Member Since: 22 Mar 2021
Location: Essex
Posts: 1
Discovery 3 or 4? New purchase
Hi all,
I'm considering purchasing a Discovery and need some help deciding whether to go for a Discovery 3 or a Discovery 4. I'm looking to use it as a second vehicle to tow our 1350kg (empty) caravan and use it for holidays, perhaps getting into off-roading/greenlaning/adventures. It seems like a very well-priced vehicle for what you get, but there's risks I'm aware of that are behind the affordability of the vehicle.
I've not got experience in car DIY – I've changed brake pads and discs etc., but nothing more. I'd be happy to get involved more in this, so I can learn more about the vehicle and save £.
General problems I'm aware of:
Rust underneath
Rusty brake lines
Crankshaft failing, destroying engine
Upper & lower suspension arms need replacing frequently
Electronic parking brake fails
They're heavy so they eat pads/discs/suspension components
Sunroof drains block
Towbar needs care (not too well-read on this one)
Discovery 3
I can see there are Discovery 3's for anywhere between £3k and £7k. The interior of the car is important to me, so whichever one I chose it'd need to be in good condition.
Is the Discovery 3 sufficiently powerful to tow a 1350kg (empty) caravan at 60mph? There's a family of 4 plus a dog plus everything that comes with.
Is £3k reasonable to put aside for a reconditioned engine including fitting? I've seen them on eBay for this price. I'm aware of the crankshaft issues and that you need to accept it's a risk.
Is it worth the risk remapping the TDV6 to have more power, particularly useful for towing?
Discovery 4
Generally - is it worth the premium over the Discovery 3?
The interior is likely to be in better condition.
It has the additional power over the 3.
I know they're thirsty and road tax is high, but they do seem good value and well-loved. Thanks all.
22nd Mar 2021 1:37 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13879
D4. It's a nicer place to be. 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
22nd Mar 2021 1:38 pm
N5Fav
Member Since: 28 Jan 2021
Location: LEICESTER
Posts: 134
Either the 3 or 4 will tow that lightweight caravan with ease.
There is a reason that so many horsey people buy Disco's, I know one or two that pull a horsebox trailer with 2 horses in!
Compare that to your caravan that might top 1600kg when you've got all your clobber in it, no problem for it. Probably the only you'll notice is the extra fuel it drinks, but that shouldn't be too much more.1994 Defender 300tdi 110 commercial
2007 Disco 2.7 XS Buckingham Blue
1959 Standard 10 Coffe & Cream
1974 Vauxhall Magnum 1800 estate Olivine Starfire Green
1994 Renault 19 Cabrio
1995 Kawasaki GPz 1100
22nd Mar 2021 1:53 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10360
I guess a D4 with 2.7 is the sweet spot.
22nd Mar 2021 1:55 pm
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2459
I would by a good D3 and put the difference in money away for a rainy day.
The D3 will tow your caravan no problem but if you look on the Bell Auto Service website you can get it remapped easy enough.Andrew
D3 2.7tdv6 2005
D4 3.0 SDV6 Commercial died and gone to LR heaven
D5 3.0 SDV6 HSE
22nd Mar 2021 1:56 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4142
An early D3 or late D4 will be lower tax.. £330 as opposed to over £500, not much of a saving but will affect resale value...
I towed my twin axle caravan full of kit and hardly noticed it behind my D3 (other than the fuel consumption), just moved from a D3 to a late model D4 and it's a much nicer place to be. My D3 was great and is still being used by another forum member, but the interior of the D4 and the extra power makes it much nicer.
Crankshaft failure is for the D4s, spinning shells is for the D3... both will ruin your engine... a good warranty or good indie is essential..
Towbar issue can be solved with a fixed towbar... essential if you are towing your tintent...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)
22nd Mar 2021 2:51 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4142
Certainly keep an eye open on the forum as well looked after ones come up regularly...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)
22nd Mar 2021 3:05 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23337
Pete K wrote:
I guess a D4 with 2.7 is the sweet spot.
The real sweet spot is the D4 with an EU6 engine. 8) 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
22nd Mar 2021 3:43 pm
itguy
Member Since: 30 Dec 2009
Location: Melton Mowbray, Leics
Posts: 181
As nigethecat says, no issues with towing with either, and I have seen D3s with interiors that have been kept in much nicer condition that D4s, and the other way around. All down to how it has been cared for.
The D4 interior is more modern for sure, but on a D3 you can still update it somewhat if you want to. Things like piano black trim for the air vents and centre console are easily available and easy to fit, as well as things like a D4 steering wheel, new gear shifter etc.
Minor updates can certainly make it feel more modern.
The later model D3 HSEs (07 model year onwards i think) had nicer softer leather inside plus electric lumbar support and electric/memory steering wheel adjustment, but you pay the bigger road tax too. I also think 07 model lost the armrest cool box, but can’t be certain.
Good luck with the search.
22nd Mar 2021 4:09 pm
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2136
Pete K wrote:
I guess a D4 with 2.7 is the sweet spot.
3.0l all the way. Loads more power
Current: D4 HSE
Previous: BMW Z4M Coupe
Previous: Land Rover Defender 90 CSW Td5
Previous: Land Rover Discovery Td5 ES
22nd Mar 2021 4:13 pm
BeardManMatt
Member Since: 09 Feb 2020
Location: Tamworth,Staffs
Posts: 54
D4 Graphite for sure...
Theres a great one in the for sales section.
2nd Apr 2021 9:03 pm
Oxford-boy
Member Since: 07 Sep 2015
Location: Oxford
Posts: 1061
First thing that jumped out at me was 'is £3k reasonable to put aside for a reconditioned engine?'.
According to what I read on here, no is the answer. What is a reasonable sum will depend upon who you go to, again research on here.
Great cars. Just great. I'm on my second this time I own it (first was lease). Guess that says something.
Warranty? Well, depends upon age and mileage of your vehicle as these are insurance policies at the end of the day.
What is your budget? That will determine what you do tbh but a good one sold on this site is probably your answer. Whatever you can afford plus a healthy approach to maintenance and modifications.
Hope that helps you on your way...
Jim
2014 Discovery 4 XXV SDV6 Causeway Grey
2016 Discovery 4 HSE Lux SDV6 Loire Blue - now gone
2nd Apr 2021 9:22 pm
BRD
Member Since: 12 Apr 2021
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 7
I'm potentially in the market for a D4 - I also considered a D3 but somehow the £585 road fund licence is something I have a real problem with.
12th Apr 2021 4:44 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72775
Unfortunately with running one of these beasties the £585 VED is one of the smaller costs. There’s the old question:
Q How do you end up with a small fortune running a D3/4?
A Start with a large fortune.
Just sayin.
12th Apr 2021 4:50 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10360
If registered Pre 20? March 2006 the tax is approx £340
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