Discovery vs XC90?
Discussion
I'm about to chop in the current A4 Avant for either a Discovery 3 or (as someone has suggested) an XC90. Both used, rather than new.
So, PH-Massive, is there a massive sway one way or the other? Is there some fundamental reason why I should avoid one over the other? Area there deals to be had? Any problems, foibles, or ticks that drive owners mad or at least to another vehicle?
I'm going for a test drive tomorrow in a Discovery, and by chance the next door dealership is Volvo, so I may pop in.
Dr Rick
So, PH-Massive, is there a massive sway one way or the other? Is there some fundamental reason why I should avoid one over the other? Area there deals to be had? Any problems, foibles, or ticks that drive owners mad or at least to another vehicle?
I'm going for a test drive tomorrow in a Discovery, and by chance the next door dealership is Volvo, so I may pop in.
Dr Rick
Hello Dr Rick
I have driven many of the both and I think you will find you will like one or the other as they are both so different, yet so good.
If it was myself I would rather have the Discovery as I like my 4X4s to be more like 4X4s. But if I was doing a lot of motorway miles the Volvo would be the better choice.
I have driven many of the both and I think you will find you will like one or the other as they are both so different, yet so good.
If it was myself I would rather have the Discovery as I like my 4X4s to be more like 4X4s. But if I was doing a lot of motorway miles the Volvo would be the better choice.
Never driven or sat in an XC90 but the missus has a Disco 3 which i sometimes use and I think its great as a family car.
For the kids (with side steps fitted) they can get in easily (3 year old) and the little one can be lifted in easily using the side steps and you can just about squeeze 3 car seats in the back row.
The 7 seat pack does fit adults fine although its a bit of climb getting to the 2 rear seats.
Masses of storage space, pockets, bins, cup holders etc.
With a full rubber mat set you dont have to worry about spilages, dirty feet etc etc.
With all the seats down its a huge load lugger. We got a large 2 seater sofa in no problem and just about got a 3 seater (Ikea) sofa in with only one arm removed.
As a cruiser its very comfortable with an excellent seat position. Even got ours remapped for a bit extra poke!
Been good in the snow and the country lanes we use.
Only downer is that the missus wants rid it of now as its 'to big'
Personally, its been fantastic and better looking/more versatile in my view than the Volvo.
For the kids (with side steps fitted) they can get in easily (3 year old) and the little one can be lifted in easily using the side steps and you can just about squeeze 3 car seats in the back row.
The 7 seat pack does fit adults fine although its a bit of climb getting to the 2 rear seats.
Masses of storage space, pockets, bins, cup holders etc.
With a full rubber mat set you dont have to worry about spilages, dirty feet etc etc.
With all the seats down its a huge load lugger. We got a large 2 seater sofa in no problem and just about got a 3 seater (Ikea) sofa in with only one arm removed.
As a cruiser its very comfortable with an excellent seat position. Even got ours remapped for a bit extra poke!
Been good in the snow and the country lanes we use.
Only downer is that the missus wants rid it of now as its 'to big'
Personally, its been fantastic and better looking/more versatile in my view than the Volvo.
Only word of caution on the disco is please don't go for an early one. If you have to then try to contact previous owners regarding an issues they may have had.
Fantastic cars, great "armchair" like driving position, not the most eager to get going or stop, but they really are great.
The support available on the disco3 forum is second to none. If you go for a base spec, they can show you how to retro fit nearly everything. Any design issues have been identified with fixes available on the forum.
Fantastic cars, great "armchair" like driving position, not the most eager to get going or stop, but they really are great.
The support available on the disco3 forum is second to none. If you go for a base spec, they can show you how to retro fit nearly everything. Any design issues have been identified with fixes available on the forum.
Edited by HowMuchLonger on Friday 17th December 15:37
Dr_Rick said:
I'm about to chop in the current A4 Avant for either a Discovery 3 or (as someone has suggested) an XC90. Both used, rather than new.
So, PH-Massive, is there a massive sway one way or the other? Is there some fundamental reason why I should avoid one over the other? Area there deals to be had? Any problems, foibles, or ticks that drive owners mad or at least to another vehicle?
I'm going for a test drive tomorrow in a Discovery, and by chance the next door dealership is Volvo, so I may pop in.
Dr Rick
What's your budget ?So, PH-Massive, is there a massive sway one way or the other? Is there some fundamental reason why I should avoid one over the other? Area there deals to be had? Any problems, foibles, or ticks that drive owners mad or at least to another vehicle?
I'm going for a test drive tomorrow in a Discovery, and by chance the next door dealership is Volvo, so I may pop in.
Dr Rick
DTD were doing brand new XC90's (Active) for approx 22k a few months ago maybe 24k now but still probably 9k off list.
@ Batlamb: Useful, and very clear really. If I want off road, go Landy, if there's more road work, go Volvo
@ Stabilio: We've only got the one little one to worry about at the moment, but we do tend to use our vehicles as cart horses. Where did you get your's tuned?
@ Ranger 6: I've heard other reports about the turning circle of the Volvo being a little less useful than the average
@ HowMuchLonger: What do you mean by early, I'm thinking 1-2yrs old. I'm considering GS as a start point, but would go for XS if the price were right, not even thinking about HSE
@ sjc: I'll have a browse of that website, cheers
@ CO2000: Honestly depends on what they give us for the Audi. But I'm looking at used up around the £25k mark and will consider a couple of k extra for THE one. I'll have a look at DTD.
Cheers everyone. Keep it coming.
Dr Rick
@ Stabilio: We've only got the one little one to worry about at the moment, but we do tend to use our vehicles as cart horses. Where did you get your's tuned?
@ Ranger 6: I've heard other reports about the turning circle of the Volvo being a little less useful than the average
@ HowMuchLonger: What do you mean by early, I'm thinking 1-2yrs old. I'm considering GS as a start point, but would go for XS if the price were right, not even thinking about HSE
@ sjc: I'll have a browse of that website, cheers
@ CO2000: Honestly depends on what they give us for the Audi. But I'm looking at used up around the £25k mark and will consider a couple of k extra for THE one. I'll have a look at DTD.
Cheers everyone. Keep it coming.
Dr Rick
Dr_Rick said:
@ HowMuchLonger: What do you mean by early, I'm thinking 1-2yrs old. I'm considering GS as a start point, but would go for XS if the price were right, not even thinking about HSE
Dr Rick
When I say early I meant 2005, so you will be fine.Dr Rick
Nearly everything on the HSE can be retrofitted when wanted/funds allow. Just pop over to disco3 forum. I cant reiterate enough what fantastic support that forum provides.
Does the GS have air suspension?
horpe and Grimsby.HowMuchLonger said:
When I say early I meant 2005, so you will be fine.
Nearly everything on the HSE can be retrofitted when wanted/funds allow. Just pop over to disco3 forum. I cant reiterate enough what fantastic support that forum provides.
Does the GS have air suspension?
I think the only bits I would want over and above standard GS/XS would be front fogs. I have no idea about the air suspension on a GS. Will ask tomorrow.Nearly everything on the HSE can be retrofitted when wanted/funds allow. Just pop over to disco3 forum. I cant reiterate enough what fantastic support that forum provides.
Does the GS have air suspension?
Dr Rick
In the recent snow I saw new looking XC90 struggle like buggery and actually get stuck trying to negotiate a moderate incline that other lesser cars were taking in their stride.
Weirdly the car was sat there spinning it's front wheels only?? Maybe he didn't press "W"??
I think all the big ovlovs have a larger turning circle, my V70 does. But, nowhere near as bad as my previous Alfa 156 SW. Nothing so bad it should put you off though.
Weirdly the car was sat there spinning it's front wheels only?? Maybe he didn't press "W"??
I think all the big ovlovs have a larger turning circle, my V70 does. But, nowhere near as bad as my previous Alfa 156 SW. Nothing so bad it should put you off though.
dave_s13 said:
In the recent snow I saw new looking XC90 struggle like buggery and actually get stuck trying to negotiate a moderate incline that other lesser cars were taking in their stride.
Weirdly the car was sat there spinning it's front wheels only?? Maybe he didn't press "W"??
I think all the big ovlovs have a larger turning circle, my V70 does. But, nowhere near as bad as my previous Alfa 156 SW. Nothing so bad it should put you off though.
If it was spinning its front wheels only.. It may have had a Spline Gear Failure!!! Very common as a result of the failure its only fron wheel drive. The first you are aware is when you are stuck in the snow or in a damp field unable to more. Weirdly the car was sat there spinning it's front wheels only?? Maybe he didn't press "W"??
I think all the big ovlovs have a larger turning circle, my V70 does. But, nowhere near as bad as my previous Alfa 156 SW. Nothing so bad it should put you off though.
If it was a Disco v xc90 then its a tough call. for a 7 seat people carrier the Volvo is better than the Disco. But is your lugging things around and only need to use 5 seat then my choice would be the Disco!
Edited to add that i will never buy another Xc90 ever again!
Edited by stevieb on Friday 17th December 20:18
We've had both. I've said this before but the Disco ( a new '58 GS ) was nicer to drive. The xc90 ( a new '10 R-design ) is much nicer to own.
LR customer service was awful, we had issues with handbrakes, brakes, trim, electrics and failure of air suspension.
The xc90 R-design has 19" or 20" wheels and a worse turning circle than the models on 18" or below. It is pants.
In the recent snow ( at least as bad as anything we saw in the Disco ) the xc90 was excellent. We don't venture far off road but need 7-seats and the ability to get up a steep hill regardless of the weather, and whilst the Disco could have far exceeded any of our off road needs, the xc90 was still ample for dealing with icy/snowy conditions on untreated steep roads. It probably affects my opinion that when the snow was worst last year the Disco broke down and LR delivered a Clio to keep my wife on the road.....
LR customer service was awful, we had issues with handbrakes, brakes, trim, electrics and failure of air suspension.
The xc90 R-design has 19" or 20" wheels and a worse turning circle than the models on 18" or below. It is pants.
In the recent snow ( at least as bad as anything we saw in the Disco ) the xc90 was excellent. We don't venture far off road but need 7-seats and the ability to get up a steep hill regardless of the weather, and whilst the Disco could have far exceeded any of our off road needs, the xc90 was still ample for dealing with icy/snowy conditions on untreated steep roads. It probably affects my opinion that when the snow was worst last year the Disco broke down and LR delivered a Clio to keep my wife on the road.....
Ours is a 07 facelift Disco3 HSE. We( well the wife) tried everything of it's ilk ( XC90, R=Class, Q-7,Shogun,Cruiser etc before plumping for it, and I have to say after being completely against the idea, the Disco has won me over.It's a Limo,van, school-run, go anywhere in comfort ultimate family car.
It's now done 52,000 miles with 2 minor faults, and the ONLY thing it would be replaced by is a Dsico 4 when funds allow.
On the firum I quoted above, there's a bloke calld "10forcash". Avoid the Main Dealers and use him ( he's mobile ) for inspections, servicng, re-maps etc)
Good luck, get a good one and it'll become part of the family!
It's now done 52,000 miles with 2 minor faults, and the ONLY thing it would be replaced by is a Dsico 4 when funds allow.
On the firum I quoted above, there's a bloke calld "10forcash". Avoid the Main Dealers and use him ( he's mobile ) for inspections, servicng, re-maps etc)
Good luck, get a good one and it'll become part of the family!
Both are big and heavy so also slow and uneconomical. Both have dubious reliability.
Unless you need 7 seats (we did) or to tow heavy items an estate is a much better choice.
After a year of the XC90 my wife went back to an A6 avant and much prefers it we now use 2 cars for when we all go out together.
Unless you need 7 seats (we did) or to tow heavy items an estate is a much better choice.
After a year of the XC90 my wife went back to an A6 avant and much prefers it we now use 2 cars for when we all go out together.
PedantLosesGrip said:
redgriff500 said:
After a year of the XC90 my wife went back to an A6 avant and much prefers it we now use 2 cars for when we all go out together.
And with snow tyres... unstoppable... you know it makes sense Dr_Rick...
until you meet an immoveable object.
redgriff500 said:
Both are big and heavy so also slow and uneconomical. Both have dubious reliability.
Unless you need 7 seats (we did) or to tow heavy items an estate is a much better choice.
After a year of the XC90 my wife went back to an A6 avant and much prefers it we now use 2 cars for when we all go out together.
I traded my XC90 after a loads of problems with it.. Got rid before is cost me £££££ to get it running 100%Unless you need 7 seats (we did) or to tow heavy items an estate is a much better choice.
After a year of the XC90 my wife went back to an A6 avant and much prefers it we now use 2 cars for when we all go out together.
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