Brand spankin'

[applesandoranges]

As the title suggests, I'm brand new to this brand and the forum. I am very interested in the Disco 4, I think they're the easy the sweetest thing of their type. However........a big however, EVERYONE tells me I'm mad to consider one. The reliability and failure woes I'm told are well known, steer clear, use your brains and only consider Toyota. Please talk me out of a Disco if thats pretty much the truth...over to you. Thanks guys.

[winaje]

Firstly, Welcome! What part of Melbourne are you from?
Discovery 3/4 have their problems, as does any make of vehicle. You'll find that the Nissyota fan boys will try and talk you into their make of choice as much as we will try and talk you into a D4.
Are you buying new or second hand?
Diesel or petrol?
Poverty pack or full dresser?
What will your usage patterns be, mainly onroad, offroad, long distance onroad, long distance offroad, doing the lap towing...?
How long do you want to keep it for?
What's your level of mechanical skill, and do you want to drive in/drive out of a dealer, or do all the work yourself?
The LR vehicles have gotten a lot more reliable in the last 10 years. The D3/4 models are significantly better on the whole than the earlier Discoverys. That being said, they do have a few issues, but none that we here would consider deal-breakers. Others who own D4s will be along shortly with the finer details. Personally, I reckon that the D3/4 is the best all round vehicle out there. I love the Jeckyl and Hyde quality of them, you can be cruising at 100km/h and see an interesting track, chuck a u-ey, flip a couple of switches, and be climbing a steep rocky slope, then get to the other side, flip the switches back, and hit highway speeds again. That's just one of the many reasons we owners have "The Permagrin" on our faces.

[sheerluck]

As the title suggests, I'm brand new to this brand and the forum. I am very interested in the Disco 4, I think they're the easy the sweetest thing of their type. However........a big however, EVERYONE tells me I'm mad to consider one. The reliability and failure woes I'm told are well known, steer clear, use your brains and only consider Toyota. Please talk me out of a Disco if thats pretty much the truth...over to you. Thanks guys.

Everyone tells you that you're mad? You must only be talking to Toyota drivers then. ;)

Have a read through the forum, form your own opinion, and then go and have a drive.

I guarantee that if you don't like the D4 after you have bought one, I will buy it off you.....

for $10

Ok? :D

[discotwinturbo]

My niece, who is a qualified mechanic for Toyota, talked me out of a 200 series.

Had a loaner for a week to test drive, and the D4 for almost the same time....the D4 is light years ahead. The 200 is a truck dressed up.

Toyota 200 still chews oil regardless of what owners refuse to believe, and is a real problem for Toyota...they has lost their way.

Nissan is not a comparable vehicle.

D4 is the only heavy duty tow vehicle, that is the ultimate off-road, that is a great highway cruiser, that is economical compared to the rest, fantastic luxury, and a great badge.....it has no peers.

Brett....

[applesandoranges]

Thanks for those quick replies. Firstly, its not a question of liking it, I've driven one and it was a a joy, wonderful machine. The wife will be the main driver, lugging kids around, but it will get some snow work and I'm keen to use its abilities, after all this is the perfect country for a Land Rover. No, I doubt if my mechanic skills would get used much, I don't have any. I'm just unsure if I should follow my heart, or just get a mega-boring Japanese thing, after hearing of so much negative press. I'd be looking at the TDV6, but I have'nt decided on options etc. And a 7 seater is a must. I just know if we turn around and buy a Prado, I'll be looking at it and going, I wish I had a Disco!

[sheerluck]

Are you looking new or used? If new, try and negotiate an extended test drive, just to make sure it's what you want.

If used, well, there's no shame in admitting you made a mistake and part exchanging against a Prado later on. :p

[nat_89]

I went through the same things about 5 months ago!! I went with the disco I've always always loved them and wanted one but was nervous about the reliability. I was looking at a prado and thought the same thing slow boring and no fun!! Well I'm glad I paid the extra and got the Disco they are just awesome and have little to no problems at all just read around and you'll see there was one issue a few weeks ago with the rotary dial, but other than that fault it's about the only major thing I've seen go wrong with one on here. The other faults have generally been caused by people wiring stuff wrong or simple things like that.

Test drive both in one day back to back and see which way you want to go!! But your talking to people who have here say issues oh I heard a mate years ago who had an issue with one they have never owned them nor have any idea about them just a story they heard ages ago.

[LandyAndy]

Hi and Welcome.
I will tell you how good the D4s are after friday,I pick my brand new one up then.I have owned a few Series Landies,and have a pair of TD5s a Defender and a Disco 2 which are both up for sale.Even what people call a troublesome vehicle,the D2 has been a pleasure to own.
You will regret a Playdoh,especially after driving a D4,they are a pretty average styless vehicle.
Andrew

[cripesamighty]

Drive each of them (D4 and 200 Series) and after that, use what is on these forums to help make up your mind. If you do decide on a D4, AULRO is THE best resource you can imagine. You won't find a better, more friendly, helpful bunch of people anywhere else online. Pretty much any answer you require can be found here, usually in a short space of time.

My sister and BIL (previously Nissan and Toyota people) would say - go the D4 as the 200 Series is a barge in comparison. When looking to upgrade their Prado they drove both, and after going for a spin in the D4 signed on the dotted line in a heartbeat. You couldn't get the pen in their hands fast enough!

Their next job is to do the Green Oval Experience training (gghaggis on this forum or find GOE online) to learn how to properly use the D4's systems. A revolution happened in 2005 with the introduction of the D3 with Land Rover's Terrain Response System, which most Toyota and Nissan owners don't quite understand yet. You will come to realise that the 200 Series vs D4 is as a prop airliner vs jet......

Don't forget that the Discovery is the only true 7 seater if you are ever considering adults in the back two seats. And they fold down flat into the floor too, for a magnificently large cargo space.

[crawal]

we just got our 2008 d3 our friends their new 200 series with both families having 4 kids the disco has more room the rear seats have more comfort , stow better and we didnt have to spend $6 k to make it go off road , did mention better fuel economy and no ladder to get into the vehicle ????:):):)

[applesandoranges]

Thanks for all the quick feed-back. Yeah, bugger it, you only live once, Disco here I come. The whole feel of a Disco compared to a dumbed down Japanese machine makes the choice pretty easy, I've driven the Toyota and they have no idea how to go about putting a dirty big grin on your face, unlike the pommy machine. ( I just wish for Jap reliability )

[chuck]

Don't buy a Prado you will regret it.

I sold my D3 & then bought a 150 Prado with all the fruit.
It lasted 3 months.

[Vinnie]

I have a friend in the car trade and he is generally anti land Rovers (especially Defenders), but as he has said to me, he could tell bad stories about every make of car he has in the yard. He has said the D3/D4's are very good cars, and for him to say that about a LR, they must be good. Good luck.

Cheers,

Vinnie

[Mungus]

Do yourself a favour and buy the Disco. Trust me, deep down your expertly opinionated friends will end up jealous.... and behind you in your dust, carrying & towing less weight, with less power, less torque, far less comfort and also less capable. I searched through this forum for over three years, night and day, to gain the confidence you are looking for and there has been only a few reports of what I would call concerning issues, all of which have been resolved and/or rectified. I just bought a brand spanker and love it. So do my Playdo owning mates.

[letherm]

I just know if we turn around and buy a Prado, I'll be looking at it and going, I wish I had a Disco!

I think you've answered your own question :)

I went through the same issues prior to buying my first LR last November (new D4 HSE). I previously had a Pajero but the Discovery had what I needed. Couldn't be happier.

[4evershiva]

if u want a 7 seater, the disco is the best thing that is available in the market. the back row seats are just as comfortable as the rest....

[BMKal]

I've had about 7 Prado's and a couple of Landcruisers - all company provided vehicles, none that I purchased myself.

At the same time - I'm on my third Disco. Have had a D1, a D2 (which is still in the family) and now the D4.

The last decent Landcruiser was the 80 series. The 100 series was nowhere near as good, and the 200 series is worse again - overpriced rubbish if you ask me (and yes, the company I work for has a few of them).

The last decent Prado was the 120 series (which was a nice comfortable car on the highway, but the diesel was gutless and its off-road ability was "ordinary" to say the least).

The Discovery has always been a better choice for me - even though the earlier models may have been known for a few "quirks". OK - I'm not bad on the spanners and can do most of what I need to do myself - but in all honesty I've never really had to do anything on the Disco's, other than routine servicing and a couple of simple fixes to address some "known" issues on the D2. I've never had any need to touch anything on the D4 other than fitting accessories.

Another example - our company provides company vehicles to senior management. The choices are limited - a Hi-lux for Superintendent Level and a Prado for Managers. Alternatively, they provide a "vehicle assistance" allowance and you can buy whatever you like. When I started here, there were quite a few Prado's and a couple of Hi-lux's downstairs. Today, there are still 3 Hi-lux's (Plant Maintenance Superintendents) and only one Prado (the General Manager still has his old 120 series). Everyone else has opted to make their own choice, most after having 120 series Prado's for a year or two). There's two Disco 4's, a Freelander, two Jeeps a Subaru wagon etc.

Don't listen to "everyone" telling you you're mad - I'll bet that "everyone" have never owned or probably even driven a Disco 4.

Honest opinion - the Disco 4 will run rings around anything Toyota has to offer any day of the week without question - and is AT LEAST as reliable as the modern day Toyotas, probably more so. ;)

Nissans - they don't even make anything that's in the same league - unless you're looking for a very agricultural (yes, they're a solid bit of gear) and not so comfortable vehicle. Only possible exception to this is the new V8 petrol Patrol - but not many of these selling - you'd have to ask why ???

[bsperka]

What's the difference between a motoring journalist and an elephant? The journalist has a longer memory. LR had quality and build problems that haven't been around for 15 years.
Toyota is now suffering from reliability issues in most of it's offerings - D4D carboning up the oil strainer and killing the engine(some workshops inspect at every service), brake issues, v8 diesel with ordinary outputs, poor fuel economy and some with oil consumption issues. D4s are very sophisticated and better engineered than most other offerings. Toyota usually follows LR's lead, like they have since they built their first 4WD. (Landcruiser name was due to having to compete with Land Rover for mindset in the marketplace).
However a D4 will still have issues, like any complex modern vehicle. So make an informed decision by using this forum and others (both LR and others you are considering).

[bsperka]

Thanks for those quick replies. Firstly, its not a question of liking it, I've driven one and it was a a joy, wonderful machine. The wife will be the main driver, lugging kids around, but it will get some snow work and I'm keen to use its abilities, after all this is the perfect country for a Land Rover. No, I doubt if my mechanic skills would get used much, I don't have any. I'm just unsure if I should follow my heart, or just get a mega-boring Japanese thing, after hearing of so much negative press. I'd be looking at the TDV6, but I have'nt decided on options etc. And a 7 seater is a must. I just know if we turn around and buy a Prado, I'll be looking at it and going, I wish I had a Disco!
You've answered your question. "I wish I had a disco". It's not like chewing gum ( a bit more depreciation) that you can change your mind on next week.

[Plane Fixer]

I previously had Isusu (Jackaroo) and Patrol and agonised over a D4 for a long time due 'unreliability' issues all of my mates brought up every time I mentioned buying a D4.
After spending time on this forum and going by the dealer every so often, several things happened which made me bite the bullet.
I had finally saved the money to buy a new D4, but was still having the handbrake pulled on every time I mentioned it, then the ZD30 Patrol finally grenaded on the way home from Sydney one day so I fixed and sold that.
I then signed for the new D4 sitting on the showroom floor which had been obviously specced for me as it ticked every box.
76000km later and nearly 3 years having driven around Australia, Chambers Pillar, Bungles etc the only warranty item has been the central screen for the audio system which kept whiting out. No other problems.
My wife, who has arthritis is overjoyed with the comfort and the only thing I had fitted for her was the sliders as she is too short to easily step inside.
Would I recommend you buy a D4??? YOU BET!! You will not be sorry.

[nat_89]

Hahaha this is how good they are my next door neighbour has a 200 series VX, his wife said when I got the D4 he wouldn't mind a drive I said come over anytime I'll let ya go for a burn and I kept seeing him saying you'll have to come over there an awesome rig you'll love it he is now that scared he won't like his 200 series he won't come for a drive hahahaha.

[DJK90]

Welcome,

I have been working with Land Rover Brand for nearly 3 yrs and have heard lots of things about people who have had problems but most of all I hear people good stories. With everything that is manufactured these days how can you be reassured that one car is going to be more reliable than another. One thing that Land Rover has over Toyota is that they only make 4WD and SUV so for some one looking at a 4WD or SUV that's what I would be looking at. Mine you Toyota are good but they is better out there.

So for a car that can carry 7 Adults, tow 3500kg with 350kg on the ball, has good fuel economy has good features for it price why would you look past the Discovery 4 one awesome car.

DJK90

[jon3950]

( I just wish for Jap reliability )

Be careful what you wish for....

D4, 16 months old and had a hard life already. 52k including 2 outback trips and 4 trips to the High Country. Biggest problem to date? The latch on the fuel filler cap filled up with dirt and got a bit sticky.

Previous D3. 5 years, 160k, again not an easy life. Had a transmission problem from new, which was replaced in the first couple of weeks. After that, one suspension fault caused by a loose battery cable. Very reliable vehicle.

Sisters D3, now 8 years old. Biggest problem to date? Broken tailgate latch.

BILs RRS. Now 4 years old. No problems.

I'm happy to stick with Land Rover reliability, thanks.


Cheers,
Jon

[sheerluck]

Reliability as poor as that must be very frustrating Jon. Really must make you wary about driving a car, and you must lie awake at night wishing you had listened to your Nissota driving mates.

[nat_89]

Be careful what you wish for....

D4, 16 months old and had a hard life already. 52k including 2 outback trips and 4 trips to the High Country. Biggest problem to date? The latch on the fuel filler cap filled up with dirt and got a bit sticky.

Previous D3. 5 years, 160k, again not an easy life. Had a transmission problem from new, which was replaced in the first couple of weeks. After that, one suspension fault caused by a loose battery cable. Very reliable vehicle.

Sisters D3, now 8 years old. Biggest problem to date? Broken tailgate latch.

BILs RRS. Now 4 years old. No problems.

I'm happy to stick with Land Rover reliability, thanks.


Cheers,
Jon

To right there!! Great cars, the reason Toyota have no issues is they have no problems the most advanced thing in my FIL's 120 Prado GXL is either the power windows or the power door mirrors or maybe the central locking other than that there is no technology to help you so there is nothing that can go wrong!!

[jon3950]

Never underestimate the complexity of a modern Toyota, or any new car for that matter. They are all complex these days and all have their share of problems.

From what I have seen, 200s don't have a very good reputation in the bush. In fact, on my last trip something very unusual happened. I came across more people who were impressed with the Disco and bagged Cruisers than the other way around. I've never experienced that before.

Cheers,
Jon

[Redpaul65]

Got to say I sweated reliability comments the same considering a D2 TD5. 10yo diesel not as nice Toyo/Nissan were avg $10k+ more tho. and I loved the drive of the D2. I have NO mechanical nouse. Found a noice D2 took it to LR specialist for check over...he gave it the all clear BUT given 180k warned of possible imminent issues, worst being head gasket, that might cost $6k to fix. I rolled the dice and sure enough within 6 months blown head gasket. Fortunately this forum, and an experienced mate, helped me fix gasket (and replace mounts, hoses, radiator, drive shaft, coolers etc). Cost way less than $6k and I now have a bullet proof disco that is brilliant to drive, comfortable, and goes like stink (in a steady diesel sort of way). I figure all cars are gunna cost big if you keep them for long enuff. I would have regretted settling for something touted as reliable, spending more, and having something go wrong. Go the disco.

[Celtoid]

What's the difference between a motoring journalist and an elephant? The journalist has a longer memory. LR had quality and build problems that haven't been around for 15 years.
Toyota is now suffering from reliability issues in most of it's offerings - D4D carboning up the oil strainer and killing the engine(some workshops inspect at every service), brake issues, v8 diesel with ordinary outputs, poor fuel economy and some with oil consumption issues. D4s are very sophisticated and better engineered than most other offerings. Toyota usually follows LR's lead, like they have since they built their first 4WD. (Landcruiser name was due to having to compete with Land Rover for mindset in the marketplace).
However a D4 will still have issues, like any complex modern vehicle. So make an informed decision by using this forum and others (both LR and others you are considering).



You'd have to include Jeep in that "Follow LR's lead" statement. Jeep are now so Landrover'ish it's not funny. Then again ... LR started with a Jeep copy didn't they?, so maybe that's OK ... LOL!!!


I have to say I loved the Prado advertisement demonstrating it's HDC .... it looked like an uncontrolled rock falling down a bloody hill .... love to see how well it would fair with it's 'Control' system turned off ... :-)

[tiddy]

Never underestimate the complexity of a modern Toyota, or any new car for that matter. They are all complex these days and all have their share of problems.

From what I have seen, 200s don't have a very good reputation in the bush. In fact, on my last trip something very unusual happened. I came across more people who were impressed with the Disco and bagged Cruisers than the other way around. I've never experienced that before.

Cheers,
Jon

I work with a bloke who 8 months ago sold an absolutely beautiful 100 series, so well decked out for a 200 series and he is regretting it, so much so he has tried to buy his old 100 back. He just doesn't think it's as good as the 100 and is not impressed with the fuel consumption either.

But then there are plenty of people who swear by them. All I know is that I'm ecstatic with our Discovery.

[Disco4SE]

I know a few people that have the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and are very happy.
Good bang for your buck.

Seems to be heaps of them on the road lately.

Cheers, Craig

[Meken]

My dad is happy with his new jeep after towing 2.5 t van a long way around aus. That is after the few initial bugs were sorted like a touchscreen nav/entertain unit that died 3 days into ownership and a window mechanism that would not wind down!

[TerryO]

I considered the new Grand Cherokee for a while, nice bit of gear to drive and had bells and whistles you could only dream of in a Disco and for lots of dollars less than a Disco.

For us though they didn't measure up on a number of fronts. The maximum carrying capacity is tiny, it's just over 550 kg from memory. Add fuel, driver and a passenger and that's over half what you can legally carry gone. I would bet most big caravans being towed by Grand Cherokees are not legal once an average ball weight for a 3 plus ton van is added in.

Another pain in the bum issue is Jeep have made it mandatory that a WDH is used if your towing over a 2.25 ton van. No ones forcing you to but if you had an accident then its possible that you would not be covered by your insurance and why copy the LR air suspension then make owners use a WDH?

One last thing which for us was a show stopper is they are the size of a Range Rover Sport which is small internally compared to a late model Disco.

[cripesamighty]

"The maximum carrying capacity is tiny, it's just over 550 kg from memory."

Don't forget that since the beginning, every Land Rover's empty weight factors in a 75kg driver and (from memory) a full fuel tank. So for instance, when comparing a D4 to a Jeep Grand Cherokee, you also need to add around 150kg on top of the D4's payload figure to properly compare apples with apples. Most people (and all 4WD magazines) miss that in the fine print.

[nat_89]

I have read and heard many of issues with the new GC many to do with the suspension going to crap and jeep not helping with warranty and also engine issues as well from a few people at work having lots of warranty problems.

[Greatsouthernland]

Hi Apples,

So what options are you looking at?

[tiddy]

I have read and heard many of issues with the new GC many to do with the suspension going to crap and jeep not helping with warranty and also engine issues as well from a few people at work having lots of warranty problems.

Prior to getting our Discovery, we had a WG GC Limited V8, it was a great car and very reliable, we had a serious look at the WKII and although it is seriously good value for money and even the Overland was cheaper than the Discovery we ended up with, there were just little things that in the end made the difference.

The foot operated park brake was a big no for me as I'm 194cm tall and it reduced the amount of foot space. The interior was nice but the quality of the materials was not as good as the LR, but the motor is sweet and it shares the same ZF box as the disco. I'm still on the Aust Jeep forum, and for the main the WKII is pretty reliable, it's biggest drawback from comments on the forum is the woeful service and parts availability. I haven't regretted getting the Discovery over the GC, not even for a nano second.

[nat_89]

Prior to getting our Discovery, we had a WG GC Limited V8, it was a great car and very reliable, we had a serious look at the WKII and although it is seriously good value for money and even the Overland was cheaper than the Discovery we ended up with, there were just little things that in the end made the difference.

The foot operated park brake was a big no for me as I'm 194cm tall and it reduced the amount of foot space. The interior was nice but the quality of the materials was not as good as the LR, but the motor is sweet and it shares the same ZF box as the disco. I'm still on the Aust Jeep forum, and for the main the WKII is pretty reliable, it's biggest drawback from comments on the forum is the woeful service and parts availability. I haven't regretted getting the Discovery over the GC, not even for a nano second.

Yeah I looked long and hard at the new Summit GC they are a great looking car and I loved it to, I didn't like the foot brake either!! Plus the boot space was a bit small for me to. I did read an article about them in one of the newspapers about the problems with them and as you said mainly service.

But love my D4 and wouldn't go back they are awesome!!