18 inch 3.0 wheels.

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Originally Posted by ATH

I've just been to the stealers today to check what's on offer with their last remaining D4s.
I'm fully aware of the necessity of different size rims to get tyres which are reasonably available outside the metro area, but am now thinking why the hell should I have to go to the expence (around 5K I reckon) of buying different rims plus tyres because LR insist on standard fitment of rims for which it's virtually impossible to buy either replacement tyres or the rims themselves in the event of damage to them?
I love the way Landies of all descriptions ride and the vehicles themselves but I think in this case I'll give them a miss.
AlanH.

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It really is a shame that you are put off the D4 because of rim size. I'll happily follow any D4 with 17's, 18's 20's with my 19's anytime anywhere! Will I take a different approach, YES! Will I take a different line, MAYBE! Will I adjust my speed, YES! Am I happy to do all of this? ABSOLUTELY ! It's all about wheel placement and attitude. You can't drive on 19's like your on 18's etc, but you can go and traverse the same terrain, and I know this because I have done it. Don't be put off with all the negative comments about the 19's.
Go and get one, you know you want too!

I passed another Defender this afternoon and my heart opens I love them but while I was driving my Discovery 4 I was so appreciative that I was fortunate to be driving one, my trips to the farm and back are hardly noticeable 4 hours each way, I was worn out in the first hour with the Defender.

Someone recently told me they were going from a Discovery 4 to a 76 series Toyota. As much as I like my Landcruisers I just couldn't imagine driving one as a daily driver after experiencing a D4.

Yeah I had to succumb to the GOE 18" wheels, I really thought I would get by on the 19" and I too am ****ed with Land Rovers idiotic decision to put 19" rims on such a capable rig. But hey you put the 18" on and problem solved, still rather drive the Discovery over the Toyo.

Babs the problem is NOT solved with GOE, maybe at best somewhat alleviated. The "expensive" rims will still get damaged because the centre hub part is so exposed. So the face of the rim is still subject to damage. I just cannot understand why after paying nearly $5K on tyres and rims, there is still the possibility of damage. I know people say they pick their line and perhaps my style of driving has contributed to the damage to my stock wheels, but unless i had a spotter on all tracks I went on, I just could not avoid the damage occurring. I have never experienced rim damage on any other 4wd I have driven. The Toyo will not be a daily driver but rather a serious 4wd which it is. It is not a compromise vehicle that tries to do all things. It is unashamedly a serious and very capable AND reliable 4WD right out of the box. No need to spend more money on rims, tyres, snorkel, lockers, bashplates, LLAMS, just so you can go serious 4wding. I never thought I would ever say it as I am not a Toyota fan at all, but nothing else compares now that LR dropped the Defender. I realise now I made a mistake with the D4. I also now understand why I dont see many (if any) out in the outback or on serious 4WD tracks. Luckily my partner needed a new car. I will hopefully have the toy I need in the new year. Enjoy your D4. I do mine but not as a serious 4WD. Its too expensive and too damage prone for my liking.

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Problem with CF is impact.

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For sure. I have experienced this with racing sculls and they are exceptional in anit-torsion strength and weight, but knock into one, drop it, hit a log in the river etc and you will be wishing it was fibreglass. Same for my fishing rods. Love carbon, but they will always break over time whereas good glass ones will not. Mmm... Carbon 19 inch wheels... Mmm... Imagine those on the first run to a rocky trip. Cheers

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Originally Posted by ATH

I've just been to the stealers today to check what's on offer with their last remaining D4s.

I'm fully aware of the necessity of different size rims to get tyres which are reasonably available outside the metro area, but am now thinking why the hell should I have to go to the expence (around 5K I reckon) of buying different rims plus tyres because LR insist on standard fitment of rims for which it's virtually impossible to buy either replacement tyres or the rims themselves in the event of damage to them?

I love the way Landies of all descriptions ride and the vehicles themselves but I think in this case I'll give them a miss.

AlanH.

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Did the dealer care or have any knowledge of this phenomenon? How much credit tif they supply sans wheels? 9 out of 10 on the school run I suppose is the real truth.

If you want some real humour follow LR on Instagram or Twitter to see the absolute garbage they put up showing luxurious interiors or some picture of a car in a paddock and watch the 300 likes and ooh ahhs from the adoring masses. Embarrassing.

Edit: at one point I did a detailed survey for LR begging them to keep some of the tough features of the D3 so I get annoyed but hey that's sales and marketing

What a load of Cocky Poo!

The Toyota is a massive compromise vehicle, all those that have them here admit that..

You need a Snorkel, regardless so that's 1.
You'll need lockers to match a D4, that's 2.
You'll certainly want the front and sides protected (steps, sliders and under bars), that's 3.
And you'll need to replace the **** house suspension that says with any load in quick order, so that's 4.
Then there's realigning the rear track to meet the front... great for Sand and Ruts, that's 5.

Not one of the LC guys has spent less than $7k adding to/upgrading the LC to make it suitable.

And the locals - well they ALL replaced their tyres in short order AND all of them have rims completely scratched up after a couple of our club trips.... doesn't look quite as bad as they are silver with clear so it doesn't stand out as much..

And they have ALL spent serious time in the workshop for stupid issues....

Claiming you don't see any D4s "outback" demonstrates a limited view... there are significant numbers out there.. even a few tour companies using them...

To claim it's more expensive and damage prone is laughable.... I've taken the D4 on multiple long runs with the boys in the 70s, and 200s and the only vehicle to not have an issue - the D4...

No compromise off-roader? The D4 was eating tracks for 3 days at 100+ (I could stop and easily catch up at any time) whilst the LCs were trying to rattle apart at 65km/h. Wait until the welds on the body start to crack under the bonnet.. or the bull bar fatigues... or the RAI that's not sealed if you get the factory one... or the door mechanisms that rattle loose, the hubs that shear studs for no explicable reason....

There's plenty of people on here taking their D4s some very rough places without a problem. Just a few little scratches to show for it...

Only a bad tradesman blames his tools...

Just put it straight up - you wanted a 70 series.....

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Originally Posted by PerthDisco

Did the dealer care or have any knowledge of this phenomenon? How much credit to supply sans wheels? 9 out of 10 on the school run I suppose is the real truth.

If you want some real humour follow LR on Instagram or Twitter to see the absolute garbage they put up showing luxurious interiors or some picture of a car in a paddock and the watch the 300 likes and ooh ahhs from the adoring masses. Embarrassing.

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Any different to Tugmota fan boys? Nope...

I was seriously considering "upgrading" my 400,000km GQ Patrol to a 76 series until I drove one on a gravel road (not track) as part of a training course for work. It was terrible even on a well made road with some corrugations. The GQ was way better. That is why I now have a D4 which has been on heaps of outback roads and tracks all over Australia, unlike what the earlier poster said. I have never damaged the GOE rims apart from scratches on the outside of the bead area. Certainly nothing in the hub area.


A friend of mine bought a 76 series for a trip on the Canning Stock Route. That was the only trip he did and sold it straight away because he couldn't stand it. He went back to using his Hilux for the rough stuff.


They are a tough off roader and one of the few "real" 4WD's left but you certainly make compromises if you own one.

This makes for an interesting discussion and in around 20 years of 4wd touring and training none of the previous comments surprises me at all. We have done enough mud, sand and rocks to ensure I know which of those costs me the most due to increased wear and tear and that is mud. Would I point my D4 at any of that? No problem at all and with total confidence I would get through. Will I? Only if I really need to these days as we are more focussed on remote and demanding outback touring which normally involves mud, rocks and everything else. The only challenge the Kimberley does not offer up is the terrain of the Victorian High Country.

In the first instance we would need to put Recaro's into anything at around nose bleed pricing as they must have side airbags if already fitted to the vehicle. My D4 already has fantastic seats which is one of the many reasons we moved from operating Toyota's over 15 years. Apart from the comfort and capability of the D4 it saved me a fortune in fitout. We would normally spend around $15k plus fitting a 4WD out. All the D4 cost was a dual battery system and the GOE rims.

Capability and reliability. Well after a 22,000km trip through the NT, Kimberley including two runs over the Gibb and all the really rough stuff and towing our Ultimate Camper we averaged 14.9l per 100km and had nothing go wrong. Car now as >50,000km on it in less than two years so we don't stuff around with these things they are not toys. Nice if you can afford it but ours have to earn a living.

So each to his own is fine by me but IMHO I cannot find a better combination of comfort and capability that I can use every day and not have the cost of a toy in the shed. If I did it would be built like a competition truck so I could really have some serious fun

Rob

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Originally Posted by RobA

This makes for an interesting discussion and in around 20 years of 4wd touring and training none of the previous comments surprises me at all. We have done enough mud, sand and rocks to ensure I know which of those costs me the most due to increased wear and tear and that is mud. Would I point my D4 at any of that? No problem at all and with total confidence I would get through. Will I? Only if I really need to these days as we are more focussed on remote and demanding outback touring which normally involves mud, rocks and everything else. The only challenge the Kimberley does not offer up is the terrain of the Victorian High Country.

In the first instance we would need to put Recaro's into anything at around nose bleed pricing as they must have side airbags if already fitted to the vehicle. My D4 already has fantastic seats which is one of the many reasons we moved from operating Toyota's over 15 years. Apart from the comfort and capability of the D4 it saved me a fortune in fitout. We would normally spend around $15k plus fitting a 4WD out. All the D4 cost was a dual battery system and the GOE rims.

Capability and reliability. Well after a 22,000km trip through the NT, Kimberley including two runs over the Gibb and all the really rough stuff and towing our Ultimate Camper we averaged 14.9l per 100km and had nothing go wrong. Car now as >50,000km on it in less than two years so we don't stuff around with these things they are not toys. Nice if you can afford it but ours have to earn a living.

So each to his own is fine by me but IMHO I cannot find a better combination of comfort and capability that I can use every day and not have the cost of a toy in the shed. If I did it would be built like a competition truck so I could really have some serious fun

Rob

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Hi RobA, do you run or work for a touring company ? If so, can you please give details as I maybe interested. You can PM me if you prefer. thanks :)