My First Disco 4 Experience

[Archangel007]

Hi Guys n Girls,

Tricky here. I have a thread in the projects section about rebuilding my sons S2A titled "Plugger and The Camel", so not new to AULRO forums.

However, I am new to Land Rovers.

I recently had the utmost pleasure in test driving a 2010 Disco 4 with the 3.0 litre TDV6 and I was mightily impressed - I mean royally impressed. Plugger (my son) was with me for the test and after 5 mins we both had grins from ear to ear.

I could not believe this engine - smooth, quiet and oh so powerful. I tickled the throttle and before I knew it I was at 120km/h and still pulling like a freight train! The box was smooth with no hestitations or jerkiness and the seats were sublimely comfortable. Plus, it had just about everything an man could want in a car, including the Harmon Kardon sound system which sounded bloody fantastic. Just for kicks and from the same yard we took out a later model Grand Cherokee with fewer km's with the 4.0 litre petrol six. Well this thing was loud, raucous and very unrefined compared to the Disco. In fact, the engine in it left me very uninspired - personally I doubt if it could pull a boy scout off your grandma!

I'm sold on the Disco now and want to grab one in the very near future. My question is to the educated out there is....

>What is the better model to get, I am not up to speed with SE, HSE, TDV6 versus other models in the line up
>What to look out for other than high miles
>What year to get? I understand there was a gearbox change somewhere in its history
>And finally fitment. I was looking at one with a Nav screen but someone told me they cannot be upgraded and fall into disuse. Is this true, if so maybe not as important as I thought.

This car will do duty as my standard vehicle with towing duties - car trailers fully loaded and the 600Nm will surely help there.

Any advice would sure be welcome.

Cheers,
Tricky

[DiscoJeffster]

My first advice. Tell us your price range and we can help narrow year and features. I’ve got a 2010 TDV6 HSE and love it. While yes the Sat Nav can’t be upgraded (effectively), I still prefer the big display for the other aspects it supports. Everything you said is why I own one! For me, there wasn’t much draw for the extra expense to a 2013+ model with 8 speed and a couple of other changes.

[Discovered 1 2]

Do yourself a favour, test drive a patrol. You may find yourself taking the patrol to the bank to get the cheque for the Disco

[Archangel007]

Jeffster,

I would like to get out of it for around the $35-40k mark - or there abouts! What other functions does the Satnav display do? Not sure I can afford a 2013+ year model...

Discovered 1 2,
I have owned two GU Patrols. One was a 2005 model GUIII with the ZD30 engine and 4-speed auto - it cracked a head and $7k later was just disappointing. I also bought new a 2013 GUIV with the same engine, this time direct injection, and manual. I hated both cars! The engines were just ****e - they could not pull a greasy stick out of a monkeys ass! Putting our 23 foot van behind the Patrol was just embarrasing. I will never buy another one, nor a Jeep, nor a Land Cruiser!! My brother just paid $54k for a 2nd hand 79-series - it doesn't even come with cup holders and the HVAC controls aren't lit up at night - for $54k!

Cheers,
Tricky

[Discovered 1 2]

Agreed, D4s are pretty good, especially when you compare them to alternatives. Get the big screen in the HSE if you can, my SE has the big screen and it’s handy when viewing off-road settings and things.

PS, love what you and the young bloke are doing with the wide light. He’s going to have a freakin’ ball with that thing!

[letherm]

Hi Guys n Girls,

>And finally fitment. I was looking at one with a Nav screen but someone told me they cannot be upgraded and fall into disuse. Is this true, if so maybe not as important as I thought.

Hi Tricky,

If you're mainly looking for sat nav don't bother. I have a 2013 HSE with the big screen and sat nav. $200 to get a dvd to update and it's already out of date. No traffic, red light, speed, school warning etc.. It's what I would call adequate but I was content with it. I have just bought a Garmin Drive Smart 61 LMT-S which is just under 7 inches edge to edge. Cost $288 at Bing Lee, RRP $329. Much better altogether and much happier with it. I prefer the in dash placement of the oem unit but couldn't justify the dollars compared to the Garmin's feature set, plus the Garmin has lifetime updates for free which I reckon JLR should be doing in any case given the cost of these cars. My in dash screen sits in the default home mode most of the time unless I want to change audio source say from radio to cd/hard drive. It has a 4wd screen but I've only looked at that for amusement rather than used it to see where the wheels are but I mainly drive in the city so it could be useful on dirt I suppose. then again I haven't used the small screen so can't compare.

It is my understanding that the gearbox changed from 6 to 8 speed late 2012 to early 2013. I have the 8 speed. From previous discussions here the 8 speed is a better unit. You may have read about the rear E-Diff. If you do "testing" 4wd areas that would help but it is not really necessary especially with the later models, once again from 2013 on, as the terrain response system was tweaked enough to not require it except in exceptional circumstances. That said it will be better with than without - it only cost $1000 as an add on when new.

Martin

[Celtoid]

Hi Tricky,

If you're mainly looking for sat nav don't bother. I have a 2013 HSE with the big screen and sat nav. $200 to get a dvd to update and it's already out of date. No traffic, red light, speed, school warning etc.. It's what I would call adequate but I was content with it. I have just bought a Garmin Drive Smart 61 LMT-S which is just under 7 inches edge to edge. Cost $288 at Bing Lee, RRP $329. Much better altogether and much happier with it. I prefer the in dash placement of the oem unit but couldn't justify the dollars compared to the Garmin's feature set, plus the Garmin has lifetime updates for free which I reckon JLR should be doing in any case given the cost of these cars. My in dash screen sits in the default home mode most of the time unless I want to change audio source say from radio to cd/hard drive. It has a 4wd screen but I've only looked at that for amusement rather than used it to see where the wheels are but I mainly drive in the city so it could be useful on dirt I suppose. then again I haven't used the small screen so can't compare.

It is my understanding that the gearbox changed from 6 to 8 speed late 2012 to early 2013. I have the 8 speed. From previous discussions here the 8 speed is a better unit. You may have read about the rear E-Diff. If you do "testing" 4wd areas that would help but it is not really necessary especially with the later models, once again from 2013 on, as the terrain response system was tweaked enough to not require it except in exceptional circumstances. That said it will be better with than without - it only cost $1000 as an add on when new.

Martin

Hi All,

I've been down the path of 2 D4s with and without Sat Nav. Both did come with the H&K sound system and the required big screen, which is the only way to get touch functionality. The H&K or later Meridian sound system is the only way you can have SatNav or Cameras, etc. The sound system is the enabler for all the touch and visual functions.

If it's only $200 for the DVD update now, that's a bargain compared to the $600+ original cost for older models. With regards to how good the upgrade is .... I'd do my homework and see when there have been major changes before I payed the $. Conversely you can get lifetime upgrades like my TomTom 600 which still shows streets with speed limits that were changed 10 years ago..... go figure.

For me ... IMO .... I hate having the Sat Nav on my windscreen. It's intrusive, creates glare during the night and can't easily be seen with polarised lenses during the day. But the big kicker for me .... if you don't have SatNav, you don't have true integration. I miss being able to press the button and say "Phone, call home" or Navigation, zoom in 3." My old D4 didn't have complete audio integration in it's system but my Merc does and I'm sure the new JLR products would have too, where you can change channel or audio source with your voice. You lose all of that if you have no SatNav. I have a useless 'sound/talk' button on my steering wheel in my latest D4.

If you've never had it, you may not miss it .... but I'll never make the mistake again.

Cheers,

Kev.

[letherm]

Hi All,

I've been down the path of 2 D4s with and without Sat Nav. Both did come with the H&K sound system and the required big screen, which is the only way to get touch functionality. The H&K or later Meridian sound system is the only way you can have SatNav or Cameras, etc. The sound system is the enabler for all the touch and visual functions.

If it's only $200 for the DVD update now, that's a bargain compared to the $600+ original cost for older models. With regards to how good the upgrade is .... I'd do my homework and see when there have been major changes before I payed the $. Conversely you can get lifetime upgrades like my TomTom 600 which still shows streets with speed limits that were changed 10 years ago..... go figure.

For me ... IMO .... I hate having the Sat Nav on my windscreen. It's intrusive, creates glare during the night and can't easily be seen with polarised lenses during the day. But the big kicker for me .... if you don't have SatNav, you don't have true integration. I miss being able to press the button and say "Phone, call home" or Navigation, zoom in 3." My old D4 didn't have complete audio integration in it's system but my Merc does and I'm sure the new JLR products would have too, where you can change channel or audio source with your voice. You lose all of that if you have no SatNav. I have a useless 'sound/talk' button on my steering wheel in my latest D4.

If you've never had it, you may not miss it .... but I'll never make the mistake again.

Cheers,

Kev.

Yes, I'd prefer the in dash setup for sure but the Garmin is streets ahead (sorry about that awful pun) for functionality. I configured the Garmin to only use the data link on my phone for traffic updates so still have all the functionality of the in dash setup, voice commands etc. The Garmin also has voice commands as well so all in all a good balance between the two systems. I have no trouble with polarised lenses now. I updated my Serengetti sun glasses earlier this year after the old set got a bit worn after 15 years, and the new ones were polarised. Hated the effect so much that I paid to have the lenses swapped over to their non polarised version. I couldn't even read the signs on train stations without tilting my head 45 degrees to one side - pain in the butt. Agree that there is some glare depending upon the time of day and sun position but it's not much where I have it situated - low down, virtually siting on the dash just to the left of the instrument binnacle. It has a night mode where the background is grey so the glare is minimal and doesn't bother me at all. I personally find that the position on the dash means that I can keep a better eye on the road as the eye doesn't have to travel as far.

Bottom line is personal taste and what bugs you but I totally understand where you're coming from.

BTW Tricky, I forgot about using the in dash display for reverse camera. Useful for checking no kids are behind the car and for getting really close when parking against a wall or bollard etc. I don't use it for parking myself but some people do.

Martin

[scarry]

I would go the eight speed,the complete package is better,but then there is nothing wrong with the six speed,it is still way ahead of the jap opposition,and a great auto.

MY12 was the end of the six speed and the 2.7 in the D4.

You may not get a good 8 speed in your budget,but nothing wrong with a 3.0l or 2.7 six speeder.

Main thing is a good service record,and all the services done at the dealer or a good Indie.

We use the garmin in all our work vans and the D4,it works well,except in some regional areas.
As on here,heaps of complaints on the LR navigation system,one reason we didn't tick that box when we bought our D4.

[Homestar]

Word of warning if you like your licence - they keep pulling strongly past 120, 130, 140 and beyond if you keep your boot planted. I've had the pleasure of driving 2 of them - I'd have one in a flash I feel I had the means. 😊