Member Since: 19 Oct 2005
Location: Scotland
Posts: 796
Trying to want a D5
So, this is not a D5 bashing post so don't wade in. Rather it's a genuine post about trying to find a replacement for my D4.
I've got over the looks and, anyway, my number plate is only four characters so I am wondering about a reduced width but still legal plate and how to position it on the rump. I'm also over the reduced left leg driver space in RHD (D3/4 is excessive but you get used to it) and the second row seat height as the outgoing car is low as well and the kids don't complain. Ditto the split boot lid as the alternative (XC90) does not have it. Miss it but it is gone.
I've had a play around with the third row seats and they are excellent and offer more space than the XC90. However, entry is just as difficult and both are materially worse than a D3/4. Also the 2/3, 1/3 split second row is set up for LHD cars which is a pain.
I often carry six people and a wheelchair in the D4 but it can also handle seven people with the wheelchair but the D5 looks like the space behind the third row is not as deep as in the D4. The Volvo scores here with much more space behind the third row but it's third row seats are tighter....decisions.
I accept that much of the D3/4 functionality has been lost but I need to buy a car at some stage and want space and air suspension. The Merc GLS could work but it is an old car and the BMW X7 looks more challenged visually than the peer group so it's probably Volvo or Land Rover. The latter wins on spec and the former on looks (whoever put the XC90 specs and packs together was an idiot). Anyway, as ever, owners of the old model always come round to the new model to some degree when their existing cars are getting old but it is just a shame that the decision is not as easy as it should be.2014MY Discovery
13th Mar 2019 10:51 am
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14385
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
13th Mar 2019 10:58 am
110CSW
Member Since: 19 Oct 2005
Location: Scotland
Posts: 796
Thanks. 4WD? I think the VW one can be mind.
I've never looked into whether those sort of vehicles have reduced speed limits on some roads.2014MY Discovery
13th Mar 2019 11:01 am
Slug
Member Since: 07 Feb 2012
Location: East Midlands
Posts: 346
New Merc GLS should be launched in the next 12 months I was told, if you feeling like waiting that long?
Still lurking, although moved to the dark side: disco5.co.uk
2019 D5 HSE
2019 Baby RR First Edition
13th Mar 2019 12:58 pm
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
BMW X7 also has a Split Tailgate
13th Mar 2019 1:53 pm
110CSW
Member Since: 19 Oct 2005
Location: Scotland
Posts: 796
Slug wrote:
New Merc GLS should be launched in the next 12 months I was told, if you feeling like waiting that long?
Good one. Nice deals on the current one (£73k down to £60k) but new one might be too pricey esp when
you can get an acceptable spec Volvo for low fifties.2014MY Discovery
13th Mar 2019 3:10 pm
110CSW
Member Since: 19 Oct 2005
Location: Scotland
Posts: 796
Ken wrote:
BMW X7 also has a Split Tailgate
Looking forward to seeing one and hoping it won’t eat me.2014MY Discovery
13th Mar 2019 3:11 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23823
There simply isn’t a direct replacement for the D4.
I’d be prepared to compromise on the 3rd row seats and consider a FFRR, but I know I’d regret not keeping the D4.
I’d have both ideally. Can’t justify that though. 2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
13th Mar 2019 3:24 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2813
I'm in a similar position in that in a few months I'll have the money available to purchase a new D5, but am going to go for a late D4.
My reasons are partly about the look, I can't bring myself to like it, but mainly because I often carry a lot of stuff about with passengers also in the car.
The 100mm lower height of the boot opening is a real killer for me, and I like to be able to drop just one rear seat at a time in the D3, often the middle one.
Other LR products have a much smaller boot, I like the newest style FFRR, but the boot is tiny and you can't even put the rear seats down flat. The L322 is better boot space wise, but still smaller than a D4.
I've even looked elsewhere, Toyota Landcruiser and V8, Merc GL etc, but none have everything I want like a D4 does, and can tow over 3tns of boat, trailer, camping and Diving gear across a muddy field.
I'm sort of hoping perhaps the Defender replacement will be an option, but I also think you'd have to be a very brave person to buy a brand new Land Rover product before their army of customers, otherwise known as product development engineers, have put a few miles on them.
NasherHeaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
13th Mar 2019 6:20 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23823
Quote:
Other LR products have a much smaller boot, I like the newest style FFRR, but the boot is tiny and you can't even put the rear seats down flat. The L322 is better boot space wise, but still smaller than a D4.
Nothing much compares to a D3/4's boot space, other than a van!
The L405 FFRR's boot space isn't too bad with the rear seats set upright (they adjust). Whilst the rear seats don't fold flat, they leave a gentle slope.
I could probably manage okay with the FFRR and I love the SDV8, but the D4 beats it hands down on practicality. As it does the D5.
Hence why I bought another D4, albeit it had to be a used one, not a D5 to replace my smashed up 2016 D4.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
13th Mar 2019 6:35 pm
Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
Ken wrote:
BMW X7 also has a Split Tailgate
DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
DS3 TDV6 HSE- Silver with Alpaca (new one) Gone
D4 HSE Lux - Montalcino Red Gone
Porsche Cayenne V8 Diesel S
13th Mar 2019 6:37 pm
RDR
Member Since: 24 Mar 2013
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 2260
spent a year going around in circles on this. As others say there is no direct replacement for the D4 on the market. It looks like we will be replacing it with two cars a D5 3.0L and then Mrs RDR wants a Twisted 110 which we are working through the design and spec with at the moment. Still neither do the job the D4 does. once we have signed up and have dates the D4 will be up for sale
Also have an ipace coming for the commuter but that's to replace the I3.MY06 S - Gone but not forgotten
MY12 HSE - Gone
MY16 HSE Luxury - Sold
MY20 D5 HSE - Sold
Current RR L460 PHEV
13th Mar 2019 7:18 pm
110CSW
Member Since: 19 Oct 2005
Location: Scotland
Posts: 796
Nasher wrote:
I'm in a similar position in that in a few months I'll have the money available to purchase a new D5, but am going to go for a late D4.
My reasons are partly about the look, I can't bring myself to like it, but mainly because I often carry a lot of stuff about with passengers also in the car.
The 100mm lower height of the boot opening is a real killer for me, and I like to be able to drop just one rear seat at a time in the D3, often the middle one.
Other LR products have a much smaller boot, I like the newest style FFRR, but the boot is tiny and you can't even put the rear seats down flat. The L322 is better boot space wise, but still smaller than a D4.
I've even looked elsewhere, Toyota Landcruiser and V8, Merc GL etc, but none have everything I want like a D4 does, and can tow over 3tns of boat, trailer, camping and Diving gear across a muddy field.
I'm sort of hoping perhaps the Defender replacement will be an option, but I also think you'd have to be a very brave person to buy a brand new Land Rover product before their army of customers, otherwise known as product development engineers, have put a few miles on them.
Nasher
I think a lot of people are looking at late D4s and prices reflect that. I was looking at a Landmark that seemed good but it did not have the heated steering wheel which I thought was standard (?).2014MY Discovery
I went through the same process when changing my D3.
I bought a March 2016 Landmark in June 2017 with 15k miles.
As far as I am concerned a good decision - the only problems to date TPMS.
I intend to keep this D4 until a decent autonomous EV is available at a reasonable cost. Hopefully this will transport me for the rest of my life.
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.
14th Mar 2019 8:42 am
RDR
Member Since: 24 Mar 2013
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 2260
Pelyma wrote:
Ken wrote:
BMW X7 also has a Split Tailgate
I did get quite excited when I saw the tailgate, I want to see the proper 7 seater but all the hype and media pics seem to concentrate on the limo spec with 6 seats. Not so sure on the front with that grill, if you could graft a D5 front onto an X7 rear I would be very interested MY06 S - Gone but not forgotten
MY12 HSE - Gone
MY16 HSE Luxury - Sold
MY20 D5 HSE - Sold
Current RR L460 PHEV
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