Disco 4 as an overland platform

[Nakkiran Sunassee]

Hi gents,

Considering a D4 as an overlanding platform, pros/cons?

I see the XS has coils, but ground clearance seems to be an issue, is there an aftermarket lift kit available?

Thanks

[George Rudman]

There are suspension upgrade options available yes and a must have if you want to go offroad.  I had a demo over December and the thing hit bottom on every second rock.  Add a rear locker and you can just as well go for a S model.  And no the air suspension is not as big risk on the D4 as with the D3. :-)

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[Nakkiran Sunassee]

Thanks George.

I read it's possible to fit spacers to get 18" rims to fit, do you know anyone who has done this successfully?

[George Rudman]

Nope, haven't heard.  Not a major train smash either.

On Mon, May 18, 2015 at 8:38 AM, Nakkiran Sunassee <n.sun...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks George.

I read it's possible to fit spacers to get 18" rims to fit, do you know anyone who has done this successfully?

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[robert....@gmail.com]

XS has 18" as standard. You can get Compomotive 18" rims to fit over the other models, by all acount it's nearly R30k for the rims, maybe more now.

To be honest I don't think there's much difference between 18 and 19" rims when overlanding. In both cases you're in the dwang if you write off a tyre anywhere outside the major centres of SA.

[Mike]

Also MUCH more expensive for that 1or 2” extra diameter

MikE

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[Nakkiran Sunassee]

Thanks gents.

George, any major issues with your D4?

[Bruce Turner]

How is an overland vehicle classified now-a-days? 

I think a D3/4 is a great option mainly because it eats up the miles whether on road or off. (flame suit on) It also makes a good all rounder and no trip is too long in it. 

On our last trip the only complaint I think i could have about the Disco was it is quite a bit wider than my Defender, so on overgrown narrow tracks it does get a bit more scratched but nothing a polish did not sort out when i got back. 

On our last trip to Bots where we bush camped for 8 out of 10 nights we did around IIRC 3200kms of which i guess around 600kms were off-road makes sense to have a comfortable, quiet cruiser (not Cruiser) with decent aircon. :)  

I would not buy the XS purely for the reasons already mentioned and I can not see why you would want that over models with the terrain response and air suspension. Yes some dislike the electronic stuff and they will let you know while typing on their i-pads or laptops and using the internet not via type writer and snail mail. :) 

The air suspension is far more reliable in the 3 and 4 than what it was in older models and I could be wrong but I think it is more reliable than we are lead to believe. 

Get the S or SE. 

Rgds

BruceT

On 18 May 2015 at 16:04, Nakkiran Sunassee <n.sun...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks gents.

George, any major issues with your D4?

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[Nakkiran Sunassee]

Thanks Bruce, I was thinking the same wrt to cruising ability/comfort.

I'm looking at 2013-2014 models with less than 40,000 km.

Anything to look out for, besides checking the FSH with LR, services/recalls, etc.?

[Heine De Villiers]

I had 2 D3's, great as tow vehicles, impractical as a solo. Not enough space and a crappy load rating. I suspect the D4 has even less.

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[Fanie du Plessis]

Well it depends, a D4 could probably swallow nearly as much as a Defender. Can not imagine that two people could ever need more space?

[Heine De Villiers]

Not space, weight

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[Bruce]

What is the load rating of a Disco 3 and 4?

Space is clearly not an issue.

Rgds
BruceT

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From: Heine De Villiers
Sent: ‎2015-‎05-‎18 18:08

To: overlan...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Overland] Disco 4 as an overland platform

[Nakkiran Sunassee]

Heine, if you're exceeding the D4's load rating, maybe you should hit the gym :P

On Monday, 18 May 2015 18:08:03 UTC+2, Heine De Villiers wrote:

Not space, weight

[Heine De Villiers]

Oh well played sir , but lest we forget   http://heine9999.com/trips/kalaghadi-november-2013-aka-fillys-turn-in-the-box/

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[Bruce]

Haha i was waiting for that link. Heine's favourite!

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From: Heine De Villiers

Sent: ‎2015-‎05-‎18 20:39

To: overlan...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Overland] Disco 4 as an overland platform

[Heine De Villiers]

Then I'm glad I didn't disappoint. Sweet tight sweety

[colinwpa]

I had a D3, lovely car, brilliant long distance cruiser and competent off road. But my pockets weren't deep enough to cope with the maintenance costs.....so get one (D4) with lots of support time still on it. As an example, when the alternator packed up it was a R10,000 dip in the pocket, and no, it wasn't repairable either. ..

[Fanie du Plessis]

He he, replaced my alternator at time of cambelt service as a preventative measure, R4500. Old one kept as a spare.

On 19 May 2015 06:09, "colinwpa" <coli...@gmail.com> wrote:

I had a D3, lovely car, brilliant long distance cruiser and competent off road. But my pockets weren't deep enough to cope with the maintenance costs.....so get one (D4) with lots of support time still on it. As an example, when the alternator packed up it was a R10,000 dip in the pocket, and no, it wasn't repairable either. ..

[Mike Nieuwoudt]

Problem with D3/D4 as overlanding platform is that it makes what should be an adventure just another holiday (that is until you overdo it as messeurs de Villiers and Sprules found out, then it just becomes a PITA :-))

[Neale Penman]

Had a chance to compare the old workhorse defender to the D3’s on our last Gonarezhou trip.

Defenders can’t be beaten for loading ability, packing space. D3 for two people is fine.

 

Defenders- you’re part of the action and if it’s over 40 degrees then you just adjust or go home. . In the D3’s you’re removed from the environment. Some people like that but I personally think that constantly swapping between 21 degree aircon and whatever it is ambient is more stressful.

 

D3’s are very good in the rough stuff , ate the obstacles the defenders had to take carefully.

As for the long hauls, I personally don’t mind the odd 800km stretch in the defender, but yes it will never be as comfortable as a disco.

 

Naks, I can understand why you might be reviewing the 90 as an overlander. Awesome vehicle but packing space limited and the twitchiness of the shorter wheel base makes driving higher speeds on gravel less relaxing.

 

My 2c : I think the natural upgrade path is from a 90 to a 110……

Of course, all my observations around the 110 are based on my 13 year old Td5 which has given us endless pleasure and very few real hassles. The newer Pumas are more comfortable but as you know, they have their own issues, like any vehicle.

 

Drove a D4 last week for a couple of days. Very, very nice vehicle. But it will never give me the smile I get when I climb into my Defender….

 

Wishing you happy choices J

Cheers

Neale

 

 

 

 

[Bertus Bekker]

And then between 90 and 110, there is the Dissy1 - has it's own issues, but easy to deal with anywhere. Tdi probably the better option nowadays.

Less packing space than a 110, more than a 90. Less comfortable than D3/4, but more than a Def.

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[Clem Daniel]

How much punishment can the D3/D4 suspension take in comparison to say a Defender when travelling at speed along exceptionally and roads? I look at the LC too and wonder if they are as robust as good old beam axles and radius arms?

[Clem Daniel]

I meant "exceptionally bad".

[Bruce Turner]

Sorry Collin, you were ripped off badly. Replacements are readily available for between R3800 and R4500 and in most cases they are able to be reconditioned for between R900 and R1500 by a good sparky. Ive done 4 services in mine since owning it with the most expensive service being R3500 but on average they are below R3k.

Mike, my little family of 4 have had some awesome adventures while on holiday in my D3. :) 

Yes I do miss my Defender which was kitted exactly how I wanted it which can not be done with a Disco. I even seriously considered buying it back but unfortunately I dont spend as much time as I would like to in the bush anymore so the Disco suits my needs now and meets my bush travel requirements when i do go to the bush.  

Rgds

BruceT 

On 19 May 2015 at 06:09, colinwpa <coli...@gmail.com> wrote:

I had a D3, lovely car, brilliant long distance cruiser and competent off road. But my pockets weren't deep enough to cope with the maintenance costs.....so get one (D4) with lots of support time still on it. As an example, when the alternator packed up it was a R10,000 dip in the pocket, and no, it wasn't repairable either. ..

[Nico Roets]

​Neale I agree - I switch off the aircon one we arrived at our destination or I find it very hard to adjust to the ambient temps when out of the car. Once I have adjusted to the ambient temps it is a pleasure, even when fairly hot.

On 19 May 2015 at 07:21, Neale Penman <npe...@mweb.co.za> wrote:

Defenders- you’re part of the action and if it’s over 40 degrees then you just adjust or go home. . In the D3’s you’re removed from the environment. Some people like that but I personally think that constantly swapping between 21 degree aircon and whatever it is ambient is more stressful.

 

 

 

 

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[Bruce Turner]

Clem the modern LCs are not as strong as they used to be and even they have suspension or in the picture below axles that fail. 

Having said that my old mans "troop carrier" LC (imported from Dubai into Zim) lasted an estimated 2mil KMs with only minor (expected) repairs. He drove it for over 10 years. It was used mostly to carry building material to build Bluewaters, from Zim to Vilanciulos and on very bad roads at that time. As much as I love my landys and I hate to admit it, I dont know if they could have performed the same as that cruiser which seemed indestructible. 

Rgds

BruceT 

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[Marc Hall]

Bruce, 4 services in this relatively short period of time?  Are alternators one of the “issues” on the D3?

 

 

 

 

On Behalf Of Bruce Turner

[George Rudman]

No issues, but neither did either of my D3s apart from maintenance aspects.   Any vehicle can be an overlanding vehicle just like any vehicle will break if abused.  The tire size thing is way overrated so don't be bothered about it, unless mean looking big tires strokes the ego. ;-) 

[Heine De Villiers]

Agree , had no issues with either of my D3's ,but just felt that something else was better suited to be kitted as an overlander

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[Bruce Turner]

No but the alternator is in a bad position and apparently if you go into very deep mud they can get full of mud which any alternator doesnt like. Coming from Mud Island this is weird.

I service every 10k kms. Insisted on a service when buying it and I have done just over 30k kms since (19 months). (made up of 2 trips to Bots, 2 to Durban, 1 to Mosselbay, a bunch to local campsite/game parks, 3 trips to Welkom (Phakisa) and then in and around JHB and Pretoria)

Rgds

BruceT 

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[Nakkiran Sunassee]

Neale, the idea (if SWAMBO allows, of course), is to switch to a D4 for overlanding and keep the 90 for trails.

[Clem Daniel]

Thanks Bruce. Surprising, that picture. I was actually thinking of the luxury IFS stuff. Can they take it without problems? Not sure but a Hummer (the real things) is also IFS, so maybe if its built right....

[Christo Pietersen]

I loved my D4 and used it as an overlanding and towing my Xplorer vehicle on a few short trips and one longer one through Lesotho. Th 19inch tyre story is not so bad. Just get decent, more off road biased tyres and all will be good. If you understand how the air suspension work and know how not to overstress the compressor it should also not give hassles. If you are really worried there are some bushfix items that can be carried to help plus some electronic gadgets to clear possible fault codes, which I never had. They are power hungry vehicles and batteries and alternators will always need to be in tip top condition.

 

I had the HSE which is way too fancy with unused bells and whistles which only wow you in the showroom, like the 6 cameras which I only used the day when I bought it to brag with my wife. I think the S will be much better suited although I am a sucker for lights so would probably try and get an SE which I think also has HID headlights. The XS without the air suspension and terrain response miss the plot completely and strip a beautiful advance in off road technology from the vehicle.

 

I sold mine as it was horrendously heavy on diesel, it was running out of motorplan, and I never felt comfortable leaving sufficient money in my bank for the possible engine rebuild looming after it goes out of motorplan. For some or other reason my swambo also hated the vehicle, in particular the fact that it did not have heated seats(go figure – but that is the modern woman’s input) for such an expensive car compared to my 13 year old Pajero which had it as standard, plus she absolutely loathed the HSE fold down arm rests on the front seats, saying that they were always giving her bruises when she had to lean back to assist one of the toddlers in the back while on the road. I suspect that if I had the S or SE model with the V8 petrol engine that I would probably have still been driving a Disco today and not a newer Pajero. But then again I always had a soft spot for Pajero’s, so I was not totally unbiased.

 

 

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From: overlan...@googlegroups.com [mailto:overlan...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Turner
Sent: 19 May 2015 08:30 AM
To: overland-forum
Subject: Re: [Overland] Disco 4 as an overland platform

 

No but the alternator is in a bad position and apparently if you go into very deep mud they can get full of mud which any alternator doesnt like. Coming from Mud Island this is weird.

[Clem Daniel]

Interesting post!

[George Rudman]

Naks, why have a D4 for overlanding and a 90 for trails?  That's seems like a heavy burden on the bank.  I'd recommend have one that is used for both and the 90 is probably better suited for overlanding in general.  For 2 people it's perfect.

[Eric (A.H.) Sommer]

>> 90 is probably better suited for overlanding in general

 

I would question that statement.

The short wheelbase would make it uncomfortable in many aspects, especially heavily loaded on less than perfect roads.

 

Been behind a few 90’s on trips. Even with modest loads on the roof (couple of jerry cans and the RTT), I got uncomfortable watching it.

 

It’s an around town and trail vehicle – I would not advocate anyone using it as their overlanding vehicle. Rather get the 110 or the Disco

 

 

A.H. (Eric) Sommer  | zr6...@gmail.com | +27 82 492 9272  | (Fax )+27 86 530 6642 | ZR6ETR (gTalk)

Please note that calls to my cell from “unknown” or “private numbers” are automatically blocked

 

[Heine De Villiers]

Yip I remember we often had to feed Graham Wild steaks and things , as he didn't have space in the 90 for a freezer :-P

Or maybe that was because the wife was a vegetarian ?

--

[Nakkiran Sunassee]

Yep, as Eric says, it's quite twitchy on gravel roads and you have to take it very easy when fully loaded.

[Fanie du Plessis]

I consider three items really important when using the Disco overlanding, a spare alternator, a redundancy built into the air suspension, ie spare compressor /inflation point, and a OBD2 fault reader.

On 19 May 2015 10:38, "Nakkiran Sunassee" <n.sun...@gmail.com> wrote:

Yep, as Eric says, it's quite twitchy on gravel roads and you have to take it very easy when fully loaded.

[Mike Nieuwoudt]

Looking at that Cruiser front tyre you can see the axle was bent long before it broke. Bet you that Cruiser took a very hard landing long before the axle broke.

On Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 7:59:46 AM UTC+2, BruceT wrote:

[Heine De Villiers]

Ssssh don't spoil Bruce's fantasy

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[Sean Steyn]

Taken of a Hilux booked in for service, the engine has not been opened yet.

Regards

Sean

[Hennie Rautenbach]

Can;t see image...

[Clem Daniel]

+1

[Henk Coetzee]

I was thinking along the same lines as Bertus. If you are looking for an overlanding vehicle and are willing to spend the money for a D4, what about a 110. A D1 is a nice compromise - 100 inch wheelbase, sitting midway between the 90 and the 110. The Tdi would be a better choice as an overlander, given the V8's thirst and consequent tank range. FWIW, I just filled up my Tdi at 899km on a tank. You will be getting a more mature vehicle but they're simple enough to fix and maintain. Bear in mind though that the D1 is a 5 door 2 seater.

[Mike Lauterbach]

Interesting discussion.

I would never go from a Defender to a D1 as an overland vehicle (got both), then rather the TD5 D2.  Especially from a TD5 or Puma Defender.  And I agree with the comments that the Puma is a LOT more comfortable on long trips than the old tdis.

The D3/4 are not true overland vehicles, but, can be used as such for 2 people.  What I like about these is that the boring bits, like the long trek from home to your destination start, like Windhoek or Maun, can be done in comfort, without taxing yourselves, as though you are driving to Durbs on freeways.  And then, the offroad bits are a breeze as well.

So yes, if space is not an issue, and you do not mind packing and reorganising your vehicle, the D4 fits the bill, if you can fit all your bits inside and on top, and if you must, in the trailer.

Heine hit the nail on the head for many of us when he wrote "... had no issues with either of my D3's ,but just felt that something else was better suited to be kitted as an overlander".  It depends what you want.  In Nakkiran's case I think the D4 would fit the bill, and I agree with him, Eric and others that the 90 is not suited for this, but a fantastic about town vehicle and toy in the local bush.  I would not get rid of the 90.

For me, I'm with Heine on the definition of overland vehicles, for our needs.  And this fits the bill of Cruisers, Defenders, Mogs etc, in the sense that you can get one and dedicate it to overland travel.  They all offer enough space etc, but can still be donkeys on the long Karoo stretches.  This is the route we took until now (Defender).  And now, because I'm getting soft, we chose Molly :)

Cheers
Mike

[Con de Bruin]

Naks

 

If you want a D4 Buy a D4, if you are going to scratch that itch with anything else, the itch will not go away.  The D4 is more than reliable enough if maintained and Sh!t will happen, in anything from a Volla to a Rolla. If you overland there is nothing that WILL break the D4 if half a brain cell is active, if that one shuts down you’ll break everything regardless of brand, earlier Cruiser photo in point. It will carry 600 KG’s happily (rated load) I you have to carry more than 600KG’s, buy a sportscar and start booking into hotels, overlanding is not for you.

 

2c worth

Con

 

 

 

From: overlan...@googlegroups.com [mailto:overlan...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Henk Coetzee
Sent: 19 May 2015 06:27 PM
To: overlan...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Overland] Disco 4 as an overland platform

 

I was thinking along the same lines as Bertus. If you are looking for an overlanding vehicle and are willing to spend the money for a D4, what about a 110. A D1 is a nice compromise - 100 inch wheelbase, sitting midway between the 90 and the 110. The Tdi would be a better choice as an overlander, given the V8's thirst and consequent tank range. FWIW, I just filled up my Tdi at 899km on a tank. You will be getting a more mature vehicle but they're simple enough to fix and maintain. Bear in mind though that the D1 is a 5 door 2 seater.

[Con de Bruin]

+1

 

As per my previous e-mail, I am very happy with the Prado, no real packing space but works with my trailer, different strokes for different folks

 

Con

 

From: overlan...@googlegroups.com [mailto:overlan...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Mike Lauterbach
Sent: 19 May 2015 07:10 PM
To: overlan...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Overland] Disco 4 as an overland platform

 

Interesting discussion.

--

[Sean Steyn]

I hope it works..

[Nakkiran Sunassee]

Yeah, 600kg is way, way more than enough for the two of us.

Moving from an RTT to a ground tent also cuts down on lots of weight, not to mention fuel consumption + lowering the COG.

I mean, we rock up at the airport and we have 2 bags totalling less than 20kg when our allowance is 40kg each, the staff start looking at us funny and triple-checking our passports!

[Hennie Rautenbach]

Donner !

[Mike Lauterbach]

I think it measures in meters :)

On 20/05/2015 07:44 AM, Hennie Rautenbach wrote:
> Donner !

[Clem Daniel]

What engine?

[colinwpa]

Fortunately, for me, it wasn't my pocket. I'd sold it a few weeks before and the new owner took the hit. I suspect he had it done at the agents, R7800 for the part, the rest was labour. ...

[Sean Steyn]

Clem,

I have asked for that info. All I know is that it was booked in last week for a service at Toyota. (Northern Cape) which means those are probably long distance kilos of the healthy kind.

On 20 May 2015 at 08:12, Clem Daniel <clem.j...@gmail.com> wrote:

What engine?

[Hannes Thirion]

Sean,
It would be interesting to see a photo of the vehicle itself.  Would like to see if the plastic parts fall off or was replaced. Northern Cape got a lot 'sinkplaat' gravel roads.
That digital speedo distance is from a 2005 onwards new shape Vigo Hilux. My 2004 Hilux still got the old type rotating dial. Now at 128800km only.
Regards,

[Sean Steyn]

No pictures :-( The engine is a 2KD 2.5 Diesel.

Best regards

Sean

[Me Marc]

It's bullet proof.

---

From: Sean Steyn
Sent: ‎2015-‎05-‎20 11:50 AM

To: overlan...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Overland] Disco 4 as an overland platform

[Hannes Thirion]

Thx Sean

[Clem Daniel]

Apparently so…

[robert....@gmail.com]

There was a story going round of a courier company vehicle with big mileage from the NC, maybe this is it, the 2.5 engine may point to that. Did the Upington - CT route IIRC. Very impressive.

[Sean Steyn]

Btw, my friend at Toyota also confirmed that Toyota do not give you a free car when it gets to 1,000,000km.

Sent from my mobile.

[Heine De Villiers]

Probably happens too often

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[Con de Bruin]

Ha Ha                    +1

 

From: overlan...@googlegroups.com [mailto:overlan...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Heine De Villiers
Sent: 20 May 2015 04:24 PM
To: overlan...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Overland] Disco 4 as an overland platform

 

Probably happens too often

[Mike Lauterbach]

You are very sharp today :)

[Heine De Villiers]

Even a blind squirrel finds the occasional acorn

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[Henk Coetzee]

Better than bullet proof. That 2.5 seems to be junior geologist proof.

[Me Marc]

They don't have enough free cars :)

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From: Sean Steyn
Sent: ‎2015-‎05-‎20 04:15 PM

To: overlan...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Overland] Disco 4 as an overland platform

[Nakkiran Sunassee]

Hi guys,

It's been a while, but I think I've found a good deal: http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-cars/land-rover/discovery/2011-land-rover-discovery-3-0-tdv6-s-stellenbosch-fpa-8a81b6c74edae0c5014ef33208557427/dealer/2001231

2011 D4 TDV6 S (shouldn't this be SDV6?) with 95Kkm on the clock, going for R379K, or R399K with the 2 yr/60Kkm extended LR warranty.

It's a CL registration, which means it has never even seen a gravel road, just the daily school runs.

Anything I should be on the lookout for?

[Heine De Villiers]

Are you planning to use a trailer

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[Nakkiran Sunassee]

No, well, at least not right now.

Although the Metalian Mini looks very appealing.

[Heine De Villiers]

D3/4 has a crap load rating. Don't overdo it. Don't forget what happened to Phillip Sprules

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[Nakkiran Sunassee]

Haha, to be fair, SWAMBO & I combined probably weigh 1/2 of him :)

we do travel light - each person gets one ammo box and that's it.

[Christo Steyn]

Eish... one Philly... and the apple cart is smashed....

Heine... use the other braincell...

--

[Merwe Erasmus]

Naks

We were in Kaokoland for about 2 weeks in June. One of our party had (still has) a D4.

I am no expert on cars, nor do I have any interest in machines and engines and the like, but I have been on this and similar sites for many years and have picked up some info. I also do a bit of travelling and have a little bit of experience.

The impression I got on the trip was that Land Rover had sorted out most of the problems of the earlier generation Disco's by the time they built the D4. 

My buddy had a good packing system and did not carry too much stuff on the roof. They were only two persons, a small wife and a slightlier heavier hubby and they did not overload. The vehicle performed very well in both sandy and rocky terrain. I have driven the D4 on gravel roads in the Cederberg before and it was super smooth.The only drawback for overlanding was the larger rims. You cannot let the  19 inch down enough to make a big enough bulge and when they deflated too much they suffered a classic snake bite puncture when they struck a rock in a river bed.

We did not do any water crossings apart from the few inches in the gorge just south of Puros.

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Merwe Erasmus

[Erin Bosch]

I may stand to be corrected, but if I remember correctly, the early D4s still used the TDV6 motor, which was then replaced by the SDV6.

There's enough anecdotal evidence to make me want to steer clear of the TDV6.

Perhaps chat to Bruce Turner who recently moved from a D3 to a D4.

Erin Bosch
INSURANCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES

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From: Nakkiran Sunassee
Sent: ‎2015-‎09-‎10 06:24 PM
To: overland-forum

Subject: Re: [Overland] Disco 4 as an overland platform

Hi guys,

It's been a while, but I think I've found a good deal: http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-cars/land-rover/discovery/2011-land-rover-discovery-3-0-tdv6-s-stellenbosch-fpa-8a81b6c74edae0c5014ef33208557427/dealer/2001231

2011 D4 TDV6 S (shouldn't this be SDV6?) with 95Kkm on the clock, going for R379K, or R399K with the 2 yr/60Kkm extended LR warranty.

It's a CL registration, which means it has never even seen a gravel road, just the daily school runs.

Anything I should be on the lookout for?

[Heine De Villiers]

Whatever you need to help you sleep at night.

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[Bruce]

Naks you going to get haters like ex landy owners who profess to be experts and brand loyal until they move onto the next brand but the best thing is just to ignore them.

I moved to the D4 for two reasons. One was i heard the horror stories about the D3 tdv6 motor which i was not willing to gamble on. The D3 tdv6 is a different motor to the D4. In Aus the early D4's had the D3 motor but we never had them here.
The second reason was because i was offered an unbelievable deal and the D4 actually works out cheaper than what i was paying for the D3.
So far i have had brilliant trips in both Discos (bush and tar) towing and not towing and have had no issues with space or performance and both tow my race car and Xplorer with all the related kit very well. The D4 is definitely more powerful and lighter on fuel. For example, two weeks ago i drove to Port Shepston towing the race car and all the spares with 3 of us in the car. We averaged just over 11ltrs per 100kms for the trip. (the race car and trailer is two tons alone)
I was initially disappointed with the towing of the D4 but had a software update done by landrover and its a different vehicle now.
If you run out of space in the D3 or 4 you are taking too much stuff and with you coming from the 90 you will have more space than what you had before and you will enjoy the wide rear access.
I have cooper tyres on my D4 which seem to be between a road tyre and mud tyre. Time will tell how good they are. I must admit to being concerned about the 19 inch wheels though.

Good luck with your choice i dont regret my decision one bit. We are busy packing for a small trip to the bush this weekend where the D4 may get dirty and low range will have to be used.....oh the horror!

Rgds
BruceT

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From: Erin Bosch
Sent: ‎2015-‎09-‎10 20:49
To: overlan...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [Overland] Disco 4 as an overland platform

[Nakkiran Sunassee]

Thanks Bruce!

If I understand correctly, in ZA the D4 whether TDV6 or SDV6 is the same, and it was purely a badge change?

IYO, is the LR 2 year warranty worth it at R20K or would I be better off with an aftermarket one? If so, which would you recommend?

Thanks

[Bruce]

Naks im really not an expert wrt those warranty's. Mine has a little of the LR warranty left. Ive just had a major service and a door lock replaced (which i believe is highly unusual). I didnt pay anything but saw the invoices. The door lock was R5k including labour to fit and the service was just over R6k but they also did all the oils, all the wipers which are ridiculously expensive from LR and the software upgrade.
In comparison i service the D3 twice in the time i had it. Both at indys. The one indy charged me R4k and the other R2800 for the same work.
My next service Will be a smaller one but not sure what that will cost.
Anyway point is depending what the warranty covers it may or may not be worth it.


Rgds
BruceT

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From: Nakkiran Sunassee
Sent: ‎2015-‎09-‎10 21:45

To: overland-forum
Subject: Re: [Overland] Disco 4 as an overland platform

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[Sats Oosthuizen]

Oh there's more. FAF as an example

Sent from my iPhone

[Eben Henning]

The D4 3.0TDV6 and SDV6 is mechanically 99% the same thing. Some fuel and boost management differances make  the 160kw become 185kw.

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[Heine De Villiers]

Yip, take a mechanically unsound motor and stress it some more, but I'm no expert

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[Bruce Turner]

Clearly Heine. The D4 is a totally different motor to the D3.

[Sats Oosthuizen]

Eben seems to differ?

[Bruce Turner]

Sats Eden is talking about the SDV6 and TDV6 on the D4 being mechanically 99% the same. The D3 had the Ford/PSA DT17 and the D4 had the Ford/PSA DT20.

Out of interest these are the same motors as used by Jaguar.

[Peter Levey]

No he doesn't. He's referring to the 3.0 litre motor. The D3 was a 2.7 litre

Peter

[Sats Oosthuizen]

I didnt know that. 

Jags. Sheez the one we had left us on the side of the road more than any other car. It was pretty though.

[Sats Oosthuizen]

Sorry Eben, putting words in your mouth :-)

[Heine De Villiers]

I wonder if there are going to be as many bearing failures in a few years time as with the D3

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[Heine De Villiers]

As long as that is all you were putting in there

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[Eben Henning]

Hie hie hie, I'd rather you put that 130's keys in my mouth, but timing is not my side this decade ;-)

 

The 2.7TDV6 and 3.0TDV6 not the same.  The early D4 having the 3.0TDV6 badging was the newer motor, the SDV6 was an upgrade.

The upgrade came very shortly after they started using the motor apparantly due to time spent on "Land Rover-ising" the sofware to better integrate with the terrain responce and the rest of the vehicle.

 

Roumours though.  Driving the 3.0TDVS and the SDV6 does make a differance.

[Bruce Turner]

Heine I also wonder that but with the D4 being on the market for 5 years now, I have yet to hear any reports of failures related to bearings or cranks or for that matter motors. Even talking to the guys at LR the biggest issue seems to be the air suspension pump on a few early models but this too apparently has been changed/upgraded for a different one.

I find this topic very similar to one about Td5 motors back when I bought my first TD5. Everyone told me not to do it the head will crack etc etc . I bought the 99 which was the worst of the lot also apparently. Apart from the fuel cooler/warmer starting to leak on a trip back from Mabua and a leaking fuel tank caused by a guy who didnt know how to fit the long range tank, I had no issues with it. I sold it with close to 260k kms on it.

[Mike Nieuwoudt]

As far as I have it the 2.7V6 and 3.0V6 in whatever numerical disguise is basically the same engine with the 3.0 having slight bore and stroke increases (and hopefully an improved crankshaft :-). The main mechanical difference is in the turbocharging arena, where the 2.7 had conventional turbocharging while the 3.0 have staged turbocharging (with its own niggles showing up).

[Fanie du Plessis]

Out of interest the few times we had both a D3 and D4 towing trailers on a trip the fuel consumption was mostly in favour of the D3.

[Heine De Villiers]

So IOW more stressed

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[Christo Steyn]

Bruce

My 2010 D4 blew its TDV6 motor on 60,000Km - bearing issue. It was replaced by LR with a 2012 one under motor plan. New motor now has 83,000Km on it. Yes SDV6 motor has more horsepower - 245Bhp &255Bhp. 

I pulled a heavy Xplorer through Bots, Zim Zambia and Mozambique - never had an issue with air suspension that I raised 50mm with the IID tool (suspension thinking it is in Normal height) 

On my D3 I changed front hub/bearing assembly to eliminate a hum, but it turned out to be the BFG tyres.

But you have to live with the D3/4 bashing.. it is a Land Rover thing.... just don't mention any Toyotas that I had to tow all the way because the dirty Diesel that we both put in our cars blew the injectors and fuel pump of a 3.0L Hilux... Oh, and that was the second time I had bad fuel in a Disco.... remember the rubbish in the tank that was put in my D3 when in Moz... and a simple flush and new fuel filter sorted the D3 out... still drove it to 164,000Km without any issues when I sold it for the D4..

Cheers

CS

[Bruce Turner]

Christo, did you get a report as to why the motor "blew" and what the bearing issue was caused by? 

Before I bought mine a few weekends ago I spent time trying to search for issues on the D4. Yours is the first apart from the one in Aus which was suspected to the wrong oil used.

I hear you about the bashing. I can give many examples of motors being as reliable as the D3's for example BMW have a few of them including several of the V8s like the N62B48 and B44 and the M54B32 M3 motors. 

 Ive also been on a few trips where the vehicles that have broken down have been those that are perceived to be the reliable indestructible ones like friend with a brand new 76 that had alternator issues while on our way from Punda Maria to Pafuri- but because those owners were unlucky for whatever reason I dont paint the brand with the same brush!

Fanie, towing the race car I can tell you that it is definitely lighter on fuel. Everyday driving also seems to be lighter but with 160ltr tank and not finishing a tank yet its hard to compare everyday driving to the D3's and so far I am only going on the display on the dash which is not very accurate. Open road towing it was definitely lighter by at least 1.2 ltrs per 100kms. I also kept my roof rack and snorkel so I cant blame them for affecting fuel consumption. 

[Bruce Turner]

Mike you are correct but look at the specs (from memory so I hope i haven't made any mistakes):

The D3 TDv6 is a 2.720 ltr with a bore of 81mm and stroke of 88mm which gives it a 166 cu and has a 17.3:1 compression ratio.

The D4 Tdv6 is a 2.993 ltr with a bore of 84mm and a stroke of 90mm which gives it a 183cu and has a 16.4:1 compression ratio.

So basically from the above you can see it has different pistons and a different crank based on the stroke and you can see the D4 is also less stressed by the compression ratio.

Very much like the M50 from early 90's, M52 Mid to late 90's and M54 from early 00's from BMW. All based on the same motor but different internal components with some upgrades and some parts can be interchanged but many more cannot. 

Rgds

Bruce