jaqoda
Member Since: 23 Jan 2019
Location: Manchester
Posts: 167
  
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| What model of D4 do I want? |
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Hi all
I got rid of my D3 last year due to repairs becoming too costly for the value of the vehicle.
However.
Next year I'll be in a position to afford a Disco again 
So I am already window shopping.
I have decided next Disco to go for a D4 as the D3 is getting a bit long in the tooth now and finding good examples is getting harder, although I wouldn't totally rule out a D3 if the right one came along.
However I'm not really up to scratch on the different models and features of the D4. I want as little that can go wrong as possible, so don't really want folding mirrors, sunroof (leaky), rear TV screens or any needless expensive to fix gubbins.
I use Discos for going off road and camping all year round, so it won't be 'cherished'.
Mod cons I would like -
Auto
Heated seats
Cruise control (ACC would be even better)
Memory seats
Timed climate would be great
Heated wheel would be nice
I don't tow. I don't even need 7 seats, just the boot space.
What model/year should I be looking at? Am I right in saying the SDV6 is more desirable than the TDV6? Anything else I should consider?
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 8th May 2024 2:12 pm |
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nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4244
  
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I would go for the SDV6 from MY14.5, if you can afford a later one with Ad Blu then you wouldn't have to worry about LEZ charges. The difference in refinement over the D3 is something to be experienced I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
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| 8th May 2024 2:42 pm |
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Lrstaylor
Member Since: 03 Oct 2018
Location: Kent
Posts: 616
 
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Still have to worry about a snapped crank tho, buy an imported 5.0 petrol 
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| 8th May 2024 3:01 pm |
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Moo
D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14385
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Volvo XC90   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
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| 8th May 2024 3:24 pm |
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jaqoda
Member Since: 23 Jan 2019
Location: Manchester
Posts: 167
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Lrstaylor wrote:Still have to worry about a snapped crank tho, buy an imported 5.0 petrol
This is my #1 option… need to start saving 😅
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| 8th May 2024 9:20 pm |
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AdamB
Member Since: 18 Jan 2023
Location: Thurrock
Posts: 139
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Mine is a 2010 XS, enough nice bits but not so much of the complications like rear ac or sunroofs.
Suits me, road tax is punishing but on the other hand it wasn't an expensive buy.
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| 8th May 2024 9:30 pm |
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KPTV8
Member Since: 05 Feb 2012
Location: Itinerant !! (Scotland/Donegal)
Posts: 187
 
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I was able to get a D4 5L RHD imported from Japan, it's been wonderful.
Yes, it IS expensive to fuel (overall 22MPG) but in the wider picture fuel is not the biggest hit in upmarket car cost of ownership. It's worth buying Costco membership if you live close enough to a depot (and be aware, not ALL Costco have pumps !)
The more I read about the clever and amazingly complicated V6 diesels, the more I appreciate my chunky robust silky-smooth V8 lump.
Car IS ULEZ compliant, as things stand.
I DID have some trouble renewing insurance this year, brokers assured me no such car exists because none were marketed in UK; then told me there's no evidence the engine immobiliser is Thatcham-compliant. All gas/smoke/mirrors/teflon inbred with wriggling/dishonesty/ignorance.
Seems some HMG agencies DID buy a few D4 V8s, & there appear to be some out there fitted with armour.
Tony Blair rocked up to Queen's funeral in one.
No regrets buying mine  ))
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| 8th May 2024 9:44 pm |
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waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2919
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Sounds like whichever engine you go for you want to avoid the HSE as that comes with the sunroof. We have a couple of SEs for that very reason - both with electric seats etc, but we had to shop around to find them.
I think in later model years you will be looking for the 'SE Tech' Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
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| 8th May 2024 10:24 pm |
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RogB
Member Since: 15 Jun 2018
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 1729
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depending on budget go for either a 2012MY 8 speed XS (late 2011 to late 2013) or for late 2013 facelift XS/SE TECH or newer.
These models tend to have heated seats, front screen, air con, folding mirrors but no sunroofs or other bits that add to repair costs (although i got the timed climate enabled on mine which was a godsend in winter months)
The D4 really does drive like a magic carpet and I would have another one in a heartbeat 2011 D4 XS 305 MY12 - gone but not forgotten
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| 9th May 2024 6:37 am |
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AdamB
Member Since: 18 Jan 2023
Location: Thurrock
Posts: 139
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Probably worth also adding as you'll be wanting something like a GAP tool anyway you can turn on timed climate and the 4x4 screen plus program in any other upgrades you might want.
Interestingly I've managed to get a really decent deal on the insurance on mine this time, I wonder if it's because it doesn't have keyless entry and being a pre facelift is less desirable to the tea leafs. Parts like headlights are certainly far cheaper for the pre facelift.
I liked the more utility feel of the D3 and in some ways miss that and the slightly more retro looks but the D4 is lovely and the extra turbo makes an enormous difference.
It's a fantastic bit of kit, my view is to try to spend as little as possible on a really well looked after earlier example so you've got less to lose if the crank decides it's time is up and more free money to fix it if you so chose.
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| 9th May 2024 7:57 am |
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Worms
Member Since: 24 Sep 2023
Location: Highlands
Posts: 396
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Jaqoda, the one item that surprises me on your list of items that you don't want is the folding mirrors. I really miss this on my D3, having been used to them on the FL2. Folding mirrors really make a difference for reversing through narrow gates or in tight parking situations and even just for visually knowing whether you have locked the car. Previously:
2010 FL2 TD4e GS
‘93 Defender 110 200TDi CSW - still got this, non-runner on SORN.
‘87 Defender 90 4 cyl Petrol
‘83 110 CSW V8 - best ever!
Range Rover 2-door V8 (not sure of year - 4-speed box and vacuum diff switch)
Series III SWB Diesel
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| 9th May 2024 8:53 am |
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jaqoda
Member Since: 23 Jan 2019
Location: Manchester
Posts: 167
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I tend to end up down tight narrow lanes a lot, so I quite liked having the unpainted plastic mirrors as I never worried about scrapes. Walking round and shoving them closed never really bothered me!
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| 9th May 2024 9:49 am |
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jaqoda
Member Since: 23 Jan 2019
Location: Manchester
Posts: 167
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AdamB wrote:Interestingly I've managed to get a really decent deal on the insurance on mine this time, I wonder if it's because it doesn't have keyless entry and being a pre facelift is less desirable to the tea leafs. Parts like headlights are certainly far cheaper for the pre facelift.
Good point on the keyless entry, which models did this come as standard on? Would prefer to have non-keyless entry for insurance.
If GAP can enable timed climate then that makes things a bit easier.
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| 9th May 2024 9:52 am |
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jaqoda
Member Since: 23 Jan 2019
Location: Manchester
Posts: 167
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KPTV8 wrote:I was able to get a D4 5L RHD imported from Japan, it's been wonderful.
Yes, it IS expensive to fuel (overall 22MPG) but in the wider picture fuel is not the biggest hit in upmarket car cost of ownership. It's worth buying Costco membership if you live close enough to a depot (and be aware, not ALL Costco have pumps !)
The more I read about the clever and amazingly complicated V6 diesels, the more I appreciate my chunky robust silky-smooth V8 lump.
Car IS ULEZ compliant, as things stand.
I DID have some trouble renewing insurance this year, brokers assured me no such car exists because none were marketed in UK; then told me there's no evidence the engine immobiliser is Thatcham-compliant. All gas/smoke/mirrors/teflon inbred with wriggling/dishonesty/ignorance.
Seems some HMG agencies DID buy a few D4 V8s, & there appear to be some out there fitted with armour.
Tony Blair rocked up to Queen's funeral in one.
No regrets buying mine ))
Fuel costs never really bothered me, it's a second 'fun' car after all.
Thanks for the insight on the 5.0, did they all come in HSE spec? Also can only seem to find them in Fuji White...
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| 9th May 2024 9:55 am |
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Worms
Member Since: 24 Sep 2023
Location: Highlands
Posts: 396
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jaqoda wrote:I tend to end up down tight narrow lanes a lot, so I quite liked having the unpainted plastic mirrors as I never worried about scrapes. Walking round and shoving them closed never really bothered me!
Fair enough! I have to reverse through a narrow gate quite often, directly off a fairly busy road, so having mirrors for the initial alignment is good, then mirrors-in through the gate and mirrors-out for the rest of the driveway works best. With the D3, the inital alignment needs to be perfect as there is less than an inch either side with the mirrors out (FL2 being slightly wider didn't make it through with mirrors out!). Previously:
2010 FL2 TD4e GS
‘93 Defender 110 200TDi CSW - still got this, non-runner on SORN.
‘87 Defender 90 4 cyl Petrol
‘83 110 CSW V8 - best ever!
Range Rover 2-door V8 (not sure of year - 4-speed box and vacuum diff switch)
Series III SWB Diesel
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| 9th May 2024 9:58 am |
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