Member Since: 25 Jun 2011
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 454
There were a number of reasons that Land Rover updated the Disco3 to 4. There's the time honoured reason of simply making a newer vehicle to prompt people to upgrade of course. But the cars, cosmetically aren't very different and simply for that, a facelift would have done the job.
The two main reasons were firstly, performance. the D3's performance was adequate alright, but many reviewers and indeed owners thought Land Rover had missed a trick there and wondered if a Range Rover engine would have been the way to go. The new D4 3.0 twin turbo solved that problem. The other reason was reliability. Now most modern cars are, in the main pretty reliable and the differences between the D3 and other similarly complicated vehicles wasn't that far off. But, it was worse! And what's more, at this time, Land Rover in general had a reputation for being at or near the bottom of reliability lists. The D4 was a chance to pull back on that. A very great number of components were upgraded to improve reliability and, to the astonishment of many, the D4 has proved reliable. There are always areas of concern and there are always vehicles that buck the trend and present a catalogue of woes. Such is life. What's more, it's still a very complicated high-end vehicle and when things do go wrong, like a D3, don't go pinning your hope on cheap fixes too often.
So, yes, I believe the D4 is inherently more reliable than the D3. But if reliability trumps all other considerations when you buy your next car, look elsewhere. Or better still, get a good D4 with a full service record and budget for a long warranty.
9th Oct 2017 10:42 pm
Robert SausageTrousers
Member Since: 09 Aug 2015
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 466
^^ Spot on, great post.
9th Oct 2017 10:49 pm
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
Quote:
A very great number of components were upgraded to improve reliability
Like what?
I’m not trying to rubbish you, I’d genuinely like to believe it true.
10th Oct 2017 5:50 am
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
I could be wrong here but isnt the crankshaft the same part for both engines?
10th Oct 2017 7:44 am
adam
Member Since: 20 Sep 2005
Location: Home and Happy
Posts: 6917
D3, 03/2005 - 03/2010 - 97K when traded in (a very early one - so still some bugs / snags)
Suspension faults (when virtually new -fixed under warranty)
Air con failure (missing 'O' ring ) - found out on first warm spring day - fixed under warranty
EGRV failure - fixed under warranty
Front suspension arms replaced - I had to shell out (but that is W&T).
D4, 03/2010 - now
Rattling exhaust heat shield - fixed under warranty
Front suspension arms replaced - I shelled out - about £400
EPB failure X2 - one under warranty, one repaired for about £50
Usual Belts etc. done at 100K
That was it until 107K
At 107K, new TSOV, repeated Restricted performance, eventually fixed by tracing air leak and faulty MAF sensor - £600 - but the nice AA paid £500 as I called a big yellow taxi
Heat Shield replaced - princely sum of £15
And finally got around to replacing the Turbo Drain pipe - instant no smoke - wish I'd done that ages ago - about £200
Bit of a grinding noise from front transmission so maybe a wheel bearing(please let it be that) or diff - needs investigating
So, over 200K in 12 years for a big 'luxury' car(s) - about average if compared to Merc / BMW etc?
But bottom line, I don't think huge amount between them in terms of reliability, both cars have had easy lives and I believe D3 still going strong
D4, quieter and a better cabin (D3 was an SE with upgraded Sat Nav - waste of cash and upgraded stereo), D4 an HSE, all standard apart from 20" wheels and tints
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
) - found out on first warm spring day - fixed under warranty
