Disco 4 -potential purchase

Hello all. It’s been a while since posting on the forum. It’s usually been about my 90, but here I find myself asking about the Disco 4. We have had a 1,2 missed the 3 and have jumped straight to looking at a 4. It seems to fit the bill for what we need with the dogs and kids ( or the other way around). But …..
Do i assume like most Discos that there are things that definitely go wrong? We are looking at 10 or 12 plate at the mo. Both with the fsh. The 10 plate seems to have had all the air compressors, gearbox issues etc done, the 12. Not so sure but it could have a warranty. Either way, for us it’s a lot of money to get a pig in the poke. i have read many reviews, but as usual defer to the people on here who own and drive every manner of Landy.
So, any thoughts would be gratefully received. Thanks

Just make sure the Oil pump is the newer type if you can, should be on a D4 though ( FoMoCo )

Mileage dependant make sure belts and tensioners are done also, scrutinise that FSH also

Enjoy

I went to look at the later 12 plate which has full service history and all the belts done at 91K miles. However, I am now confused. This one is the SDV6 with the turn knob thingy for the gear selection (it must have a proper name) However, the one I was going to look at tomorrow has the more conventional auto shifter gear lever. Also badged as an SDV6. The chap was trying to tell me that the gearbox with the turn knob is a better, more reliable box and that the other one (I showed him the advert) is actually a TDV6 and badged wrong. Is this likely, or am I missing the point? I understand the engine is essentially the same, but there must be a reason why the £2K difference.

If you know the reg go on GOV.UK and check them both out

TDV6 is a 2.7 D3, SDV6 is the 3L D4

They are both coming up as the 3.0 litre D4 so are they both the same engine just with a different gearbox. The latter being the 8 speed and the older being the 6 speed.

Must be a transition period, not sure

Just make sure you have a good look at both etc

Good luck

Thank you. Nothing simple is there. It just isn't clear is it?

I own two of them, sucker for punishment!

The 8 speed is more economical however I have heard issues with the select gear dial etc intermittent faults and that

Id be tempted to go for the 8 speed though TBH

That seems to be the way my mechanic mate says. Better handbrake module apparently. As well as being nearly two years newer. Which has to be of some benefit. Certainly never off roaded looking at it. Unlike my 90. Lol £2k difference better though?

Dvla states the power figures are 245 for 11 plate and 255 for later, so I assume an engine tweak. The other difference must be gearbox then. Either the 6 speed or the 8 speed later one. I understand they are both the zf but the later being updated and using the gear selection knob. Has anybody really noticed a difference if they have both?

seanlandy said:

Either the 6 speed or the 8 speed later one. I understand they are both the zf but the later being updated and using the gear selection knob

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The 6 speed box has a conventional lever type gear selector, and is partially servi controlled.

The 8 speed has the retracting dial type gear selector, and is all servo controlled.

In my experience, full dealer servicing isn't worth much, as I've found many bodges from main dealers. I'd rather buy a vehicle that's been owned by an enthusiast, as it'll be maintained to a much higher standard.

Nodge68 said:

The 6 speed box has a conventional lever type gear selector, and is partially servi controlled.

The 8 speed has the retracting dial type gear selector, and is all servo controlled.

In my experience, full dealer servicing isn't worth much, as I've found many bodges from main dealers. I'd rather buy a vehicle that's been owned by an enthusiast, as it'll be maintained to a much higher standard.

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Good point. The 12 plate seems to have over and above done since the main dealer service finished. No expense spared. I will have more of an idea of today when I go and see it. So functionality and reliability wise, not much in the gearboxes?

Sobering!
Went to test drive the second one today. Suspension movement seemed a bit tardy but after a bit of jerking and slight clunking it seemed to work okay. Probably never been used...or does that spell symptoms of something else?
It did go very well though until I booted and then backed off. You could feel a vibration through the seat. Even my wife could feel it which speaks volumes!! Lol
Again, I suppose this could point to many a cause, so I have asked it they will take a look. Otherwise for £2k less and a 12 month warranty it seems like a better option.

seanlandy said:

Suspension movement seemed a bit tardy but after a bit of jerking and slight clunking it seemed to work okay. Probably never been used...or does that spell symptoms of something else?

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It should be silent and smooth, regardless of being operated or not. The suspension is always moving, so should be used to going up n down.
Maybe there's an issue with a bush, or ARB drop link.

seanlandy said:

It did go very well though until I booted and then backed off. You could feel a vibration through the seat. Even my wife could feel it which speaks volumes!!

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There's shouldn't be any vibration, it should be completely smooth, almost magic carpet ride.
Fast vibration could be from a failed propshaft center bearing support rubber, which will require a replacement propshaft. Slower vibrations could be from out of balance, or a bent wheel, which is easily done by mounting a curb too quickly.

seanlandy said:

Again, I suppose this could point to many a cause, so I have asked it they will take a look.

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Unless they're a decent specialist, they might not know where to look.

Also keep in mind, that the crankshaft on these engines seems to be made of cheese, and so can fail long before they should, which results in a huge repair bill, or a spares or repair sell on.

Many thanks for the valuable input. Interestingly i did notice that the steering wheel is off centre too, which would suggest one of your possible symptoms. Either way he was trying to persuade me that you would expect some vibration from a car with 133k miles. Really??
Neither my D1 or D2 had any such with nearly 200k on so prob one to avoid

seanlandy said:

Many thanks for the valuable input. Interestingly i did notice that the steering wheel is off centre too, which would suggest one of your possible symptoms.

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Very likely, something is definitely amiss, as the steering wheel should be perfectly straight, when going straight.

seanlandy said:

Either way he was trying to persuade me that you would expect some vibration from a car with 133k miles. Really??

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Complete rubbish. The D4 should be absolutely vibration free at 130k. My own D3 was vibration free at almost twice that mileage, however I did need to replace the propshaft, as the centre bearing was basically not connected to anything.
4 straight wheels with new tyres helped a lot too.
As for vibration due to miles, that's complete bollocks.

6 speed = 245bhp twin turbo
6 to 8 speed changeover approx late 2011
8 speed 255bhp twin turbo
very late 8 speed 255bhp adblue motors went back to single turbo and are meant to drive much better, cranks still fail though!

Nodge68 said:

The 6 speed box has a conventional lever type gear selector, and is partially servi controlled.

The 8 speed has the retracting dial type gear selector, and is all servo controlled.

In my experience, full dealer servicing isn't worth much, as I've found many bodges from main dealers. I'd rather buy a vehicle that's been owned by an enthusiast, as it'll be maintained to a much higher standard.

Click to expand...

My D4 is on a 62 plate and is 6 speed with the retracting dial type gear selector.

All helpful thanks. Things seem to be pointing the way of the prop? Expensive? I assume this would readily be picked up by a decent mot garage. Vendor said he would check until sold nor put through mot