Thread: Question for owners of high km D4's

I have been thinking the same thing (replacing due to high ks), but cant find anything better than a D4 for the money

I have had three D4's, still have two.

Current ones are a 2009/10 TDV SE 3.0 and a 2015 TDV3.0.The other one was a 2014 TDV 3.0 which we traded in on a Sport. We don't have the Disco sport anymore.....traded that in on another D4!

The older one is at 320,000 and running well. Aside from normal items you would expect from a car that age (alternator, a/c compressor, bearings and control arms and bushes), nothing else has ever stopped it.

It hardly uses any oil and rides better and is more versatile than most other cars I have driven.

The newer one is even better (8 speed box) even with the lower kw engine. The older one is the 180kw version before they renamed it the SDV.

Both cars get serviced every 10k-15k kms at very good Land Rover specialists (not dealers), Have regular gearbox services and belts done.

Dont forget that many more people post about the problems they have (for good reason, that is the point of the forum) than posting just to say how happy they are with the car.



They also get driven at least 50ks a day 5 days and week and get a good working out every few weeks (pedal to the metal) to clean out the turbos etc.

The splines on the gearbox o/p shaft and transfer case i/p shaft rely on the original assembly grease so I have just had the splines on my MY12 L322 (same TC as the D4) re-greased at 150K (TC R&R'd). Whilst adequate but rather dry grease remained and with no signs of spline wear, it was suggested that the grease wouldn't have lasted another 150K therefore would probably require new shafts on both boxes at around 300K. Worn splines will strip without warning immobilising the vehicle. If the TC has been removed for any reason then hopefully the special grease was renewed at the time. IMO 150K is about half way to requiring new TC o/p shaft seals so a good time to undertake this preventative maintenance.

My OP splines were bone dry on my L322 08 tdv8/6Hp26 at about 230,000km and stripped both OP and input gear for the transfer, $800 tow home. I ended up replacing both the trans and transfer with a low km used combo. I would recommend pulling the transfer box at 150k to service splines as Graeme has done.

Thanks to those who have taken the time to reply.....I am not alone!

A vehicle change out is certainly a quandary that I continue to grapple with. The comments re good preventative maintenance are so true and that is one of the things that I have, and continue to do, with my D4. Mind you some of the maintenance that is coming up later in the year was in part a prompt for the original question.

My D4 is coming up for its second timing belt replacement later in the year and there are a few other items that have me wanting to sort them out such as 'all' the coolant hoses, thermostat and couplings. The auto trans is something else in the back of my mind, not due to any problems other than my perspective on Km's and age.

Like a few others, the issue of an exploding motor really gives me the 'willies', but every time I hit the loud pedal the motor in my D4 responds smoothly and strongly and the smile pops back onto my face. None the less those experiences of others and the incessant chatter plants a very much unwanted seed!

If I were to replace the D4 then I don't think it would be with another D4.....maybe I would take a punt on a used D5? Or maybe a used Range Rover Vogue,....maybe I am dreaming just a little there! The idea of a used new model defender is a good one as well. However no 4 cylinder motors for me! My 3.2t caravan does have its down sides, and in most respects there is no real substitute for cubic capacity!

The issue is one of 'the devil you know vs the one you don't'.......as my service agent says, you know the vehicle's condition and what is reasonably expected. When you buy something used it is a bit of and educated guess as to what you might end up with. That said, he assisted us in the purchase (from others) of a very nice late model Freelander 2 for SWMBO.

That 'little man' still sits on my shoulder and keeps prodding me. My heart says change but my logic says sit tight!

I really, really hate that!

I had a D4 bought new in 2012 and I put 280K on the clock before it’s untimely end in 2017. Mechanically the D4 was excellent, with the only issue being a electronic handbrake. It wasn’t mechanical failure that stopped the D4, it was cattle on the road in the middle of the night at 100 km an hour which ended in a write off. I recall seeing dark shapes, then that oh bugger moment, then a loud bang. I recall the car stopping rather quickly, then silence. Both front windows came down automatically to let the airbag smoke out, both airbags deployed, and hazard lights came on automatically. The windscreen was smashed and the front engine area badly crumpled. Having walked away from that experience completely unhurt I couldn’t risk any other vehicle, so I’m a Landrover lifer! After the D4 I went for a 2012 Range Rover sport L320 with 70K on the clock. The Sport has been an excellent D4 replacement with an SDV6 over the TDV6. More power and comfort with same off road capabilities, but I miss the 7 seats and cavernous boot. I will clock over 200K today. Again, mechanically it has been excellent. I really think the key to longevity with these cars is good maintenance and spending the cash to replace things when they fail. I just replaced both rear air bags and the compressor which cost about 4K, but that’s what guys are spending on suspension upgrades every day on there utes and Toyota/Nissan equivalents.

There will always be the stories of those unexplained mechanical failures and catastrophes, but certainly my experience with these vehicles TDV/SD V6 engines has been nothing but joy. Like others in this chat I do look at where to go when this vehicle needs replacing but that is a really difficult question. Right now I’m thinking 500K is not a bad goal as there is nothing else out there even close to these vehicles.

My 2010 D4 3.0L has 255000klm on it I have owned it from new. I have been through all the common fixes. It has been serviced every 6 months.
This car has been great its never left us on the side of the road. It was stuck at home for a while with a dead KVM. That kind of triggered what we were going to do for the future.
We also own a 2008 Range Rover Vouge TDV8 it only has 115000 klm on it. This thing is just bloody awesome I love the engine and the way it drives.

Running two big Land Rovers just in normal maintenance is an expensive hobby so something had to give. I am 62 and I want to retire keeping two aging Land Rovers running on my retirement income will be a challenge...

So

A new Defender P400 S 110 was ordered and a 5 year service package will also happen this gives me known operating costs for 5 years after delivery

Originally Posted by Mtelizapete

I have been thinking the same thing (replacing due to high ks), but cant find anything better than a D4 for the money

I have had three D4's, still have two.

Current ones are a 2009/10 TDV SE 3.0 and a 2015 TDV3.0.The other one was a 2014 TDV 3.0 which we traded in on a Sport. We don't have the Disco sport anymore.....traded that in on another D4!

This is interesting, I was thinking about a Discovery Sport as a second car... Maybe I should just buy another D4. My wife wants a white one!

Originally Posted by Jon The Hat

This is interesting, I was thinking about a Discovery Sport as a second car... Maybe I should just buy another D4. My wife wants a white one!

I have a very nice 2008 L322 TDV8 for sale