Disco 4 buying advice

George151 · Jul 25, 2023

Hi all,

New here and looking for some insight. I've always wanted a Land Rover at some point in my life and have found a nice looking 2 owner 2009 59 reg Discovery 4 HSE on 94,000 miles. It has the 3.0TDV6 fitted and has FSH from either Land Rover dealers or independent LR Specialists with new cam belts, tensioners and B service back in September 2022, plus nearly new Continental tyres all round. That all sounds great but I can't help but be nervous about the horror stories you hear of crank failure on these engines. Is it really that bad and is it as common as it's made out to be? I've tried doing a bit of research into it but am seeing mixed things. Is there something I should be looking out for which can hint this might be a problem when going to look at these cars?

Any advice on this and anything else to look out for when purchasing one of these greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
George

1988smithy · Jul 25, 2023

It'll either go bang or it won't mate, only you know if you can live with driving a car with a grenade under the bonnet.

Failure rates are about 5% i think

Don't just snap cranks, slip bearings as well. Check out LRTime on youtube

Some do starship miles

I was at my local specialist today and a lady was there with an sdv6 rrs. Owned from new, full dealer history and it had slipped a bearing according to the tech. She drove it home mind. Sounded like a right nail.

If you don't need 7 seats, L322 tdv8 if you need a diesel, 4.2 s/c if not

kermit_rr · Jul 25, 2023

This is worth a watch, along with their other videos on the subject. They have certain views on what is the right oil to use

lynall · Jul 25, 2023

The issue on a car that age is, if the motor fails it could financially scrap the car.

kermit_rr · Jul 25, 2023

lynall said:
The issue on a car that age is, if the motor fails it could financially scrap the car.

Unless you can repair and rebuild the motor yourself

George151 · Jul 25, 2023

Thanks for the replies everyone. Interesting watch too so I'll give their other videos a look.

A 5% failure rate isn't horrendous but if there isn't really a way to know if it is gonna go, it's a bit of a gamble I suppose. Is there anything you can do besides good servicing and maintenance to help prevent failure?

I have looked at L322's as well as I don't necessarily need the 7 seats, but the extra space in the back of the Disco would be handy (big dog).

kermit_rr · Jul 25, 2023

I thought about the disco but decided to go down the l322 route instead. I like the idea of the big boot, but the l322 isn't exactly small, seats fold if needed

1988smithy · Jul 25, 2023

George151 said:
Thanks for the replies everyone. Interesting watch too so I'll give their other videos a look.

A 5% failure rate isn't horrendous but if there isn't really a way to know if it is gonna go, it's a bit of a gamble I suppose. Is there anything you can do besides good servicing and maintenance to help prevent failure?

I have looked at L322's as well as I don't necessarily need the 7 seats, but the extra space in the back of the Disco would be handy (big dog).

Not really, just try and look after it like any other engine

We had a d3 for a bit, l322 is just as practical in reality. 2 kids, 2 dogs and its plenty big enough.

George151 · Jul 25, 2023

Nice one, cheers guys. Anything in particular I should look out for on the tdv8 if I go down that route? Is the 3.6 or 4.4 the better one?

1988smithy · Jul 25, 2023

George151 said:
Nice one, cheers guys. Anything in particular I should look out for on the tdv8 if I go down that route? Is the 3.6 or 4.4 the better one?

4.4, @kermit_rr got one

they've got the 8 speed box

Don't discount the 4.2 supercharged, all the full fat goodness with a fairly bulletproof engine

On the 3.6

Ahem

Egr valves, usual problems but sometimes they break up and get ingested by turbos and engine

Turbos can let go and shìt the engine

Chafed hoses and wiring, its toight in there

Leaky rocker covers

Intake manifolds split

Thermostat housings crack, its in the V of the engine
This list is not exhaustive

Think thats about it other than usual drivetrain, bushes and air suspension but that goes for d4 as well

Oh and l322s like to rust, crusty backends like a neglected sheep. That being said, d3s and early 4s are rust prone as well, inner arches and sills, seatbelt anchors etc. Hard to see cuz of all the plastic

George151 · Jul 25, 2023

Thanks smithy, appreciate it. What I get will probably depend on what decent examples I can find within budget. I'll get on the classifieds!

1988smithy · Jul 25, 2023

George151 said:
Thanks smithy, appreciate it. What I get will probably depend on what decent examples I can find within budget. I'll get on the classifieds!

Show us your shortlist! And whereabouts are you?

lynall · Jul 26, 2023

If you can twirl a mean spanner, then fine, if you pay others to do the work, then I would advise against ant LR product and look elsewhere

George151 · Jul 26, 2023

I'm pretty handy with a spanner and do most of my work on my current and past cars myself so I'm not too worried about other stuff, just the engine going bang

I'm based down in Portsmouth, current shortlist only includes the D4 I originally asked about:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

kermit_rr · Jul 26, 2023

the most important tool to carry will be a proper diag to read and clear faults

kermit_rr · Jul 26, 2023

George151 said:
I'm pretty handy with a spanner and do most of my work on my current and past cars myself so I'm not too worried about other stuff, just the engine going bang

I'm based down in Portsmouth, current shortlist only includes the D4 I originally asked about:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

thats not a real number plate so you can't do any checks!!

1988smithy · Jul 26, 2023

kermit_rr said:
thats not a real number plate so you can't do any checks!!

Back on its original plate, if he asks seller for reg he can do checks

1988smithy · Jul 26, 2023

George151 said:
I'm pretty handy with a spanner and do most of my work on my current and past cars myself so I'm not too worried about other stuff, just the engine going bang

I'm based down in Portsmouth, current shortlist only includes the D4 I originally asked about:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

They look the bollocks don't they? I was that close to getting another d3 but went for l322 last minute. If you want one, get one. You'd just have to be laissez-faire about the possibility and just enjoy it

marjon · Jul 26, 2023

Looking at the price of that you are up in good L322 area where you would remove the "luck of the draw" with the engine and its other associated issues with it.

The maintenance cost to be honest would be comparable.

J

kermit_rr · Jul 26, 2023

Cranks aside, i think the biggest issue with any land rover product is lack of maintenance, you can't run them until they break as with simpler cars and expect a quick/cheap fix

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