Thread: Pulling my hair out - purchasing a Disco4

Originally Posted by GregMilner

Be brutal with your thinking. You’re talking about a car that’ll do for your family for 5 years or so. Get the latest model you can find. If you have to finance it, do so ... interest is cheaper than maintenance. Check for one with a full service record (every 10,000km, not the nonsense 25,000km LR claims) and keep that up. You won’t regret it. If it’s done more than 70,000km, check that the transmission has been flushed too.
The 8 speed is definitely the one to go for. SDV6 or TDV6, doesn’t matter. You can always remap a TDV6 up to SD specs for $1100-odd in Perth.
There are several SDV6s on the market (in white, like mine) for circa $60k worth looking at, with well under 70,000km on them. 2016 build, the last and the best. Mortgage your mother to get one, they’re the best of the lot.
Mine is a 2016 and has still only done 66,000km and feels like it’ll go forever. No ediff, it doesn’t matter, we’ve towed a heavy camper trailer over very gnarly tracks including the Munja and Mitchell Falls tracks, didn’t miss an ediff at all. No aircon in the third row though, but that’s where we put the kids we don’t care about. Much.

Thanks for your thoughts. I've got the mother staying with me for a couple of weeks so I'll avoid showing her this post

OK, here are a couple on the top of my shortlist at the moment

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...AG-AD-18041301
2014 8spd updated facelift model
$49K
Base model but optioned up with the 3 zone AC to the rear
TDV6
only 63K km's on the clock
Excellent service history averaging 12,400km service intervals
However, is currently due for a service now
Low tread on front tyres

OR

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...SE-AD-6211306/
2013 8sp but not the updated facelift model
$52K
HSE model
Higher output SDV6 motor
All the fruit, ECB bullbar, snorkel, warn winch, dual batteries, spotlights, roof rack etc, electric brakes etc.
94,000km's on the clock
Excellent service history averaging 14,800km service intervals
Not due for a service. Was only just serviced at 89,470km
Although it looks like its setup for major towing (ie wind deflector, stoneguard etc), it has done very little towing (according to the owner)

For the extra $3K the 2013 is the HSE model and has a lot of extra fruit and is the SDV6, but 31,000 extra km's and not the facelift model. Both have an excellent service history.

Thoughts?

Also, am I correct that the 2014 blue car being a TDV6 has 155kW/520Nm compared to the 2013 white car SDV6 having 183kW/600Nm?

Don't be fussed about the updated 2014 specs. The 2013 model is late enough to have the latest software upgrades and, apart from a few cosmetic refreshments, is basically the same car.
The 2014 blue one seems very keenly priced to me, however I would be more attracted to the white one as it looks to have been well equipped by someone who knew what they were doing.
But I would be checking any potential buy for error codes and history.
If you're definitely buying a D4, I would suggest buying a GAP or Rovacom now so you can check potential cars. Either that or pay Daz to check them out.

Originally Posted by BeeGee

Great post, thankyou. I found it hard finding the non-HSE cars with the rear AC option, you did well. Did you find these with a manual search of the C-pillars by photographs or some search function?
That first one with the ARB Summit bar looks awesome. But when diving into its service history it isn't as flattering unfortunately.

Found just by looking at the photos, I tend to look at the HVAC controls as not all dealers have a good enough photo of the C pillar. Rear AC button circled in red. The button circled in yellow is the disable button for the front parking sensors this is a good indication it also has SatNav, although it will probably be several years out of date.

Using the search function is pretty useless as the Carsales ads just use the standard spec info taken from Redbook, if you notice they are all 5 seaters in the descriptions.

Originally Posted by kelvo

Here is a good example of a used car dealer not knowing what they are selling https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...AG-AD-17695535 The vehicle was originally from Tasmania and recently registered in WA. Trouble is it’s actually a SE and not a HSE. Three big giveaways, no rear AC, no Sat Nav, and no drivers memory seat.

This ad has now been corrected to the correct SE spec at the same HSE price they originally had it up for, although it is actually a MY15 not the 16 they still have it listed as

Originally Posted by DieselLSE

Don't be fussed about the updated 2014 specs. The 2013 model is late enough to have the latest software upgrades and, apart from a few cosmetic refreshments, is basically the same car.
The 2014 blue one seems very keenly priced to me, however I would be more attracted to the white one as it looks to have been well equipped by someone who knew what they were doing.
But I would be checking any potential buy for error codes and history.
If you're definitely buying a D4, I would suggest buying a GAP or Rovacom now so you can check potential cars. Either that or pay Daz to check them out.

Thanks. Yes, not too fussed about the facelift aspect but the 8spd auto would be nice, so still looking at 2013+.

If I purchase a D4 I will definitely buy a code tool, but most cars are interstate (I am in WA) so I won't be able to check first hand. I would likely have an independent check on whatever car I intended to buy.

Originally Posted by kelvo

Found just by looking at the photos, I tend to look at the HVAC controls as not all dealers have a good enough photo of the C pillar. Rear AC button circled in red. The button circled in yellow is the disable button for the front parking sensors this is a good indication it also has SatNav, although it will probably be several years out of date.

Using the search function is pretty useless as the Carsales ads just use the standard spec info taken from Redbook, if you notice they are all 5 seaters in the descriptions.

Thanks. Great tips on the HVAC and parking sensor buttons. Didn't think of that. that will be a helpful double check when perusing photos from interstate.

Car sales prices r over the top in a lot of cases. I'd look private and bash them down. I bought a my14 sc se for 6.5k less than listed price and could have haggled another k but the missus caved in.

Women love the D4 face lift model so don't involve her in the haggling😅

Car has e diff plus upgraded audio plus tow pack inc redarc pro control plus cameras all round..new tyres..new battety...new water pump..etc ..just serviced..so try to get the extras if you can..which you can😎

Comments re keeping money back 4 servicing n repairs r spot on. I've spent 1 5k so far on: 8 speed auto oil change ..ouch that oil is ridiculously priced .. t case service plus new rotors all round. Need to do the SC coupler and hydro bushes next. But That should be it for the next 5 yrs.

After that I'll be in for @ 40k. Not bad for a vehicle that cost over a 100k 5 years ago!!

There's a lot to choose from out there so be brutal in your assessment and negotiations.