Is the Land Rover Discovery 4 as BAD as everyone says?! | ReDriven

[@mikekrzychylkiewicz7948]

I’ve got a 2010 Disco 4 V8. I’ve spent a lot of money on it. Gearbox rebuild and parking brake were expensive issues. Services were expensive until I started taking it to Overland Worx (in South Africa). Despite the issues, it’s one of the best and most iconic cars I’ve ever owned. I can’t replace it because nothing looks and feels as good. Lots of trips into remote areas towing a heavy trailer and the car is fully part of the experience. The D5 is an abomination and that’s what makes to D4 even more special. I wish I never owned it, because then I could have been free to settle for a Toyota like a sensible person.

[@olly1oo6]

From owning a late model Disco 4, can confirm the long list of issues is pretty spot on. My favourites were two oil leaks, four coolant leaks, cooked control arms and regular limp modes without any identifiable source of issue. All within about 3000km of ownership. I finally fixed all the issues by selling it and buying another car that was made by ze Germans. Happy to report this fixed all the issues!

[@crispinswainstonharrison9042]

Owned one for 7 years in. Africa. It fell apart after 70,000 Kms. I have fond memories about selling it.

[@stevo7233]

hahahahahahahahahahahahahah this comment is fucking fantastic 😂😂😂

[@borisjohnson6809]

​@@stevo7233 My toyota did the same.

[@stevo7233]

@@borisjohnson6809 yeah probably mate! Land Rover are known for their issues. They have the highest recalls and returns out of any car brand on the world. I don’t own one, I have a Kia stinger GT :)

[@fredbrackely]

@@stevo7233 Toyota has the highest recall rate of all manufacturers, not JLR. Over 4 Billion vehicles have been recalled for various problems. Like the Yaris, which would suddenly accelerate you into the nearest wall (Toyota settled hundreds of those cases), Chassis rusting etc.

[@samforde4665]

Same with my jeep mate 😆😆😆 brilliant comment

[@pezzonovante888]

Mine has 215,000kms and runs great. Just replaced the air susp. compressor for about $1500, which is completely fine. But I love the truck, the seating position, absurdly good visibility, the looks, etc.

[@thomjanson9644]

Far from a truck..

[@Etäinshewölf007]

I thought a truck was a vehicle that carried heavy materials or goods and in case of the lorry reference of truck even troops. A Land Rover is a vehicle in its own right

[@alfabob]

I've a 2012 Disco 4 SDV6 HSE. Its the only car i've ever brought back home that there was no looks of horror, disapproval from the family. I've done over 80ks in the car since I've owned it 3 years ago, and she has been absolutely rock solid. Never skimp on maintenance, including the daily checks, keep fluid levels in their proper levels, and you'll be fine. Can't say enough good things about the Disco.

[@Wilbenster]

I am very interested in what you previously brought back home.

[@arielle_australia]

@@Wilbenster Rule #2 of bringing things home: you don't talk about what you bring home.

[@mjor6406]

daily checks? lol I checked my 2000 4Runner once every 3 months.

[@JDAfrica]

Have the exact same model - been nothing but a pleasure

[@bazza2540]

I had one and kinda agree, it is a beautiful car, probably best 4wd ever built, but even if nothing major goes there will be alot of little things that need looking at and LR parts are not cheap. Things like door lock, tailgate release freezing, spare tyre winch crapping out, park brake... Suspension is weak, lower control arms going all the time, left wheel bearings, airbags are great but only last ~200,000kms. You do need a lot of money to maintain them. Compared to brother's Honda CR-V, he's has one thing go wrong in 16 years. One. Everything, every little switch, button, handle, gauge all still work. That's something even the best D4 owner could only dream of...

[@rationalthinker9181]

I have owned all kinds of 4x4 LC200, Fortuna, Pajero the list goes on. I now have owned a Discovery 4 for 5 years problem free. It is hands down the best of the cars I have owned. It is powerful, right size, practical, agile easy to use around town but as good as off road, heaps of space. I had to make a decision to sell or keep at the end of the 5 year maintenance plan, my only possible replacement is an LC200 of which I already had one, too big, no space relative to size of vehicle , impractical around town, only advantage is in my case theoretical reliability. As I have owned both it was easy for me to keep the Discovery I maintain it well oil change 6 monthly, do preventative maintenance such as gearbox oil change every 60k km, brake actuator cleaning and so on. The maintenance takes more focus than an LC 200 but the benefit of the car is incomparable so its pain I take happily. I will keep it as long as possible and when it done for I will be forced to buy a LC 300 by then.

[@ReDriven]

Mate, thanks so much for this comment. This is exactly what we love to read on here.

[@E39M5SPEED]

LC100 and LC200 the best. Nothing better. LR3 and LR4 are pure fancy trash.

[@robertjohnston3658]

Have you actually driven one off road or blast one down a dual lane highway? NO , of course not!

[@adrianharrison5208]

​@@E39M5SPEEDsure

[@lewiev7560]

@@E39M5SPEED Best at what champ, being a slow pile of manure with no tech and no advancement in tech in over 20 years.? Toyota fan boy can't see past the ugly bonnet.. Which is interesting as an e39m5 are a mint car... shame you have no clue with offloading.. stick to sports cars.

[@arielle_australia]

I've had an HSE D4 since 2014. First year of ownership was a total nightmare. Towed to the dealership every month. Since then, it's been the perfect car - just annual servicing and minor repairs. Toured around most of Australia, towing a 3.5T van. I also do a lot of sand work - Fraser, Rainbow, Moreton, Stockton. It's a limo that goes offroad - no other car in the world does this.

[@the.magnus]

“No other car does this in the world” - Toyota Landcruiser disagrees.

[@markmcgrath9098]

@@the.magnusyeah. Toyota runs a reasonable second place. Ride and handling aren’t in the same game. Stock v stock same again off road.

[@TR4zest]

@@the.magnus Toyota goes off-road. It is otherwise crude and can never be considered a limousine.

[@X50505]

@@the.magnus There is nothing luxurious or "limousine" about a Land Cruiser.

[@CurtisDrew1]

My buddy is on his 3rd used one and they have all been maintenance nightmares for him. But he's learning how to be a mechanic real fast. #3 is having its rear differential rebuilt as I type. He had a heart attack working on #2. He was so pissed working under its hood he blew a heart gasket. Lucky for him he was working on it in my shop and I managed to get him to the hospital before he died. Good thing I'm as good a Paramedic as I am a Mechanic. I'm an Isuzu and Toyota 4x4 fan. I like my off road toys simple..

[@CurtisDrew1]

Update: My buddies Land Rover reared has planetary gear issues and wouldn't you know it. The parts are made from unobtainium. So he's now looking for a full pumpkin with a locker, with his gear ratio. I suggested an ARB but you'd thought I told him to rape his sister with my suggestion. Don't know why he's like rhat. I have 3 pairs of them in my off road rigs. They have served me well. Guess he only wants to break only the best British parts. Oh well!

[@fredbrackely]

Funny, I have a 2010 with 171,234 miles on it. Just do the maintenance and you are fine. Still on the original air springs. Just changed my alternator and the brake vacuum pump for under $500. The best engine is the 5.0 V8 petrol by far, not the V6 supercharged or T Diesel.

[@bcblythe3200]

My dad owned a 3.0 tdv6 2009 and loved it, few little issues but not more than an annual repair. It was used as a workhorse due to the great price we got it at. However i do have to somewhat disagree with your 2.7 vs 3.0 diesel comment, after my work experience at one of the most well known land rover garages in WA i would have to say that i would far more recommend a 2.7 in a discovery 4 over the 3 litre. The 2.7 that was put in the 4 was different to that of the 3 as it was the updated motor used in the territory i believe the oil pump and some small things on the bottom end where changed, it means that the 2.7 D4s look after their owners. 3 litres suffer with oil cooler issues, problematic design with the turbo oil drain resulting in self destruction and spun engine bearings. Although i do believe some of the 3.0 catastrophic failures are a result of the environmental push to extend service intervals 26,000 kays between services!!! i would strongly recommend to start servicing these every 10,000 kays. Also a gearbox that never needs to be serviced!! I would do a gearbox service every 60k. My dream is to build a D4 with the suspension and engine from a 3.6tdv8 rangie (with new turboes that is). but if i were to buy a landrover of this age and leave the driveling standard, it would be out of a 2.7 D4, 4.0 v6 D3 or a 4.4 V8 D3 (jag motor). A 2.7tdv6 disco 4 with a tune is a good package, being able to put 17inch wheels on is a bonus over the 3.0. The truth is they are all good cars if looked after, this is my 2 cents.

[@JDAfrica]

Have a 2011 Diesel Discovery 4 - been amazing, no real issues (other than an alternator swap, and normal brake discs change). At 125 000kms and going good. My mates LR3 Discovery went till 475 000km

[@NickTarterOKC]

251,000 miles on my LR3 (Discovery 3) and it still runs and drives perfectly. Original drivetrain, never rebuilt. My experience has disproved the Land Rover unreliability myth. As long as you maintain these well, they can last a long time.

[@nombre1248]

What does maintaining include?

[@ReDriven]

We wish we heard more stories like yours Nick.

[@NickTarterOKC]

@@nombre1248 Regular oil changes with the proper oil would be first on my list. I tend to change the oil every 4,000 miles and only use full synthetic with a Wix filter. People often opt for the cheaper oil services and that is a huge error with the 4.4 engine. To make these last they need top notch oil. Servicing the transmission, t-case, diffs, and other mechanical elements at the proper intervals would be second on my list. Many of the electrical gremlins come from failure to maintain the roof drainage system, causing water to leak into the cabin and corrode wires.

[@sc0366]

As a former RRS L494 owner I agree with this sentiment . I used to say “buying a Land Rover Is like adopting a pitbull from a shelter. Much like dog ownership you reap what you sew , you either get a bundle of joy or a liability”. When discussing Land Rover’s reliability reputation we cannot ignore the fact that a majority of them are owned by drivers with deep pockets who neither know or care about proper maintenance and vehicle care . During the pandemic I scheduled test drives at Audi, bmw , VW and Tesla … all dealerships simply handed me the keys and allowed me to take it for a spin without the salesperson present … Land Rover on the other hand was not allowing test drives and the sales manager simply said “ Most people just show up and purchase a vehicle “ That statement alone speaks volumes about the people who typically own a Land Rover and later complain about an issue they fail to diagnose until it’s months too late . I have been searching for a well kept 2016 LR4 in Los Angeles and have come to the conclusion that the service records should have an asterisk * “ previously owned by a wealthy housewife “ Sadly it wouldn’t surprise me if 50 % of Land Rover owners spend the first few months of ownership using the wrong type of Petrol. Unfortunately some of us in search of a Used LR are paying for the sins and stupidity of the previous owners , not the manufacturer .

[@ReDriven]

@@sc0366 Brilliant comment mate. Thanks so much for posting this. Fascinating. - AK

[@KangoV]

I've had my Disco3 for 15 years now. A GAP IID Tool is a must. I've changed just the usual wearable items before they would fail. I changed the parking brake module myself for £180. It's been fantasticly reliable. Always cleaned underneath after offroading. Car is wide enough for a fork lift to dump a pallet of slabs into the back. I love it. If you are scared, then don't buy one. Leave them to people that can take care of them properly. DO NOT GET THE SDV6 3.0. They are very complicated to maintain. You can rebuild the TDV6 2.7 in your garage ;)

[@benhall3551]

I bought a 2016 in Landmark spec at 6 months old with 9000 miles. It's now done 48,000 with occaisional work related off-roading and towing. In that time, it hasnt had a single fault.

[@DrewskiOne]

You're about 2,000 miles from problems. I own the same one and have 65K on mine and have had gremlins running through it for the last year.

[@brushcountry6361]

Mine has 90k miles with no problems. Wait, it got a water pump some time ago.

[@ReinierMayer]

If you’re not rich enough to own a new Discovery, you most certainly aren’t rich enough to own a used one. Just saying....

[@srnunan4783]

Unless you’re prepared to do your own servicing. I bought a used d4 with no warranty and in the next 90,000km I’ve only done routine maintenance except for a tailgate release that was I think about $100 so it was no problem.

[@delcotelcomputersupport3897]

@@srnunan4783 yup that's what i did, .... and it does makes me looks like rich :) loved the car,

[@Jon-zj2nj]

If you aren’t clever in the way that you maintain it (as per the two previous posts), that advice is equally applicable to ANY complex and sophisticated car.

[@Bigyin1963]

@@delcotelcomputersupport3897 I've had my D4 hse for 10 month's now and was luck as the had been £5500 work done underneath just before purchased it but it's time to do the timing belts thats all

[@ItsMercerBaby]

Fix your own problems and you are good.

[@srnunan4783]

Bought a 2011 3L SDV6 (was warned about the 2.7) at 80,000km it’s now at 170,000 and I’ve done the following routine stuff; brake pads, air filter, oil changes, adjusted the rear drum callipers when the park brake actuator ran out of travel, transmission oil and filter and timing belt, battery and front lower wishbone bushes. The only failures I’ve needed parts for were upper tailgate release actuator and the original wheel nuts (dodgy tire dealer deformed the chrome caps with the wrong size socket and after that the supplied tool in the vehicle wouldn’t go on the rounded ones so I got solid aftermarket set). It has had no unexpected failures other than the tailgate actuator. I have four kids (all in car seats at one stage) and camp, tow, off road, and the rest is highway and school/shopping. There’s no other vehicle that can be compared to them, tight turning circle, the ride on air is excellent, the ZF auto is really solid and the whole lay out is smart and designed with use in mind rather than just trying to look more trendy than the competitors. Eg. 3rd row seats have a footwell so your knees aren’t up around your ears like some 3rd row 4wd’s and they fold flat to hide away totally if you want the boot space. They’re basically a luxury people mover, a boat or van tug, an off-roader and an everyday soccer mum car all in one.

[@X50505]

Your warning was incorrect, the 2.7 is actually proving the more reliable in the D4. It was the D3 2.7s that were more prone to issues.

[@terrificspokesman7416]

The gearbox isn't that bad when maintained. It's a ZF unit which is used in many other vehicles and it is pretty reliable.

[@pashadobrowolski496]

That gearbox (6 or 8 speed) is in just about everything, from a Haval to a Rolls Royce.

[@ss3man1]

No, it's attached to a land rover and that automatically makes it more unreliable even though it's an IDENTICAL PART

[@maureenadams1888]

I drive mine like an old person in a Cadillac and still had to drop 10k usd in mine this year... But after new tires and rims, it still looks and feels like a great luxury SUV...

[@richardbayton5898]

Had a 2011 LR4 , had 112k miles on ,but looked likely just rolled off the dealers lot, when I bought it, sold it with 148k miles and never had so much as a hiccup. Did normal oil changes, services etc. was a magnificent vehicle. Loved it. And yes I am English, but owned and lived in California when I owned it.

[@daryljohnson9010]

My 2011 with the 5.0 V8 was the most reliable vehicle I’ve ever owned including my Honda and Acura. I sorely miss it.

[@qp4367]

@BrittishRichard. That's brilliant. Then why did you choose to part ways with it? Some make an unsolicited offer you could not refuse?

[@qp4367]

@@daryljohnson9010 Same question. What made you sell?

[@lbco5229]

Yes - I had a 2012 - absolutely magnificent vehicle. Never ever a single problem. I just got a 2021 Defender - so far stunning in every way.

[@lbco5229]

‘Yes’ was my answer to his opening question - should you buy one? If you take care of it with regular maintenance, it’s very reliable in my experience. I would not recommend an LR3 however.

[@jamesrebbechi4471]

Thats been my own experience too. Magnificent is definitely not overstating it.

[@ReDriven]

So good to hear mate.

[@ReDriven]

@@jamesrebbechi4471 It's pretty much the perfect 4x4, as long as it doesn't go boom.

[@richh9241]

Owned a 2011 Discovery 4 for the last 5 years. Regularly serviced, I've replaced discs, tyres and left/right fuel inlet manifolds (that was a bit expensive to be honest). Also, the tailgate solenoid died on me. Probably spent about £5k over the last 5 years, so a grand a year on average. It's a great car though. I tow a lot and it's the ultimate tow car.

[@edwinleepan9245]

Got a 2014 SE and touch wood, it's been good so far. I did take out a LR Service Plan and Power Up which paid for themselves. Mainly urban driving and 138km on the clock, still drives great.

[@petervautmans199]

I own a 2009 disco 3, with 250k kms now. V6 diesel, air suspention, full option. Had a fair share of little troubles, but I am not planning on trading it in, as anything capable of towing 3.5 tons and transporting 7 persons in comfort is going to set me back a LOT of money. Looks like this Disco is going to hit at least 15 to 20 years and 400k kms.

[@ReDriven]

Amazing the immense variance in comments Peter. Gentlemen like yourself loving the Disco experience vs people despising them. I feel we've opened a can of worms! - AK

[@Beema41]

I had a TD5 and it failed regularly. Engine/Turbo/Gearbox/electrical/oil leaks/deformed plastics. I suffered them all. The day I traded it was one the best days of my life. When I see them on the road I feel sorry for the owner.

[@X50505]

That's not a Discovery 4...

[@tronicit]

Prior to Covid my brother bought a Prado which he just sold for a $6000 profit while not spending a cent on it. I bought a Pajero which I just sold for a $4500 profit while not spending a cent and a good mate of mine bought a discovery. One of us spent $6000 on their car during lockdown and made no profit at all.

[@bugjuicer]

I've had my D4 for over 3 years and only one issue that the dealer sorted for me when I bought it. 250 thou kms so far, with off-roading and cleaned and serviced lots. Love my Disco! Best car LR have ever made, imo

[@adamsleight833]

Great review. I bought a second hand 2011 LR4 TDV6 HSE in 2018 and it's been excellent. Usual maintenance required. Nothing noteworthy but it does like to be driven rough. You need to use it for what its been designed for. Long trips. Rough roads. Vary the settings. It got me more interested in cars & their design & usability. It's definitely not boring & we've all been to more places since it's been in our lives. Nothings perfect anyway.

[@ReDriven]

But my mum said I'm perfect? Seriously but, wrapped you enjoyed the review Adam and stoked you're loving your LR4. - AK

[@Anrirua]

Henry Cavill? You mean only very young female drivers need apply? S&M Command position? Check. 😂

[@terrificspokesman7416]

My friend has one with higher milage and it's been pretty reliable. It's been well maintained but it has been used as a family car. Other friends have had lower milage BMW X5s which have been less reliable than the Discovery.

[@adamshelton6598]

I have a 2013 and [knock on wood] it's been near bulletproof reliable. It's the family truckster, and it never misses a beat. I would say without hesitation that's it's the best vehicle I've ever owned. I would strongly recommend looking for a 2012 or 2013 with the V8 vs. the Supercharged V6 of new model years.

[@snigglesdgronch]

In what ways is the 2013 better say than a 2016?

[@JDAfrica]

I have a 2011 V6 Diesel - no real issues at all. Such a lovely car to drive.

[@legosoldier8238]

I love my 2013 V8 disco as well! shes been great to keep so far

[@Northernerdownsouth]

I find some of this hard to believe. The gearbox is ZF, serviced properly, bombproof. The 3.0SDV6 regularly properly serviced, is reliable.

[@SawyerQuinn]

Owning a Land Rover has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. I'm poor, so it took me about 30 yrs of back breaking labour to be able to afford a used one. I was so happy when I drove it home. 2 months later I had drained my bank account fixing steering, suspension and drivetrain parts. I'm not even close to having them all fixed. The worst part is that after all of that, I just found out that the engine has a bad crank bearing, bad piston rod bearings, and bad timing chain guides. I financed it, so now I get to make payments for years on a vehicle that sits motionless in my driveway, mocking my pain every morning as I walk by it to leave for work. Each evening when I get home I can almost hear it say to me, "remember that raise you got? It's mine for the next 5 years, plus some, Hahahahahaha!!!" Please don't buy one of these.

[@dougjones1000]

2012 SDV6, an amazing vehicle. 250K on the clock, hasn't missed a beat. Do all my own servicing and maintenance. That way I know its gets the best oils etc. Aftermarket bits and pieces keep maintenance costs down. Its due for lower control arms replacement front and back. Not all that expensive. Drags a 3t van all over the country. Goes anywhere in comfort. Value for money can't be beaten.

[@tdock86]

I’m looking at 2.7l D3/D4’s. beautiful cars. Can’t be worse than my 2017 Dmax I’ve owned since new, serviced every 10,000km and has cost me $20,000 in repairs

[@jmpin1]

I purchased one about 18months ago... one of the dreaded 2.7litre ones you speak of... yes there is a few issues, but lots of 10 year old cars have issues.. and as for the electric park brake, if you pay someone like land rover to fix it you will pay a bomb... I fixed it myself in 1.5hours for free... on my garage floor.. just a bit of online research and mechanical know how... I can count 4 issues with mine currently.. but I definitely enjoy owning it... and would by another

[@terryclarence1209]

I’ve owned a 2012 LR4 since new. Most reliable vehicle we’ve ever owned. The Ford derived 5.0L engine is awesome. Had preventive maintenance on timing chains done at 100K I am expecting at least 200K miles out of her.

[@johnwillett4086]

I bought my 2016 D4 a year ago - one previous owner and only 34k miles on the clock - one of the last they made. It really is the perfect vehicle both on and off road. I have just driven 1,200 miles across Europe with it, getting up to just over 110 mph on the German Autobahn (but as the mpg dropped to about 25 at that speed, I preferred to cruise at about 90 where the mpg was about 32/33). As I intend on keeping it, I had the underside Lanoguarded. Also, I will do an oil change every 6 months instead of the recommended intervals - reliability comes from looking after the vehicle properly. I also went to PowerfulUK and have swapped many of the filament bulbs for sealed LED units and I highly recommend changing the rear reversing and fog lights for the LED equivalent - it makes reversing in the dark much easier as you can actually see where you are reversing. I have met many Disco owners who have never had a problem at all - just look after it and don't abuse it. And thanks for the tip about putting your foot down now and again to protect the second turbo. 👍

[@alexblackburn9771]

I owned a pretty heavilly modded 2010 Disco 4 HSE for 3.5 years. Daily driven, long road trips with family, and offroading. It's one of the most reliable cars I've owned - in that time, only non-maintenance issue I had was a turbo oil leak that was fixed for about $700. Brilliant car.

[@aydankovach1237]

My 1999 Discovery 2 has done 455,000 km’s and is still running beautifully

[@ReDriven]

That's awesome Aydan. - AK

[@kiprasmilaknis5725]

My parents own a 2015 Discovery 4 with 3.0L V6 diesel engine, 115,000 km on it. Our experience has been mostly great so far. The parts that needed to be changed were a 2nd battery, timing belt and spark plugs. We recently had a gear selector control unit error (a few litres of transmission oil were added (yes, there is a leak) and no more problems... for now). The rear wiper might also go out soon as it wipes veeery slowly. No other small or big problems atm. I drive it often and absolutely love it. I also like the peace of mind when it comes to overcoming any terrain - snow, mud, sand, and others. Though I wouldn't own one as servicing costs are crazy expensive. Short update: looks like it started burning oil...

[@roadridesl9615]

We bought a 2011 Discovery 4 HSE landmark 5L V8 couple of months earlier. We love that car. Is it a Limited edition model ? And is it valuable than the HSE luxury ?

[@jameslindley924]

My 2011 D4 has had a Electronic Handbrake module ( just leave mine in P ) the Suspension Wish bone bushes wear out at a hefty £800 + vat per corner, The Air Inlet Manifolds are made of Plastic and Crack - power goes to limp home and about £750 per manifold. Apparently up to 2012 they dont have locating pegs in the Big End Shells hence they can slip round - block the Oil Gallery and cease the frickin engine !!. Mines done 100K and is a lovely ride and pulls like a train- nobody really needs any more power than the 255 hp 3.0 litre straight 6. Maintain it well with regular Engine Oil Changes. Every vehicle needs something so all in all not so bad given the Ride and Power and ability and capability

[@peterhess6039]

But besides that, it was reliable?

[@Golf_is_tough]

owned 2015 D4 since new, no issues what so ever! with regular servicing. Just replaced lower control arms and thats about it. Best car I've owned

[@whatsthatthere]

Got a 2013 SDV6 D4 and love the hell out of it - done 184k on it, just had belts replaced and fixed a faulty oil filter seal. No issues other than this and usual servicing etc and averaging 7.6-8.4l/100

[@robertsaunders30]

I've got the same year/model (2013 SDV6) with about 170k. But I usually get closer to 10l/100km, without considering myself a fast or aggressive driver at all. This suggests you drive very cautiously/slowly .. that should surely help the longevity?

[@whatsthatthere]

@@robertsaunders30 I hope it helps the longevity but I also don't drive overly cautious and have a heavy foot. I do a fair bit of long distance in it. I don't reset the trip computer so I can see long distance average and it's sitting at 8.5l/100. The car is shared between myself and partner with very different driving styles

[@rowanrobinson]

I've had a 2012 SDVS SE for a few years now and I love it. It's only gone through 4 door actuators, a split manifold and broken water in fuel sensor so far. It's got so much room inside and is great to drive.

[@schammo8893]

They are all common problems. I bet the split manifold cost a bit they certainly aren't a fun job

[@bluenapalm123]

2012 SDV HSE - I've had her from 66k - only problems I've had are: 1 - Cracked inlet manifold (plastic bugger). It's a 'while we are here' type job so I replaced both. Paid for mechanic to do it £1300. 2 - Replaced faulty air compressor (wouldn't lower very well) 3 - Rear passenger side window will not function (yet to fix) She never misses a service, in other words, I've not given it an excuse to break.

[@ReDriven]

Awesome mate! - AK

[@tbh1444]

Canadian Spec. 2016 Disco4 SCV6 HSE Lux HD 160K kms: the only thing I've had to do is oil, trans and diff fluid service. Coming up is water pump and rear coolant manifold... after that, I expect to get 260K without problems. I love my Disco, and learning to work on the engine transfers to all supercharged JLR engines of the time, so hello XKR-S

[@Tops1212]

Whats the cost for the servicing you mentioned?

[@tbh1444]

@@Tops1212 Not sure. It'll be between 400 and 600 in parts (water pump, gaskets, tubes and clamps, accessory belts) but I'll do the work myself.

[@timwilliams2343]

We've had a Disco3 in the family since 2007 and it's reached 225000km with just a couple of issues: the EPB is annoying (but the trick is not really to use it all the time), a passenger seat airbag fault and a rear bootlid solenoid failure. That's it. And this is a car that gets used 6-7 up, with ski boxes, and for towing boats and trailers, on snow, gravel and tarmac, 1000km in a day sort of stuff. All you need is a decent code-reader to diagnose the issues, some mechanical sympathy, and a good independent garage to lean on.

[@geraldtonhealth]

253 000 km on my 2012 D4 HSE SDV6. Nil issues. Same with my previous D3. Both worked off road a fair bit too.

[@xotic8617]

Instead of just saying “costs a fortune to fix/repair” try actually giving an estimate on prices to fix the issues because what you call a fortune might not be a fortune to someone else…..

[@ReDriven]

Hi there, thanks so much for watching and commenting. We would have loved to have done that but as the costs of parts can vary such an enormous amount, even within Australia let alone across the world, we were concerned giving indications of repair and maintenance costs may give a false impression to many viewers. Rather than receiving excellent comments like yours, we would have been hit with "My thingy cost thousands less than what you said, you guys suck!!" Also, you're exactly right, a fortune to some is chicken feed to others. Next time, do you think giving more of an indication when compared to another manufacturer?? Eg This part may cost thousands but if it were a Toyota, it would be hundreds??

[@vitafresh822]

Love your 'no-holds-bar' review!...when it comes to maintenance cost you can always do averaging and at the current prevailing Aus cost at the time review is done..👍👌

[@HeliRy]

Having owned one since new in 2012, I absolutely agree. These vehicles are automotive perfection. That being said… I wouldn’t touch someone else’s with a ten foot pole.

[@cruiseryev]

Avoid the car because of the handbrake screech? I had this issue on mine and it cost a couple of hundred dollars to fix. It's not necessarily a new unit. They can be serviced. All of the major issues you mention can be serviced for reasonable prices at LR non dealer specialists. I had a discovery 3. Absolutely loved the car. Not a fan of the new discoveries at all as they don't seem to have the practicality factor but would definitely buy an LR4 even though a bit older.

[@explorersuli6707]

This has to be the most honest review of the disco I’ve seen to date and trust me, I’ve pretty much seen all of them on KZbin.

[@ReDriven]

Mate thank you so much!

[@Stealther]

110,000mi on my 2013 LR4 and it’s running great! Maybe it’s because I have the V8 motor? It eats brake rotors every couple of years and with bigger tires on it the front bushings have had to be replaced once. We love it!

[@adriaanserrao2016]

Ask any farmer here in south Africa (or places where sand and hard clay is everywhere) who has had one and everyone will tell you its the most comfortable and capable combination of any vehicle that has been on the market. I have a family member who is a farmer bought his 2014 sdv6 used with 30000km and is currently on 140000km and they have had no issues, used every single day on places where most trucks wont go. Only good maintenance and a timing belt replacement thats it.

[@reynhardttheron6901]

My dad owned 1 Disco 3 and two Disco 4’s since selling them he has a 200serries and a 300serries. But today he picked up a low mileage disco 4 again. Wil be keeping the cruiser’s but man you just can’t beat the disco’s practicality and comfort.

[@NickTarterOKC]

I replaced my air shocks for only $250 for each one. I did the work myself. It wasn't hard. It doesn't have to be extremely expensive, especially considering the shocks can easily last for over 200k miles if cares for property. If you take it to the dealership they will rake you over the coals.

[@ReDriven]

Awesome to hear mate and 100% on the dealership costs.

[@RobPittman]

Absolutely spot on! Definitely helps if you.. 1) are mechanically inclined and can do most of your own work and 2) enjoy working on cars...a lot!

[@zibananimonyatsi6115]

Miss

[@lachiem]

I heard NASA plans to use the LeBron Scale as their new standard of measurement, you're ahead of the curve mate.

[@DonsShed]

I've owned my 2015 (MY16) 3ltr SDV6 SE since new and it's been the best 4wd I've ever owned. It goes EVERYWHERE with style, comfort and ease. I looooove it :)

[@DiscoGruffalo]

You're either a Disco person or you're not. I guess you're not. I have a D3 and a D4 with nearly 700,000km between them. 1 gearbox on the D3 and 1 crankshaft on the D4. But I knew the risks. So much so I am in the process of buying one of the last of the best. A 2016 SDV6 that snapped its crank at 64000km and has been loving rebuilt. I won't drive anything else. Don't buy one if you can't fix it yourself though.

[@Paulinthewyld]

Love my 2015 HSE Lux but it is severely underpowered, especially when towing our boat. Apart from underpowered, the coolant pipes, control arms and brake replacements, it’s the ideal vehicle.

[@gushbucket5998]

Get it remapped, not that expensive to do and makes a big difference

[@bunyip38]

I found this review interesting as I have had several Land Rovers, from 300TDI defenders (still driving my second one and have had them for 30 years) to TDv6 Disco 3 (current car 330k on the clock). Also had the 2012 Defender with the 2.2 Ford engine (the worst of the lot) and my missus has a Freelander 2, which I tried to talk her out of buying but is a great little car and more capable than anything else in its class. What I don't understand from the review is this tendency to over-state costs of maintenance and repair, the exclamations of 'its gonna cost a fortune' are a bit overdone. If you wait for everything to collapse and then try to fix it all at once any car is going to cost you a fortune, smart people replace worn-out parts as they need it, and this reduces the hit to the hip pocket. As for the price of the parts, from my experience they are no more expensive than any other brand, particularly now that we don't make anything in Australia. I reckon the biggest problem with Land Rover vehicles in Australia, and pretty much any other European make, is that local mechanics who grew up on Holdens and Toyotas don't know how to maintain and fix them, and it's easier to blame the machine than their own lack of experience and ability.

[@paulkay8986]

Thanks, that was an incredibly helpful video. I've been pondering whether to go for a Disco 4 or a Land Cruiser. I think you've made my mind up now!

[@ryangounder1193]

Have a 2014 disco 4 special edition XXV.. had 100000km when bought now we doing 216000km. Goes like a dream. Service every 12500 km . I think 26000km is too long for oil change ..had issue with tapet cover (plastic part!).. and air flow sensor for turbo replaced. Engine gearbox still pristine .. 😊

[@arturo468]

I sold my 2016 Discovery 4 Landmark last year when it reached 50k miles. There were too many instances of crankshaft failures that I read about in the UK and whilst it was a great car, I didn’t trust it any more. I was advised by a motoring expert to buy an extended warranty, because of these problems, but LR didn’t always pay for engine replacement unless strict criteria were met during ownership.

[@ReDriven]

Such a shame Arthur. - AK

[@Jon-zj2nj]

So you have no actual experience of it going wrong, but the Internet rumour mill was enough to worry you out of the car? Shame really.

[@DrewskiOne]

I tried to buy an extended warranty for my 2016 LR Landmark and no one would sell it to me. That tells you something!

[@Jon-zj2nj]

The “strict criteria” for paying for an out of warranty claim is usually that it has an up to date dealer service history and has remained within the dealer network. Considering that I have no experience of any other manufacturer being this generous, I’m not going to knock it 👍

[@Jon-zj2nj]

@@DrewskiOne What reasons did they give? What’s the mileage? I could still get a warranty for my 2017 Full Fat, even at 104,000 miles.

[@robertceroli3512]

I recently subscribed too your channel odd bit over a month ago. Excellent content brutality honest call it as it is. Same as your residence mechanic no bs no white wash straight to the point. This is a must watch for anyone buying a used car

[@ReDriven]

Thanks so much Robert. Love that you’re enjoying our hard work.

[@bjcliving386]

I have major anxiety even reading the video title haha. I bought a used LR3 and it nearly sent me broke and 6foot under from stress. It ruined my life quite literally... but I still loved the car. Crazy i know. I only owned the thing for 10 months, but in that time, I had just about every "common problem" go wrong you could imagine. The list is honestly way too long so lets call it by its figure, $20k aud (in 2015)... no, that's not what I paid for the car but the repair bill total... it was horrendous and i'd only ever buy one new if I ever go near an LR badge again.

[@JasRoss]

I might have hit the D4 jackpot (twice). First one I owned was a 2013 HSE, put off-road wheels and tires on it while living in the middle east. Drove the thing as it was intended. Many trips dune bashing in the desert and overland camping at least once a month. Had no issues whatsoever over 5 years of ownership, aside from regular maintenance and a set of lower control arm bushings. (Normal for a near 3 ton loaded off-roader). Moved to the UK and bought a 2016 HSE Lux that I own to this day (Oct 2023) and it had one issue with blocked sunroof drain tube, which was fixed by Land Rover. Everything else has been regular routine maintenance. Best truck I have ever owned.

[@NanaAnaneII]

Hearing problem all over about 2010 and 2011s. I have a 2012 and never had any major issues with it. Have had to change the brakes 3 times however since 2020 and my headlight bulbs burn out every 4 months. Currently has 255000km, my technician is saying my timing belt has 50000kms (at best) to go. Thinking of a Range Autobiography next

[@charlie9149]

Thanks guys! Really enjoyed this... was on the verge of picking one up but this has ultimately saved me cash and probably heartache. I've watched the 4x4 guide vid, any chance of a 'best used 4x4s for families' vid? Love the content, keep it coming.

[@ReDriven]

Ah cheers Charlie! 100%, we'll start working one up now. - AK

[@Jon-zj2nj]

Probably a good job that I didn’t read it before buying either of mine then - I might have bought something else too and missed out on two of the best cars that I’ve ever owned 👍

[@DementedDistraction]

Imagine how amazing Land Rovers could be if the critical components weren't assembled from bathroom sealant, rubber bands, and cast-off scrap bits from a wheelie bin.

[@mikaeltuber9225]

Love Your Channel, Absolutely Informative and Your Honest Review is a Breath of Fresh Air than, what the other Car Review channels are offering... Keep Up the Good Work 💯💯💯👍👍👍

[@ReDriven]

Thanks so much Mikael! Thank you for watching, loving and commenting.

[@CrapToCream]

I was a diehard LR owner, I tried most of them, I'm now in a 79 series Cruiser. LR in my opinion were always leaders in off road technology, one reason I like them, HOWEVER with this came a price to pay, I bought a computer system to play around with the suspension and gearbox settings, not cheap but fun, having the air suspension drop to normal ride height whilst traversing soft sand etc seemed ludicrous to me, 65 was so much better. Shuddering / vibrating transmission, never got to the bottom of this and LR weren't interested in fixing it. Tried everything, different oils, more regular oil changes, G/Box filter pan conversion / filter, the list just went on and on, awesome off road, no denying it. Defender clutch spigot bearing.... what were LR thinking when they designed this. RR Sport 3.6 TDV8, turbo issues and replacing the alternator through the front wheel arch, joy of joys here. P38A suspension valve block air leak issues and cylinder liners coming loose, beautifully comfortable and quiet car, however bonnet catch was well used. I've had a few of the earlier discoveries, plagued with oil leaks and TD5's with cylinder head issues.

[@beenzer1109]

I've got a 2016 D4 commercial, had it for coming up 3 years, it's just going over 110000 miles, and it's hands down one of the best cars I've ever owned, maintain it, look after it and it'll look after you All cars have their problems, I've had far less bother with my disco than my son has had with his Dmax..

[@PeterGriffin-lh6wp]

Owned Land Rovers all my life, the Discovery 4 is the finest vehicle I have ever owned.

[@InspirationIsFree]

Thanks for your honesty with these reviews mate. Gotta ask though - what's the conversation like with the owners who lend you these vehicles to do reviews on once these videos come out?

[@ReDriven]

Thanks mate and great question. I let them know that it is a genuine review and that we pride ourselves on being as honest as we possibly can so if we spot an issue, we’ll raise it. Also, we do loads of research before filming the car and a few days out I’ll mention to them that I’ll be raising the common issues and if they’d like to pull out of the shoot, they’re totally welcome to. So far, we’ve only had cars pull out due to scheduling due to weather changing a shoot date and we’ve had one car have a mechanical failure days before the shoot. Otherwise, everyone seems happy, even those that have had their cars criticised. - AK

[@EtiRats]

Great comments and video. We have a UK spec 3.0 TDV6 with 75000 miles. Just started having transmission issues, when selecting gears D or R the gear doesn’t always engage first go. Engine just continues idling as though in neutral, until gear lever recycled back to P then D or R again, usually successful second time. Except last week when moving the lever in and out of gear refused to engage anything but a box of neutrals, followed by “gearbox fault” on the info display. Engine off, engine on and gear selection once again immediately working….. any ideas?? Any chance the ‘sealed for life’ transmission oil needs replacing? PS I have already replaced the gear selector linkage below, and keep it well lubricated.

[@Jon-zj2nj]

75,000 miles is as far as you’d really want to run with the original gearbox oil. ZF, who make the transmission want the oil changed at around 60,000 miles; LR just ignore that and say “sealed for life”. I’d go with the advice of those that designed and built the transmission 👍

[@beenzer1109]

I'd be getting the gearbox flushed, and a new filter fitted if it were me, when I got mine it was on about the same mileage, it was the first job that i had done. If you can, take it to a good independent specialist with the flushing machine, the colour or the fluid that came outta mine was really really dirty. The changes on my one were OK before the change, but are much smoother after the change.

[@Ab0minati0n]

Had my D4 since 2010 and only had to change 1 kinked heater hose, compressor which was done under warranty and a gearbox rebuild because the sealed for life was a con from the start like all modern boxes. Normal wear and tear items like front control arms etc which are to be expected. Best vehicle I've ever owned.

[@jamesrebbechi5247]

Similar experience with mine (2010 2.7) torque converter just gone toasty at 270K but happily going down the road in sport manual mode for the time being. Standard wear items and correct fluid changes - this is an absolute gem of a vehicle.

[@Ab0minati0n]

@@jamesrebbechi5247 100%. I ended up rebuilding my gearbox at around 230,000 but drove for some 40,000km in sports mode with the torque converter shudder. Not the disco's fault, ZF's fault for having so called "Sealed for life" gearboxes

[@RayMacSween]

Have a 2:7 2007 Range Rover Sport for the past 3 yrs, done approx 100K, absolutely fabulous vehicle , I think over use of ( Cost a fortune to repair) , Large 4x4s all cost money to have repaired , you are getting a lot of vehicle for a reasonable price , but yes the secret is do not skimp on good maintenance and you can not compare spending 20k on a used Jeep VS a 20k Car , and I think that is why some people get a shock when they hear the cost of certain repairs & maintenance 👍

[@pokiou]

I've owned mine for a while now... not a single issue other then worn out front control arm ball joints.... but as if that doesnt happen to any car. I've had the same on a toyota corolla and even on a 911. I've done a total of 198,000kms and nothing else has given me issues. Just service it at a good reliable Land Rover indy.

[@jasonbreede7683]

I had two independent mechanics inspect an LR4 prior to purchase and it looked good to them. Turns out it had been overheated before purchase and the cooling system fixed up well enough to hide the issue. 1000 miles later and it needed an $18k engine replacement. Literally nothing else could be done. So, yeah. don't buy it without a warranty. Honestly loved it for the time I had it. But using an all aluminum Jaguar motor just leaves you open to issues. The cooling system is intense and the motor literally can't handle one bad heat cycle, and parts are insanely expensive.

[@ReDriven]

Superb comment Jason, thank you. - AK

[@stevierob123]

I've had a 2016 Disco SDV6 for a week and I'm hopeful that it will be reliable. I bought it because it's the most practical car for my needs with a family of 6. It's got 150k on it, I bought it from a 2nd hand dealer with a 5 year warranty allowing for repairs up to 5k each claim. This combined with regular servicing and preventative maintenance(however quite expensive) from a LR sepcialist in Canberra I think it'll be ok. To buy the equivalent Toyota Land Cruiser(Horse power and Torque, Kms, year model, trim etc) I'd have to pay about 20k more with almost no space in the 3rd row and spend a lot more on fuel. So far I can't fault it, it just came back from a post purchase inspection and minor service with no problems, it's due in another 6 months for it's 7 year cam belt and major service which is a buttload of money but I'll still be ahead over a Toyota. A lot of the issues apparently have been sorted by LR being the last year of the disco 4. The LR specialist admitted that the crankshaft is a weakness but in his experience cranshaft failure has been rare. The 8 speed gear box is amazing and the driving experience is great. I think proper servicing from a LR specialist not a LR dealer is key to reliability.

[@davidnorris8456]

How’s the progress with the car? Am looking at a very similar situation.

[@welshwizard55]

As a retired mechanic and having fond memories of working on Series 1 -3 land rovers. These new one's are not for off road any more, they are for parents to show off and take their kids to school. The older engines especially the 300TDI which was indestructible were great, why they went all posh I'll never know. Just a status symbol now and well over priced at that.

[@olivierrichard6740]

Owned one - D4 SDV6 2012 80k when bought - for 3 years / 50k km and maintenance is key point but also trustable knowledge mechanic is crucial to maintain. No issue in 3 years, just smile to ride in boxy wheeled armchair. Quite thirsty - 10l/12l / 100km diesel even if low throttle. That said, what a machine ! Capable everywhere, comfortable and versatile, it drives you wherever you want to go. Definitively I'll get a later one as soon as possible

[@ReDriven]

Love this mate. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. - AK

[@marconardelli]

first of all before buying, i was considering discovery and land cruiser. in the end i own a lr4 for the past 6 years. it's a better 7 seater, more elegant. i put 40k km so far, at 180k km. i had to change the bosch cp4 and 2 struts. 3.0 tdv6 245hp. i dunno man my family love this car and i love it. it's comfy, elegant, powerfull , very big for luggage. amazing off road with any tires. every car has issues. let's be honest. some better then the other. but in the end get what you like. you save on the car and spend more on cigarettes for example... come on man

[@dingleydell3250]

Had one of these 2010 absolutely nailed it over 80K miles over 2 years only fault was a turbo issue cost £300 to fix, loads of room, loads of kit, sat nav was crap but overall good car.

[@kevintoomey8094]

I recently purchased TDV6 disco 3 with full service history and solid clean body. But on my first big trip it turned terminal as the oil pump sheared off. Apparently a recall back in the day that the owner never attended to. So. It's now scrap metal and I'm paying off my experience. Never again.

[@jamesrebbechi4471]

Good factual review. The key with these magnificent beasts is proper servicing and 5000 km oil changes. They’re certainly not cheap to own but after 350km’s use as my mobile office no others truly compare on versatility or comfort. They are outstanding vehicles equally around town as country work. That said the 300 Series looks like a great next step. Good advice - Buy smart allow adequate budget & enjoy.

[@ReDriven]

Cheers so much James

[@giovannialtamore]

Oil change every 5000km??? That should tell you more than enough…. Toyota recommends 10k miles for the Land Cruiser.

[@jamesrebbechi4471]

@@giovannialtamore Maybe if you’re mainly long distance otherwise 5000 for any engine definitely.

[@lofthousehh]

Thinking about getting a Late one of these. I love the Design, i am little worried about reliability. In the other hand, it can only be better than my Audi, in which i sunk more than 12k in the Last 3 years.

[@samuelbraga8447]

My sister lives in a farm. They own a 2009 SDV6 which they purchased brand new. It has lived most of its life on dirt roads and has had a hard life. Its has done over 320,000 ks. It has given them no problems whatsoever! It still is a great car to drive and a superb off roader! I own a Freelander 2 2008 model, its got 270000 and I love every bit of it.

[@ReDriven]

That's so awesome to hear Sam! - AK

[@drmichaelatkins]

Had a D3 now a D4. Does everything I need for my farm AND in town. Regular servicing is vital - do not cut costs here. If I had to replace it I feel stuck. I need a drop down tail gate and masses of "boot" space. Any suggestions welcomed.

[@JedRichards]

2015 HSE, owned for 3 years. Never put a foot wrong

[@adamgorman8874]

Had a Disco 3 for 5 years, with a 4.4L V8 petrol engine. Fantastic driving experience. Terrible reliability. Did a lot of touring, towing, & off road, as well as daily driver. From a driving perspective, everything was easy. From highway miles, to rock crawling, to towing in soft sand, it never struggled. I just got sick of feeding money into it. Always seemed to be replacing things that were either broken or worn out. I don't regret buying it, and I enjoyed driving it, but I wouldn't do it again.

[@ReDriven]

Such a shame Adam. -AK

[@SuperMattb17]

Worked in the car industry for a while ..and there was always a saying' if you want to spend a lot of time off-road grab a land rover. But most of that off-road will be your mechanics garage!'

[@Jon-zj2nj]

Usually more of a reflection of the quality and skill levels of the mechanics than the quality of the car.

[@kennethprocak5176]

At the beginning with the D3 and the diesel V6, they were bullet proof. A legacy of BMW ownership. PSA designed, manufactured and supplied the early diesel engines. Engine production later moved to Ford UK, from that point on, nothing but issues. Just think the 2022 Ranger will run the 3.0 V6 TDI. Ford publicly acknowledged reliability issues with diesel 3.2 and 2.0 biturbo engines, now it rolls out the 3.0 in large numbers.

[@dadventuretv2538]

Well when I sell mine you’ll get a well maintained, already modified offroader with the HD package that has been bulletproof. After 128K miles the air sus compressor went which has been replaced. So don’t have to worry about that.

[@fredbrackely]

For $800 you can upgrade it to the AMK version of the compressor.

[@hon.segunolanipekun419]

Send it to me ....😉

[@ABB-bw6tc]

Had the gear drive changer got stuck cost £1000 to change but solid car had 85k on the clock now 100k every service 6-12 months solid car

[@m-hadventures]

I’ve had 3 of these now, a 2.7, 3.0SDV6 and an earlier 4.4. Unbeatable value, and nothing stock will keep up off road. I’ll own another one. If serviced well, they are reliable as anything else

[@ReDriven]

It's incredible the variance in the comments on this video Mitch. There's no middle ground at all, just "we love ours, never had an issue" or "owned two of them, both a disaster, never again." I adored driving this one for the review but the horror stories scare me. - AK

[@GCALcontent]

Purchased a 2015 SDV6 3.0 8speed new, been around Australia twice, and only two of the five electronic door locks have failed. Otherwise, a brilliant car, great to drive on/off road.

[@ReDriven]

Awesome mate. - AK

[@davidcrute3423]

Outstanding overview. I’m in the market for a used 4x4 and your analysis was invaluable! Thanks 🙏

[@ReDriven]

Thanks so much David. - AK

[@danielatkinson5976]

Sold my 2012 LR4 after 2 years. Repair cost were insane. Got an LR3 and am now kicking myself as the Transmission is acting up and the dash is lit up with fault lights like a Christmas tree and it has only 94K.

[@ReDriven]

Not good mate, sorry to hear that. - AK