Disco 4 (LR4) General reliability and costs

Folks new in here so go gentle my better half and me have been looking at disco 4s can't afford a brand new one so used it will be. 5 of us in the family so room is what we really looking for. General servicing costs are they stupidly expensive? Been pricing up MBenz costs for an estate to compare and they can get crazy expensive . Economy doesn't bother me too much as it won't be doing mega high miles but towing a caravan and chucking loads of kit in the back is its main aim! Not looking for cheap motoring but needs to be sensible? Do I need my head examined ;-)

General rule of thumb is the more servicing that you can do yourself the less the cost, my son has a Benz ML 320 it's getting old and stuff fails but he has found that he can cope with the jobs as they come along, thus the cost is not great, (quotes from the dealer would give you a nervous breakdown).
A mate of mines son has a Disco 3 that he bought used from a reputable dealer six months ago and I have watched him pour thousands into keeping it going, but then he does not like to get dirt on his hands and figures the cost just comes with the type of car. Dealers can overcharge you for simple stuff and then stuff the job up still.
Just go into any purchase with your eyes open.

I generally used to do all my servicing myself my current Honda CRV has Some work needed i.e. Drop links front and back they were a pig needed the angle grinder etc. Rear diff is due another oil change easIiy done etc. However that's been the worst the rest has been oil filter changes brake pads discs etc. Easy stuff really just wondered how the disco 4 compares?

DIY servicing costs will only be for materials, fluids, filters, brake pads maybe not a great deal. It's the cost of repairs that will be costly, unless it has a warranty that LR give, and which can be extended for a few years, although unfortunately DIY servicing isn't allowed .. plus the tyres

Too much gadgetry going on in cars now the days never thought twice of changing timing belts grinding in valves etc There is no way I would want to run one without a warranty unless it was an old one and cheap!

Just on that, a friend here a year ago bought a used 2007 Range Rover Sport with the V8 Diesel, paid good money and bought from a dealer, when he first looked at it it had a slight oil leak somewhere on the engine which the dealer allegedly fixed prior to delivery to our friend, 12 months down the track, (and not many kilometres I might add), the oil leak is back and somewhat heavier.
Now it seems the dealer, (reputable????mmmmmm), must have done a bodge on the original leak, our friend finds now that the body will have to come off the RR, (same with Disco 4 etc), to fix the problem. It seems the modern day Land Rovers are following the path of some early Italian marques, (to change-a da rear brake pads, first-a you must-a remove-a da engine). I have heard that Disco 4's have to have the body off to change timing belts!
This is why, at least here in Australia these Land Rovers have poor re-sale value, they are great if you buy new and then move them on after a couple of years leaving the problems of future ownership to someone with either a real zeal for the brand or really deep pockets full of cash to pay the rediculous prices to keep them on the road.
Our friend is a Landy zealot with a good workshop, so I guess we will get to be seeing a Rangie rolling chassis in the near future.
I'll stick with my old D1 Tdi300 that keeps my mechanical skills up-to-date enough but does not empty my pockets.