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 weeksnearly 4 weeksover 4 weeks...5 weeks"
Club "yes, I too have had EPB failure..."
Club "yes, I too get mysterious bings and bongs..."
22nd Oct 2009 7:00 am
adam
Member Since: 20 Sep 2005
Location: Home and Happy
Posts: 6917
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
22nd Oct 2009 7:31 am
GavinB
Member Since: 20 Sep 2009
Location: St Albans
Posts: 113
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.
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.
23rd Oct 2009 9:35 am
Zermatt Vulgaris
Member Since: 12 Jan 2009
Location: aberdeenshire
Posts: 511
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
23rd Oct 2009 10:55 am
wvlenthe
Member Since: 07 Jan 2009
Location: Arnhem
Posts: 1967
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,
WiljoD3 V8 HSE Auto in Zermatt silver - driveway version gone but not forgotten, only the living room cupboard version remains
23rd Oct 2009 1:36 pm
wvlenthe
Member Since: 07 Jan 2009
Location: Arnhem
Posts: 1967
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.D3 V8 HSE Auto in Zermatt silver - driveway version gone but not forgotten, only the living room cupboard version remains
Last edited by wvlenthe on 23rd Oct 2009 8:34 pm. Edited 1 time in total
23rd Oct 2009 2:00 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15214
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
Click image to enlarge
Drivers Seat - close up.
Click image to enlarge
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
Click image to enlarge
Rear Seats
Click image to enlarge
Front Dash [pic taken a week ago]
Click image to enlarge
Interior Front [taken at 100k - but still in same condition]
Click image to enlarge
Front Door Card [ taken a while back - but still in same condition.
Click image to enlarge
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.
I was a normal heterosexual chap, but in these new woke awakenings I now identify as a Wardrobe.
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!
23rd Oct 2009 8:55 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15214
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 ?
I was a normal heterosexual chap, but in these new woke awakenings I now identify as a Wardrobe.
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
(ok, so I exagerate a bit, but not much)
), that's what happens. The little folds in the leather will get a bit dirty.
