5 Years with the D4

[mowog]

This week is 5 years of ownership. Time for some reflection on my time with the D4.

The first thing to say is this car is staying in the family for the forseeable future.

The D4 has travelled just over 82000klm 60% of that with a caravan attached it hasn't been problem free but any issues were fixed quickly

In no particular order.

Turbo's replaced due smoke that issue never came back
Front end vibration Fixed with a whole host of new front end parts and steering wheel
GPS Antenna replaced
Rear Shocks and airbags replaced at 50k (lots of towing with a big van) warranty.
Oil consumpstion monitored settled down ok uses very little now

Mods:

GOE 18's I was part of the first group buy.
Kaymar rear Bar
Long Range Fuel Tank
Mitch Hitch
Alloy FRont bar

I have just brought a new BMW 328i Sport I can tell you the D4 is a much better car to be in for a trip compared to the 328i and I am surprised that a 5 year old 4WD is so much better in many ways. The 328 is faster it corners better and steers better but If I was going spend all day in one of them it would be the D4.

This D4 is so well set up for towing now I would struggle to replace it because its still so bloody good. It tows our 3.5t Lotus van with such ease it has towed on dirt on open highways over the snowy mountains and along crap back roads and it has done it all without ever letting me down. The trailer stability systems have saved us twice in 2009 trailer satbility control wasn't very common in big 4WD's and it was one of my key wants when looking around.

I would buy another D4 if I needed to but I am hoping for a lot more travels in this one.

Edit:

The Auto had the steel pan mod as well. The auto has been serviced 2 times because I do work it hard.

[l00kin4]

Thanks for that mowog. Given your experience wondering if you (or for that matter others on the forum) did purchase / would have purchased extended warranty? I have read quite a few threads on this on the forum but most are a couple of years old now.

I just bought my D4 (MY14 but used) and I did read in my pre-purchase research that many ''in the industry" believe that overall reliability has improved since 2012. Interested what others opinions are of this... ?

[mowog]

Thanks for that mowog. Given your experience wondering if you (or for that matter others on the forum) did purchase / would have purchased extended warranty? I have read quite a few threads on this on the forum but most are a couple of years old now.

I just bought my D4 (MY14 but used) and I did read in my pre-purchase research that many ''in the industry" believe that overall reliability has improved since 2012. Interested what others opinions are of this... ?

I did buy the extended warranty.

Value? I did have a few things fixed in that extended period I can't say if it would have been cheaper not have it.

[rar110]

How have you found the GOE wheels? I assume you have the 3.0 tdv6.

[mowog]

How have you found the GOE wheels? I assume you have the 3.0 tdv6.

The GOE wheels are a good wheel. They look great in fact my D4 is on the GOE wheel site. The red D4... In the early days lots of people told me 18's dont fit... :D I would just look at the D4 really!

[Graeme]

this car is staying in the family for the forseable future.
Mine too! Mine's a couple of weeks older and done all but 150K although not used anywhere near its abilities to date, neither in towing nor 4WD capabilities, but is a great all-purpose vehicle.

[nat_89]

Thats so good to hear January last year i purchased my first D4 brand new and its just the best car I've only i love it my wife loves it and i can see me definitely having a long relationship with them i cant speak highly enough of it!! So far after a year never had an issues at all!!

[disco4now]

Our 2010 D4 3.0L is 5 years on 27th January.

112000klm with about 40000klm with 3.5ton van in tow.
Cape York, Savanah Way, Gibb River etc.

My first new vehicle as part of retirement setup.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/120913-show-us-your-disco-sport-please-read-first-post-first-post1558772.html#post1558772

Battery replaced under warranty at 2.5 years
No extended warranty taken.
Replaced dryer on compressor after 3 years and the valve in compressor myself, but still on original compressor. (If extended warranty may have gotten a new one?)
Replaced front control arms at 84000. (Extended warranty might have covered)
Steel pan and transmission oil at 84000
So probably ahead by not taking extended warranty.
I have used both General Grabbers and Cooper Zeons on 19" with no issues.

No thoughts of getting rid of it, I still love to drive it, best car I ever had.
I have a faultmate code reader and follow this forum so not really worried taking it remote. (Well not now anyway, was a bit nervous taking it to cape york with van in tow as its first trip). The longer it doesn't break down the less you worry.

Regards
Gerry

[RickO]

Great update, thanks Gerry. Just one question - are you running the OEM tow hitch?

Thanks again,
RickO

[disco4now]

Hi RickO
I use the OEM hitch. Previous discussions on this here.


http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/180444-what-mods-would-you-recommend-post1973217.html#post1973217


Regards
Gerry

[wombathole]

My D4 turned 5 on jan 5th, 60km City driving, 20k trips towing the camper. paid out the lease and also planning to keep it for foreseeable future. Agree with others, I still love driving this car.

Stock vehicle with dark tinted windows, which has been great to keep it cool.

Had a number of fuel issues at birth, root cause was a petrol fuel cap installed at factory on the diesel vehicle. Was causing a vacuum because no way for air to get in, as diesel was pumped out. Neither LRA or RACV or me picked up such an obvious thing. Entire tank system up to common rail replaced unde warranty. No issues since.

Couple of batteries replaced under warranty.

No other warranty claims. Didn't buy warranty extension. Think I'm ahead on costs to date.

Bought IIDTOOL and have done 60k service myself and monitor all the codes regularly. Given it a two inch suspension lift through the iidtool software and love how I can set it to tight tolerance mode myself then have anyone, anywhere do a wheel alignment. diagnostic tool gives me enormous confidence that I can debug issues anywhere we go and have any mechanics work on the vehicle. Best $650 I've spent.

Second set of tyres are general grabbers because price was so much cheaper than coopers. Tops Worn down fast but now wearing slowly. Ride and performance is very good.

Blows black smoke under hard acceleration. fuel economy still less than 9 on the highway. Stills sounds nice and tight. Gearbox still feels great.

Replaced front and rear pads and rotors myself. Very achievable for a amateur and much cheaper than workshop.

Due for front lower control arms / bushes to be replaced. Considering to do it myself vs a workshop. Yet to decide whether to install rrs or d4 lca's. Researching.

The future wish list includes a hidden front bumper winch, light bar, roof platform, ipad entertainment system integration and some sliders.

Concurring with others, this is the best car I've ever owned! Love it.

[PAT303]

Maybe you people should join other forums and post your comments,it might help to change attitudes. Pat

[ozscott]

Its an absolute pup...I would be keeping it until about 200k.

Cheers

[disco4now]

Maybe you people should join other forums and post your comments,it might help to change attitudes. Pat

Pat,

I am on a caravan forum where Toyota Land Cruiser is the preferred tow vehicle if you don't need a F250 or something else big.

On occasions when a new potential owner asks about suitability of D4 the usual responses around, 19" wheels, 82 litre tank, no use of WDH and lack of service in the bush usually put them off.

There are quite a few happily towing with D4 and general view is this is OK if you are a Land Rover enthusiast.

People are being converted though, I see a lot more D4/D3 around now than I did when I got mine in 2010.


Gerry

[mowog]

Pat,

I am on a caravan forum where Toyota Land Cruiser is the preferred tow vehicle if you don't need a F250 or something else big.

On occasions when a new potential owner asks about suitability of D4 the usual responses around, 19" wheels, 82 litre tank, no use of WDH and lack of service in the bush usually put them off.

There are quite a few happily towing with D4 and general view is this is OK if you are a Land Rover enthusiast.

People are being converted though, I see a lot more D4/D3 around now than I did when I got mine in 2010.


Gerry


The idiots on those forums will never change their ways. I avoid them now and have been kicked off a couple of them no loss at all.

[AnD3rew]

I'm up to 6 years with my D3.

Replaced a few door rubbers, the air compressor, the alternator and the front control arms. Done about 90,000 km's, and have replaced the transmission pan and changed fluid voluntarily.

Still love it, it has done quite a bit of touring and a few rough days in the bush over the years and never let me down anywhere uncomfortable.

Just bought myself a little toy car and the D3 is not the daily driver anymore but it's a keeper not going anywhere. You are right, it is still the car of choice for a long trip.

[LandyAndy]

I cant believe how quickly the ks have mounted on my D4,almost done 8000km already!!!!!!
My D2 averaged 10000km a year over 10 years.
Most of the extra km with the D4 are due to city doctors trips for Deb.
Loved every KM travelled sofar:):):):):):)
Andrew

[nat_89]

I cant believe how quickly the ks have mounted on my D4,almost done 8000km already!!!!!!
My D2 averaged 10000km a year over 10 years.
Most of the extra km with the D4 are due to city doctors trips for Deb.
Loved every KM travelled sofar:):):):):):)
Andrew

Hahaha I think most new D4 owners rack them up quick so hard to keep out of them there just such a great car to drive!!

[PAT303]

I cant believe how quickly the ks have mounted on my D4,almost done 8000km already!!!!!!
My D2 averaged 10000km a year over 10 years.
Most of the extra km with the D4 are due to city doctors trips for Deb.
Loved every KM travelled sofar:):):):):):)
Andrew

8000kms,my Tdi ticked over 471,126kms today. :p Pat

[LandyAndy]

Hahaha I think most new D4 owners rack them up quick so hard to keep out of them there just such a great car to drive!!
The bloody thing is locked in the shed most of the time.Im sure it takes itself for private drives;)
;);););)
Andrew

[Graeme]

my Tdi ticked over 471,126kms today.I hope my D4 is good enough to keep that long - only another 2 x 5 years at my current usage.

[nat_89]

The bloody thing is locked in the shed most of the time.Im sure it takes itself for private drives;)
;);););)
Andrew

HAHAHAHA I'm hearing you there!! They are just so good to drive its never a short drive! Mines done 36000kms in the first year and i parked it in the shed for a while to try and keep the kms down a bit!!

[Redback]

I'm amazed at the low Ks you guys have in 5yrs, we have 111,000ks in 3 1/2 yrs, with 11mths off due to a medical emergency, we have replaced, 1 height sensor, the compressor(dodgy early D4 compressor) 1 setbelt retractor and 1 CV.

The CV (just replaced yesterday)was accident damage from hitting a very large hole near Blue Rag in the Vic High Country, it also sped up the replacement of the lower control arm bushes and bent the left front swaybar link:(

Still love the car, now out of warrenty(thank goodness) never considered an extended warrenty for a second, in fact we had the extended warranty from purchase date, cancelled it 6mths into ownership, just glad to see the back of anything to do with LRA and $3000 back into our pockets, paid for some other accessories and another trip away, besides the car is reliable enough not to need and extended warranty:BigThumb:

Baz.

[gghaggis]

I normally change our main car (the one we use for GOE) every 3 years, so as to have the latest models for training - at least that was the plan.

I've now had my Sport for 5 years in March, done 115,000 km and although I know I should have traded up by now, I just can't bring myself to part with it. If there was some way of keeping it as well as trading up, I would. We've done the Kimberly, the Simpson/Birdsville, the Canning Stock route (in 8 days and not even trying!), towed our 2.7T caravan to Tassie for a two week tour and back, the Balladonia track and countless off-road training days/weekends. We've won the W4 Land Rover challenge in it, and then towed our caravan back from the event!

Other than a flat battery once, it has never stopped. Never let us down. And still looks as good as when I bought it. It's probably the fastest (certainly the most comfortable) point-to-point vehicle I've owned (at least for the points I tend to choose!). I had the front lower control arms replaced at 100,000km under warranty, and the tranny flushed at 113,000. It drives better now than it did when it was new, and I've used the std LR tow hitch with no issues in all 5 years.

It's brilliant.

Cheers,

Gordon

[Graeme]

I fear I may have responded too soon. My gearbox has started to fail with the symptom and one of the codes referenced in the 2013 LTB00514 applicable to 2008-2011 Discos, RRS & RRV, being low pressure for clutch E due to a worn lead-free bush that initially mostly affects 5th gear once the fluid warms. No drive in 5th when dropping back whilst ascending hills in either auto or manual mode, then often no 4th either. For a couple of weeks on a particular hill on the way home from town the box has momentarily dropped out of 6th with no drive then back into 6th as though it changed its mind, now realised as the first signs of failure. A rebuild is required to replace the failing bush if it is indeed the cause. I will check the fluid level tomorrow morning in case it was left a little low after the recent pan change but I'm not hopeful. I'll reset the calibrations at the same time.

[Graeme]

ZF Technical suggested that the gbox needs to be given a chance to re-learn adaptations after the fluid change and clearing of adaptations especially as it spends most of its time in top gear and advised a procedure to help speed-up the learning. However adaptations were only cleared yesterday so new oil with old adaptations less likely to be the cause. They are aware of the shortcoming of the stator bush and accompanying reduction in oil pressure. Elsewhere I was advised that the torque converter has been revised since mine was built which I assume would include the addressing of the stator bush deficiency. I'll know its fate within a couple of weeks.

[AnD3rew]

That's very bad news Greame, hope it isn't what you think, but it sounds bad. My car would be in that range as well. Now I'm worried.

[rar110]

Graeme
what vehicle do you have and how many km? My RRV had its first tranny fluid flush & change at 130,000km, and recently at 235,000km. It feels good so far (touch wood).

[Graeme]

Mine's a 2009 build 3.0 D4 with almost 150K of very gentle clutch and torque converter life. A steel pan was fitted nearly 3K ago with the oil appearing about due for a change and nil clutch lining residue in the old pan. It has the 6HP28 box which is identical to the 2.7's 6HP26 box apart from some minor beefing-up primarily to allow use of lower revs for the 3.0. It certainly gets used at low revs (very light throttle allows this) and I change up manually on light throttle below 2000 rpm often but don't know if that contributes in any way. I've pretty much nursed the box from day 1 so this is very unexpected. Using higher revs might have caused less wear on this bush but that is purely conjecture without intimate knowledge of the box.

LR UK were replacing gearboxes in and out warranty for this fault but perhaps only on low km vehicles when out of warranty. Mine was already out of warranty before LR issued the bulletin in Jan 2013.

It will certainly be a relief if the cause is only that the electronics has to re-learn the clutch adjustments/calibrations but I don't expect that to occur.

[rar110]

That's interesting. It looks like LR did things differently with the RRV tdv8 despite having similar power/torque to the D4 3.0 tdv6.

Apparently the 07-10MY 3.6 tdv8 & more powerful petrol 06-09MY SC V8 had 6HP26. But did use the 6HP28 on the petrol 10-12MY 5.0 SC V8 which has more power again.

They changed over to the ZF 8 speed with the 4.4 tdv8 11MY.

[BobD]

You've worried me now Graeme. My D4 is a 2009 build 3.0 SE sold in 2010 to the first owner. Mine has never been babied, we use the power, I tow a camper trailer or caravan depending on whether we are off road or on bitumen. Heaps of off road and rough road touring all over Australia and so far the trans is perfect. It has had two fluid changes and a steel pan was fitted at 90,000. I am now up to 175000 and still perfect, touch wood.


I did 700km yesterday driving to Pemberton and back with lots of overtaking at full power up to 140 and cruising at about 112 most of the time. It surprised me for my car with the computer indicating 10.1 l/100 for the trip, about the best I have ever seen. This is with 285x60R18 D697 tyres and all of my heavy gear, and because of the larger tyres the computer is more accurate than it used to be since it is doing less km than the computer thinks it is.


I hope it stays that way for a long time yet!

[Graeme]

Currently I'm favouring a solenoid failing to seal properly, which is more likely to have been triggered by the oil change than a bush suddenly leaking enough to consistently cause the malfunction. The TSB referenced problem causes a raft of faults and affects all clutches whereas my gbox only gets 1 fault on 1 clutch.

I will fit a new set of solenoids unless some contradictory information is encountered within the next few days.

[BobD]

because of the larger tyres the computer is more accurate than it used to be since it is doing less km than the computer thinks it is.


I just read this when I am more awake and realised I should have said the car is doing more km than the computer thinks due to the larger tyres.


I hope you get your car sorted without too much grief, Graeme. Seems that you are not scared to tackle any mechanical job on the Disco.

[Graeme]

My D4's 6HP28X gearbox will be re-manufactured to the latest spec including a new TC by ZF themselves for $3,950+GST plus the local mechanic's R&R costs (transported by me to ZF) because ZF confirmed that fault code P2704 can only be caused by that bush (whitemetal version) having failed. This failure is quite common and has very little if anything to do with the gearbox having recently had an oil change.

[rar110]

That's quite a hit. At least the cost will buy you a high level of confidence about reliability. I take it from your earlier posts that this problem also potentially affects 6HP26 trannys?

[Graeme]

May as well get it fixed now as the problem can only get worse. It will get an improved torque converter over the existing one and various other improvements. It hopefully will then be good for the next 300-400K with appropriate oil changes to prevent clutch problems, not that I expect to still have it that long. The Mrs is already talking about getting a late model RRV.

Any 6-speed box fitted to 2008-2011 Discos, RRS & RR may develop the problem.

The bush is one of the pump's bearings. I wonder if the wear is accelerated by having the pump working under pressure at the low revs that can be.used with the 28X version of the box as the 26X wont allow gears to hold at such low revs. Even the 5.0 V8's 28X box doesn't get to operate at the low revs that the 3.0's does, to the point that the 3.0's is beefed-up from the 5.0's version to handle to the torque at low revs.

[Roberto]

Thanks for the interesting thread.

I have a D2 that was new in 2003, and has 215,000 on it. It is used almost exclusively for bush trips. I love it and will keep it forever. A friend recently bequeathed his similarly aged D2 to me, so I have plenty of spares to keep me going.

We use other cars for highway commuting and city driving. In 2010 I was looking for a new highway cruiser (we live in the bush and rack up lots of k's). I looked at the RRS, the D4, the diesel Cayenne and the twin turbo BMW X5. Largely as a result of peer pressure I got the X5. Its done 160,000 in just over four years. It has those ridiculously wide tyres (the rears are 315/35/20s) which last less than a year. After the first year I replaced them with the same runflats and spent $3200! I don't like the handling. They hang on like buggery, but then let go suddenly. I prefer tyres that slide progressively. Apart from that, the BM has fulfilled its role flawlessly. It goes well. Is economical, and my wife loves it. It has had some minor stuff done under warranty, but never let us down. It has been hard restricting it to legal speeds on the back roads of NSW when it is able to do nearly 250 on the autobahn. When I have attracted unwanted attention, the officers have always been quite conciliatory and I have thus far avoided unpleasant consequences. I just put Conti sports on for $1800. They track well but how they last remains to be seen. If you think the aluminium panels on Discos feel light, you should feel the plastic guards on the X5. Luckily, through vigilance, excellent braking performance and good luck, I have managed to avoid the fauna hurling itself in my path. Sadly, while it is a very good car, I don't love it like I do the D2. I am seriously looking at changing over to a D4, so have found the comments on this thread very useful.

[nat_89]

Thanks for the interesting thread.

I have a D2 that was new in 2003, and has 215,000 on it. It is used almost exclusively for bush trips. I love it and will keep it forever. A friend recently bequeathed his similarly aged D2 to me, so I have plenty of spares to keep me going.

We use other cars for highway commuting and city driving. In 2010 I was looking for a new highway cruiser (we live in the bush and rack up lots of k's). I looked at the RRS, the D4, the diesel Cayenne and the twin turbo BMW X5. Largely as a result of peer pressure I got the X5. Its done 160,000 in just over four years. It has those ridiculously wide tyres (the rears are 315/35/20s) which last less than a year. After the first year I replaced them with the same runflats and spent $3200! I don't like the handling. They hang on like buggery, but then let go suddenly. I prefer tyres that slide progressively. Apart from that, the BM has fulfilled its role flawlessly. It goes well. Is economical, and my wife loves it. It has had some minor stuff done under warranty, but never let us down. It has been hard restricting it to legal speeds on the back roads of NSW when it is able to do nearly 250 on the autobahn. When I have attracted unwanted attention, the officers have always been quite conciliatory and I have thus far avoided unpleasant consequences. I just put Conti sports on for $1800. They track well but how they last remains to be seen. If you think the aluminium panels on Discos feel light, you should feel the plastic guards on the X5. Luckily, through vigilance, excellent braking performance and good luck, I have managed to avoid the fauna hurling itself in my path. Sadly, while it is a very good car, I don't love it like I do the D2. I am seriously looking at changing over to a D4, so have found the comments on this thread very useful.

I know how you feel i had an x5 for a while and its hard to explain i now have a D4 HSE and i just love it every time i drive it it puts a smile on my face the way it goes how comfy it is the stereo the whole package i just love it and cant explain why i love it so much theres just something about it that makes you love it!! No other car I've had i love as much as the D4 its just hard to explain!! Especially when your trying to tell people about the cars the best thing i do with friends is say jump in and have a drive and they all go away smiling and really love it to!! I dunno what it is haha but they are just so good!

[RHS58]

I know how you feel i had an x5 for a while and its hard to explain i now have a D4 HSE and i just love it every time i drive it it puts a smile on my face the way it goes how comfy it is the stereo the whole package i just love it and cant explain why i love it so much theres just something about it that makes you love it!! No other car I've had i love as much as the D4 its just hard to explain!! Especially when your trying to tell people about the cars the best thing i do with friends is say jump in and have a drive and they all go away smiling and really love it to!! I dunno what it is haha but they are just so good!

Jeezus. Your D4 ranks numero uno obviously.
What's next in line? Missus or dog?

[nat_89]

Jeezus. Your D4 ranks numero uno obviously.
What's next in line? Missus or dog?

HAHAHA i will admit i do love the D4 lots but sadly its 3rd inline haha!! She does love it as much as me but now she's got an Audi Q5 she loves that more than the D4 i think!