Looking to buy D4

**Konradical** · 7th July 2015, 10:04 PM

Hi all,

Been a while since I have been on here, but basically I have done a full loop from when I was on last. Left sunny Katherine in 2012 to only come back again this year.

My partner and I are looking to ditch the not so family and pocket friendly Triton in the last quarter of this year, early quarter next year and am slowly pushing her in the direction of a D4 over a Prado.

The reason being is that she would prefer seven seats, we need to tow a camper, it will be used off-road in many different conditions and have a child friendly back seat. Im aware that the Prado can offer all of this, but there are millions of them here and if we want to find it in the carpark, we maybe searching for a while. Also the SDV6 in the D4 is superior.

We have spoken to a owner of a 2012 example recently and he was towing a similar camper to ours and was still managing to get 8-10l/100, where I know the 4cyl in the Prado will push that figure to 11-12, albeit still somewhat better than the 15-16l/100 we are currently getting.

Meanwhile to my question; I would prefer to buy new and I would prefer to buy local and that to me is 330km away in Darwin. I know this isnt the correct place for this question but I am locked out of the dealer section for some reason. Has anyone out there dealt with the Land Rover dealership in Darwin and what were your experiences. I have no problems with you PM'ing me on this one if required.

Thanks in advance!

**Stuart02** · 8th July 2015, 09:33 AM

I can't remember who but I've actually seen some quite positive comments here re the Darwin dealer support (have a search maybe), which frankly surprised me as whenever I went past I got the impression they weren't even particularly interested in selling Land Rovers. I had an out of warranty D2 at the time so found a good private mechanic near Berrimah and can't comment on servicing. It won't surprise you that a few times I found it significantly cheaper and faster to get parts - eg hoses and a fuel pressure regulator - from the UK than order them from LR Melbourne via LR Darwin

**BobD** · 8th July 2015, 05:11 PM

I would be wary if one of the major drivers of you thinking is to save fuel. Mine would certainly get the same fuel consumption as your Triton or worse but many other people say that they get very good fuel consumption. The D4 is probably nearly one tonne heavier than the Triton and shaped like a brick so even great engineering can't overcome the laws of physics. I would treat any improvement in fuel consumption as a bonus not a major requirement.

**sniegy** · 8th July 2015, 07:24 PM

PM "dmdigital"
He lives in Gove & sometimes uses the Darwin dealer, so has first hand experience & can comment probably better than most.

He purchased his D4 & Defender from me in Melbourne.

Good luck.
Cheers

**LRD414** · 8th July 2015, 07:30 PM

I think from reading other posts that perhaps "Mungus" has used the Darwin dealer so may also be worth a PM. I'm not sure though.

**Konradical** · 8th July 2015, 08:51 PM

Thanks guys..

Il be sure to ask the members that you have recommended to PM.

You are right Stuart02, it is usually because I have been looking for the dealership that I have noticed it, but with this being the territory, its pretty much Toyota country and I would say that LR just let its reputation do the selling rather than trying to change peoples (brainwashed) minds.

BobD, what engine does your D4 have? The owner of the 2012 example had the SDV6, which has a bucket load more torque than the TDV6 (600Nm vs 520Nm) and that would be where the fuel savings come from while towing I believe.

Our Triton has the 3.2lt and even unlanden on a run to Darwin it will get 12ish L/100. The fact it has a bull bar, spotlights and a basket roof rack may contribute to that as well. The claim is around the 8-9L/100 for the engine/model. Thats pretty poor for a modern diesel, especially when I can manage 10L/100 or better @ 130kmh in a 5.7lt Commodore ute.

But you are right, its not the only factor that I will get caught up in. There are many other reasons to get a D4 and like they say, if you dont expect-you cant get disappointed.

Thanks again guys.

**BobD** · 8th July 2015, 10:19 PM

My car is the equivalent to the SDV6 with 600 Nm. Same engine, just not called SD in 2010. It is heavier with the extra gear on board, but that is about all (see my signature).

**nat_89** · 9th July 2015, 07:31 AM

I probably wouldnt buy a D4 just with the thought of saving fuel they can be heavy on fuel depending on how your right foot goes and for me its not really a big issue as i love the driving experience.

They are so much more than that and no matter which way you go you will be happy, if it were me i would purchase new as its just much easier to have a full warranty and have the dealer support.

**BobD** · 9th July 2015, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Konradical

Thanks guys..

Our Triton has the 3.2lt and even unlanden on a run to Darwin it will get 12ish L/100. The fact it has a bull bar, spotlights and a basket roof rack may contribute to that as well. The claim is around the 8-9L/100 for the engine/model. Thats pretty poor for a modern diesel, especially when I can manage 10L/100 or better @ 130kmh in a 5.7lt Commodore ute.

Thanks again guys.

130 in a 4WD ute is not the best way to save fuel and the gearing is probably wrong in the Triton for this.

On the couple of times I have been to Darwin in the D4 I have tried to keep to about 110 but 130 is tempting and I have been known to give in to the temptation. Above 100 the brick shape of the D4 takes over and the fuel consumption increases greatly. There are several posts about this in fuel consumption threads. At 130 I would be getting at least 15 l/100 and probably more. The Commodore has a much smaller frontal area and drag factor than the Triton, let alone the D4, and the extra speed does not have as much effect.

**Mungus** · 9th July 2015, 09:37 AM

Konradical,
I did purchase my 2014 D4 HSE through the Darwin dealership as Scott - LRD414 presumed. I did this to stick with locals as I knew they would be the ones servicing and repairing any problems. I did search the country for better prices, but was prepared to spend a couple of $K more just to go local. As it turned out they had the second best price anyways and after freight came closer than I expected.
I will say I have had nothing but pure pleasure and great service in my dealings with them. They have two techs in their that are very experienced in my opinion. The service manager has been nothing but understanding, proactive and supportive in all my dealings and actually pushed LRA into providing me with 3yr free servicing as a good will gesture resulting from a fault I had early on. (Check my posts)

I really think a big part of dealer/service outcomes is the buyers/owners attitude throughout. You know 'what goes around, comes around' Treat them with respect and honesty and you will get that in return. After all they do need to follow LRA processes. (well at least until that leads nowhere) They are aware of my modifications and have no issue with them. No need to shut LLAMS down as they are aware of the fault they may read.

I would buy from them again under the same circumstances.

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