Thread: My First Disco 4 Experience

We've got a 2016 3ltr TDV6 and it tows our small van of about 1.8t easily. You really wouldn't know the van is there. I've had to exceed the speed limit on a couple of occasions to pass idiots blocking the road and the pick up was tremendous.
Plus ours has the wide screen which seems to come with the rear camera spec. vehicles. The dash with the small screen looks odd to me.
I won't be getting the LR sat.nav and will just use the Hema we've had for years but may update soon as the screen is a bit small.
Great vehicle and all I've got to do now is sell the Deafener.......
AlanH.

Originally Posted by Archangel007

Alright, alright, alright (MM again!)....

SimmAus - do all the 8-speeds have the rotary dial? Because I found a few ad's on Car Sales that claims its 3.0litre engine, 600Nm car with 8-speed but it has a stick shift auto...!!! Fortunately 1 had creme/almond leather interior, SatNav, Harmon Kardon sound too!. All the rest were the dark interior and some were just stupidly priced.


Cheers,
Tricky

I must be super honest in this...I don’t know; my point was rather tongue in cheek (and vino inspired)..in that over the last 7 years the D4 has gone through many different tweaks. So apologies, not very helpful.

All of them maybe important to you, but trying to isolate a used vehicle that meets all of these points AND meet a budget will possibly drive you insane, and we haven’t even started on the colour combos yet ;-)

I can’t recall what your major use was for this vehicle, but very generally most D4 drivers are VERY happy with their model choice (even though different models have their advantages / disadvantages), and these need to be balanced with budget.

Good luck in the search, enjoy the test drives. As with any used vehicle service history and “known issue resolution” is important...and then colour, gear selector etc ;-)

Enjoy.

Absolutely no stick shift with 8 speed auto they are rotary dial only.

Originally Posted by Archangel007

Alright, alright, alright (said in a Mathew McConnaughey voice!!!)....

I think I have narrowed my focus a bit.

Let's put things into categories of importance:
High Importance:
-600Nm torque and 180kW Anything designated as "SDV6" (or "TDV6 3.0" for MY10/11) will give you this
-Low kilometres (the lower the better obviously) Yup
-Cream/almond leather interior (black is just too hot in QLD)
-LR Towbar fitted (for obvious reasons) all have the receiver, you just need to find out if they have they bar as well - easy to get one though if not
-Towing ability tick, every D4 does this with ease
-Harmon Kardon/Meridian sound system (I just love my music!!) Harmon Kardon is the top of the range for MY 2010-2012 (maybe early MY13), for later models there are different levels of Meridian sound systems. make sure you get the one you want. For higher spec audio you will be looking for a higher spec model (HSE or optioned SE or TD(S))
-Trailer sway control (I tow a LOT!! Can this be had in the MY10 vehicles or only in the MY13 8-speed and later cars??) standard on all D4s
-Price (the pockets go only so deep!!) good luck!

Medium Importance
-Colour (bronze good, gold good, white good, black bad!!) Colours you would be looking for are Nara Bronze, Ipanema Sand, Fuji White.
-8-speed gearbox (nice to have but if I have to lose 80Nm of torque to get it...) Remember going to the lower spec engine puts you in the lowest model spec which means to get the audio you want with this engine you will need to find one that has been optioned up with better audio.
-SatNav(yes I would like to have it for the integration etc but if I have to go back to a MY10 model its already 7 years out of date) if you get the higher spec audio you will have satnav, they basically come together
-Reverse camera (it just makes things easy, and we all like easy!!) Most will have this
-I like the woodgrain interior - classy!! (but if I have to pay $10k more to get it...) You can easily order replacement trim to get what you want if you can't find a car that comes with it.

Low Importance
-Wheel sizes (this machine will rarely, if ever go offroad - standard fitment is perfectly fine)
-Tyre choices (as above - standard fitment is perfectly fine)
-Bull bar, side steps, snorkel et al (don't want 'em, don't need 'em!) these will rare, you find more with out which is good for you
-7 seats (only have two kids, and Plugger rides shotgun a lot!!) most D4s have the seven seats just make sure you check if looking at lower spec vehicle as they are the ones that are likely to have only 5 seats.

There you have it I guess.

My question to you all is: was there ever a time where there was a crossover point whereby you could get the non-detuned engine AND the 8-speed gearbox??? If not, I'm going back to the MY12 and earlier models I think. the full strength 3L has always been available in SE and HSE models. 8 speed replaced the 6 speed for MY13 onwards (with rotary dial gear selector)
And, to add another layer of complication, someone suggested I look at the L322 or L405 Range Rover..... Sadly L405 way outside of budget

Cheers,
Tricky

Hope that helps!

I understood the SDV6 to be the only one with two turbos - the 'S' standing for 'Sequential'. The exception to this is the 3L engines produced during the time the 2.7 was available - these were the same twin turbos as the SDV6 of later models, but badged "3.0 TDV6". In any case, both are brilliant - the difference in output might mean it takes you and extra second or two to get to 100km/hr. (EDIT - nope, all 3.0L engines are twin turbo. Something new learned...)

If you're looking at a D4, you will be looking at a refined car no matter the year model. There was a lot of learning from the D3 years (also a brilliant machine i'll be quick to add) that made it into all models.

The 8 speed is probably better than the 6 speed, though it is also newer, and so won't have the same data set as the 6. The transmission in the twin turbo models is a revised version from that seen in the D3 and the 2.7 D4s, capable of handing more torque.

Like others, service history is king. If it has no history, walk away. Quickly.

Big service (timing belt) due at ~160-170,000ks, or 7 years. That means any 2010 model will need the work done now, 2009 is overdue, 2011 coming up soon. Something to factor in (Allow around $2,500)

After about 120,000k the lower control arms have been known to need renewal. No issue if you know about it and either don't mind the ride or have budgeted for it. Shocks will become spongy after about the same time. Not too difficult to change yourself I'm told - the airbag and shock is all one unit. Transmissions need a flush around the same time too.

Compressors will also be weak in the earlier models - rebuild kits are available on eBay which seems to work well. Otherwise, new compressors are available ex UK for a fraction of the aussie cost. Replacing can be tricky, though from your other thread I doubt you will have too much trouble!

There is a thread over in the electronics section about retrofitting 'missing' options - worth a look. Means you can, for example, scratch the sound system off your list, as it can be added later anyway.
I have the nav screen, and wouldn't be without it. The reversing camera adds a layer of protection (against bollards / children etc) as well as letting you back up to trailers with ease. (using the air suspension also avoids the need to wind jockey wheels, as you reverse under in 'access mode', then raise to offroad, engaging the tow ball into the socket :-)

My own 'must have' list was SDV6, White, Nav screen, not too many km. I ended up with a 2010 'SE' model (mid range), 100,000km, white, nav screen, for $38k. I've probably spent about $3k on it since then, in tyres, servicing, rebuilding the compressor, and accessories.

Still completely in love with the beast.

Originally Posted by veebs

I understood the SDV6 to be the only one with two turbos - the 'S' standing for 'Sequential'. The exception to this is the 3L engines produced during the time the 2.7 was available - these were the same twin turbos as the SDV6 of later models, but badged "3.0 TDV6". In any case, both are brilliant - the difference in output might mean it takes you and extra second or two to get to 100km/hr.

Just for clarity, all 3.0L engines, whether 155Kw/520Nm or 180Kw/600Nm, have twin sequential turbos. So in MY13+, the "TD" just designates the lower output 3.0L (and lower spec model - no more "S" designation as per the earlier TDV6 2.7 "S")

Originally Posted by SBD4

Hope that helps!

Sean is correct with this: "Remember going to the lower spec engine puts you in the lowest model spec which means to get the audio you want with this engine you will need to find one that has been optioned up with better audio."

However, you will find that most TDV6 3.0L in later model years will have the bigger screen, sat nav, better stereo and reverse camera because this was the most popular option package and dealers brought in many of them. I say "most" but certainly not all. As an example, mine has all these features and it was one that the dealer already had access to as "stock" when I was buying in 2014. This generalisation means that excluding the TDV6 is in my opinion not a good idea for the OP. I'd also put in a little positive vote for the factory sat nav. I find it quite good for nearly everywhere on gazetted roads. Sure it's a bit clunky but I personally don't want a secondary screen & would rather an adequate system that's completely integrated, which it is.

Scott

Easiest way to tell if it’s a 6 or 8 speed (besides the rotary dial or lever) is take it for a drive and use the tip-tronic. It will say on the dash what gear the box is in.