MY15 D4 at 60,000km update

**RobA** · 4th April 2017, 11:05 AM

Well after close to 2.5 years we have rolled over 60,000km so after its service yesterday I thought I would share the findings.

As some will know we do a lot of outback travel, towing an offroad camper and reasonably heavily loaded. Our fuel consumption heavy and unloaded has in my view been fantastic and well beyond any LC200 I know. Overall an excellent car and very glad to have made the change from other brands.

So what have we found?

Had the auto trans drained flushed and refilled with a new OE pan as you can't get the metal one for the 8 speeder, darn it. Expensive I know but under warranty is where I wanted the first one done and with all the towing we have done I have noticed an immediate but slight improvement in the way the box works so a sound decision

I noticed after we got back from our last Kimberley trip in Oct 16 that it seemed we were getting a bit of turbo lag but took no notice as nothing obvious. A couple of months back the lag became more of an issue when getting off the lights. Took more right foot than I like to use, box dropped to first and we left a very large black cloud behind us. Most embarrassing to say the least. So the diagnostic result on this issue is RH internal turbo seal is worn and requires replacement. This I am told will be a 2 day job and I am very pleased to say under warranty as well as it should be.

Wheel alignment
As we have the GOE rims on all the time I had the F&R checked for the second time in our ownership with only a marginal change to toe to be made. Says a lot, at least to me, in having your LR dealer do it and I keep hearing horror stories about some tyre stores so wish to keep clear of what could become an expensive problem.

Tyres are D697 and are about 50% worn so we will run them for another year as we are not doing a lot of remote touring and consider replacement in mid 2018 when we have a >5 month trip coming up through Central Australia and WA

Summary
Glad I made the change and quite happy with the ownership experience and support from our local dealer regardless of the aforementioned turbo issue. I know of plenty of other brands with bigger issues. The fact that we did not have to spend a fortune changing suspension and making lots of mods also adds to my confidence in the cars capabilities.

We are about to purchase an AOR Quantum Plus which comes in at 2500kg and around 230kg down ball which is considerably more than our Ultimate had at around 1100kg and 110kg down ball. But we want something of a home away from home for the large amount of time we plan to be on the road

Hope that is informative and useful as I don't see too many ownership updates on the forum

Regards

Rob

**Lukeis** · 4th April 2017, 11:37 AM

What's the horror story of a tyre place or non LR workshop doing a wheel alignment? I've got mine booked in tomorrow for a mechanic up the street to install my new lower control arms (which require new alignment). anything I should be aware or concerned about?

**RobA** · 4th April 2017, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Lukeis

What's the horror story of a tyre place or non LR workshop doing a wheel alignment? I've got mine booked in tomorrow for a mechanic up the street to install my new lower control arms (which require new alignment). anything I should be aware or concerned about?

Luke my comment relates to Adelaide no idea of Sydney but if you search the forum you will find a lot of discussion and one or two threads at least on issues with wheel alignments destroying tyres as they have not been done by businesses with the skills and technology to do a Disco properly

Rob

**mr_squiggle** · 4th April 2017, 12:04 PM

Thanks for the update, it's great to hear all of the info, good or bad.
Did the turbo issue also result in some engine oil use or didn't you notice?

**BobD** · 4th April 2017, 12:19 PM

Interestingly my expensive BFG front tyres started getting destroyed recently and I went to my local BobJane shop to get an alignment done. They refused to do it because they said it requires a steering sensor recalibration that they are not equipped to handle. Never heard of that previously! A shop near Rovertech ended up doing it as recommended by Rovertech and they found that the adjustment bolts had slipped causing my sudden rapid wear. I don't know how that happened but the alignment seems good now.

**l00kin4** · 4th April 2017, 01:09 PM

Thanks for that update Rob.
Very informative. My MY14 has also just ticked over 60k and I've been considering the transmission fluid and pan change.
Mine has had a pretty easy life since I've had it, but I bought it 6 months old with 23k on it so I don't know how it was used prior. Could I ask how much that cost ? (or PM if you prefer)
David

**RobA** · 4th April 2017, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by l00kin4

Thanks for that update Rob.
Very informative. My MY14 has also just ticked over 60k and I've been considering the transmission fluid and pan change.
Mine has had a pretty easy life since I've had it, but I bought it 6 months old with 23k on it so I don't know how it was used prior. Could I ask how much that cost ? (or PM if you prefer)
David

David take a deep breath. Labour, fluids and a replacement pan and filter (comes as a kit) was a smidge over $2k. Yes I know my man at PCB could have done it for less but this car is still under warranty and I want our service record to include this just in case for the future. It is a big job as they have to lift the engine as I understand it to get the pan out. Included a software check which I demanded to ensure all was correct. As I have said it does feel better but with the turbo problem to be sorted I reckon some of the trans behaviour is linked to that as well

Rob

**RobA** · 4th April 2017, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by mr_squiggle

Thanks for the update, it's great to hear all of the info, good or bad.
Did the turbo issue also result in some engine oil use or didn't you notice?

Squiggle no change to the oil level. It has used less than a litre every 10000km since new. It was only the curtain of black smoke behind me that alerted me to a problem along with the trans behaviour

Rob

**l00kin4** · 4th April 2017, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by RobA

David take a deep breath. Labour, fluids and a replacement pan and filter (comes as a kit) was a smidge over $2k. Yes I know my man at PCB could have done it for less but this car is still under warranty and I want our service record to include this just in case for the future. It is a big job as they have to lift the engine as I understand it to get the pan out. Included a software check which I demanded to ensure all was correct. As I have said it does feel better but with the turbo problem to be sorted I reckon some of the trans behaviour is linked to that as well

Rob

Thanks Rob. Youch! Maybe I'll put that 2k towards (half the) extended warranty...

David

**mr_squiggle** · 4th April 2017, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by RobA

David take a deep breath. Labour, fluids and a replacement pan and filter (comes as a kit) was a smidge over $2k. Yes I know my man at PCB could have done it for less but this car is still under warranty and I want our service record to include this just in case for the future. It is a big job as they have to lift the engine as I understand it to get the pan out. Included a software check which I demanded to ensure all was correct. As I have said it does feel better but with the turbo problem to be sorted I reckon some of the trans behaviour is linked to that as well

Rob

Hi Rob, the transmission pan & filter can be done easily without an engine lift to get the pan out, you just need the right tools. Have a look at the post I did in the 8 speed transmission section of AULRO.
I do agree that it's not a cheap exercise though, the parts & fluid (genuine ZF) were about $500 & that was trade.
Not knocking how you did it, just pointing out that it can be done a different way.

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