What to look for in a 2nd hand D4?

[makros]

Hey guys, been browsing the forums for a while and I think I'm ready to pull the trigger on a 2nd hand D4. Also looked at a Grand Cherokee which the wife liked, I didn't mind the prado but felt it was under powered.

Is there anything specific I should look out for? Will a random dealer generally look up a VIN# for you to see if there has been any problems, and if they do are they generally honest about it?

I'm looking at this one and a couple of others atm 2011 Land Rover Discovery 4 Series 4 SDV6 SE MY11 CommandShift (http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Land-Rover-Discovery-4-2011/SSE-AD-2663279/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1) should I be taking an extra close look since it has obviously been used for offroading? There is also a couple of other 2011 models around 40,000km for around 62k, but without the e-diff, bullbar & snorkel.

Any tips would be much appreciated.

[nat_89]

Hey guys, been browsing the forums for a while and I think I'm ready to pull the trigger on a 2nd hand D4. Also looked at a Grand Cherokee which the wife liked, I didn't mind the prado but felt it was under powered.

Is there anything specific I should look out for? Will a random dealer generally look up a VIN# for you to see if there has been any problems, and if they do are they generally honest about it?

I'm looking at this one and a couple of others atm 2011 Land Rover Discovery 4 Series 4 SDV6 SE MY11 CommandShift (http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Land-Rover-Discovery-4-2011/SSE-AD-2663279/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1) should I be taking an extra close look since it has obviously been used for offroading? There is also a couple of other 2011 models around 40,000km for around 62k, but without the e-diff, bullbar & snorkel.

Any tips would be much appreciated.

Hi i went through exactly the same issue several months ago when looking for a brand new car i was tossing up between D4, Prado and Grand Cherokee I've always loved the Discovery after trawling this forum for quite a while and test driving all the above i settled on the D4.

I really liked the Jeep but I'm glad i stayed away after reading about the poor after sales service and the warranty issues I've read a bit about regarding suspension rattling and so forth, i did like the Prado comfy quiet all that but ill agree it felt under powered!

Then you go to the D4 and wow what a machine every time you drive it it brings a smile to your face theres a sense of occasion and your like yep i made the right choice it was worth the extra $, it was hard as i was worried about the "reliability issues" of the past but after reading the forum here you will see they are a bloody reliable vehicle and rarely let anyone down.

From what i understand all the services are logged on the computer now there isn't a hand book, i know with my new one but not sure how long thats been around so I'm guessing maybe if you have the VIN# you can search and check all the service history but I'm certainly sure most Disco owners wouldnt miss them.

From what I've read there isn't much to be afraid of just general due diligence with looking underneath sussing out the owner and taking them for a good test drive and checking all the functions work i guess, but the one you linked being MY11 with limited KMs i bet she would be an awesome rig and well loved and looked after by the previous owner!!

Happy searching and believe me you will be happy you chose the D4 they are a beautiful machine and always bring a smile to your face!!

[JayBee75]

Sevice history, service history, service history.

If it has been serviced within schedules or even better (some owners like to change the oil more regularly) the D4 is pretty reliable. Like any car the minority can have issues, but you always hear about problems before the ones with no problems.

Check underneath on a hoist if possible that way you maybe able to tell how much 4wding it has done, or whether its more touring.
Front bushes etc normally need replacing around 80klm+ dependent on what the car has done but remember its nearly 3T of car.

Check to see if it's had the suspension air compressor replaced, one of the other guys will know more but LR upgraded the units on the D4 to a hitachi one as they kept failing.

Brakes - see when they were replaced as its normally a pad and disc change probably around $2k.

Other recommendation is again around 80k+ may be worth budgeting for a transmission flush and service, again depends what life the car has had, however for $1500 odd bucks and the ability to service it ongoing thereafter with the pan replacement in the transmission (factory sealed unit) is good prevenative money spent and will prolong the life of the transmission. If it's already had the pan conversion then the previous onwer has definately looked after it.

Overall they are a great car, if they have been looked after from a service/maintance perspective you will be fine.