Disco 4 (LR4) D4 for Long-Distance Overlanding?

Hi all, new to the forum and a proud new LR owner.

We picked up our D4 a few months ago and have been really happy with it so far. Sure, the mileage isn't great compared to my 330d but having done a few 100+ mile trips, I'm not sure I've ever been in something as comfy and capable off-road. We got a pretty good deal and although the car has done 100k miles, it's been really well looked after.

My GF are thinking of taking a big trip next year and overlanding, so essentially living out of the car. This is normally done with Defenders or Land Cruisers for reliability and ease of repair and availability of parts etc but I'm wondering how suitable the D4 would be for this purpose.

I know the car is hugely capable off-road, one of the first things we did was buy a set of Copper AT3s and booked an off-road course to learn what it can do and I was stunned, I'm more concerned about what happens if something goes wrong and we're in the middle of nowhere.

We plan on starting in Europe but could go as far as Asia and Africa and that's where I start getting worried. I know the basics of an engine and comfortable doing oil changes etc but that's where my knowledge runs out and I'm wondering if it wouldn't be a better idea to get something with a better reputation for reliability (cough, cough, Toyota), is easier to fix on the side of the road and has more widely available parts.

Just looking for opinions and would love to hear from anyone that has done long-distance trips in their LR3/4s.

The D4 is a beautiful vehicle to drive both on and off road. Be careful on slippery surfaces, as at 2.7 Tons momentum is against you.

As for reliability, don't expect Land Cruiser levels for this, especially where the suspension and engine are concerned.
The suspension can throw a fit if everything isn't functioning correctly, and some parts are particularly fragile.
The engine on these vehicles can be the biggest issue though, as they have a bit of a reputation for crankshaft and bearing issues, we see a couple per month with these issues.
Unfortunately if the crankshaft let's go, then the engine is normally scrap.

You may of course be completely free of trouble, but you should be aware of a worst case scenario.

Yeah I guess in scenarios where you're WAY off the beaten track, you have to consider worse-case and that's what worries me about the D4.

I do see a lot of guys travelling Africa in D4s but they're normally in convoy and can help each other out if they get stuck.

Maybe! That's your answer?? Find someone who is also game for an adventure with D4s?

Kev

All modern vehicles are crap, including toyota, they all have to much emissions kit and this literally ruins them.

Do not forget anything diesel under 20 yrs old will be common rail, and anything diesel under 10 yrs old will most likely have a dpf, and anything diesel under 6/7 years old will have the fully monty emissions kit, dpf/doc/scr etc.

Defenders lost their fix with baling twine image once the td5 came along, and it has only gotten worse since.