Thread: New D4 owner - A few thoughts and minor issues

Originally Posted by Daz66

7. There is a noticeable lag at take off. Has anyone fitted a throttle controller (idrive or similar) to cure this? I had one on my Ranger and it transformed the car.

Cheers Darren

I cant comment on the later 3L and 8 speed combo - the 2.7L and 6 speed has its moments at take off, but I think its more to do with the gearbox not being in the right gear at the time as when Im shifting manually I rarely notice any lag. On a side note I found the throttle mapping on a standard ranger bloody terrible, and I drove a mates ranger a week or so ago that had a throttle module and IMHO it made the throttle worse - hardly breathe on the accelerator and it was like being at full throttle.

Originally Posted by Daz66

4. The interior plastics seem excessively creaky (probably because there are so many individual plastic components making up the console and dash), mainly coming from the centre console area as far as I can tell. I sprayed all the plastic joins with WD40 PTFE spray which seems to have helped a lot but you still get the annoying plastic creaks when hitting bumpy sections of road, a bit like an old Falcon Taxi (sorry for that comparison). Is this creaking normal as it will probably do my head in if I cant fix it? Presumably the console needs to be pulled apart then put back together with packing to isolate rubbing. Could make it worse though. PS I had to temporarily wedge a piece of rag between the seat and the seat belt anchor point to stop a really annoying rubbing sound that was coming from there all of the time;

I have a MY14 TDV6 with a silent dash/interior, so either mine is the exception or yours is.

Originally Posted by Daz66

5. The Tech is a generation behind other vehicle of around the same era. Really going to miss the Sync 3 system of the Ford Ranger which is top notch;

You can retro fit Apple CarPlay/Android Auto to bring the ICE tech upto date. Not cheap but can be done main | Online Store

Originally Posted by Daz66

6. Service intervals are too far apart. Plan on getting oil changes at 12k increments;

Oil changes every 13,000Km/6 months would make more sense, this is when I do mine. Normal service intervals are 26,000Km/12 months. Make sure the oil used is 5W-30 and meets Ford spec WSS-M2C913-B or C.

Welcome to the D4, Darren. It’s a sensational vehicle.
1 Agreed.

2. Ride quality is very smooth although a bit wallowey in corners as is expected. The steering weighting and feel is no where near as good as the Ranger electric steering
Shouldn’t feel wallowey at speeds suitable for a 4WD. I drive Alfa Romeos and I have no issue with the D4 steering and handling. Could be driving style or expectations perhaps, but it would be worth getting an experienced D4 driver to check yours out. But I’d be astonished if a 2014 vehicle had any issues, although front lower control arm (rear) bushes should be regarded as sacrificial items and replaced every few years (anywhere between 40 – 90,000 kms).

3. I have to admit that I am still worried about long-term reliability … Should I consider purchasing an extended warranty?? Could be worth it even if something relatively minor lets go

I can’t comment on an extended warranty as I do my own servicing and repairs. Some here swear by them, so up to you. As for reliability, I am comfortable taking mine into remote areas by myself for extended periods in the same way I have taken all my previous Land Rovers. But I do have a reasonable level of mechanical competence and carry a diagnostic tool, critical spares and tools. And I do keep abreast of this forum and note issues that others have and their remedies. My car has been completely fault free since it was built in late 2013.

4. The interior plastics seem excessively creaky

How odd. I’m astonished at how quiet mine is. I don’t get a squeak out of the roughest tracks. If you remove dash panels (which I have to fit USB outlets, LLAMS and a fuel gauge for the second tank) you will find bits of foam etc. wedged between them to remove or at least reduce friction. Perhaps these haven’t been replaced properly by the PO? Easy to correct.

5. The Tech is a generation behind other vehicle of around the same era. Really going to miss the Sync 3 system of the Ford Ranger which is top notch;

Can’t comment. If you mean the non-update of the SatNav or the inability to stream Bluetooth music, then I agree. But the iPod connection works well (yes, I know that is pre-historic, but then again, so am I) and so does the phone connection.

6. Service intervals are too far apart. Plan on getting oil changes at 12k increments

Well spotted. This is essential IMHO. Also make sure you replace diff and transfer case oils regularly (I think Daz recommends 40k kms) and have your gearbox serviced no later than 130k kms unless you tow or do serious off road work then make that about 90k kms.

7. There is a noticeable lag at take off. Has anyone fitted a throttle controller (idrive or similar) to cure this? I had one on my Ranger and it transformed the car.

This one confuses me. I hear many people make the same observation, but mine is a low power (155Kw I think) 3.0L and it takes off like a scalded cat. The only time I have experienced lag was in the high country once when I lost concentration up a really steep hill and wasn’t really paying attention. I had probably left it in Drive instead of manually changing gears and must have let the revs drop off. Quite surprised me. But seriously, that is the only time I’ve ever experienced it in over 60k kms of D4 driving.

Shouldn’t be any interior rattles or squeaks. Mine is ten years and 270,000km and is silent. I recall there are some recalls for rattles and squeaks for vehicles around that age so might pay to look into that.

Check your cold inflation pressures. I suspect your tyres are on the low side if it’s wallowing. The air suspension is a little softer than steel spring but I’d never have said it wallowed

Originally Posted by DieselLSE

5. The Tech is a generation behind other vehicle of around the same era. Really going to miss the Sync 3 system of the Ford Ranger which is top notch;

Can’t comment. If you mean the non-update of the SatNav or the inability to stream Bluetooth music, then I agree. But the iPod connection works well (yes, I know that is pre-historic, but then again, so am I) and so does the phone connection.

Bluetooth music streaming is possible on MY14 onwards.

Wallowing could mean the dampers are done. When I picked up my D3 it wallowed terribly. I replaced all the struts and the problem was resolved. A creaking interior as most have mentioned is unusual, neither my D3, D4 or RRS creak.

Thanks for the feedback.

I don't think there is anything wrong with the suspension or the tyre pressures, its just that the air suspension has a different feel to other cars I have driven and i am still getting used to it.

There is a slight lag at take off, however this is just my perception and coming from a Ranger with the idrive unit where the response if anything can be too sharp. I don't plan on fitting an idrive unit at this stage.

I love the car so far. In terms of the creaking plastics its not like it happens all of the time on all road surfaces, however I am extremely OCD about creaks and rattles in cars. My wife probably wouldn't even notice them unless I pointed them out. The car is fitted with a bull bar and all terrain tyres and was purchased from a dealership. It may have done a bit of off roading or a lot of off roading which may have contributed to the creaking plastics?? Sounds like you can punish them off road and not have these sorts of issues. I suppose it only takes two pieces of plastic rubbing together to cause this. Hard to isolate though.

At 95K klms I plan on getting the fluids changed, maybe not the gearbox for now due to budget but that is planned to happen soon.

Cheers Darren

B

Originally Posted by Daz66

Hi All,
I just took the plunge and purchased a 2015 MY16 D4 SDV6 HSE. My first impressions and general thoughts, both good and bad, coming from a Ranger Wildtrak are:
1. Love the smooth torquey nature of the engine and the 8 speed transmission is very smooth. This engine whilst smaller in capacity than the Ranger 3.2 feels ways smoother and refined, more powerful and more responsive. The vehicle has a very premium feel overall;
2. Ride quality is very smooth although a bit wallowey in corners as is expected. The steering weighting and feel is no where near as good as the Ranger electric steering;
3. I have to admit that I am still worried about long-term reliability even after doing enough research to convince myself that the reliability reputation is probably undeserved for the most part. Its not just the cost but also the inconvenience if and when the unthinkable happens. Should I consider purchasing an extended warranty?? Could be worth it even if something relatively minor lets go;
4. The interior plastics seem excessively creaky (probably because there are so many individual plastic components making up the console and dash), mainly coming from the centre console area as far as I can tell. I sprayed all the plastic joins with WD40 PTFE spray which seems to have helped a lot but you still get the annoying plastic creaks when hitting bumpy sections of road, a bit like an old Falcon Taxi (sorry for that comparison). Is this creaking normal as it will probably do my head in if I cant fix it? Presumably the console needs to be pulled apart then put back together with packing to isolate rubbing. Could make it worse though. PS I had to temporarily wedge a piece of rag between the seat and the seat belt anchor point to stop a really annoying rubbing sound that was coming from there all of the time;
5. The Tech is a generation behind other vehicle of around the same era. Really going to miss the Sync 3 system of the Ford Ranger which is top notch;
6. Service intervals are too far apart. Plan on getting oil changes at 12k increments;
7. There is a noticeable lag at take off. Has anyone fitted a throttle controller (idrive or similar) to cure this? I had one on my Ranger and it transformed the car.
Cheers Darren

I came to my purchased new 2015 TDV6 3.0 8-speed Disco from a 6L V8 Commodore SS. I have driven a few Rangers but not a Wildtrac.

1. Agree- doesn’t accelerate like an SS but no slouch.
2. Agree and disagree. Doesn’t Punt like an SS but nor would I expect it to. Goes surprisingly well on a windy road for what it is. Can’t agree on the steering thing - maybe a tyre thing. Mine steers well on its Pirelli Scorpian AT Pluse tyres.
3. I took out extended warrantee - have only had a couple of minor issues.
4. Mine doesn’t creak at all.
5. Don’t know what the “Tech” is!
6. Agree
7. A change of technique eliminates the lag. Doesn’t “tromp” like an SS, but then the SS didn’t do lots of things that the Disco does.

Easily the most comfortable, km gobbling, fast travelling, sure footed, big boat towing vehicle I have ever driven! I luv it!