I do like my D5 and I thought nothing could top my old D4 and I hated the offset number plate, but now I don’t notice it tbh.
There are some quirky bits. Can’t get used to all the electronic trickery on the 10” infortainment centre and I don’t see much point in all the switches in the boot, but that’s personal preference.
I do like the high driving position and the presence of the car. There’s still not many about, which is good. Everyone and their dog has a Disco Sport or an Evoque.
24th Aug 2018 7:56 am
Sheepy
Member Since: 20 Feb 2013
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 630
If the number plate bothers you, Urban do a kit to centralise it. Saw one the other day, looked quite nice. Then I looked online to see how much Urban resell their "tweaked" D5 for.
24th Aug 2018 8:07 am
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
Central Plate is a matter of personal taste I did it because I could lol
I see that Urban's Discovery 5 Rear Number Plate Centralisation Kit is £600 plus VAT.
Did you use their kit?
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
There are 10 types of people in this world: Those who understand binary, and those who don’t.
24th Aug 2018 10:43 am
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
How does the Startech offering differ from Urban's ?
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
There are 10 types of people in this world: Those who understand binary, and those who don’t.
24th Aug 2018 10:50 am
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
Both kits appear the same ST was just quicker at the time to get
The job is a faff and lots of rework to get the finish correct the plastics are not flat
24th Aug 2018 10:53 am
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7441
I’ve never owned a D5, but driven several thousand miles in many examples; I’ve got one now, while the FF is in for service.
The problems that you mention don’t get any better in service and if you’ve noticed them already, like an ill fitting pair of new shoes, they will only get worse with wear.
It’s not just the width that’s the problem (the FF has lots and of that), it’s the attrociius visibility after the D4 or FF. I’ve just been threading my way through the back street of Penzance (very narrow) and it’s been a total nightmare
The rear doors are rediculously long to open in a parking space, but the appertures are no wider.
The boot is much smaller than the D4’s and not much larger than the FF’s But it’s that massive, bulky tailgate, the twin daggers, the stupid & slow electric plank and the vertiginous loading height that kill if for me. Yes, I know it can be lowered but, even if you lower it all the way (including the button in the boot), it’s still no lower than the D4 is at its middle height Meanwhile, the tail lights are virtually invisible if you’re unloading on the roadside.
I get to give this back in the morning, thank goodness! I would cry if I’d given up a D4 for this!!2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: 2 x FL2 as “second” cars 🙄
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
24th Aug 2018 11:51 am
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6402
and no matter what you do to it it is still UGLY as
rather go with new Touareg or Cayenne
G
24th Aug 2018 12:09 pm
J77
Member Since: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Fife
Posts: 6270
Re: Should I buy a D5
jeepmadmike wrote:
My D4 is getting old and needs replacing soon;
I’ve looked hard at and driven a D5 but the following points have put me off - how do the D5 gang get on with these issues..?
Auto lowering on parking - what happens when it’s on rough ground?
Deep doors - I can see them being a pain in ruts or beside a tall curb?
Interior has lots smooth and shiny surfaces - looks like it will be scratch tastic!
Tail gate is not very high and has sharp pointed corners I will catch my head on😡
Rear window rake is steeper than a D4 and cargo space / big square object loading space is lost
Wide - yes the figures show it isn’t much bigger than a D4 but in the real world there’s a lot of metal a lot further out than a D4 lanes and hedges are going to wreck it!
They ain’t issues.
My time with the D5 I’ve never concerned myself with any of the “issues” you describe. 10 months with it and never once banged my head on the tailgate but if these things bother you then, no you shouldn’t buy a D5.
I’d more concerned with the poor software, oil dilution and the numerous other problems. Those are issues and it’s why I won’t be touching one again 23.5MY Defender 90 X-Dynamic SE D250 MHEV Pangea Green
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