New to LR

[Martyboy]

Hi Folks,
have had a bit of a read around the boards...

I have not owned a Disco beofre and only ever been on one once a few years back (D2).

I'm currently doing my research and am seriously looking at a D4 - likely 12 months old....

It would be 90% on road to and from work each day (90km round trip) and then maybe a little off road but nothing even moderatly hard core.

I like a large car and like the 7 seat option on the Disco and to be honest like the Bling (dont shoot me down) of the D4...its classy! I have never driven one and thats obviously the next step for me but i had a few general questions...

- How is the 2.7 as a daily driver (no offroad), it the sheer size of the vehicle too heavy for the 2.7? I used to have a 3.2 diesel Mitsubishi triton and the diesel was frustrating in heavy traffic. I am hoping this was because the Triton is a workhourse and you buy one of these for its capabilities which are not day to day driving.

- As a family wagon, is it easy enough to live with? I know there is 7 seats and loads of storage space but will it handle to short trips here and there, to school, shops etc? As apposed to being a long distance tourer?

- whats your real life fuel consumption 2.7? 3.0?

Apologies if all these questions are answered in other threads! and please dont shoot me for my love of the bling!!!

[DiscoWeb]

Martyboy,

Jump in to one, you will love it.

Having a crack at answering your questions;

1. I have a 2.7 TDV6 D3 and so far regardless of it being fully loaded with kids/gear/bikes on the roof, or just running around 1 or two up I have never wanted for more power. The 3.0 is apparently quite a leap forward in power but is a reasonably $ jump as well.

2. Put it this way, when I bought the D3 my wife was driving a mini and noted that she thought the D3 was way to big for day to day school runs, shop runs etc. I now drive a mini !

3. As noted I have the 2.7, I also run A/T tyres which have impacted the fuel consumption. Running around town my wife manages to use around 11l/100. I can keep it closer to low 10s. Country miles around 8.5/100 but generally closer to 9l/100. Before the A/T tyres I recon these numbers were 0.5 -1lt/100 better. My first big trip was Sydney/Adelaide/Kangaroo Island/Great Ocean Road/Thredbo/ Sydney, all fully loaded and managed fuel consumption of 8.25l/100.

Overall this is a great vehicle car, just as happy doing the school run as carting you to wild locations all with a sense of easy and luxury.

As soon as you use it off road you will be hooked, it is awesome.

Good luck.

George

[WhiteD3]

Welcome Marty.

I've had a D4 2.7 for 5 weeks after having a petrol D3 SE for 4 years so I hope I'm qualified to answer your questions :D

The D4 is my daily driver in and around Brisbane CBD and the suburbs. We also use Triton's as cars for our techs. The D4 is a breeze in the traffic, a gem to park due to the turning circle and access height button. The Triton is a truck in comparison but its also $35k cheaper than a D4.

The D3/4 can't be beaten as a tourer but it's a pleasure around town too, not to mention a fantastic 4WD.

After 2300km I'm showing 10.8 l/100km combined cycle.

Cheers.

[oldsalt]

I also have a 2.7 TDV6 - and it goes very well around town, stick it in "sport" mode and you can keep up with (and pass) most vehicles in normal traffic, plus it has tons of carrying capacity - my wife tries to leave me with her Honda and take the D3 to work...and she's a bit of a leadfoot - so that says something about it as an everyday drive !!!
As to "off-road" ... just point it and it'll take you there (within reason)... you have to learn how to use all the electronic settings etc, but once mastered you'd be hard pressed to find a better vehicle.
cheers

[~Rich~]

Do yourself a favour and drive the Nissans Toyotas etc and it will confirm how nice to drive the Discovery is. Get yourself the 2.7 and save yourself heaps of dough!
Good Luck

[CSBrisie]

I get an indicated 12.5l/100km in my 3.0HSE in ALL city stop start driving (ie average speed is often a slow as a dismal 29kmhr). I've had it as low as 8.5l/100km at 100km/hr highway cruising. The torque of the 3.0l is the huge difference to the 2.7 (having owned both). The 3.0l will labour up a hill with extraordinary ease in top gear and wont change down nearly as early as the 2.7.

Towing (anything) is embarassingly easy.....

cheers

[trif]

Hi Martyboy,

I have 3 young children and needed a vehicle as a daily drive, that could accommodate 7 adults for when the grandparents visit, that was capable offroad for flyfishing and hunting trips (and the flat folding interior is convenient for overnight sleeps), and that would fit in my garage with arched entrances. After reviewing the options there was only 1 that covered all bases.

After having the car for around 5 weeks it is an absolute delight to drive. I have the HSE variant with the 3.0L engine. I drove the 2.7 for comparison, and l agree with the other 2.7 L owners, it has plenty of get up and go. But drive a 3.0L, and if the extra money isn't a hurdle, you won't look back. Around town it handles easily with economy averaging 12.0 L/100kms (the LR info says 11.3, but l am slightly heavy footed). Sports mode is a lot of fun. Long distance economy l can answer in about 3 weeks after a trip to Vic. I haven't tested it's offroad capabilities as yet as l'm still getting the car set up with some extra bits.

It's not a perfect car (probably overpriced c/w overseas, expensive to run in the long run c/w Prado etc.) but l'm more than happy with the car. It's what Land Rovers are meant to be.

Regards Trif.

[shining]

I tow a reasonably heavy camping trailer and get an indicated 11.2 - 11.5 lt/100km, even in hilly country, have not measured it accurately . Running into town indicates 9.5lt/100km. I reckon its the bes,t most comfortable, relatively economical vehicle I have ever owned (apologies to my previous LRs :-) ).

[barracudaJB]

Welcome MartyBoy,

I have the TDV6 D3 and I do an 87Km round trip to and from work. A full tank will last me approx 6 days. I'm also getting a approx 11.5L/100Km result and that's driving as an easy 60-90km speed range.
Of course, once you hit the highway then the Deisel TDV6 almost runs on fumes. The thing just goes for ever.
Hope that helps.

[MC D4]

Hi Martyboy,

Having trading in my VE HSV for a Disco i was convinced that the 3 litre was the only way to go. After much deliberation and a sleepless night or two my head decided that a 2.7 was going to be adequate (dont get me wrong saving 10k was very attractive). Having done 20,000 kms since xmas and now towing a 2.5 tonne caravan (which was never the plan at the time of purchase) i have had absolutely no regrets!

As a daily driver in town i get low to mid 10's (litres/100kms) and with the van in the country mid 14's.

As soon as you realise how capable the d4 is off road the more hardcore you will want to go!

:)

[blazing928]

interesting economy figures.
We have a 4.4 X5 that is doing 15.6lt/100 around town.
So a 3.0D4 doing 11.5 is saving at $1.54lt for Vpower $6.20 per 100km or for us who do under 10,000km per year $620, give or take a few bucks.

A recent trip Melb to Canberra via east coast and back via the Alpine Way, 4 up with roof box [cause it has $##** load space] we got around 12lt/100km. Often gets around 10.5lt/100 if you don't add hills like the Alpine Way, eg a trip to Torquay.

I have often been recomendedd by service agents and independants to get a V8 if you don't do a lot of miles [and you like the grunt], also long term cheaper to service.

Second hand D3 V8s are a lot cheaper than the 2,7, so for low miles it stacks up $ wise.

I drove a 3.0 after a D3 2.7. Massive difference, shouldn't do that!

Personally i like the D4 V8, fully loaded with all the goodies! Does any one actually have one??

[Disco4SE]

interesting economy figures.
We have a 4.4 X5 that is doing 15.6lt/100 around town.
So a 3.0D4 doing 11.5 is saving at $1.54lt for Vpower $6.20 per 100km or for us who do under 10,000km per year $620, give or take a few bucks.

A recent trip Melb to Canberra via east coast and back via the Alpine Way, 4 up with roof box [cause it has $##** load space] we got around 12lt/100km. Often gets around 10.5lt/100 if you don't add hills like the Alpine Way, eg a trip to Torquay.

I have often been recomendedd by service agents and independants to get a V8 if you don't do a lot of miles [and you like the grunt], also long term cheaper to service.

Second hand D3 V8s are a lot cheaper than the 2,7, so for low miles it stacks up $ wise.

I drove a 3.0 after a D3 2.7. Massive difference, shouldn't do that!

Personally i like the D4 V8, fully loaded with all the goodies! Does any one actually have one??
I have the D43.0 and tow trailers regularly, mostly around town. I average around 11.5Lt per 100Klm's.
I wonder what the X5 would get around town pulling the same weight?
On a trip, hills or no hills, I can get as low as 8.5Lt per 100Klm's.
Cheers, Craig

[TerryO]

interesting economy figures.
We have a 4.4 X5 that is doing 15.6lt/100 around town.
So a 3.0D4 doing 11.5 is saving at $1.54lt for Vpower $6.20 per 100km or for us who do under 10,000km per year $620, give or take a few bucks.

I have often been recomendedd by service agents and independants to get a V8 if you don't do a lot of miles [and you like the grunt], also long term cheaper to service.

Second hand D3 V8s are a lot cheaper than the 2,7, so for low miles it stacks up $ wise.

I drove a 3.0 after a D3 2.7. Massive difference, shouldn't do that!

Personally i like the D4 V8, fully loaded with all the goodies! Does any one actually have one??


I agree Blazing928 I reckon the love affair many people have with diesels is not often based on economics even though most diesel owners mainly speak about how economic it is to own a diesel compared to a petrol V8. Its always been the case of the cheapest part of owning any vehicle is buying the fuel it runs on.

The price difference second hand for a diesel versus a V8 is massive and it would take years and often a couple of hundred thousand clicks to get back financially in balance especially once you add in the diesels service costs.

Still diesels in a number of instances can do the job much better, mainly for towing heavy loads and going long distances in the bush / outback where fuel, especially high octane petrol, is hard to find.

If I was not towing a heavy dirt road van that we intend to go bush in occassionally then I would have been more than happy with a faster smoother quieter and much cheaper to buy V8 D3.

If buying new though and the price difference between a diesel and a V8 petrol was very similar I admit I woud buy the diesel mainly because of its much better resale value.

Still each to their own...

cheers,
Terry

[DiscoWeb]

I have often been recomendedd by service agents and independants to get a V8 if you don't do a lot of miles [and you like the grunt], also long term cheaper to service.

Second hand D3 V8s are a lot cheaper than the 2,7, so for low miles it stacks up $ wise.

I drove a 3.0 after a D3 2.7. Massive difference, shouldn't do that!

Personally i like the D4 V8, fully loaded with all the goodies! Does any one actually have one??

There are a few lurking around with the V8 but:

1. The 3.0 lt TDV6 and the V8 are about the same $ when new;
2. The V8 is pretty thirsty which for some means limited touring range (if you are only doing 10,000 km pa then probably not such a big issue for you);
3. The 3.0l TDV6 is reputable almost as nice to drive as the V8, with ample low down torque and uses less fuel and holds its resale;

That is why not as many V8's are sold as the 3.0 Diesel.

George.

[Martyboy]

Hi again,

thanks for your welcoms and responses...

Its good to hear good things from the 2.7 owners - coin is a consideration for me and for a 10K savings over the 3.0 (even on 2nd hand & demo) I am leaning towards the 2.7

I have 3 young kids that are getting bigger and bigger pretty quickly, i need to carry bikes and the usual family trip stuff and logic says the Disco can handle it all.

Next step is to do some test driving.....Can anyone recommend a good dealer in Melb (sth eastern Melb)?

[Disco4SE]

Next step is to do some test driving.....Can anyone recommend a good dealer in Melb (sth eastern Melb)?
See the boys at ULR in Malvern. Tell them that Craig the Builder sent you.

BTW blazing928: I don't know too many Disco drivers that travel only 10,000Klm's a year. I'm more like 50,000, so the figures on diesel v petrol are way more amplified.

Cheers, Craig

[blazing928]

Yep V8D3 are about $10Kcheaper than the diesels and lots have only done around 70,000km. Maybe because they cost too much to run!!!
Most 2nd hand diesels have done 150,000Km plus. I also like to drive with the window open around town, the diesel isn't a nice noise vs the V8.
Parents had a couple of early Disco diesels, so you do get used to it.

Deacon were very positive about V8s. They tow a lot [horse floats] and say the fuel econ is very good. I used to tow race cars behind our old RR, economy was prettty good when cruising.

A D4V8 is way more new as its fully loaded, $127K + on road so nearly $140, one may not need all the options, especially $4000 for rear entertainment, vs $1000 for two Ipads.

Agreed that the diesel is the flovour when it comes to resale, as depreciation is your biggest expense.
I won't buy new because of this. Our X5 was new & highly optioned. If I am generous in guessing a sale price privately, then its lost nearly $1000 a month in depreciation, my father in laws Merc has lost $1000 a WEEK in the last 8 years......!

D3 & D4 have held their values very well, but I would suggest trying to wait and find a 1 to 2yo D4 and spend the savings elsewhere, like a mortgage:). or maye another old Ducati....

carsales has a 2010 D4V8 8000km at $97K, not a bad saving from new

[rocmic]

Welcome Marty
I confirm what the others are saying.
Have done 68000 km in my MY2008 D3 TDV6. Most of that has been with AT tyres.
The car is used as a daily drive in Sydney and the occasional touring and offroading. We have two teenagers who have no trouble with long days on the road in the car since as tourere it is so comfortable. As far as the short tips go the car has no problem with city traffic at all and as stated before if you need some more go -then trhow it into sport mode.
Offroad, it is amazing, once you learn the electronics and to switch the stabillity control off. The thing will go just about anywhere (just don't bother with Land Rover side steps - they bend:().
Fuel consumption for me is 11litres/100km over the time I've had it and that driving is mostly the commute in Sydney.

Drive on, it will be a revelation.

Cheers
Mike

[Wilbur]

Its good to hear good things from the 2.7 owners - coin is a consideration for me and for a 10K savings over the 3.0 (even on 2nd hand & demo) I am leaning towards the 2.7

Hi Martyboy,

I set out to buy a secondhand D3 or D4 a few months ago, but when I looked at secondhand prices, I concluded that these things hold their value so well it was better value to buy new. It also meant getting exactly the options, colours etc that I preferred.

This is the first new car I have ever bought in 42 years of motoring. It was a bloody nervous decision, but after three weeks and 5,000 kilometres all worry is gone. These are truly a brilliant vehicle.

Good luck with your decision making.

Cheers,

Paul (D4 2.7 TDV6)