Member Since: 16 Jan 2010
Location: Dublin
Posts: 798
7 Seats.
Not only why I bought one over a RR, but why I bought one, full stop. Needed 7 seats and didn't want a full-blown Espace-style people carrier. No other real option out there as far as I'm concerned.
Of course, if I'd have known what sort of door I was unlocking (a probably lifelong, stupidly unjustifiable, yearning for more LR product), I'd have just bought a minibus and lived happily ever after - with a lot more spare money!2001 D2 GS (I must be mad!)
2005 D3 S 10-12 (gone and missed)
9th Feb 2013 12:59 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
euangibson wrote:
Robbie wrote:
Being a public servant I don't think an FFRR is a realistic proposition.
...according to the Daily Mail you all get one as a company car don't you ? ...
Nah, but happy with the company aircraft!Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 27 May 2011
Location: Sticking the Ex back in the skanks bin
Posts: 2824
They are for slightly different markets.
The larger (not by much) load area in the disco is useful to a lot of people as well as the seats, if not a requirement.
The disco has LOADS more offroad kit that just simply doesn't exist for an FFRR.
The gangster/dealer/WAG thing in the FFRR isn't too bad but I experience it sometimes, IE not being let out at all, people just being ejits to you for no reason, turning up to pick kit up and them saying "we didn't really need to give you that discount did we?!" stuff like that irks me big time but it doesn't occur that much more than when i drove around in a new D4 HSE/XS or SSRR to be totally honest.
I've found not washing and polishing mine every week actually helps in this respect. People seem to think your more 'normal' if its not totally clean... Also mine currently has a passenger side wing mirror with bits of duct tape round it from an offroad adventure involving some moss and a tree.
So far the only off road kit i can really find for an FFRR is
Unbody protection (rare as golden hens teeth mind!)
Expo type roof rack
MTR tyres on the correct wheels
Winch Tray and winch (only available from LR as well!)
You cant get an RAI/Snorkel and the places i've contacted and offered money to make a bespoke one to just aren't interested in it and get the response of 'why would you take it off road'
The ICE in the FFRR seem miles ahead of the latest incarnation in the Disco's, mainly as i think there is more sound proofing on the panels and extra speakers help as well.
The ride is softer in the FFRR (this is tyre + pressure dependant of course)
The seats seem more comfortable to me(everyone is different in this respect though)
its quieter at a cruise or high speed (probably due to more slanted screen and extra sound proofing as above)
It cant swallow as square or tall a load as a Disco but then its not really designed to and the rear seats don't fold in a way to make a totally flat load bed when needed.
The price... There is a big difference, even more so now with the stupidly expensive L405 out and onsale
The gearbox for the TD6 is made of some silly soft alloy. It wasn't designed to pull and FFRR or X5 and shows it really. Some have lasted the course and others just havent. Touch wood mines covered 147k and will do more so...
The engine can use up the odd injector as it is the M57 engine from the BMW lineup its well known to, BUT doesn't eat them as quickly as the same engines in BMW shell's...
In the Disco the engine can munch itself requiring a recon engine or used one from somewhere as the parts are still 8years on not available to repair it
The electrics in both are just as good/bad
The EPB on the disco seems to give issues which were ironed out a little more before it got put into the 06MY> RR's as well.
The calipers on both are known to be a pain as they get on abit.
In the end even though i had driven a disco 4 12000miles and fancied a D3 i was worried about the engine and realised i never needed 7 seats and preferred the extra comfort of the FFRR and could get a decently aged and miled model for the same as a 54 HSE D3 at the time, i got an 05 Vogue with 124k on it, FSH, 1 owner, 1 tiny fault and pretty decent bodywork and history.
As others have said. It really is a very personal choice as after a house your car is the next most expensive thing you will buy and needs to be what you want from it
Horses for courses as they say
There are some on here who own both so they are covered (just being greedy in my eyes )
Some have made the move from a Disco to an FF, and some have moved from an FF to a disco FFRR Owner, very nearly became a D3 owner
Test piloted a new D4 XS SDV6.. Gone and being forgotten i hope!!
D4 HSE 10MY
D4 XS 11MY
SSRR Destroyer *2
9th Feb 2013 8:52 pm
kp
Member Since: 27 May 2011
Location: Sticking the Ex back in the skanks bin
Posts: 2824
PS running costs are not that far apart to be honest...
Recon injector that i need for mine currently, £85
Full set of discs and pads and rear caliper came to just under £200
Filter kit £40
Oil £45
In Tank Fuel pump £400
Secondary Fuel pump £70
Tyres between £90-300 a corner
MPG, between 20-30 depending how its driven and its state of health, load, journey, weather...
The gearbox issue is fixable and a longterm solution has been found but isn't cheap, though cheaper than a TDv6 engine replacement by a fair whack.
The above stuff is what i have had replaced and i can't think of anything else in 23k and 18months of ownership.
Oh an insurance is about the same as well.FFRR Owner, very nearly became a D3 owner
Test piloted a new D4 XS SDV6.. Gone and being forgotten i hope!!
D4 HSE 10MY
D4 XS 11MY
SSRR Destroyer *2
9th Feb 2013 8:56 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50979
Which model year is yours kp ?
EDIT: Just found out its 8 years old ....doesn't compare in the slightest to the latest D4 chap 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
9th Feb 2013 9:08 pm
kp
Member Since: 27 May 2011
Location: Sticking the Ex back in the skanks bin
Posts: 2824
Depends on the D4 but really needs to be driven to be compared
it has most of the same stuff the 06-09's have bar the seats and dash trim but the exterior and gadgets are the same, though are faster than the my11-12 D4's (ps not engine, mean gadgets!)FFRR Owner, very nearly became a D3 owner
Test piloted a new D4 XS SDV6.. Gone and being forgotten i hope!!
D4 HSE 10MY
D4 XS 11MY
SSRR Destroyer *2
9th Feb 2013 9:30 pm
Leesbay
Member Since: 19 Dec 2011
Location: rainford
Posts: 1581
my D3 is good but the D4 would do for me any day over a FFRR
a good balance of hardworking and class, with practicability to suit an active family ....................................................................................................
If my wife ever sells my stuff for what she thinks I paid for them, you lot are gonna get some bargains!
9th Feb 2013 9:43 pm
projectsalop
Member Since: 27 Nov 2012
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 96
Re: Why a Disco over a Range Rover?
rich89 wrote:
Why did you buy a Disco instead of a RR?
I bought mine as i thought the D3 was better VFM and would be better off road.
I much prefer the looks of a RR tho.
so what was the reason?
Because I couldn't afford a Defender with the same mileage I love the smell of FBH in the morning... The smell, you know that gasoline smell... Smells like...victory!
(With apologies to Apocalypse Now!)
9th Feb 2013 10:38 pm
blue200tdi
Member Since: 23 Sep 2012
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 1094
I really, really, really wanted a RRS but with dogs and children the D3 was far more practical. That and the fact the mrs was paying for it! You guys are gonna be busier than a test bench in a plunger factory!
Java black 2006 2.7 TDV6 HSE AUTO.
2014 Kawasaki ZZR1400 Performance sport.
10th Feb 2013 12:23 am
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
Well in our family we have FFRR (5.0sc), RRS (TDV8 remapped + decatted) and D3 (TDV6 remapped, decatted), and my sister (1/4mile up the street) has a D4 (SDV6 remapped), so I get to drive em all whenever I want
(yes, we have our own image problems associated with RR's over here, and its not the footballer association, its something else we don't need to discuss, but lets just say its rare to see someone not associated with the government or the ruling party driving a RR)
If I am doing my 2-weekly trip to Natal (1200km round trip) I will either take the FFRR or the RRS. The FFRR because it is so quiet and effortless and it has the BEST aircon in the world, the RRS because of the monster torque makes it a pleasure on the highway, and because both have the adaptive cruise, which makes it so relaxing to drive long distance.
If I need to get somewhere fast, the RRS is the natural choice. I just feel like driving it to the limit every time I open the door.
If I need to transport something big, or the kids have friends over and want to go somewhere, the D3 is a natural
In an emergency or when the weather gets really bad - huge storms etc. I will choose the FFRR or D3 every time. I just KNOW they will get me through anything, rain, hail snow or shyte, including other vehicles if the need arises.
If we are going on holiday. The D3. Every time, no discussion
For me , the D4 fits all of these roles about 80-90% - its almost as comfy as the FFRR but a little noisier and the ride is slightly harder. Its not quite as fast as the RRS but its close, but yes it will do anything the D3 can do.
So if, God Forbid!, I should have to choose one vehicle only it would have to be the D4
10th Feb 2013 5:47 am
Sweetpea
Member Since: 25 Mar 2011
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 130
I chose a D3 over a Range Rover because I prefer the looks and the practicality of it; we've got three children and a boxer dog.
It's also been my first foray into LR ownership and besides an injector issue, there have been no tales of woe. I find with most things automotive, it's better to get real owners experiences rather than listen to some know-it-all that's never even sat in one yet knows a friend of a friend who had a dog of a Discovery.
If they could make the vehicle more frugal then it would've been the perfect vehicle; goes anywhere, seats seven in comfort, has all the toys you really need (in HSE form) and has a look of understated class which is a look that not many other vehicles can carry off.
10th Feb 2013 8:38 am
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8244
Bought my first RR in 1976 Horse trailer, shooting, fishing and farming syndrome. People have forgot or don't know how much these vehicles have improved since then, two doors No reclining seats No air suspention 12mpg 4 speed V8 petrol only. First mod was to fit a diesel engine, you had two choices a Perkins 4 cylinder out of a tractor that would do 70mph flat out or a Ford 6 cylinder out of a lorry that would not start in winter
I have had test drives in RRSs, FFRRs, Freelanders and Evoque, but niether can tempt me away from what I've got, not tried a D4 yet in case I fall in love with one.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
10th Feb 2013 10:41 am
Cam-Tech-Craig
Member Since: 24 Feb 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 419
I have both... A FFRR SC and a TDV6 HSE and they are IMHO polls apart but i love them both... My wife has an 06 110 which has "a soul" which apparently both the others lack
I use the D3 for a work runabout and the SC for nice clean use. I get treated differently by other road users driving all three cars, which i find very amusing (don't wave at Defenders from a FF they don't like you! )
I wouldn't change from owning both and "donning different caps" oh and incidentally i get the most amount of respect given/shown to me driving my D2 bobtail "loved by all" (and the worse when driving our Porsche Boxster S)
15.5MY XS in Corris Grey with Black & Almond leather
10th Feb 2013 11:18 am
Klinkhammer
Member Since: 02 Jul 2012
Location: Highlands
Posts: 266
Needed a family vehicle which would tow 1.9 tonnes and carry 3 kids plus friends. Used to be able to get something suitable as company car but now limited to 150g/km so non starter.
No matter how you look at it you end up with a Discovery, D3/D4 down to money.
Looked at Xc90, X5 and Discovery thought swmbo would go for one of the others as more car like. Happily the right decision was arrived at.
Now desire a D4, just trying to figure out how to build a case to justify it rationally, am I now a hopeless case?I'm to old to know everything......
D4 Gone over to the Dark Side (D5)
D3 gone ...... But now want one for knocking about! Is this a form of insanity?
10th Feb 2013 11:22 am
Endjin
Member Since: 09 Feb 2013
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 43
Wanted a change after 6 years in 2 RRSports. Didn't want to buy a "last of the line" current sport as I new I'd be hacked off when the new one eventually arrives. Can't justify the cost of the new FFRR (and to be honest, I suspect the new Sport will see similar price increase). I was in the dealers and they had a stunning black Disco 4 HSE Luxury and having had mainly Disco's as loaners from dealer and loving them, the specification of this HSE Luxury just blew me away. Easy decision.... Deal done & also ended up buying Mrs Endjin a new Evoque to replace her 3 year old Freelander 2 at the same time! Can't wait to get my Disco now
Last edited by Endjin on 10th Feb 2013 11:52 am. Edited 1 time in total
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Horse trailer, shooting, fishing and farming syndrome. People have forgot or don't know how much these vehicles have improved since then, two doors 
"loved by all" (and the worse when driving our Porsche Boxster S)
