Member Since: 07 Feb 2016
Location: Wokingham
Posts: 17
D4 Purchase - EX LRE vehicles
Hi I have been looking around at D4 2012-2014 models with sunroof and leather. However I keep coming across ex-Land Rover Experience cars (normally white) with fairly low mileage for the price. Anyone else purchased one of these and was it ok? They also seem to have a good spec one had the 825w Meridian sound system and rear diff which attracted me to it. Also is there a D4 buying guide on here?
Cheers,
Jon
8th Feb 2016 2:33 pm
adam
Member Since: 20 Sep 2005
Location: Home and Happy
Posts: 6917
No buyers guide as such - trawl the links or refer to the Wiki
Check usual used car areas, but pay particular attention to steering and suspension bushes, the EPB, make sure air suspension fully operable, spot on maintenance and if mileage at 110K, make sure belts done.
Electronics can sometimes throw a wobbler.
I've had a D4 for nearly 6 years now (an a D3 for 5 years before that) and cant imagine being without one
As for LRE vehicles, obviously all had a short but tough off-road life but I expect well looked after (though there is a recent vid on here with one getting ragged and broken) - so caveat emptor
More knowledgeable folk will along in a minute
Welcome by the way
Last edited by adam on 8th Feb 2016 3:01 pm. Edited 1 time in total
8th Feb 2016 2:48 pm
Jarvis
Member Since: 16 Dec 2009
Location: West Berkshire
Posts: 279
I hear from people in the trade they stay clear of the ex-Experience cars as the undersides are trashed....
From personal observation, they always jet wash them after each outing and this practice is abhorred by certain quarters of this forum!
8th Feb 2016 2:53 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26744
Well a quick look underneath would reveal if it has indeed been trashed. I would also think that LRE vehicles get daily checks, and are serviced well. All the LRE driving I have done has been well supervised and on prepared courses designed to demonstrate the capabilities of the car.
8th Feb 2016 3:08 pm
J77
Member Since: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Fife
Posts: 6268
These cars are designed to tackle some of the toughest terrain imaginable. The LRE vehicles are driven using the LR off road ethos in that they promote safe and responsible off road driving, all instructors are highly trained and the cars suffer minimal damage, if any. All cars are cleaned thoroughly underneath and serviced well. I would look at them with my eyes wide open but it wouldn't put me off.
The LRE cars have a relatively easy life compared to what some members put their ones through 23.5MY Defender 90 X-Dynamic SE D250 MHEV Pangea Green
8th Feb 2016 3:55 pm
L319
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2080
The LRE Eastnor ones are regularly serviced and any panel damage repaired promptly
8th Feb 2016 4:28 pm
boyd
Member Since: 26 Mar 2014
Location: Brackley
Posts: 217
My two penneth, the % of ex LRE cars that live a 'short but hard life' is relatively small compared to the pool of ex LRE cars, many live a pampered life on their mobile gymkhanas, light towing duties for aforementioned gymkhanas or as transport for staff and guests.
Like any car have a good look and underneath particularly as mentioned (it wouldn't be too much to ask them to throw a car your interested in up on the ramps to put your mind at ease), they are specced well and for the money could well be a bargain.
8th Feb 2016 5:16 pm
BrightYellowTVR
Member Since: 07 Feb 2016
Location: Wokingham
Posts: 17
Thanks for all the replies, appreciate your views re the LRE cars. I have test driven a couple of Disco 4s now and prefer the one with the sunroof, making for a lighter cabin. As usual the good ones seem to go petty quickly at dealers, especially at the budget I was looking at. I would prefer an HSE but have also looked at the black design spec cars that had the sunroof box ticked.
8th Feb 2016 5:48 pm
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7440
I have bought two ex "Land Rover Management" cars, always noticeable a mile off with their Oxford registration numbers and both have been fine.
However, would I touch an Ex LRE car? Not in a million years!! Beware anything that's white or silver!
Let me explain what your "new" car will have been doing, day in, day out, for the last 6 months, in pictures (all genuine LRE cars - with stickers to prove it!):
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There was a buyer on here a few months ago with photos of his dismantled radiators with mud caked deep into the radiator matricies and fairly extensive marginal body repairs on a very low mileage LRE car.2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: 2 x FL2 as “second” cars 🙄
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!)
8th Feb 2016 6:30 pm
BrightYellowTVR
Member Since: 07 Feb 2016
Location: Wokingham
Posts: 17
Thanks John for the photos my search goes on for the right one for me, I have seen a low mileage one but if only it had a sunroof! There is always one option missing when I look & I can't afford/justify a brand new one. The search continues
8th Feb 2016 7:03 pm
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7440
You're welcome. I wouldn't dream of having a Disco without a sunroof, so I understand entirely. It lends itself to a sunroof too; with the windscreen being so upright, it means that the sunroof can come far forward enough to be able to enjoy it while you're driving.
Good luck with the hunt.2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: 2 x FL2 as “second” cars 🙄
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!)
8th Feb 2016 7:12 pm
mz mini
Member Since: 02 Jul 2014
Location: Sunny Devon
Posts: 1759
No ex LRE car for me , we did the LRE at Awliscombe which was tame to put it mildly but the car's are being used in deep mud and water day in day out I know that that what these car are built for but would rather have an example that has had an easier existence and a regular driverLand Rover 90 - deceased
Discovery 3 - deceased
Discovery 4 2013
Mini Cooper S 1964 Mk1 - International Rally winner red & white
Mini Cooper s 1964 Mk1 - Road Rally champion green & white
Mini Cooper S 1971 Mk3 - original and unrestored
Porsche 911 997
Porsche Boxster 3.4S
VW Polo 1.2
Citroen Xsara Picasso - shed/run around
8th Feb 2016 7:23 pm
LaserTam
Member Since: 31 Aug 2015
Location: Essex
Posts: 831
BYTVR - see, I said you would get some help
Incidentally I was at LRE Rockingham yesterday, the D4 I drove had 70 miles on the clock, I was the first to get it muddy! Right now I would consider buying it, but give it a few months, ummm maybe not.MY2012 D4 HSE Nara Bronze with some extra stuff
8th Feb 2016 7:25 pm
BrightYellowTVR
Member Since: 07 Feb 2016
Location: Wokingham
Posts: 17
Yes thanks for the heads up on this forum, I am a on a couple of the LR Facebook sites but this trumps those
8th Feb 2016 7:32 pm
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7440
Great! Please hang around and let us know how you get on 2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: 2 x FL2 as “second” cars 🙄
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!)
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
my search goes on for the right one for me, I have seen a low mileage one but if only it had a sunroof! There is always one option missing when I look & I can't afford/justify a brand new one. The search continues 
