New Owner - Need Advice with 2015 Discovery accessories

[discolandinaus]

Hi All,

After many years of planning (since 2014) to purchase a Discovery I was able to pull the trigger last week to purchase a 2016 Discovery. I had posted a question back in 2014 and I got pretty good response and I am very sure I took the right decision J now (Long term cost of ownership :Discover 4 vs Prado ). I received the vehicle yesterday and I can say that it is amazing to drive this glorious machine. My kids who used to spot every Discovery (not the new model) on the road are equally happy and excited with the vehicle.

With the time and money invested in purchasing the vehicle i want to take some care of the vehicle.

1) I would like to purchase side steps for kids to get in easily and also I believe it can protect the vehicle from door dings when parked in the station (not sure if I am correct, any comments?). My current sedan has many of them. I had a look at the Landrover ones and they cost more than $1500 on ebay. Can I know if the quality of the after market is fine to keep them rust free for few years? Will it impact the Landrover warranty? I was looking at the below one on ebay where the seller is based in Melbourne north. There are a few ones which cost close to $500 but I can't find a difference between those and this $288 one. Not sure if the quality are different.

Side Steps Running Boards for Land Rover Discovery 3 Discovery 4 Steps 2004-2017 | eBay

Is there a better place to purchase the side steps?

I like the below one from greenovalexperience but it cost more than $1100. I am not looking for any hard off roading though.

GreenOvalExperience2 | Product Page


2) The manual of Discovery mentions about START/STOP when the brake is pressed at signals to save on electricity. However, I don’t see the relevant button on the front dashboard. Any idea if it was required to pay extra for this feature?

3) Any opinion about purchasing side inner scuff plates similar to the below. I want those to protect against kids shoe mark who usually I pickup after games. Also I think it would look great J
Stainles Steel Side Inner Kick Scuff Plates Inner Door Sills for Discovery 3 4 | eBay
Any other recommendations?

4) I was told that the brake shoes would wear out in another 10 to 15000 km. People who order from UK sites, do they fit on their own? I live in Melbourne and wanted to check if there is an option to order them and ask a mechanic to fit. I am not sure if a non-Landrover mechanic can fit it with all sensors.

5) I am very keen on ordering on the below mats. I believe it would save a lot of time when vacuuming. Can I know if there is a better options. Have kids and it is very difficult to keep the car clean.

For Land Rover-Discovery-LR2-LR3-LR4-Range Rover-Luxury custom floor mat | eBay

6) I know it has been discussed a lot and saw a lot of threads about extended warranty. Mine is a 2016 HSE with just 31000km on it. With the less number of kms I am thinking what to do even thought for peace of mind I think it would be better. My average use is max 15000km in a year so in 2 years the vehicle will be around 50,000 kms.

7) Any idea what needs to be purchased to attach a tow bar? I believe I need to buy a Tow Hitch Receiver and a tow ball but not sure as the vehicle didn’t come with a tow bar and the owner said he never used it for towing.

8) Just an unrelated question, I had test driven the 2018 demo Discovery SD4 2000 cc. Even thought the vehicle is lighter and has similar power 183 KW(D4) vs 177 KW (D5), I could feel that there is a very small delay after the vehicle initially moves. I have heard that it is common in Diesel engines but why does the new D5 has more delay that D4? Is it because of the the 3L vs the smaller 2L engine? We didn't go for the demo D5 as i wanted the box shape even thought the offer was very tempting with 5 year free service and 5 year warranty which itself I think is around 10K. If I decide to sell the vehicle in 5 or 6 years I might have lost less in depreciation if I purchased the D5 but sometimes we have to make some choices not related to money :-)


Thanks for reading.

Cheers!

[letherm]

Hi.

Comments in red below.

Martin

Hi All,

After many years of planning (since 2014) to purchase a Discovery I was able to pull the trigger last week to purchase a 2016 Discovery. I had posted a question back in 2014 and I got pretty good response and I am very sure I took the right decision J now (Long term cost of ownership iscover 4 vs Prado ). I received the vehicle yesterday and I can say that it is amazing to drive this glorious machine. My kids who used to spot every Discovery (not the new model) on the road are equally happy and excited with the vehicle.

With the time and money invested in purchasing the vehicle i want to take some care of the vehicle.

1) I would like to purchase side steps for kids to get in easily and also I believe it can protect the vehicle from door dings when parked in the station (not sure if I am correct, any comments?) They won't stop rear doors because of the arch, even in off road height. I have LR steps fitted as part of the original price and put it in off road height. My current sedan has many of them. I had a look at the Landrover ones and they cost more than $1500 on ebay. Can I know if the quality of the after market is fine to keep them rust free for few years? Good chance they'll be aluminium so should be ok. Will it impact the Landrover warranty? No. Can't affect your warranty unless it is a direct cause of failure. EG they can't say we won't pay for repairs to controls arms because there's no direct link between them. I was looking at the below one on ebay where the seller is based in Melbourne north. There are a few ones which cost close to $500 but I can't find a difference between those and this $288 one. Not sure if the quality are different? Hard to tell sight unseen unfortunately. Get what you pay for I suppose.

Side Steps Running Boards for Land Rover Discovery 3 Discovery 4 Steps 2004-2017 | eBay

Is there a better place to purchase the side steps?

I like the below one from greenovalexperience but it cost more than $1100. I am not looking for any hard off roading though. The LR ones will bend if you hit something hard much easier than GOE ones. They really are strong enough for solid off road driving. Ok for fire trails and such.

GreenOvalExperience2 | Product Page


2) The manual of Discovery mentions about START/STOP when the brake is pressed at signals to save on electricity. However, I don’t see the relevant button on the front dashboard. Any idea if it was required to pay extra for this feature? No idea, mine a 2013 model.

3) Any opinion about purchasing side inner scuff plates similar to the below. I want those to protect against kids shoe mark who usually I pickup after games. Also I think it would look great J
Stainles Steel Side Inner Kick Scuff Plates Inner Door Sills for Discovery 3 4 | eBay
Any other recommendations? Not a bad idea if you think the kids will be a threat. Even everyday shoes will over time scuff that area.

4) I was told that the brake shoes would wear out in another 10 to 15000 km. People who order from UK sites, do they fit on their own? I live in Melbourne and wanted to check if there is an option to order them and ask a mechanic to fit. I am not sure if a non-Landrover mechanic can fit it with all sensors. Any competent mechanic should be able be able to handle pad changes even with the sensors. DIY guys on here have no trouble doing pad changes. If in doubt, go to a Landy independant - probably a better idea in any case. Guys on here will chip in with good ones if you ask.

5) I am very keen on ordering on the below mats. I believe it would save a lot of time when vacuuming. Can I know if there is a better options. Have kids and it is very difficult to keep the car clean.

For Land Rover-Discovery-LR2-LR3-LR4-Range Rover-Luxury custom floor mat | eBay

Bought a set and never used them but haven't had the need to either. Personal choice really, but if the rug rats cause so much havoc probably a good idea. Style is personal choice and there are a number of different styles around. Noticed that the pictures show a left hand drive vehicle. Make sure they send the correct type. I bought mine from a company in Australia.

6) I know it has been discussed a lot and saw a lot of threads about extended warranty. Mine is a 2016 HSE with just 31000km on it. With the less number of kms I am thinking what to do even thought for peace of mind I think it would be better. My average use is max 15000km in a year so in 2 years the vehicle will be around 50,000 kms. I went the extended warranty simply for peace of mind too. Probably got back about 70 per cent of the charge in work done. Others have way exceeded the cost and others got nothing. Judgement call again.

7) Any idea what needs to be purchased to attach a tow bar? I believe I need to buy a Tow Hitch Receiver and a tow ball but not sure as the vehicle didn’t come with a tow bar and the owner said he never used it for towing. I am assuming the haven't changed but all Discoveries have a tow bar fitted. Some dealers supplied the hitch when bought new, some didn't, mine did. Shouldn't be a problem to buy one and a ball. Mine came in a vinyl bag so there wasn't a spot where it could be hiding. BTW make sure you've got a petrol pipe reset tool - can't remember what they are actually called. You can trigger a lock if you put a petrol nozzle in by mistake.

8) Just an unrelated question, I had test driven the 2018 demo Discovery SD4 2000 cc. Even thought the vehicle is lighter and has similar power 183 KW(D4) vs 177 KW (D5), I could feel that there is a very small delay after the vehicle initially moves. I have heard that it is common in Diesel engines but why does the new D5 has more delay that D4? Is it because of the the 3L vs the smaller 2L engine? We didn't go for the demo D5 as i wanted the box shape even thought the offer was very tempting with 5 year free service and 5 year warranty which itself I think is around 10K. If I decide to sell the vehicle in 5 or 6 years I might have lost less in depreciation if I purchased the D5 but sometimes we have to make some choices not related to money :-)


Thanks for reading.

Cheers!

[DiscoDJ]

Glad you're enjoying your new to you discovery.

Try looking in the boot in the left hand cubby (seats down) as that is where the hitch receiver is kept when not used by people. If your seller never towed then unlikely they knew it was there. You may find the hitch and the receiver there or one or none. Good luck. The hitch and towball are not expensive if you can bear a non land rover one - eg Hayman Reese.

They are a great car. Much more comfortable than a Prado (had one for 125000km from new) and I am much happier in my second hand disco from the same year.

Welcome to the fold!

[Chops]

Martins pretty much got everything covered there.
In concern with the tools etc, if you cant find them, or want more info on how they work etc, get in touch and we'll meet up and run through stuff with you.

Depending on where you are based exactly in Melb, we happen to have a few Independent mechanics around here that are very good.

[discolandinaus]

Hi.

Comments in red below.

Martin

Thanks Martin for answering my question. Well explained.

I got one of those petrol pipe reset tools inside the car and was thinking what the yellow thing was till I saw your reply. A quick google search and YouTube video explained about it.

[discolandinaus]

Martins pretty much got everything covered there.
In concern with the tools etc, if you cant find them, or want more info on how they work etc, get in touch and we'll meet up and run through stuff with you.

Depending on where you are based exactly in Melb, we happen to have a few Independent mechanics around here that are very good.

Yes, that would be helpful. After I got the vehicle I spend almost 10 mins to find out how to unfold the side mirrors. Later looked at the manual and found that both the left and right buttons had to be pressed together. So every day is a new learning.

If you have time I would be very happy to catch-up.

[discolandinaus]

Glad you're enjoying your new to you discovery.

Try looking in the boot in the left hand cubby (seats down) as that is where the hitch receiver is kept when not used by people. If your seller never towed then unlikely they knew it was there. You may find the hitch and the receiver there or one or none. Good luck. The hitch and towball are not expensive if you can bear a non land rover one - eg Hayman Reese.

They are a great car. Much more comfortable than a Prado (had one for 125000km from new) and I am much happier in my second hand disco from the same year.

Welcome to the fold!

Thanks. You are a legend. Yes I got the hitch from the vehicle. It was kept there till now without even the previous owners knowledge as I had already checked and was told that they did not get any accessory related to tow bar. So I believe I need to just buy the receiver and tow ball.

[Arapiles]

2) The manual of Discovery mentions about START/STOP when the brake is pressed at signals to save on electricity. However, I don’t see the relevant button on the front dashboard. Any idea if it was required to pay extra for this feature?

My understanding is that stop/start wasn't an option in Australia.

[eddomak]

Thanks. You are a legend. Yes I got the hitch from the vehicle. It was kept there till now without even the previous owners knowledge as I had already checked and was told that they did not get any accessory related to tow bar. So I believe I need to just buy the receiver and tow ball.

Just checked in to the forum and saw this post. I know the generic ones (Hayman Reese etc) are very reasonably priced, but I have an original LR hitch and towball if you are interested in it. Please PM me if you want it.

[loanrangie]

I have the factory LR hitch from my D3 that i wont be using and will have a spare 50mm ball.