Thread: Convince me to buy a 2013-14 D4 ... or not

I'll watch this thread as I've been wondering the same thing...

You'll hear horror stories. You'll hear people who bought a Wednesday car and have never had the bonnet up. You'll hear experience from people who've been there and done that. You'll hear "experience" from people who parrot other people's unfounded opinion.

In short, it's a forum and you'll get the whole gamut.

I bought a car that was obviously assembled on Monday morning after the whole factory went out on a 2 day bender and was then worked on by a procession of drunk monkeys. I have a GAP IID because self diagnosis is the only way I can afford to keep this money pit.

Plenty of others have much better experience. I will say if you plan on buying one get it thoroughly vetted by an independent mechanic.

Originally Posted by BradC

You'll hear horror stories. You'll hear people who bought a Wednesday car and have never had the bonnet up. You'll hear experience from people who've been there and done that. You'll hear "experience" from people who parrot other people's unfounded opinion.

In short, it's a forum and you'll get the whole gamut.

I bought a car that was obviously assembled on Monday morning after the whole factory went out on a 2 day bender and was then worked on by a procession of drunk monkeys. I have a GAP IID because self diagnosis is the only way I can afford to keep this money pit.

Plenty of others have much better experience. I will say if you plan on buying one get it thoroughly vetted by an independent mechanic.

Thanks for the reply Brad and sorry to hear that you've had a bad one! What sort of faults have you had? How does the self diagnosis help? Are some of the issues easily fixed yourself or do you still need up taking it to a mechanic?

PS - What model do you have?

I went for a MY14, these are the last of the D4s so have a slight facelift, different headlights, front grill, wing mirrors, badging (Discovery on bonnet instead of Land Rover, the number 4 dropped from the rear badge). AFAIK everything else mechanically is the same as a MY13.

I’m like Brad as in I need to repair/service mine myself due to money, or more the lack of it. I went with a Gap IIDTool as this seems to do everything I will need, plus more.

My 2014/MY14 TDV6 has so far been trouble free, but I’ve only had it since October 2018 and have only done about 10,000Km in it (Currently has 116,000Km on the clock).

Regardless of Monday vs Wednesday car the D3/4 is a sophisticated ride due to the extra sensors and computers. The air suspension is the cars best feature and worst enemy from an off-road perspective. It's a fussy car and little **** can lead to hampered performance. Doesn't necessarily mean you get stuck but it can weigh on your confidence for remote use. Personally I will never take my D3 proper remote and yet it's not yet left me stranded to date. If I ever want to do that I'll go and buy a 100 series cruiser. Drives like a truck in comparison but you know it's built suitability for the job.

Just be aware is all I'm saying. They are great cars and the ride is unsurpassable.
But with complexity comes additional risk.

I have had the D4 for 7 years now,and also run a fleet of Toyota commercial vehicles.

The D4 is no Toyota.

Maintained correctly by a good Indie,it will be extremely reliable.Maintenance costs are high,as it is highly complicated,particularly compared to a Prado.But driving a D4,it is no comparison to a Prado,off road or on,it is so much better,there is actually no comparison.

I know this as one of my brothers has one.

The D4 will cost you more over the years,but it is so much nicer.

I have had Discoveries for over 20 yrs,and haven't had one break down on the side of the road,or let me down anywhere.

And we have done numerous remote area trips,no worries at all,usually solo.

Maintenance is the key,so finding a vehicle that has been serviced correctly by a good Indie,is extremely important.

Good luck.

I don’t own one, but that’s only because I don’t have the means. I have driven several of them - of other members here, and they are bloody fantastic vehicles. All vehicles can have issues, but from what I’ve seen and discussed, they are actually few and far between in the D4 compared to other LR’s and even other brands and there is a huge pool of knowledge here ready and waiting to assist if it’s needed.

Just do it - Life’s too short. 👍👍👍

Sorry - but why should we convince you to buy anything - if you are already not convinced yourself dont buy it.