Forum thoughts on D4 BULL BAR RUNOUT - $2,675 fitted

[BMKal]

They still do it though, trust me I know first hand

Must be a dud dealer you've got over there.

My ARB winch bar was supplied & fitted by the ARB store just around the corner from the LR dealer where I bought the Disco. The LR dealer recommended them to me and even arranged the booking (the LR OEM bar had not been released onto the market at that time).

The only part of their recommendation that I did not go along with was to wait a bit longer for a colour-matched bar. I travel between Perth & Kalgoorlie regularly, and wanted something straight away (ARB had a black one available within a week). As it turns out, I actually prefer the black bar on the white D4 in any case.

Have so far cleaned up 3 roos with it (only one of which was what I'd call a pretty solid hit) - no sign of any damage to the bar or vehicle.

And I don't have any problem with getting at the light globes to change them when I need to.

[Silenceisgolden]

You must have HUGE hands, as even my hands dont have a problem doing the bulbs with an ARB bar...

I can recommend though, if it is a concern, fit LED bulbs in the parker lights before bolting up the bar

Nope, ordinary hands, but a crook back means that leaning over the bonnet area for an extended period is difficult.
Good suggestion about the LED's, but the bar was dealer fitted so I would have to remove it to do so. I will wait until a globe blows.....
I broke off the two lower grill pegs so that I can remove the grill - essential for cleaning bugs out of the radiator.
It irks me a bit that LR engineers made a great, simple, no tools headlight and grill removal system and ARB negated it by slack design.

[AnD3rew]

Did that, no response, anyway the car runs out of warranty soon, so will be glad to see the back of them.

Will never ever buy a new Land Rover again and will and have gone out of my way to tell other not too, I don't like being yelled at for something that ended up being a manufacturing fault and the issue was first raised prior to fitting our accessories, but that didn't seem to matter.

Baz.

Been there done that. I hate Land Rover Australia. But I am too stupid to learn from my mistake and I am on my third but it is despite LRA not because of them that I kept going.

They don't seem to have heard of customer service or to understand loyalty. I have been blamed several times for manufacturing defects, their default position sends to be to find some way to deny a warranty claim.

[mowog]

Its strange when you hear different stories around warranty outcomes. My D4 over the years has had problems. I even wore out the rear shocks from towing the van when it came to replace the shocks and airbags there was no argument it was just done and this has been the case with every warranty claim I have made even under the extended warranty.

The Front Bar question... well my D4 is booked in for the Land Rover bar to be fitted I know its not to every ones taste but to me neither is that looks the same as one fitted to a Prado (ARB Bar).

Steel vs Alloy I seen all the arguments and my take is its better to have something there than nothing if it gets bent then insurance will fix it.

[baldivistribe]

Can I be different and say I actually quite like the Land Rover shiny bar. For 2600 fitted it is similar in price to that other vehicle manufacturers bar.
I am toying with the idea of fitting one. The finance minister has approved the spending. I would like to know if any one here has had it fitted.
Cheers
Steve

[tonyci]

Steve
I saw one on a D4 today looked ok, nice neat fit.
I have an ARB bar because I needed (wanted) a winch, the land rover bar can not mount a winch.
Cheers
Tony

[Tombie]

It all depends on your use...
If you rarely go where impacts are likely the factory bar may suffice.

If you regularly go to the bush then the more rigid aftermarket units are more suited to your needs.

[Tombie]

The Front Bar question... well my D4 is booked in for the Land Rover bar to be fitted I know its not to every ones taste but to me neither is that looks the same as one fitted to a Prado (ARB Bar).

Interesting - to each their own, they still bear a striking resemblance!

Attachment 73598

Attachment 73599

[SimmAus]

I actually don't mind the shape/styling of the LR bar, but wish it wasn't so "bling" and had the option of a Matt or powder coated finish. As a really minor detail, I like the "Landrover" lettering on the bar, but I suppose this will soon change to "Discovery". ;-)
Re: alloy vs steel... So many positions on this, so whatever suits you best. Winch capacity could be a real killer, for me if I put on a bar, I would want a winch mount also; but again, depends on your circumstance/driving conditions.
Either way, the "special" is quite a saving from list price, but more aligned with the other options in market.

[letherm]

I also looked at the LR bar. I didn't mind the style but didn't like the chrome mainly because of reflected light and having to keep it polished. I had a polished alloy on my last car and had a problem with light bouncing back off it. I saw one fitted to a car in a dealer last week and it had two straps running back to under the bonnet from the top of the bar. They didn't look solid and I wondered then if the bar would be strong.

I have an ECB bar with a hammertone finish fitted to my MY13 D4. It's a white car so it goes well with that. Some wouldn't like the look of that either but it's personal taste so if you like it what does it matter. As far as a winch is concerned, I don't plan on one yet but it's nice to have the capability there.

BTW you don't actually need a bar to have a winch fitted. The instructor's car at the get to know your car day, that I recently attended, had a winch fitted without a bar. Never seen that before.