Discovery 5 or similar

[ThisInJapanese]

I'm debating moving on from my 2017 Merc C43 estate. I like it a lot, but when the whole family and dog are on-board, especially when we have luggage it's a little tight (no. I've no idea how either)

So I've long fancied a Discovery 5, but I'm struggling to find out much about them as a used proposition. I'm looking at one that's about 18-24 months old which is in the region of about £50-55k

What else should I be looking at in this range? 7 seats isn't essential, but it's a nice to have. I don't really care too much about driving dynamics as the Alpine has that covered. I'm most interested in family gobbling ability and space in the back. My eldest is tall, I'm also tall and space behind the drivers seat is a premium. The Disco seems to have these boxes ticked, but I'm nervy about the reliability and also if they are as easy to pinch as everybody makes out.

[InformationSuperHighway]

I always get the impression that Disco 5's are a real step backwards from Disco 4. Is that accurate?

Anyway, would you consider a GLS Merc? or X7?

[Frankychops]

InformationSuperHighway said:

I always get the impression that Disco 5's are a real step backwards from Disco 4. Is that accurate?

Anyway, would you consider a GLS Merc? or X7?

No, they’re a step forward. Just with the same JLR issues at a higher price point

[ThisInJapanese]

InformationSuperHighway said:

I always get the impression that Disco 5's are a real step backwards from Disco 4. Is that accurate?

Anyway, would you consider a GLS Merc? or X7?

I'd consider anything if it's big and comfy. I'm having a nose around classifieds for XC90s at the moment as well. I'm very unguided at the moment...

[ZX10R NIN]

ThisInJapanese said:

I'd consider anything if it's big and comfy. I'm having a nose around classifieds for XC90s at the moment as well. I'm very unguided at the moment...

Take a look at the Genesis GV80, they're a nice comfy place to be & you'll have a chunk of warranty left too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508165...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503190...

You can spend less & get a decent one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507244...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508045...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508295...

They come in 7 seater spec to:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508045...

[ThisInJapanese]

ZX10R NIN said:

Take a look at the Genesis GV80, they're a nice comfy place to be & you'll have a chunk of warranty left too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508165...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503190...

You can spend less & get a decent one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507244...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508045...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508295...

They come in 7 seater spec to:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508045...

That is a big car! 22" wheels are punchy. I can't say it's a car I think is good looking, also it seems there are better options in terms of MPG. I'll look into it though.

[Matt_T]

ZX10R always gives great advice, those GV80's are lovely!

If it was me I'd avoid anything JLR - have 3 friends who have all had engine failures on sub-6 year old Discoveries.

All I would add is the Toyota Highlander. They are quite understated and will probably never, ever, ever, ever, ever break.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18926971

[66HFM]

We had a Disco 4 for 4 years and it was a great do-it-all car, we had three children all in car seats and it was a great option, especially with the rear seats down.
Personally I'd go for one of the best D4s you can get and save yourself £25k.
We've also recently had a Discovery Sport and JLR provided replacement keyfob batteries with 'sleeping' batteries, where after 1-2 minutes of inactivity/movement the battery goes into hibernation mode and thus preventing relay theft through keyless entry.

I've never quite got on with the looks of the tailgate / numberplate on the D5.

XC90, Q7/8 a couple of alternatives.

[ZX10R NIN]

ThisInJapanese said:

That is a big car! 22" wheels are punchy. I can't say it's a car I think is good looking, also it seems there are better options in terms of MPG. I'll look into it though.

The Disco5 is 4956mm length 2200mm GV80 4945mm length 1975mm width so it's actually smaller than the Land Rover.

Fuel wise the petrol Discovery (& 4 MPG worse than a T6 XC90) has the same fuel figures & the diesel GV80 is 1mpg worse,

No they're not the best looking but not bad imo, inside they're a very nice place to be I'd suggest actually going & having a sit in one.

[ThisInJapanese]

Matt_T said:

ZX10R always gives great advice, those GV80's are lovely!

If it was me I'd avoid anything JLR - have 3 friends who have all had engine failures on sub-6 year old Discoveries.

All I would add is the Toyota Highlander. They are quite understated and will probably never, ever, ever, ever, ever break.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18926971

That's a car I've never heard off. I'll try and track one down local to me..

[andyb28]

I have posted before on here about this.

I have a 2017 Disco 5 and a 2024 Defender Commercial. Both of them have been faultless.

The Disco takes us to the Alps every year and is really comfy on long drives.
We dont have a need for the extra two seats in the floor, but have popped them up occasionally to take a bunch of friends somewhere.

Sadly, the Disco is probably going to go at the end of the year when the pcp deal ends. Have just been lucky with it? Have i looked after it better? I guess we will never know.

I did look at a few others before getting the Disco.
XC90 - Was very plain in comparison
Porche Macan - Too small and dealer was super rude to me.

[Mars]

As you already have a Merc... I do looooong road trips in a Merc GL. It's an older version with the off-road package that allows it to go anywhere a Disco 5 will however I don't think you'll find a newer one with the off-road package (not even sure it's an option anymore).

[Roger Irrelevant]

Matt_T said:

All I would add is the Toyota Highlander. They are quite understated and will probably never, ever, ever, ever, ever break.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18926971

I've been poring over these as I play my regular game of 'What Would I Replace Our XC70 With If It Died Tomorrow?' I think they look a great prospect tbh, the only slight downside is they're no rocketship but in a family bus I'd take dependability over a few seconds quicker to 60 every day of the week.

[Lefty]

OP, considered an E Class estate?

If you don’t need the ground clearance or 4x4 of an SUV it might make sense. You could always get a 4wd e-class…

[Matt_T]

The Highlander and the Lexus RX-L use the same platform. The RX is the previous generation so has the 3.5l V6 + hybrid whereas the Highlander and the new RX use the 2.5l i4 + hybrid.

The Highlander has a bigger boot that the RX-L though as the Lexus has a more coupe-like shape.

Here is an RX-L
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18582536

[trevalvole]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Disco5 is 4956mm length 2200mm GV80 4945mm length 1975mm width so it's actually smaller than the Land Rover.

I strongly suspect the Disco width includes mirrors and the GV80's doesn't.

[bigmowley]

I’ve just been through this process to replace my aging but much loved ML420. Very similar budget to you by the sounds of it but with the added requirement of towing 3500Kgs on a regular basis. I have ended up with a Cayenne E-hybrid, 2023 so the last of the previous generation. Not seen it much since we collected it as Mrs BigM has buggered off in it for a fortnight. Just over 2 years old and with 2 years of Porsche warranty after the end of the factory warranty, so nearly 3 years in total. Looks and drives like brand new, and very well specified so no complaints yet. It’s very economical for a big petrol engined bus and very comfy. I did consider all the other alternatives that can tow 3500Kgs but nothing quite hit the spot. I like Land Rover products but when its my hard earned cash I wasn’t prepared to play the roulette wheel of JLR reliability. It seems to me that get a good one they are great, get a duffer and they are pure purgatory. Good luck in your search.

[jon-yprpe]

We have had a Disco 4c, Disco 5 (td6) and now have a D250 Defender 110.

The Disco 5 was a great car, we did 80k in ours before moving it on for a new Defender. In some ways I wish we still had it. Averaged 36mpg om mixed use and a bigger boot than the Defender. All 3 of ours were faultless (unlike my Range Rover Sport which self-destructed).

You’ll be getting the Ingenium engined cars at the age you are looking, but I’d go for it if you can get a good deal.

[joshcowin]

Get a nice SQ7 for the budget you mention.

Always liked the look of the X7 also but they are huge and assume running costs will be hefty. (All large SUV's will be heavy on consumables)

Would a bigger estate work? For your budget you can buy a lovely large estate, the BMW 5 series is a lovely looking estate and offered in a range of engines.

The newer S6 is a 3litre diesel, good specs and decent looking.