Member Since: 30 Dec 2009
Location: Melton Mowbray, Leics
Posts: 181
Dreaming of what car next after D3
Morning all
Doing a bit of daydreaming and I always like to have a 1 - 2 year plan in my head for cars. Gives me a sense of purpose and something to look forward to
After having our (first) D3 HSE for a few months now, I am genuinely happy with it and very pleased.
I have no intention of moving on from it for a little while, but I am thinking, what on earth would I go to next after this?
The reasons we wanted a D3 was for the size/space it gives, the comfort, the winter abilities and the fact that it looks good dirty (!). Being able to be so universal is brilliant.
Having now just had all the belts done together with the oil pump (and service etc) I am not sitting worrying about the engine suddenly going pop, and I drive it with mechanical sympathy given it is nearly 15.
My future options as I see them;
1) D4 - ideally a Euro6 one - more/better of everything in the D3, but I am very worried about the engine issues on the 3.0 SDV6
2) Late L322 FFRR TDV8 4.4 - I do love a bit of posh inside, wife not sure about image (too posh?), how is the size/load capacity compared to D3? Probably cheaper than a D4.
3) Sell our other 2 cars and the D3 and buy one new Defender 110 - not sure on engine but probably a D250 I’d think, prob SE or HSE.
Notice I didn’t put the D5 on there - I’ve not sat in one in the flesh, but from everything I have read it doesn’t have the load capacity of the D3/4 and is much more car like, which is shame - plus would need to pick carefully to avoid the 3.0 SDV6 crank issue engine (plus more expensive than D4 / L322 / option second hand or Defender new).
Any thoughts anyone? What have you gone for??
13th Apr 2021 7:41 am
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4142
D4... nothing comes close in terms of practicality, except maybe the new Defender. Every car has its issues and I’m sure if you ask owners of the other models you mention they will give you the same answer.
I’ve driven all of the modules you suggest (as have many on here) D5 is too car like, FFRR does not have as much space, seats don’t fold flat and I’m just not a Range Rover person. The new Defender drives really well and is as close as you’ll get (if you can live without a split tailgate) to a modern D4....
With a warranty in place then I see no reason why not a D4, but I’m sure others will disagree 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)
13th Apr 2021 7:50 am
itguy
Member Since: 30 Dec 2009
Location: Melton Mowbray, Leics
Posts: 181
Yes good point re the warranty side of things. I read a lot on here about different companies getting out of paying or not offering policies any more etc. Are there a few definitive go-to companies for warranties on the D4 now?
13th Apr 2021 8:03 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
Quote:
Notice I didn’t put the D5 on there - I’ve not sat in one in the flesh, but from everything I have read it doesn’t have the load capacity
Odd that you dismiss the D5 but favour a D4 and a new Defender even though both have less load capacity 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
13th Apr 2021 9:00 am
itguy
Member Since: 30 Dec 2009
Location: Melton Mowbray, Leics
Posts: 181
So the D5 is bigger than the D4? I didn’t realise that.
I think we are dropping in to the local LR dealer later this week so I can have a look at the D5 properly.
13th Apr 2021 9:20 am
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23339
I found the load capacity of the D3/4 a lot more usable than the D5 and anything else for that matter, aside from a van. 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
13th Apr 2021 9:27 am
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 3067
It's all about the size of your rear opening D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
13th Apr 2021 9:38 am
riverblanche
Member Since: 31 Aug 2010
Location: retford'ish
Posts: 2210
Re: Dreaming of what car next after D3
itguy wrote:
2) Late L322 FFRR TDV8 4.4 - 2010-2012.
this has always been my sweet spot and if the FL2 was not so flipping good as a second car I may one day get one and there under £10k now. A LOT of car for the money and sooooooo nice.
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23339
I agree, although I prefer the L405 in many ways, I still think the L322 is more of a “Range Rover”.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
13th Apr 2021 10:55 am
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
You can't get a D4 beyond 2016. I have no particular gripes with the D5 but if you going all the way to new or even 1 year old, look at the New Defender because pricing is similar and it has that wow factor that the D5 just doesn't have!Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
13th Apr 2021 11:47 am
itguy
Member Since: 30 Dec 2009
Location: Melton Mowbray, Leics
Posts: 181
Dropped by the local LR dealer yesterday afternoon as was passing anyway and they let us nip out in a Defender D240 SE they had there.
It was on 20” wheels (not sure if that makes any difference to the drive) but it did drive well. Didn’t roll as much as the D3, more power, felt higher to sit in and drive (?).
I think they have done a good job on the interior quality, given the complex design briefs these days of weight, quality, cost etc - I liked it.
Rear load space is no where near as big as the D3 though. Fixed base 2nd row seats that don’t collapse into the floor is a shame, and when you flip the seats down I can practically touch the tailgate/rear door the boot is that short. Load length with seats down really not great considering how big the car is.
I did manage to have a look at a D5 in the show room - although it was a commercial, it did look quite big inside at the back. Admittedly the slope on the tailgate doesn’t help the usability of it, but just felt bigger than the defender.
L322 next on the list to look at in more detail I think, but the D4 idea is growing on me, given how well the defender drove with a bit more oomph. Just would need to find a warranty that covered the SDV6..
14th Apr 2021 7:25 am
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7438
There are two of us on here that, presented with the lack of a D4 replacement, plumped for the SDV8 Full Fat. The Defender has given us a viable alternative at last, but it’s a shame about the tailgate / rear opening are more retro than practical. Fitting the Ingenium 6, in place of the 4, has doubled its appeal as well
I prefer the looks of the old L322 Fatty to the L405, but it’s around 400 Kg heavier and with the best will in the world, enjoys a little rust action 🙁2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: FL2 as a second car
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!)
14th Apr 2021 2:58 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2683
Remember the rear seats in a FFRR don't fold completely flat.
They stop at @20 deg to the horizontal so you don't get a long flat load area.
The L405 definitely, and I believe the L322 is the same.
It's the only thing that's stopping me buying one.
Nasher.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
14th Apr 2021 3:37 pm
pjm-84
Member Since: 04 Oct 2016
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 2432
I went for option 3)
To be honest my D3 V8 is great but I have too many cars so changing 2 for the Defender. It was close with the D5 P360 but I haven't driven one so the Defender got the nod, especially as the XS edition drops the P400 into Discovery money.
14th Apr 2021 5:16 pm
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7438
That’s a fair point Nasher; I don’t know about the L322, but how far anyone puts the rear seat down in the L405 Range Rover is, like the D5, a matter of how much rear seat damage an owner is prepared to accept. The D4, like most older estate cars, was perfect at this 👍
I use a box trailer now, so it’s not as vital as it once was 🙄2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: FL2 as a second car
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!)
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