Discovery 4 for Lap Around Australia Towing 3t Hybrid

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Another follow up question! If there was a choice between a 2016 car with >200000km or a 2013 car with >100000km which would be the better choice? Assuming they both have had regular servicing?

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I got a 2016 MY with 199000 on the clock: The service history included the 'belt change service' (at around 150,000 from memory?) which is a big, expensive job. (potentially a body off, long process - think a $5k (or worse) service with all the little jobs it makes sense to do at that point...) That, and a great history from a single LR dedicated service centre were the deciding issues for me. I didn't want to buy 'just before' that service came due... The vehicle has been good so far... (and of course I'm now putting money aside for the next big service at around 300k!! But at least it's some way off.)

I have a low mileage (51000km) 2013 HSE bought from new. It has mainly done a lot of short 5-10km trips and I treat servicing on the arduous schedule because of that so get a minor service done at 6 months and major at 12. I had dealer servicing up to warranty end and since have gone to an Indy specialist.

The belts should be changed by time service at 6 years from memory. I had them changed a year or two after that as a precautionary measure as I want to keep the vehicle. Check to see what has been done on both and make a decision accordingly. As said above it's the luck of the draw but personally I would go with a lower mileage if it's been looked after given that it's only a couple of years older.

Martin

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Originally Posted by letherm

I have a low mileage (51000km) 2013 HSE bought from new. It has mainly done a lot of short 5-10km trips and I treat servicing on the arduous schedule because of that so get a minor service done at 6 months and major at 12. I had dealer servicing up to warranty end and since have gone to an Indy specialist.

The belts should be changed by time service at 6 years from memory. I had them changed a year or two after that as a precautionary measure as I want to keep the vehicle. Check to see what has been done on both and make a decision accordingly. As said above it's the luck of the draw but personally I would go with a lower mileage if it's been looked after given that it's only a couple of years older.

Martin

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7 years or 180K for the 3.0 litre.

I purchased a 2014 D4 with 199k km on it just over 2 months ago, it has a full service history from new and I must say it is the most refined 4x4 I have ever owned or driven. Before I purchased it I did the usual study as to what can go wrong and decided to take my chance.
It developed a whistling noise a couple of weeks ago upon accelerating and was particularly bad coasting down a hill,I have just gotten it back from a local indie who diagnosed it as a cracked exhaust gasket initially but upon removal of the body it was a cracked turbo on the lhs bank.
I did expect to have to do some repairs but I didn’t think I’d have to do a turbo but as soon as I hopped in the car a drove it again all is forgiven.
The main reason I purchased this particular D4 other than the full service history was the previous owner traded it on a new Defender which I took as he was very happy with his choice of car.

Best of luck with your decision.

Regards Paul.

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Originally Posted by LizOlive

Hi - we are planning a lap around Australia next year … just ordered our off road Hybrid Camper which has an ATM of 3000kg. Looking for a car to tow it and the Discovery 4 is looking like it might be a good option (it will also be my everyday car for dropping kids off etc). Have been reading some horror stories of failures with the disco 4’s but - just wondering if there is anything we should look out for? For towing is the TDV or SDV better and would you go a 3L or 2.7L? I think from what I’ve read the SDV 3L would give more torque? Thanks for your help!

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Greetings
Have a look at ‘LR Time’ videos on YouTube.

Regardless of whatever vehicle you select, don't leave home without RACV Total Care (or your state roadside assist equivalent). We did a turbo on the Atherton Tablelands and within an hour of the call, the vehicle and caravan were being towed 150km into Cairns. Caravan to Caravan Park and vehicle to an indie for repairs. Total car covered the cost of all towing, CP fees and car rental for the week while the turbo was replaced. I would not leave home on a long trip without that insurance.

For reference our vehicle was a 2012 D4, had completed 2 trips over Simpson Desert (not towing), the Gibb River Road towing 3.5t van, the PDR towing 3.5t van and all up 180,000km when turbo failed. In 2020 we upgraded as we love the LR discos.

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Originally Posted by LizOlive

Thank you all so much for replying!

So it sounds like the 3.0L engine with 8 gears is the way to go.

Another follow up question! If there was a choice between a 2016 car with >200000km or a 2013 car with >100000km which would be the better choice? Assuming they both have had regular servicing?

Is there a certain number of KM where most of the major servicing has been done?

Crank shaft failure seems like it’s just the luck of the draw! If we found a car that already had this replaced would this be a good thing or something to avoid?

Thanks again!

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I'm not sure, did the 8 speed arrive in 2013? Lower mileage must be a plus, but the type of mileage can mitigate that. A country vehicle can have little wear but high miles. A one owner counts too IMO. Or at least, a long period of ownership from the seller?

The 8 speed requires a kit to change its transmission fluid, and Land Rover service basically do not want to do it. It needs to be done by ZF specialists . Since the fluid turns to custard, I'd ensure that the transmission fluid has been changed in the higher mileage vehicle. Same too for the 100k one if its towed ... and then, only a one owner might tell you the truth about the towing. Some argue too that a diesel that has towed is actually better for the engine.

An SD or HSE have much better driving seats. The TD seats don't have lower back support. If you're tall from the waist to your eyes, this would not be an issue, as when the TD seats are set on their lowest height, they give OK support and are more comfortable than when raised, from my tests of the different vehicles when new. I could not get comfortable in the TD seats. I am 5 foot 8 or so, but my legs are long. So I am short "trunked". Hence I spent more so I could raise the seat height, and still be comfortable. One does spend a lot of time in the seat when touring Australia!

As to fuel economy, my 2014 HSE tows a 2.5 tonne A.O.R. Matrix, and I get 15 km per 100, on GPS km, before I changed to 60 profile fatter tyres, where now my mileage is accurate. My economy goes from 12.4 to 17 depending on speed and whether I am climbing or going down hill. Its surprising how when for instance I approached Port Augusta from Mildura on the way to Alice Springs, my fuel economy was poor ... I stopped and checked for tyre and brake issues a couple of times.
It turned out I was gaining altitude. The LR navigation has a window which shows the altitude and other stuff, and its very handy if you play fuel economy games. I do as it keeps me alert. I got 10 litres /100km driving from Sheep Yard Flat to Melbourne (Brighton) and I drove on the Hume at 110 on the (then) not accurate speedometer. I stayed with the traffic. But that was a downhill run ... But I had emptied all the water from my van, and the wind was behind me. Traffic was on the freeway too, so that all made for an unbelievable fuel run.

When the time comes a big service will cost much more than a Toyota (and I still have my bought new 1997 Prado) - but the fuel economy differences will make up for the extra service cost. And the steering accuracy is a big safety factor too - unlike Toyotas. Except for the 300 series Landcruisers, which would probably I imagine, provide better fuel consumption than the D4 3 litre 8 speeds do. But they are not cheap!

Don't forget too to budget for some improvements. Such as guards for the air tank, etc. A decent jacking system. Protect the rear window too for off road. Get a camera setup (Lazy Dave is good) for the rear of the caravan. Range from the tank is more limited that Toyotas, so if the van can handle a jerry or two of diesel, that is a plus. A siphon hose is best to refill. Range might be an issue in some places - although I am a bit off road orientated, so I am more range focused. A second battery setup gives piece of mind. So too a bull bar. And a CB radio setup might be good, an aerial will be needed. Tinted side windows are a big benefit IMO. Tick the windscreen replacement extra for the insurance, the windscreens are costly especially due to the electronics in the windscreen. Bring a windscreen repair kit with you too, they are amazing, but it is much better to stop and fix it straight away. Mine has two (or three?) repairs I think. But the screen is original. Good luck.