Which Discovery 4 / LR4 - 3.0 TDV6 or 5.0 V8?

[A RO 95]

Hello all, I am based in Germany and I am looking to buy a Discovery 4 / LR4.

I have done a bit of research and I am still not sure whether to go for a locally sourced 3.0 Turbo Diesel or import a 5.0 Normally Aspirated Petrol from the UAE. Including transport and import of a 5.0 from the UAE, the cost of both alternatives should be very similar.

Here my Pros / Cons list

5.0 Petrol
Pros
Currently no foreseeable restrictions entering German cities
Less vulnerable to variable fuel quality
More relaxed cruising on the German Autobahn

Cons
Appalling fuel economy
Less torque
No heated seats

3.0 Diesel
Pros
Better fuel economy
More torque

Cons
Potential ban from entering cities here in Germany
Fuel quality and possible problems with DPF and ECU
Availability of Diesel fuel for private vehicles in some East European / Asian countries


As you can see, I currently have found more pros for the Petrol than the diesel, but the 2 Pros that I have for the diesel are very important points and more immediate as I am not sure when and how often we will be travelling more further a field!

A point on which I am unsure at the moment is reliability:
I have read quite a bit about engine and crankshaft failures with the 3.0 Diesel.
How wide spread are the problems, how seriously should I take this point?
How reliable are the supposed improved post 2012 diesel engines, and from which VIN?

I have not found much information on the reliability of the 5.0 normally aspirated petrol engine, I take that this is due to one of two reasons:
1) There are no known major problems – people are more likely to write their opinions if they have something to complain about!
2) Fewer vehicles on the road with this engine, and those on the road generally have lower mileage / are not used as hard as the diesel engine versions.
What are the known weak points of this engine?

[rar110]

From what I’ve read diesel cars are getting more and more regulated in the EU & UK, and will be excluded from more and more cities.

The 3.0 tdv6 failure seems to be rare, but I have read about such a failure even on a late facelift D4 before it was due for its 1st or 2nd service (can’t recall which one). A failure seems to be completely unpredictable. Failures have also occurred on the tdv6s fitted to the L405s.

The 5.0 V8 na seems to be a very reliable motor, which was also fitted to the L322.

[goofyr]

Hello all, I am based in Germany and I am looking to buy a Discovery 4 / LR4.

I have done a bit of research and I am still not sure whether to go for a locally sourced 3.0 Turbo Diesel or import a 5.0 Normally Aspirated Petrol from the UAE. Including transport and import of a 5.0 from the UAE, the cost of both alternatives should be very similar.

Here my Pros / Cons list

5.0 Petrol
Pros
Currently no foreseeable restrictions entering German cities
Less vulnerable to variable fuel quality
More relaxed cruising on the German Autobahn

Cons
Appalling fuel economy
Less torque
No heated seats

3.0 Diesel
Pros
Better fuel economy
More torque

Cons
Potential ban from entering cities here in Germany
Fuel quality and possible problems with DPF and ECU
Availability of Diesel fuel for private vehicles in some East European / Asian countries


As you can see, I currently have found more pros for the Petrol than the diesel, but the 2 Pros that I have for the diesel are very important points and more immediate as I am not sure when and how often we will be travelling more further a field!

A point on which I am unsure at the moment is reliability:
I have read quite a bit about engine and crankshaft failures with the 3.0 Diesel.
How wide spread are the problems, how seriously should I take this point?
How reliable are the supposed improved post 2012 diesel engines, and from which VIN?

I have not found much information on the reliability of the 5.0 normally aspirated petrol engine, I take that this is due to one of two reasons:
1) There are no known major problems – people are more likely to write their opinions if they have something to complain about!
2) Fewer vehicles on the road with this engine, and those on the road generally have lower mileage / are not used as hard as the diesel engine versions.
What are the known weak points of this engine?

If it was for me I’d get the V8 but I’m biased I bought a D3 V8 last year and love it. Biggest problem is fuel economy, which would be a concern in outback Australia. I’m fitting a long range fuel tank to at least minimise the problem. Objectively for me I was buying a car that’s over 10 years old and thought a simpler engine setup would provide less risk. No DPF, EGR or twin turbos. Having said that I’ve had 2 issues I didn’t anticipate, a bad injector and rusted radiator connector that needed a full replacement.

Cheers,
Randy

[Eevo]

in a small country like germany, fuel economy is a non existent issue. haha

petrol engines also easier to fix

[justinc]

Definitely pick the v8 5.0.
In fact, for a petrol engined big vehicle they are very economical. Remove the potential dpf, egr and turbo costs from the equation and you may very well be ahead in total outlay after some years

[Disco-tastic]

Definitely pick the v8 5.0.
In fact, for a petrol engined big vehicle they are very economical. Remove the potential dpf, egr and turbo costs from the equation and you may very well be ahead in total outlay after some yearsPlus you have that SOUND! That's a big pro for the V8 :D

[justinc]

Plus you have that SOUND! That's a big pro for the V8 :D

.... my 4.4 diesel makes ALL the right sounds though 😁

[justinc]

Mmmmm🤗😍

YouTube (https://youtu.be/YRbUdwGmAww)

[Graeme]

According to the L322 MY11 brochure, the na 5.0 gets to 100 kph in 7.2 secs compared to the 4.4 in 7.8 secs. The 4.4's higher ratio diffs probably don't help get it off the line quickly.

[Geedublya]

I have read of a few problems wth the V8. Water pumps are known to fail. Early ones had aluminium in the cam chain tensioner guide where the hydraulic tensioner pushed and could wear giving noisy cam chains and because they are DI they can get carbon build up on the back of the inlet valves.
Saying that my 2010 gave no problems in 210K except for the throttle body needing cleaning to clear a persistent MAP error.
They are very quiet and well muffled, I wish my RRS SCV8 was as quiet.

[justinc]

According to the L322 MY11 brochure, the na 5.0 gets to 100 kph in 7.2 secs compared to the 4.4 in 7.8 secs. The 4.4's higher ratio diffs probably don't help get it off the line quickly.

And the 6500rpm in each gear helps too Graeme...😎

[iannicki]

I know nothing about this, but a question I would be asking in your situation is how would I go with servicing of an imported vehicle? Also, will German insurance companies know how to price an insurance policy?

The answers may depend on how many other people have imported similar cars.

[Arapiles]

Hello all, I am based in Germany and I am looking to buy a Discovery 4 / LR4.

I have done a bit of research and I am still not sure whether to go for a locally sourced 3.0 Turbo Diesel or import a 5.0 Normally Aspirated Petrol from the UAE. Including transport and import of a 5.0 from the UAE, the cost of both alternatives should be very similar.


Is the super-charged V6 petrol not available? It supposedly has better fuel consumption than the V8.

[rar110]

Is the super-charged V6 petrol not available? It supposedly has better fuel consumption than the V8.

Not in a D4 as far as I know.

[A RO 95]

Hi all,

Thank-you for the feedback.

@ rar110
I agree and s I mentioned the potential restrictions for Diesel engines are part of the reason I have been tending towards the na petrol, whereby DI petrol engines are also likely to come into focus as well soon. The increased particulate emissions are the reason that particle filters are now also being introduced for petrol engines.


@ goofyr
Yes, less complexity of the normally aspirated petrol engine is a plus point, whereby I am not sure that it is really that much less complex, hence my request to any information as to reliability.

@ Levi Germany may be a small country but I intend to travel l quite extensively throughout the whole of Europe with this vehicle, plus I think because of the compactness here in Europe and comprehensive road network we tend to travel more often. We average about 30 Th. km per year with my car and about 20 Th. with my wifes car. Also the fuel prices here are quite high with Diesel currently costing approx. EUR 1.3 per litre and 95 RON costing approx. EUR 1.45.

@ geedublya Do you know from when the chain tensioner was upgraded?

@ iannicki The 5.0 was sold here in Germany from 2011-2013, prior to the 3.0 SC being introduced. However, it sold in very small numbers and so is very rare on the used market. Whereas in the UAE and US it was the main engine and so is much more plentiful. In addition vehicles in the UAE appear to be relatively low mileage and quite cheap! I the need to add transport, import duties, registration, but evenso I expect the final vehicle cost approx. EUR 5000 less on the road than if I can find an equivilent 5.0 here in Germany.

@ rar110 & Arapiles
The 3.0 SC was introduced as the petrol engined alternative for the D4 in Germany for the 2014 MY, replacing the 5.0 na, neither petrol engine sold particularly well when new, but now interest is picking up for both versions on the used market as diesel engines look like being penalised. Again the 3.0 SC is more complex, Ideally I would like a D2 V8 in super condition and very low mileage!!

Whatever I end up buying it will be a compromise!! :cool:

[Arapiles]

Not in a D4 as far as I know.

No, the SCV6 D4 was sold globally, including in Australia from 2014, replacing the V8 - but in Australia they sold literally just a handful of them, largely because they didn't make a lot of sense when compared to the V6 diesels. There's just one for sale on Carsales at the moment, and that's the first I've noticed.

[101RRS]

There's just one for sale on Carsales at the moment, and that's the first I've noticed.

You got a link for that as I can only see diesels and 5.0V8s on Carsales.

Cheers

Garry

[jonesy63]

You got a link for that as I can only see diesels and 5.0V8s on Carsales.

Cheers

Garry

2014 Land Rover Discovery SCV6 SE Auto 4x4 MY15 (https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Land-Rover-Discovery-2014/OAG-AD-16200714/?Cr=0)

Hint: post 2014, you have to search on "Discovery" rather than "Discovery 4". ;)

[Arapiles]

2014 Land Rover Discovery SCV6 SE Auto 4x4 MY15 (https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Land-Rover-Discovery-2014/OAG-AD-16200714/?Cr=0)

Hint: post 2014, you have to search on "Discovery" rather than "Discovery 4". ;)

Exactly, you have to choose "Discovery" instead of "Discovery 4" and then choose "Series 4". This is also why there never seem to be really low k D4s listed - the 2015 and 2016 models only come up by searching this way.

[Arapiles]

No, the SCV6 D4 was sold globally, including in Australia from 2014, replacing the V8 - but in Australia they sold literally just a handful of them, largely because they didn't make a lot of sense when compared to the V6 diesels. There's just one for sale on Carsales at the moment, and that's the first I've noticed.

I was thinking that I'd seen something in an article about how few SCV6s they sold, and that it had been a handful - this is the article I was thinking of and it was less than a handful actually:

No petrol, long queue for new Discovery - motoring.com.au (https://www.motoring.com.au/no-petrol-long-queue-for-new-discovery-107911/)

"Speaking to motoring.com.au at the launch of the new Discovery this week, Land Rover Australia managing director, Matthew Wiesner, said previous attempts to introduce petrol-powered models were unfavourably received.
“We’ve played with a supercharged-petrol in Discovery 4 for a while, in 2015, and effectively found our customers prefer diesel,” Weisner explained.
“We sold around 2020 cars that year, three of them were petrol,” he stated."

[DazzaTD5]

.... my 4.4 diesel makes ALL the right sounds though 😁

Are you sure its your V8 making all that sound? or is it you? [tonguewink][tonguewink]

[101RRS]

Hint: post 2014, you have to search on "Discovery" rather than "Discovery 4". ;)

Yes - that was why it did not come up on my D4 search - I knew the SCV6 existed but not about it being in Aust.

[Geedublya]

@ geedublya Do you know from when the chain tensioner was upgraded?

I believe it was 2012 but I would suggest you do your own research.

[justinc]

Are you sure its your V8 making all that sound? or is it you? [tonguewink][tonguewink]

... welll, i DID eat some pretty dodgy lamb on the weekend..😄

[A RO 95]

I believe it was 2012 but I would suggest you do your own research.

OK Thanks. It would appear that the problem is not that major and that 2013 MY> is fitted with an improved chain tensioner from new. The tensioner is however still a wear part that you should keep an eye / ear on.

[fredd63]

If you can save 5000 euros buying a petrol Disco, that will go a long way towards paying for the extra fuel cost. And you don't have to worry about crankshaft breakage, DPF, EGR, or being refused entry to certain cities. I say go for it.

cheers

fred

[allanboston]

If you can save 5000 euros buying a petrol Disco, that will go a long way towards paying for the extra fuel cost. And you don't have to worry about crankshaft breakage, DPF, EGR, or being refused entry to certain cities. I say go for it.

cheers

fred

Currently living/working in the UAE. There are some very good vehicles available here and the local community seems to have a strong preference for new rather than used, hence many second hand vehicles are exported. Just a point of caution, make sure any vehicle you are considering has a thorough Landrover service history. Conditions here are tough on vehicles (heat and dust). LR recommends 13,000k servicing (or more frequent) and this is around all filters needing regular changes to avoid clogging. Also expect to throw away tires if the are not brand new. Road surface temps above 50 C are normal - kills tires.

If the vehicle has been used off road - then it will have been in heavy loose sand conditions which is tough on engines. Having said that, very few UAE vehicles actually spend much time off-road.

Also if the vehicle you are considering is more than 4 - 5 years old - make sure it was originally delivered new in the UAE as a GCC spec vehicle. Importers in the UAE bring in new vehicles from other countries and sell them for 10 - 20% below normal retail. These vehicles are not specced for high temperature and high dust conditions, so can become prone to problems down the track.

Best of luck!

Allan