Discovery 4 or 5?

[Tomgc61]

Looking for a decent low mileage Discovery. Need the seven seats from time to time. Curiously it now seems that a low mileage 4 is very similar in price to an equivalent though obviously younger 5. There is an awful lot to like about the five in terms of everyday use but I can't believe I'd ever actually love a car that ugly!

Would appreciate hearing from anyone with some real world experience. I did have a new Discovery 4 but in 2010 before they changed the gearbox. I absolutely loved that one but it was a while ago!

[norscot]

I'm biased as I run an SDV6 diesel five, but I think it's a great vehicle. In four years of ownership I haven't come across a challenge that it doesn't have an answer for, whether towing, shifting seven people, moving large amounts of stuff, high speed cruising or low speed rough terrain crawling. When the weather outside is lousy, and you are wafting along in complete comfort it's a very easy car to love whatever the views of the styling!

Reliability wise mine has also been exemplary, only non-routine servicing item I have had in four years was a window regulator needing replaced.

I don't have any experience of the four, agree they look handsome but I always think the newer car is the way to go if costs are similar, and I think there is maybe an individual choice here of sitting in both and seeing if you prefer the rugged practicality of the four or the more luxurious direction of the five.

[Bill]

The question I'd be asking is whether they'd fixed the crank and plastic intake issues for the D5.

[Tomgc61]

As it's a main family car it does seem slightly mad to go for the older model. Good to hear your experience has been so positive. Apparently the rear seat is very shallow making it an uncomfortable long distance ride. Do you find that to be the case.

[JBE68]

Having owned two D4 SDV6s and a D5 SDV6 I was fortunate that each was reliable. The D5 was in between the two D4s and I would take the D4 anytime. Mine was used for family, holidays, shooting, stalking so plenty of off-road. The benefit of the D4 was that I could simply wash it out after a dirty weekend. It averaged c 34mpg and was relaxing to drive.

The D5 was a major upgrade and felt more like a Range Rover. It didn't feel as robust and I didn't feel that it captured the rugged spirit of the D4. Having said that, it was a joy to drive, much lighter than the D5 and slightly better mpg. The boot is noticeably smaller.

It's getting increasingly difficult to find a 2016 D4 with acceptable miles. Two tips 1) Speak to Woodside Garage in Bedford. They are second to none as far as stocking great Discos and their servicing reputation is second to none. I live in Kingston and could use Wimbledon LR for services but I would drive the 90mins to Woodside to have it serviced. My next-door neighbour also drives to them to have his serviced.

2) Also worth looking at the Disco3.co.uk site. There is a cracking 2016 D4 Graphite for sale with 64k miles and the belt service (£1k) has been done. One very fastidious owner.

One word of warning, insurance. I was quoted £1610 by Admiral for a 2016 D4 worth £21k. Theft of all LRs is a major problem so its better if you don't live in Greater Ldn.

[Tomgc61]

Your reply would explain why the low mileage D4's are maintaining such relatively high values against the D5. Having had the D4 before I have a certain affection for it and it just seems to be ageing very well. It would be reasonable to assume that a well maintained example will continue to fare well against the D5's. Values aside I find it hard to get excited about the D5 however good it probably is.

Thanks for the tip about the garages. I will definitely check them out!

[TNJ]

I have got a D4 which I have had from new (65 plate). 60k miles and no reliability issues - until the crank shaft broke! I still love the car but that was a £9k bill and Land Rover didn’t want to know which has soured my view of the brand. These really do need either a comprehensive warranty or a bork fund - although I understand the early D5s have the same issue

[Register1]

TNJ said:

I have got a D4 which I have had from new (65 plate). 60k miles and no reliability issues - until the crank shaft broke! I still love the car but that was a £9k bill and Land Rover didn’t want to know which has soured my view of the brand. These really do need either a comprehensive warranty or a bork fund - although I understand the early D5s have the same issue

Was the £9k out of your own pocket ?

[bakerstreet]

Bill said:

The question I'd be asking is whether they'd fixed the crank and plastic intake issues for the D5.

As far as I'm aware, the engine is identical

There aren't many good options on the D5 either as the early Ingenium 4cyl engines have a horrific reputation and because they are relatively new, rebuilds are much more expensive compared to the SDV6 and there are loads of companies out there offering rebuilds on those....I wonder why!

I genuinely didn't think LR could stoop any lower than the SDV6 fiasco which they probably fully understood by 2011.....They they launch that Ingenium

I used to have a D3 and recently test drove the test drove a late D4 and an early D5 in the same day.

The drive of the D5 is light years ahead. Better handling and body control. It also has a larger cabin as well....However, the interior feels gloomy and cramped compared to a 4 and this is down to a number of factors

Low window line and high seats
More glass space
The seats in the back are weird. They seem to be too low down
Driving position is not the same as the 'command' position in my 2007 L322 which I have just sold.

The packaging is very well thought out in the D5 though. I liked the large centre cubby and the one underneath the cup holders. Same can be said for the cubby behind the air vents.

Electric seats are very trick, buts face it, this is Land Rover product. Its a case of if and not when they will break and then you will be screwed.

Fixed tow bar solution can look really quite ugly on the D5 and because of monocoque construction, a tow bar is a expensive option compared to the D4 where it can be as little as £250 all in.

Reviews suggest the new ICE is very flakey, but at least you get Android Auto on the D5. That can be done on a D4, but its £600 to do it and some will only go Aux in

Size.
The D5 is biiiiigggggg. The three that I looked at all a bit of parking rash and its clearly because the thing is so massive, backing into a hedge is sometimes the only option. I wouldn't want to live with one with at least the reversing camera and ideally 360 cameras as well.

The ones I looked at didn't drop the built in tail gate when you opened the boot. Having to press that second button would annoy me. maybe its a setting. Electric tailgate is welcome though.

Appreciate the OP asked for actual owners experience, but I still think the above is valid.

[LimaDelta]

I loved our D4 but it had issues. Didn't seriously consider the D5 for a number of reasons.

Will the budget not stretch to a Land Cruiser?

Can't recommend them highly enough. Does everything a D5 does but won't break. Perhaps not as nice to drive on road, but will tow all day, is every bit as practical and seats seven in comfort, and handles all weathers and terrains without breaking a sweat.

[JBE68]

NFU just quoted £2k for a D4 in KT2. They wouldn't ensure a Range Rover unless you had an existing policy for one.

[Tomgc61]

bakerstreet said:

The drive of the D5 is light years ahead. Better handling and body control. It also has a larger cabin as well....However, the interior feels gloomy and cramped compared to a 4 and this is down to a number of factors

Low window line and high seats
More glass space
The seats in the back are weird. They seem to be too low down
Driving position is not the same as the 'command' position in my 2007 L322 which I have just sold.

Appreciate the OP asked for actual owners experience, but I still think the above is valid.

That is very interesting. My children are all quite tall and I can see that strange low rear seat becoming a real issue. Nobody ever seems to complain about the seat comfort in the D4.

[TNJ]

Register1 said:

Was the £9k out of your own pocket ?

Oh yes….😢

[RSbandit]

Never owned a 4 but own a D300 SE Disco 5 since new coming up on 2 yrs now. Really can't fault it tbh especially given it has the updated Pivi Pro which is a huge step up from the previous infotainment system. Done plenty of long journies with it and it is very comfortable with huge space for passengers and luggage. The higher spec cars are certainly much more towards the Range Rover end of things lux wise rather than the Defender/Disco 4. The D300 engine is very refined but enough shove for when you need it. Car has also been super reliable no issues at all in the 2 yrs I've owned it (touch wood!), next big trip will be the Alps for Easter. Just had first service also as its a 2 yr schedule which came to £560...used to pay that for an annual service of my old Q7. The looks seem to be quite divisive but I like them especially in HSE/SE R-Dynamic guise.

[camel_landy]

I think the D4 is a fantastic car but it is heavy; 7x up in a D4 is right on the weight limits. It's also starting to show its age, with rust starting to rear its ugly head.

Given the choice, I'd probably errr on the side of the D5. Although it has the potential for the same engine issues, it is the newer platform and should hopefully last that little bit longer. Being the newer platform, it should have better residuals too.

HTH

M

[bakerstreet]

camel_landy said:

I think the D4 is a fantastic car but it is heavy; 7x up in a D4 is right on the weight limits. It's also starting to show its age, with rust starting to rear its ugly head.

Given the choice, I'd probably errr on the side of the D5. Although it has the potential for the same engine issues, it is the newer platform and should hopefully last that little bit longer. Being the newer platform, it should have better residuals too.

HTH

M

There is also the huge advantage of all D5s being ULEZ compliant which will offer some better residuals because of that.

The ICE in the D5 is also significantly better than the D4 which always seemed very dated no matter what year it was.

The D5 is around 400Kg lighter and more aerodynamic than the D4 and that must be a good thing for stresses on the fragile Crank shell bearings.

My series is being collected today and for the first time in 12 years, I won't own a Land Rover and I must admit that this is tugging at my emotions. Smart money says buy a Porsche Cayenne, but I shall propbabaly cave and buy a RRS or a D5.

[alfabeat]

We have a Disco 4, which we have loved for 100k miles and 8 years. Been a brilliant vehicle, until the last 18 months, when we seem to have had all the expected issues...... Manifolds split, gearbox needed refurbishing and just now the crank has gone. There is no clear economic way forward other than selling for spares or repairs.

Sad days.

[soupdragon1]

bakerstreet said:

camel_landy said:

I think the D4 is a fantastic car but it is heavy; 7x up in a D4 is right on the weight limits. It's also starting to show its age, with rust starting to rear its ugly head.

Given the choice, I'd probably errr on the side of the D5. Although it has the potential for the same engine issues, it is the newer platform and should hopefully last that little bit longer. Being the newer platform, it should have better residuals too.

HTH

M

There is also the huge advantage of all D5s being ULEZ compliant which will offer some better residuals because of that.

The ICE in the D5 is also significantly better than the D4 which always seemed very dated no matter what year it was.

The D5 is around 400Kg lighter and more aerodynamic than the D4 and that must be a good thing for stresses on the fragile Crank shell bearings.

My series is being collected today and for the first time in 12 years, I won't own a Land Rover and I must admit that this is tugging at my emotions. Smart money says buy a Porsche Cayenne, but I shall propbabaly cave and buy a RRS or a D5.

I picked up a RRS on Saturday but also had the D5 for a test drive. I would have been delighted with a D5 but when I called into land rover Belfast, they didn't have any, let alone one with a towbar which was crucial for me.

The D5 I looked at drove very well for it's size, and it's a fantastic machine but it was an independent dealer and I wasn't impressed with the scuffs and scores on the car. He was looking £37k and hadn't bothered fixing the scores on the paintwork ffs so had to walk away.

I think the RRS drives better, but the D5 is more practical. It's the perfect family car for those who need space for storing gear and towing stuff and the 7 seats could come in incredibly useful from time to time.

I would have bought one in a heartbeat but the stars aligned differently and I found a great deal on a RRS instead.

[bakerstreet]

soupdragon1 said:

I picked up a RRS on Saturday but also had the D5 for a test drive. I would have been delighted with a D5 but when I called into land rover Belfast, they didn't have any, let alone one with a towbar which was crucial for me.

The D5 I looked at drove very well for it's size, and it's a fantastic machine but it was an independent dealer and I wasn't impressed with the scuffs and scores on the car. He was looking £37k and hadn't bothered fixing the scores on the paintwork ffs so had to walk away.

I think the RRS drives better, but the D5 is more practical. It's the perfect family car for those who need space for storing gear and towing stuff and the 7 seats could come in incredibly useful from time to time.

I would have bought one in a heartbeat but the stars aligned differently and I found a great deal on a RRS instead.

The RRS is also cheaper than the D5 for the same model years.

More likely to find a light colour interior on a RRS vs a D5 too. I personally don't think that the D5 is that premium inside compared to a RRS or full fat RR.

I still haven't bought anything. Was close to putting a deposit down on a RRS last week, then we had an e-mail about redundancies, so the entire car idea was put on ice until the new year when we are back from holiday. Might even put a deposit down on something whilst we are on holiday as having two kids means its quite difficult doing things with one car.

[Tomgc61]

Which is a better buy? I know these are very different but it seems discovery 4's on the way up are now meeting very new RR's on the way down

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311214...

or

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308080...