DiscoDad
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: Just off the A1 between the M18 & M62
Posts: 2895
  
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Hi All,
Car is 3 years old now. Time for a change (perhaps).
Java Black XS (one of the very first) with black leather dealer-fit interior.
Looking at getting a HSE with, (maybe), lighter exterior and the almond/nutmeg trim.
I want to weigh up the wear and tear differences between the light and dark trims so would appreciate any photos & comments on the pro's & con's.
Here's mine...
Brand New.
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3 years and 74000 miles on!
I have never treated it with leather cleaner just the occasional wipe when cleaning the interior.
I'm interested to know how the lighter colours compare with W&T and discolouring over a similar time/mileage.
Please post your pics/comments. 
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 Wed Oct 21 2009 10:15pm |
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JF Lux
Member Since: 08 Sep 2007
Location: A little country in Europe
Posts: 3523
  
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DD - I don't have any pictures, but Alpaca was dirty after the drive home from picking the vehicle up, new, at the dealer  (ok, so I exagerate a bit, but not much)
So I think your leather is looking good from that perspective. The next American ex-pat that calls it a "truck" is going to find out what 2.7 tons feels like on their foot...
Club "yes, I too have had the EGR's replaced..."
Club "yes, I too have had the compressor replaced..."
Club "yes, I too once had the car at the dealer for a couple of weeks nearly 4 weeks over 4 weeks...5 weeks"
Club "yes, I too have had EPB failure..."
Club "yes, I too get mysterious bings and bongs..."
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| Thu Oct 22 2009 7:00am |
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adam
Member Since: 20 Sep 2005
Location: Home and happy
Posts: 1976
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I was toying with lighter colour, heart says yes, head (and most people I've spoken to) says no
My Ebony leather 05 SE still looks pretty good after 90K - only real difference between new is driver seat shiny, odd little scuff on trim - people still comment it looks new
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| Thu Oct 22 2009 7:31am |
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GavinB
Member Since: 20 Sep 2009
Location: St Albans
Posts: 111
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we've only had our disco for 2 months but is about 18 months old with the light Alpaca leather. The light interior does make the inside of the car brighter (had a light interior on our previous car V70) the only complaint I would have is that the die from died jeans comes off and onto the seat thus you end up with slight colour tinging to the seat leather, but this does wipe off with a damp cloth. This happens with the black leather you just cannot see it.
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| Thu Oct 22 2009 1:06pm |
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DiscoDad
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: Just off the A1 between the M18 & M62
Posts: 2895
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Thanks for the comments so far chaps.
I really think the lighter interior in the D4 looks waaay classier than the ebony, but am obviously concerned about not only keeping it clean but also to prevent it from getting permanently marked and looking shabby after a short period of ownership.
I won't be doing anywhere near as many miles in it as in the D3, thanks to a job change. Perhaps 12,000 per year rather than 24,000.
But....I would really be interested in seeing some pictures of a well-used light coloured D3 interior.
Can anyone take some and post them here? It would be much appreciated.
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| Fri Oct 23 2009 9:35am |
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Zermatt Vulgaris
Member Since: 12 Jan 2009
Location: aberdeenshire
Posts: 510
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When getting the D3 i really wanted stornoway/almond but was eventually put off by seeing an 06 with 24k on the clock where the drivers seat was dyed blue on the corner from jeans...and it looked tired in comparison to similar aged ebony interiors.
agree that d4 interior looks best in the showroom in almond but at 3 years old i'm not convinced....great pity ocean leather in the MY10 RRS has not been included in the D4 choice. Visiting from rrsport.co.uk
2011MY Zermatt Silver Range Rover Sport HSE 3.0 TDV6
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| Fri Oct 23 2009 10:55am |
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wvlenthe
Member Since: 07 Jan 2009
Location: Arnhem
Posts: 1167
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Hi all,
My 2005 D3 is now five years old (yes I can count, it was registered august 2004) with alpaca interior. I've owned it for 10 months now and it has about 70.000 kms. The history of my car is unknown but the specs make me suspect it has been in use at LRDE (but no reaction from the Germans there).
It is not looking like new obviously and as stated above, the leather gets a bit toned from died jeans and stuff. But it is still leather meaning it is easy to clean when getting dirty from kids playing around with drinks and food.
I have a picture in my gallery (this one) showing the side of the driver's seat. You can see it is a bit dark on the upper side (the seat not my daughter  ), that's what happens. The little folds in the leather will get a bit dirty.
Other than that, I can't find any drawbacks on the light colour.
I agree with GavinB on the interior looking brighter and bigger in the light colour.
I agree with DiscoDad about the classier look.
I've had several cars with a dark leather interior and they look smaller and more ordinary.
Obviously, if you are looking at offroading I would say hold your horses on alpaca carpetry.
I'll make some pics and post them tomorrow or so.
regards,
Wiljo Two D3 V8 HSE Auto in Zermatt silver - one for the driveway, one for the living room cupboard.
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| Fri Oct 23 2009 1:36pm |
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wvlenthe
Member Since: 07 Jan 2009
Location: Arnhem
Posts: 1167
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See my gallery for some pics.
Haven't cleaned the leather for about 6 months.
Probably jkp can tell you if this can be cleaned
regards,
Wiljo
edit: just saw pics haven't arrived in my gallery... now have. Two D3 V8 HSE Auto in Zermatt silver - one for the driveway, one for the living room cupboard.
Last edited by wvlenthe on Fri Oct 23 2009 8:34pm. Edited 1 time in total
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| Fri Oct 23 2009 2:00pm |
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ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: in my own space
Posts: 9064
 
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Right Les, you wanted an old D3 with high usage and an Alpaca interior.
Mine is 4yr 9months old, 132k miles since I had it new.
Has Alpaca leather interior.
Never been leather cleaned or conditioned, only an occassional rub over with a damp cloth.
Was going to clean my drivers seat today - but that's another story/thread
At your request I went out today to take most of these pics ...just for you.
I mainly drive the D3 on my own, occassionally have kids in the back, have no animals.
I use it for business [includes shifting pallets of stock], towing caravan plus holidays and proper off-road use.
Drivers Seat
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Drivers Seat - close up.
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As previously mentioned the dye from jeans can colour the leather.
The other point you'll notice is the dark band on the lower seatback.
That's been caused by my black leather belt.
Don't know it it'll come out [partly the reason I was going to try to treat it]
I know wear a black canvas belt so no further dye is transferred.
Passenger Seat
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Rear Seats
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Front Dash [pic taken a week ago]
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Interior Front [taken at 100k - but still in same condition]
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Front Door Card [ taken a while back - but still in same condition.
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black/silver badges added by self.
Been very happy with it and would choose the same again.
Like you, I wanted a contrast.
Personally I hoped LR would've done a light grey/silver leather.
If they did, I'd have gone with that.
One key point in considering a light interior on a D4 ...
...the carpet is a light colour also.
That could put me off, however you might be able to get black carpet mats.
I would certainly look at that if you go light.
Hope all info & pics are of use.
If I could think of anything intelligent, poignant or witty, I'd put it here !!!
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1972 Morphy Richards hairdryer 650w
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Exclusive Club Original "Fuji Landmark"
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| Fri Oct 23 2009 6:45pm |
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DiscoDad
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: Just off the A1 between the M18 & M62
Posts: 2895
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Thanks everyone and cheers Ron for the excellent pics,
I knew I could rely on you.
Following the points made so far....
a) I could buy a pair of light coloured front seat covers. (Take them off for 'posh' use).
b) I don't wear jeans. (I've seen Clarkson - he grew up in my village you know).
c) I don't tuck my shirt in so leather belt will not be in contact with the seats.
d) I could always utilise my D3 rubber mats and boot-liner.
e) I could get it professionally valeted regularly. (SWMBO may be able to claim for some of this).
f) I could use the other car (Vectra) to take stuff to the tip.
g) Kids are now 6'3" and 5'10" so keep their feet on the floor!
But...
As it happens, decision was made at 5:00pm this evening. 
My chosen vehicle is now winging it's way to my fantastic dealer who has pulled out all the stops to locate the right car in my preferred colour/trim/spec.
May the permagrin continue! 
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| Fri Oct 23 2009 8:55pm |
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ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: in my own space
Posts: 9064
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DiscoDad wrote:
My chosen vehicle is now winging it's way to my fantastic dealer who has pulled out all the stops to locate the right car in my preferred colour/trim/spec.
So................. WTF is it ?
If I could think of anything intelligent, poignant or witty, I'd put it here !!!
.
1972 Morphy Richards hairdryer 650w
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Exclusive Club Original "Fuji Landmark"
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| Fri Oct 23 2009 9:54pm |
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DiscoDad
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: Just off the A1 between the M18 & M62
Posts: 2895
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Not counting any chickens yet.
Will let you know when I have seen it and have signed the paperwork!
PS. Thanks Wiljo for your pics too, just noticed them.
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| Sat Oct 24 2009 6:16am |
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wvlenthe
Member Since: 07 Jan 2009
Location: Arnhem
Posts: 1167
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welcome! Two D3 V8 HSE Auto in Zermatt silver - one for the driveway, one for the living room cupboard.
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| Sat Oct 24 2009 12:22pm |
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SJR
Member Since: 09 Aug 2006
Location: South London
Posts: 4031
 
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wvlenthe wrote:welcome!
  Club AT2
Club Black Alloys
I believe that every human has a finite number of heart-beats. I don't intend to waste any of mine running around doing exercises.
Buzz Aldrin (1930 -
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| Sat Oct 24 2009 12:24pm |
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wvlenthe
Member Since: 07 Jan 2009
Location: Arnhem
Posts: 1167
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you're welcome.
sorry.
Wiljo Two D3 V8 HSE Auto in Zermatt silver - one for the driveway, one for the living room cupboard.
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| Sat Oct 24 2009 1:05pm |
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