Jeep, Disco, or Toureg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Plendo

Whenever I mention our plan to buy a Disco I get howled down by the Landcruiser brigade, talking about reliability. This I can ignore (I hate landcruisers), but in amongst the crowd are people saying things like "I traded my Disco after I had to pay $8k for a new ABS computer", or "it was great until the fuel pump was replaced, and then it had on going electrical problems at 140k".

---

Join the club :D
I've had people I've never even met before politely inform me that my car is a "heap of ****", amongst other enlightened things. When I point out that my 12 year old vehicle has features as standard that are only options on their brand new luxo barge, again they set the bar high with intellectual ripostes such as "so what, landrovers still suck"
Clever bunch those toyota boys.
As mentioned the ABS computer is a Disco 2 issue, but is really a worst case scenario.
If you're not prepared to roll your sleeves up and keep on top of maintenance issues and the like a Land Rover will bite you. To my way of thinking this makes "reliable" vehicle drivers boring and lazy :angel:
Assuming you don't get a Lemon and you pick your purchase wisely and look after it, a Land Rover will be more than sufficient for your uses, and will get it done with such character and stylish flair that even the Toyota fanboys in their luxo-barge 200 Series POS will feel a tad insecure :twisted:
Best of luck.
Cheers
Muppet

seems you, like me like good forums. The mob here are very helpful
cheers
blaze

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by VK3GJM

One big dislike is the inability to control suspension to the full extent

---

Are you aware of what the Llams height controller provides?

No, I wasn't aware of Llams. Thank you for pointing that out.

Installation in the new D4 with 8 speed might be a real challange, access to the inner workings of the centre console is extremely difficult. I tried to lift it to gain access to run HF radio cabling and a remote mount.

I shouldn't have to add something like this when a simply software change could easily provide that extra level access on low range and speeds less that 20km/hr. as mentioned, the Touareg had access but with speed limits where it would default back to the next level down, it got me out of many situations and certainly assisted in keeping zero under body damage.

Certainly worth looking into.

Regards

Gerald

I make the Llams kit so treat my comments accordingly. Llams was developed purely because LR doesn't allow the various height selections for whatever reasons. Jeep are the same.

It is not necessary to remove the centre console fit Llams unless one wants to fit the switch in the console.

3 Years on from buying my Discovery 4 and I couldn't be happier. It was brought to tow a big van and it has done that job in a way I could never have imagined. The only issue I have out on the road with the van attached is bloody Toyota's with vans slowing me down.

There are short comings with the D4 as a tow vehicle but they can all be fixed.

Fuel capacity simply not enough when pulling a big van. The Fix in my case a Long Ranger Aux tank and a Kaymar Rear bar.

The standard tow hitch is ok but I have no confidence in the design I replaced mine with a Mitch Hitch.

If you are buying used and if it has done any towing get the rear Airbags and shockers checked. Mine were replaced at 50000ish.

My D4 has not been problem free but the dealer response to issues is what matters. See if you can find a 3 year old car with the extended warranty or buy one just under 3 years and get the extended warranty.

The all important question... Would I buy another D4?

Absolutely but I have no intentions of replacing my 3 year old D4 it is simply awesome.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Graeme

This probably refers to a replacement D2 ABS modulator - a Wabco component used in D2s and some other non-LR vehicles that has electrical design shortcomings but many handy people fix the various faults themselves.

My 3.0 D4 with over 100K is starting to purr as though its probably just run-in.

---

Maybe because the D2 modulator was certainly a problem (circuit that is now fixed with $2 worth of wiring...but we didnt know that in the beginning) however at the height of what LRA was charging it was $4k fitted...

Cheers

Well done Mowog. Sounds like a keeper!

Cheers

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by VK3GJM

No, I wasn't aware of Llams. Thank you for pointing that out.

Installation in the new D4 with 8 speed might be a real challange, access to the inner workings of the centre console is extremely difficult. I tried to lift it to gain access to run HF radio cabling and a remote mount.

---

I've just installed one in my 8 speed... i just put the switch on the front of the console between the seats - above the drink holder. Probably a bit dodgy but it looks fine and isn't in the way - and I can see what setting it is on easily.

I have been watching with interest the passion that people feel about the Discos, it is clearly a special vehicle that get under your skin.

My first 4wd was a Willys back in Scotland, and that was quite something, we replaced that with a Land Rover, I can not remember the model, but every farm in the area had one, and they were close to unstoppable in their day.

Then in the late eighties I bought a GQ Patrol, and used to love nothing better than un bogging Land Cruisers, kept that one into the next century. The good old Patrol took us to many interesting places, but there was not much left of the original vehicle by the time it passed half a million km.

What we are looking for now is not a vehicle we will challenge (much), but one that tows well, and offers the comfort my old frame tells me it needs.

Your comments above have convinced me I am on the right tracks, I see positives for both the Disco and Touareg.

I know I can get diagnostic software for the VW, can I also buy software for the Disco that will show me the alert codes, or is it tightly held by the dealers?

Thanks again for all your help.