Member Since: 02 Nov 2016
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1047
[quote=
If only LR had done real market research for the D5 rather than Mumsnet..[/quote]
Just 'cause you got the power... that don't mean you got the right.
15th Nov 2024 2:27 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15263
And as well as being a ..... 4x4, 7 seat mini bus, luxury motorway cruiser, van, camper, skip etc ..... it also makes a great camera car.
It proves there's nothing as versatile in the current crop of LR's [or any other brand for that matter] so they have to resort to using a 9yr old D4 ....... great job.
IMO there's nothing else on the planet that's such a complete all rounder as the D4/D3 and I don't want to be driving anything else..... and I still get the permagrin after all these years
Oh, and well done Paddy
Click image to enlarge
...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
15th Nov 2024 5:26 pm
HairyFool
Member Since: 04 Jan 2023
Location: North Essex
Posts: 675
Not only the rear door construction and the flat rear deck is good for the camera the fact that the bottom half can stay shut makes it much safer for the crew. The alternative would be one that has a lowerable window. I suspect the air supension gives a better ride for the camera.
I am sure I have seen one used as a camera car with the camera on the roof rack.A visitor from the dark side, my other vehicle is an is still an EV. Strictly speaking its SWMBO.
15th Nov 2024 6:09 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14385
Exactly. It's why the Defender ISN'T a replacement for the D4.New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
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
So, the car hasn't been in production for 7 years+ but is still a favourite with tv crews ?
And Grunders on here has gone back 12 years in time c/w his BMWs to have one?
Moo, I think, is also thinking of going "retro" ?
JLR really need to take note..
Dean
====================================
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
15th Nov 2024 10:52 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14385
You're right, I am looking to go back to a D4. Best car LR ever made. They got the D5 so wrong.
However, a bit of a curved ball and some uncertainty has been thrown my way so just trying to figure what's what at the moment.
Really wish we'd kept my daughters D3 New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
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
16th Nov 2024 12:21 am
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15263
I’m holding out hope that the D4/D3 becomes a classic, just as the original Series & Defender LRs.
As it sits on a separate chassis and the body comes off, in my opinion (just like the aforementioned) all parts can be replaceable.
OK, maybe not for your average weekend mechanic on his driveway, but all parts still replaceable as and when required.
All it needs are the current manufacturers/distributors of Series/Defender LRs to wake up to this new classic and start supplying decent quality aftermarket body, mechanical & trim parts.
This would also be good new business for the all the existing diehard LR garage repairers/independants/customisers……..it might even spawn a crop of new businesses.
Heck, you never know, even Twisted could start refurbishing and customising them when their existing supplies of LRs dry up …… might just pop down the road and have a word with them.
BUT ……….. all this may just be my wishful thinking. ...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
16th Nov 2024 10:46 am
Icarus
Member Since: 15 Jul 2023
Location: Essex
Posts: 94
^^^^ That’s my wishful thinking too.
I owned a 1959 Series II for nearly 25 years, a proper classic, original in nearly respect. Original engine, gearbox, axles, radiator, heater(!), paintwork, and I only sold it as I’ve grown too old for it - or it was too old for me given today’s traffic conditions in my neck of the woods.
I am convinced that the D3/4 IS a future classic, notwithstanding its many complexities and alleged flaws.
Like all Land Rovers, they can be fixed. And repaired, given enough skill, time and/or money. Therein lies
the rub. These aren’t cheap vehicle to own. They were not cheap to buy new, and I didn’t expect to run a 14 year-old one on a shoestring. I expected to fork out for repairs and replacements, servicing and running costs, and luckily I am able to do so.
The reward is, as has been stated, owning one of, if not the very best, Land Rovers ever made. To my mind it is the last of the true Land Rovers. Extremely capable in all the areas it was designed for, practical, spacious, luxurious - a true delight to drive and be a passenger in. It is irreplaceable.
It will be my last car. As I’m in my eighth decade on this earth, I may not make the decade out, and if I do, I may well not be fit to drive at the end of it. So I will keep my D4, I will care for it, and one day will sell it to someone who truly appreciates just what a fine vehicle Land Rover made. It was their finest hour, their new offerings are too “car like” for my tastes, lacking uniqueness.
The D3/4 undoubtably will be a future classic, if it isn’t already, and good original examples will be highly prized and sought after. Keep the faith guys.I’m a Disco 4 believer. What a vehicle!
It will be my last car. As I’m in my eighth decade on this earth, I may not make the decade out, and if I do, I may well not be fit to drive at the end of it. So I will keep my D4, I will care for it, and one day will sell it to someone who truly appreciates just what a fine vehicle Land Rover made. It was their finest hour, their new offerings are too “car like” for my tastes, lacking uniqueness.
The D3/4 undoubtedly will be a future classic, if it isn’t already, and good original examples will be highly prized and sought after. Keep the faith guys.
I agree entirely. Oil change every 6 month & I have had Chris Calvert of CC Automotive clean & underseal my car with ACF-50 and Dinitrol 1000 cavity wax, 4941 Underbody Wax and 445 Stone Chip. He commented "noting that the chassis was in good condition prior to treatment.
Click image to enlarge
I keep on being approached by a couple of local D3/4 owners offering to buy my car - but it's not for sale.
I learnt to drive on a S1 and have owned cars from JLR almost continuously since 1950.
NJSS
16th Nov 2024 1:33 pm
Icarus
Member Since: 15 Jul 2023
Location: Essex
Posts: 94
One final thought from me.
In order for a vehicle to be designated a classic, my view is that it has to be completely, as much as humanly possible (conversant with safety) "of it's time".
The most valuable classics are always unmolested. I've no issues at all with owners making adaptations to fit their lifestyles, it's their vehicle to do with how they wish.
Simple cosmetic changes such as different wheel & tyre combinations, bolt-on winches, snorkel, roof racks etc etc, are not too much of an issue, and can be reversed if required.
I did flirt with the idea of Apple Car play at one brief moment in the early months of my ownership, but I quickly rejected it. I bought the correct LR lead - an accessory "of it's time" - to connect my old iPod Classic instead, and I'm so glad I did.
I re-discovered all the old music in my library on that old iPod, that I rarely listen to these days, now that I have a smart speaker at home, and access to Apple music through Siri. But listening to all my old library through the HK sound system, is an absolute joy when I'm driving alone.
The iPod Classic, which had languished unused in a drawer somewhere as "old tech" has really come into its own. And it's "of it's time" in keeping with my vehicle I think.
So my point is, that to be viewed as a classic, I will try to keep my vehicle as standard as possible. It will be serviced regularly and frequently by my LR Indie, the service book stamped correctly, and all important work properly recorded. I'm having the undercarriage fully cleaned and rust -proofed in the New Year.
The only issue I cannot guard against is a catastrophic engine failure. I'll have to discuss my options with my Indie, and you guys on here, if or when that happens.
But for now I'll just drive and enjoy what is already a desirable future classic vehicle, and one that more than capably deals with modern traffic and driving conditions, just as it left the factory. It's such a handsome beast too.I’m a Disco 4 believer. What a vehicle!
16th Nov 2024 4:24 pm
HairyFool
Member Since: 04 Jan 2023
Location: North Essex
Posts: 675
I did want to have a full underbody clean and rustproof (anyone to do it in North Essex/South Suffolk) but a full set of new boots last week and needing a steering rack is going to tap the budget a bit to hard.
I'm not too sure the suspension bushes will get through next year's MoT so that will be the pain to look forward to.
Doesn't stop the smile when I get into the driver's seat though.A visitor from the dark side, my other vehicle is an is still an EV. Strictly speaking its SWMBO.
16th Nov 2024 5:14 pm
Icarus
Member Since: 15 Jul 2023
Location: Essex
Posts: 94
Hi Hairyfool. There is a guy in Buntingford (Herts - Cambs border?) who does underbody protection for Land Rovers, and other vehicles. I’ve never used him, but I’ve heard some good reports.
Think he’s called CSK, and he has a website I believe. Might be worth a look?I’m a Disco 4 believer. What a vehicle!
Member Since: 22 Jul 2018
Location: Harbor Springs
Posts: 66
I'm now more convinced than ever that the D3/D4 are peak Land Rover and actually may be peak SUV.
Over here in the US we have been exposed to the SUV as mainstream daily driver for decades. My dad had a GMC Jimmy aka squarebody Blazer, I've had Scouts and Cherokees, Chevy Suburbans, Wranglers, just about every SUV we have. And then I test drove a LR3 and that was it, smitten. And that was after test driving a FFRR, which still didn't have that same effect on me.
After a few years of ownership where we both found ourselves with matching LR3's we were led astray by the Ford Bronco Sport and the Bronco. Mrs had gotten discontented with problems with her LR3, and while heading out during the big 'vid thing we saw a Bronco Sport test mule going to the local gas station wearing manufacturer plates, so we followed it to find it being driven by Ford CEO Jim Farley who has a weekend "cottage" in the area.....this cottage would swallow most of our houses and have room for more. He let us have a look through, she ordered one that weekend and she was pretty happy with it for about 60K mileage until the problems started, the rear diff was starting to make noise because the oil was contaminated from a too short breather hose and Ford was not interested in helping with the $4K bill. So off that went.
I had ordered up a Bronco 2 door, put some 32" tires on it and we had some adventures, they are a capable off roader but on the road the noise from the top is alays there, the feeling is not very substantial and there were payments, so I sold the Bronco and with the money we got from both we were able to get a 2019 Discovery Sport for SWMBO. I stumbled across the Rescue Rover and now we are back to our happy little Rover place, and the Rescue Rover reminds me of why I liked the LR3 so much to begine with and why I am looking for a project LR4 to drive forever.
We did have some trouble with the DS so the dealer issued us a very nice Discovery 360 dynamic in SE trim while they replaced the transmission. We both loved driving that vehicle and can see ourselves in one in the future for road trips and daily living and such, but at the same time we plan to keep a LR4 around for all the things we shouldn't do in a D5. Because I and we have found that there really isn't another vehicle as useful and lovable as a L319. It's like have a supersized Volvo 240 wagon that goes anywhere we have the nerve to take it. That split tailgate is the chef's kiss, perfect for carrying lumber and long things or sitting on the tailgate out of the rain. We have been known to fill all the seats on occasion. There is a presence that you don't get in other SUv's.
So yep, the Disco 3 and 4, peak SUV. It's all downhill from here without HDC. There's always going to be one in the fleet, no matter what else might compliment it.
Oh, and while I'm thinking about it, the 6G Broncos are a 4WD, either automatic or "manual", where the LR3 is AWD. Where it snows a lot the AWD with terrain response is amzing in the snow, you don't have to be concerned about when to engage the front wheels. The big problem is when you have snow and ice sections and then bare road sections, so you have to engage in the slippery and then disengage in the dry patches to avoid damaging or stressing the drivetrain. That annoyed me with the Bronco and the Suburban also. I would have preferred that the new Defender might have been a refined and updated LR4 rather than a butch D5, Toyota managed to update the LC and kept it recognizable as a LC, Ford did it with the Bronco, let the RR people have the fancy stuff and we can keep our trucks going forever. Or as long as we can.
17th Nov 2024 5:10 pm
Gnomad
Member Since: 22 Jul 2018
Location: Harbor Springs
Posts: 66
Oh, and I do believe that the D3/D4 will be classics, but right now they are at the low ebb of that cycle. In the past I owned a 69 88' Series and back then it was just a funny old English Jeep, nobody sought them out, I bought one for $900, drove it for a couple years, sold it for $1200, and now you can't find them for less than $10k-and those are goingto need a lot of work. There are some folks over there in the UK who made a bunch of money exporting dodgy Defenders to the US where they sell them for $35-40K.
I don't know how much D3's and D4's are going for in the UK, but now they are selling cheap here. The $500 I paid for the Rescue Rover was an anomoly but they trade for $3K for a decent one, maybe $7 for a really nice one. D4's are going for $15K max and as low as $1500 to $2000 for those with bad head gaskets but otherwise in nice condition. Shall we start sending our D3's back over? Most of them have that 4.4 Jaaaaaag motor which is a helluva motor.
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[/quote]
