Which D4 to buy ?

[Zedrover]

Hi Disco peeps ,

My budget puts me in the market for disco 4 3L 180klw engine
2009-2010-2012 model under 100000 Klms on clock

Are there any key differences of these year models I should be aware of when choosing my first disco out side of Se or Hse options?

Thanks ahead

Zedrover

[Smocky]

Hey Zed,

you'll get some more informative answers than I can give, as I was lucky enough to get a new one.

What might help though is that when I was looking, the base model in Australia is usually optioned up fairly close to the SE. The SE, I think, is the one to go for, with a balance of valuable features vs price. The HSE added some nice fruit but at considerable coin for what were really "luxury" items.

For example, bi-xenons, sat nav, leather seats are all standard on the SE. I think they are pretty much must haves at that price car. The HSE added memory seats, keyless entry (as opposed to remote entry) and some other things.

Good luck with the hunt, I am sure there will be better advice on the 09/10/12 part of the question.

Smocky.

[Celtoid]

Hey Zed,

you'll get some more informative answers than I can give, as I was lucky enough to get a new one.

What might help though is that when I was looking, the base model in Australia is usually optioned up fairly close to the SE. The SE, I think, is the one to go for, with a balance of valuable features vs price. The HSE added some nice fruit but at considerable coin for what were really "luxury" items.

For example, bi-xenons, sat nav, leather seats are all standard on the SE. I think they are pretty much must haves at that price car. The HSE added memory seats, keyless entry (as opposed to remote entry) and some other things.

Good luck with the hunt, I am sure there will be better advice on the 09/10/12 part of the question.

Smocky.


Sorry mate,


Some errors in your info. According to the LR website, the SE has Bi-Xenon and Leather but no SATNAV in the 2016 model. It does have the better 11 speaker stereo which comes with a touch-screen which enables the reversing camera, which is now also standard on the SE.


You need to check each year as they (JLR) keep stuffing around with the standard spec.


I thought leather had been standard across the range for years but the LR site for 2016 states that the TDV6 has cloth.


If the OP is looking at a 2012 D4, I'm pretty certain the SE has Halogen lights, the standard sound system (no touch screen or anything that enables) but will have 7 leather seats.


I say this with some confidence as I have a 2014 (MY13) D4 which has Halogen (:angrylock:) and leather but no SATNAV. It was fortunately upgraded to have rear A/C, the 11 speaker stereo with touchscreen and reverse camera.


Don't be fooled into thinking these things are easily upgradable .... they definitely are not. Most upgrades are a compromise, difficult and/or expensive.


Fortunately, it is not difficult to find a D4 that is not in standard spec, as a lot seem to have been released with varying levels of extras.


In fact on that very point, every 2009 build MY10 SE (must be 2009 first release) came with SATNAV, Xenon and leather ..... I know this 'cause I used to own one.....that's why I was ****ed off when my MY13 turned up with Halogen lights. I knew SATNAV was an option but the lights were something I didn't consider.


Cheers,


Kev.

[apom]

Its not really as easy as whats on the website as the dealers rarely order a standard vehicle. Most have nav and the 11 speaker sound system now. most have leather and most seem to have 7 seats. Dont discount the TDV6 either, i couldnt pick much of a difference to be honest

I just picked up my TDV6 and it had leather seats, Tech Pack (Nav, front and rear sensors rear camera), 7 seats, rear air, keyless entry and the 11 speaker system all standard. for the extra about 10K for the SDV6 to get the extra power, electric seats (with arm rests) and xenons I decided to pocket the cash.

The HSE adds memory to seats, roof rails, folding mirrors (I think) and the best was about 15-18K over the TDV6

[Grentarc]

In fact on that very point, every 2009 build MY10 SE (must be 2009 first release) came with SATNAV, Xenon and leather ..... I know this 'cause I used to own one.....that's why I was ****ed off when my MY13 turned up with Halogen lights. I knew SATNAV was an option but the lights were something I didn't consider.


Actually, not all SE have these, as my 09 build MY10 SE does not have Satnav, Xenon was an option that was ordered and the leather is only leather on the top of the seat, not the sides of the base (vinyl). I am also quite fortunate to have the E-Diff on mine.

[Celtoid]

Actually, not all SE have these, as my 09 build MY10 SE does not have Satnav, Xenon was an option that was ordered and the leather is only leather on the top of the seat, not the sides of the base (vinyl). I am also quite fortunate to have the E-Diff on mine.


Oh .....


I was mis-informed by somebody on this Forum who shall remain nameless ... LOL!!!


I originally thought it was because mine was an ex-demo, and possibly specc'ed up for the show room floor (it also came with window tint, floor mats, mud flaps and tow-kit) but I was told it was a market sweetener in the first build cars for AUS.

Was yours an AUG 2009 Build? I was led to believe that was the first build run for Australia.


I think the leather & faux leather combo is standard for all cars touting 'leather' upholstery.... could be wrong about that too. I think you'd have to look real close to tell the difference between which parts are 'real' or not.


Apologies. :o

[Celtoid]

Its not really as easy as whats on the website as the dealers rarely order a standard vehicle. Most have nav and the 11 speaker sound system now. most have leather and most seem to have 7 seats. Dont discount the TDV6 either, i couldnt pick much of a difference to be honest

I just picked up my TDV6 and it had leather seats, Tech Pack (Nav, front and rear sensors rear camera), 7 seats, rear air, keyless entry and the 11 speaker system all standard. for the extra about 10K for the SDV6 to get the extra power, electric seats (with arm rests) and xenons I decided to pocket the cash.

The HSE adds memory to seats, roof rails, folding mirrors (I think) and the best was about 15-18K over the TDV6


If you order a car from the books, the website is the standard that is used which you then have to pay more for if you want extra options. Unless of course some sort of deal is in play. The website is a good place to start 'cause it helps you gauge value for money if you are comparing cars. It lets prospective customers know what is at LEAST fitted to a model.....which is great if you know bugger all about Discoverys ... and bearing in mind the fact that LR change the standard just about every model. If you know the standard (for each year or build), you can judge how much extra you are getting for any extra bucks asked.


Your Tech Pack wasn't standard .... you were lucky that the car you were looking at had it fitted. :D Semantics ... I know.


Which brings me to another point .... unless you really want your car tailored just for you, I think it's nuts to order one off the books, as in from the factory. I'm not entirely sure but thinking back I seem to remember that you can order pre-selected cars. In other words the dealer has chosen cars with different options and these are not assigned to any specific customer.


I think there is rarely a need for either of the above options because there always seems to be some sort of deal going and if LR are like Toyota (and I guess they would be), the cars sitting on their showroom floor are actually costing them money in the form of a lease fee.....so they want to move them.


Timing is everything, so the main event or certain times of the year are great ways of getting deals on floor stock or ex demos. And as I've said before and you reiterated, there are lots of cars around that have been optioned up from the 'standard' list. The only downside of that is playing around to match colours and options, etc.


That's been my experience anyway with both my D4s.


Cheers.

[Celtoid]

For anybody that's interested here are the specs for the Aussie 2016 D4.

It's pretty useful and you can check out exactly what is different between the models.


I'm sure you can find this format for any year, so that prospective buyers can compare. Some of the changes from year to year are quite interesting.


http://www.landrover.com.au/Images/LR0616_16_MY_DISCOVERY_eSpec_300x215_tcm296-193446.pdf


Cheers.

[Grentarc]

Was yours an AUG 2009 Build? I was led to believe that was the first build run for Australia.


Mine is an October '09 build date, but IIRC, it is identical spec to the original one Graeme ordered sans DPF, which should have been somewhere around Aug/Sep build date.

I wish it had the touchscreen, although I may one day scrounge all the parts from wreckers to retrofit it, or, go down the aftermarket route like this one (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/For-Land-Rover-Discovery-4-LR4-Car-DVD-Player-GPS-NAVI-Navigation-System-HD-Touch-Screen/32417946354.html'spm=2114.01010208.3.1.nICAwv&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_0,searchweb201602_2_100 17_10005_10006_10034_10021_507_10022_10020_10018_1 0019,searchweb201603_6&btsid=6d69090f-ec4f-4637-93ac-fbbe64cf4881)

[Disco-tastic]

Hi zedrover

Pretty sure main difference is the 8spd for the MY12 which, apart from having 8 spds over 6, it also has less 'lag' at roundabouts as it makes up its mind what gear to be in.

Sound systems and whatnot may have changed too, but i dont think there was any other major revision.

It's all about finding the spec you want for the price you want. I'd personally have xenon lights and rear air (and ediff if i could find one) satnav and reversing camera would be a bonus. But hey, thats just me :D

Cheers

Dan

[Celtoid]

Mine is an October '09 build date, but IIRC, it is identical spec to the original one Graeme ordered sans DPF, which should have been somewhere around Aug/Sep build date.

I wish it had the touchscreen, although I may one day scrounge all the parts from wreckers to retrofit it, or, go down the aftermarket route like this one (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/For-Land-Rover-Discovery-4-LR4-Car-DVD-Player-GPS-NAVI-Navigation-System-HD-Touch-Screen/32417946354.html'spm=2114.01010208.3.1.nICAwv&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_0,searchweb201602_2_100 17_10005_10006_10034_10021_507_10022_10020_10018_1 0019,searchweb201603_6&btsid=6d69090f-ec4f-4637-93ac-fbbe64cf4881)


Mmmm .... maybe my original thoughts on being a specc'ed up Demo were closer to the truth, unless it was just the first batch to AUS or something like that. Mine had a DPF too. I should be careful how I use the word spec. If I looked at the LR website for a 2009 SE, I'm sure it would not have SATNAV and Xenon as standard. I should have used the word optioned. As in, I was told that the first delivery to AUS had been optioned up. My TOPIX record states SATNAV and Xenon but that is only specific to my VIN.


My windscreen GPS annoys me a lot on my MY13 and I investigated a few after market options. There are a couple of companies in Brissy that have actually done the job and both used an iPrimo (I think) platform, which is what Toyo use (sort of ironic).


It is Hema capable too and a lot easier and cheaper to update ... so they said. It wasn't cheap but was almost fully functional. The only thing that wouldn't work was the Voice integration that the Land Rover SATNAV has.


What is interesting is the fact that both companies have definitely done the job (photos to prove it) and this was in early 2014 (so they would have done stacks by now) but neither mentioned having CCF issues. Considering the fact that just about everything else in the car is CCF constrained, I'm amazed. Don't get me started on how much grief I went through trying to change the standard Halogen over to Xenon headlights :angrylock:.


Cheers mate.

[Bytemrk]

Hi zedrover

Pretty sure main difference is the 8spd for the MY12 which, apart from having 8 spds over 6, it also has less 'lag' at roundabouts as it makes up its mind what gear to be in.



Dan I think you will find that the 8 speed came in end of 2012 / 2013.... mine is 2012 SDV6 and still 6 speed.

I'm pretty sure Gordon told me at one point that there were some incremental improvements in the traction control between 2009 - 2012 too.

Zed, if I was you I'd be aiming for the newest vehicle that you can afford with the features that you want.

For everyone the must haves are different, so get out and drive a few, get a good feel of what different vehicles feel like and soon enough - you will know when you find the right one.

[Celtoid]

Dan I think you will find that the 8 speed came in end of 2012 / 2013.... mine is 2012 SDV6 and still 6 speed.

I'm pretty sure Gordon told me at one point that there were some incremental improvements in the traction control between 2009 - 2012 too.

Zed, if I was you I'd be aiming for the newest vehicle that you can afford with the features that you want.

For everyone the must haves are different, so get out and drive a few, get a good feel of what different vehicles feel like and soon enough - you will know when you find the right one.


I can attest to that point too mate. The TC in my MY13 is a lot more aggressive/responsive than my 2009 build D4 was.

[Disco-tastic]

Dan I think you will find that the 8 speed came in end of 2012 / 2013.... mine is 2012 SDV6 and still 6 speed.

I'm pretty sure Gordon told me at one point that there were some incremental improvements in the traction control between 2009 - 2012 too.

Zed, if I was you I'd be aiming for the newest vehicle that you can afford with the features that you want.

For everyone the must haves are different, so get out and drive a few, get a good feel of what different vehicles feel like and soon enough - you will know when you find the right one.

Thanks bytemark - i had an inkling it was around 2012 but to check i did a Google search and it came up with "2012 discovery 4 updated with new 8spd..."

Cheers

Dan

[Owen]

I have a 2010 SE 3.0 SDV6, e diff but that's it for options. ARB bar and fyrlyt nemesis 9000 lights. For me the bar and lights are critical.

Main option I regret not paying attention to was rear air. It's a big car and the kids get a bit hot up back, especially the 3rd row.

[LandyAndy]

Thanks bytemark - i had an inkling it was around 2012 but to check i did a Google search and it came up with "2012 discovery 4 updated with new 8spd..."

Cheers

Dan

Dan.
When looking at them on the net you can easily spot the difference between an 8 and 6 speed in the pics.6 speed has a conventional T bar type shifter,the 8 speed has a rotary knob and steering wheel paddles.
Andrew

[Disco-tastic]

Thanks andy. i was aware of that - the headline literally said "2012 update" and "8 speed", but it wasnt clear if it was MY12 or an update in 2012 (MY13), hence the confusion

Cheers

Dan

[LandyAndy]

Thanks andy. i was aware of that - the headline literally said "2012 update" and "8 speed", but it wasnt clear if it was MY12 or an update in 2012 (MY13), hence the confusion

Cheers

Dan

No probs.
I have seen D4s advertised as 8 speed autos,yet the pics clearly show its missing a couple of gears;);););););)
It could be an "accidental" posting of the generic details of a later D4 applied to an early D4.A case of buyer beware.
Andrew

[Graeme]

Mmmm .... maybe my original thoughts on being a specc'ed up Demo were closer to the truth, unless it was just the first batch to AUS or something like that. Mine had a DPF too. I should be careful how I use the word spec. If I looked at the LR website for a 2009 SE, I'm sure it would not have SATNAV and Xenon as standard. I should have used the word optioned. As in, I was told that the first delivery to AUS had been optioned up. My TOPIX record states SATNAV and Xenon but that is only specific to my VIN.LR initially built the minimum volume of 3.0 D4s to meet the production criteria for EU5 certification so all had DPFs fitted regardless of destination market. That batch was also optioned with Satnav and possibly other options too. For Australia the 3.0 was only available in SE or HSE trim.