Land Rover Discovery 4 (2009-2016)

Best all rounder vehicle money can buy 7 years of ownership and 430,000kms later – Bought the 2015 SDv6 HSE dealer used in 2016 with 34,000k's and has now amassed over 430,000kms still on the original engine, air compressor, air bags, injectors, inlet manifolds and turbo's (a unicorn i am lead to believe) and the last 200,000kms it was driven hard, with lots of towing, off-roading and heavy right foot action; as i thought at… Read more

230,00 it would be the end of its useful life....how wrong i was and how wrong i was to believe what others have said.

The Good: .HSE standard equipment is generous .One of the best cars available for towing 3t .very comfy and quiet perfect for long journeys .The rear cargo area is massive when the 2nd row is fold down (and it fold completely flat) will take a full size 8 seater dinner table and chairs. also had 850kgs of bricks in the boot effortless ,puts duel cabs trays to shame .Fuel economy is fantastic for a car that weights 2.8t returning 8l/100 on highway @ 110; 9.9l/100 around the city and a very respectable 13.5l/100 towing .Best out of the box 4wd with a good set of tire's it impressed a lot of people and even converted a Toyota 200 owner .Can take 7 adults comfortably (although cargo space is greatly reduced) .There is bulk storage in the cab everywhere, even the 3rd row .Interior fit and finish is great and wear's well

The Bad: .Lower control arm bushes fail regularly on average every 70,000 give or take (hydra bushes) Don't recommend poly bushes there too harsh for this car, removed mine after 3,000 . The fuel tank is relatively small 70l and the only option to expanded is a sub tank where the spare wheel sits .The spare wheel is a nightmare to get to if you have a loaded cargo area as it requires you to lift the 3rd seats to access the winder to lower it from underneath .Smaller wheels than 19" are limited to only a handful of 18" that can fit over the massive brakes and still require a small amount of modification .The infotainment system is pretty dated and the sat nav is pretty much useless and cant be updated .Land rover have zero interest of helping once your out of warranty and even if you if you do there pretty much hopeless (100% recommend taking it to an independent) . The thermostat housing is plastic and tends to fail regularly (now upgraded to an after market alloy one) .EGR also fail 120,000 ish can be programmed out and deleted thankfully .Small electrical gremlins that would cause the car to turn off momentarily spent a lot of time and money trying to source the cause both land rover and indy's struggled to find anything wrong as it was intermittent....turns out it was the push button start had worn out. a simple fix that cost far to much to find out.

we upgraded to a Disco 5 in 2020 and kept the 4 and it doesn't hold a candle to the Disco 4 so much so we are now selling the 5 to buy another low k D4

Simply - brilliant! – I have always loved motoring and always had good cars - Jaguars, Daimler, Peugeot, Mercedes, Land Rovers and Range Rovers. Eleven years ago we bought a new Discovery 4. Without any doubt it is the best car I have ever driven. At 190,000 k's I can see no way that it is different from the day it was new. Show details

Legend Discovery 4 – People always said LR had lots of issues or problems, but my experiences with LR4 is quite good. I purchased my LR4 brand new from Purnell Land Rover back in 2015. Served my family for almost 6 years, and never had any issues. Super comfort. And thge TDV6 engine is well tuned and bullet proof if you well maintained. Show details

Great cars but need TLC – Bought this car with 90,000 klms on the clock and 2 years old. It was my daily drive and had it serviced every 10,000 klms as you should any diesel car. Over the 8 years I have owned it has been a fantastic drive but not without its issues. Now has 230,000 klms on the clock and we about to take off on our 2nd trip around Aus towing the 2700kg van.… Read more

The thing with these cars is you have to look after them, yes they cost money to keep in good condition but the rewards are worth it. I source parts from many different dealers but never from Land Rover. Example: I just replaced the tailshaft due to slight vibration. Land Rover price $1300+gst. OEM $800 inc. Have changed the transfer case and diff oils every 80,000 klms along with a transmission service. Always inspect the oil that comes out to see if there are problems. As in other reviews the airbag suspension makes the car so much easier and comfortable to drive on corrugated gravel roads with or without towing the van. I have followed other 4WD vehicles on long stretches of these roads and watched them fighting with the load to keep it in the direction they wish to go. Whilst I do not do any serious 4WD I have never been stuck off road, if you select the "rock crawl" mode in the terain control you will get out of any situation. Whilst driving around Fraser Island I had to pass many new 4WD vehicles that had got stuck in the sand, unfortunately I could not help them as I don't have a winch thingy! With a wading depth of 700mm this is more than enough to cross rivers that you should REALLY be crossing. EPB, problems: adjust the brake shoes every 10,000 klms and you wont have a problem. Repair kits are available from the UK for these units. $ 150 for new cables and $30 for new nylon gears. If you cant or dont have the time to maintain / fix the car yourself then find a mechanic that is willing to look at alternatives from ringing up Land Rover and getting them to deliver a new part at twice the cost of an OEM. I have mates with 5 year old 200 series LC whinging about the fuel and running costs. If you dont need a 4WD dont buy one just because the other mums are picking up the kids from school in theirs.

Dream Car now a nightmare – I bought this car just over 12 months ago, second hand, from a Land Rover dealer. Paid a higher price for a better car as we moved to a remote location and I wanted to ensure I had a reliable car. I used the car to drive about an hour away for 2 weeks for cancer treatment, apart from that I have only driven it to and from work which is genuinely 2… Read more

mins away from home. I have had the vehicle serviced at Hunter Land Rover and it was due for its 12 month service now which I had intended to book in. Two weeks ago my check engine light came on. I called Hunter Land Rover and they informed me it could be looked at in a few days which I appreciated. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership. I received information that my car had oil leaking 'everywhere' and that sent a quite for just under $1400 to have the vehicle repaired. I agreed. I searched my garage but found no oil anywhere but they are the experts right. They then said they took it for a test drive and found the turbo had gone so I needed a new turbo. $7500!! Stress does not begin to explain how I have felt. I asked the CRC to look at paying for some or all of the cost as I had hardly driven the car but it was declined. I love my car and felt so sad. I had saved a lot of money to purchase this car and had enough to maintain it properly but now have a huge debt, no car and no way to attend future appointments. Don't buy a Land Rover. After sales service is non existent.

Don't waste time. Your vehicle will be obsolete in no time – A stupid primitive money hungry company who would rather make their loyal fan base purchase new vehicles than make their existing ones upgradeable. I have a my12 discovery 4 and my sat nav is obsolete. Cannot upgrade it anywhere. Funnily enough i can still find uograde discs for '05 onwards rr vogue... and sport... Buy a jeep instead don't waste your time with these elitists. Not happy!!!

So good I can’t bear to sell it, then the crank broke! – I bought my 2013 Disco a year old and it has been such a wonderful vehicle. It drives beautifully on the freeway, handles windy tar roads with more aplomb than it should and tackles more rough stuff than my nerves can handle. I’ve towed trailer weights I wouldn’t dare in any other car and most of the time a trailer isn’t needed as the wide open… Read more

boot takes it all. I’ve done 150,000km in it and it never misses a beat, with the 8sp box it hardly ever sees north of 2000rpm and I’m a lead foot! Issues: I’ve had the electric brake go, stupidly expensive to fix and I’m just replacing the front end steering assembly as the bushes are worn and you can’t just replace the bushes, so another pricy bill but really I’ve used this car for all it’s designed for and these are the only issues I’ve had. I’ve looked at other cars to update to ans can’t find one that will do everything as well as this one, even a new disco isn’t worth the outlay. I’m pinning hopes on the Robina or Inneos tempting me but I may just be as happy to see if I can’t get 300,000km out of this beautiful car.

Oh DO NOT use Landrover for servicing, they will rip you off blind, I always take my cars to a trusted abs experienced mechanic. Oh and DO NOT buy from Dubbo Landrover, they are sharks and will trick you on price if you let them. I have added a comment below and adjusted my rating after a broken crank spoilt my journey!

Best Car to Buy – My 2014 Discovery rotary gear selector locked itself in Drive. Fortunately another owner posted a fix which I did and now it's all good. Apart from this issue the car has been faultless and is by far the best car I've owned for comfort, safety, flexibility on and off road and power and performance. Value for money second hand is really good… Read more

with more features than a Toyota for half the price!

The 8 speed auto is really good and makes towing a breeze.

Wouldn't risk taking it off road – I use my Discovery 4 for both business and private, owning a Discovery 3 previously... should of listened to myself before buying the 4. Car is serviced regularly 5 years old now and just reached 102000km. Back in the workshop again replacing the other manifold now that has cracked, (yep its plastic) apparently this is a common problem and… Read more

replacement part has been molded differently to avoid future problems but Land Rover does not tell you that!. Did I mention $1700 each replacement. At 50,000 the centre dial gear selector locked in reverse and the car was stuck up against a wall blocking a laneway, that was about $1600 replacement. Needing my second set of front control arms replaced at a cost of $1400. Yep lovely to drive but if something goes wrong guaranteed to be a big problem

Car has lots of problems after warranty expires – I purchased a new 2015 LR last year after warranty expired car had major oil leak. Took to dealer they fixed leak under warranty then few months later had oil leak again. Took to dealer they advised transfer box was leaking they fixed it cost $1400 LR refused to pay for it. Now I have new oil leak and dismal leak. Donot buy this car.. it falls apart after warranty. Show details

the best car ever – i use my land rover as a work car and weekend warrior and the best of road car i have ever had better the my 200 series land cruiser and better than me mates y62 Nissan patrol i use it very day it is a beast it has done 73000 and not problems at all the cool thing is it is very luxury and a very good of roadier that is some think the 200… Read more

series and patrol can not match it for plus the airbags make it a better off roadier and give it better ground cleanse so the car goes up and down and the terrain select system is wicked

just by one

FYI

i have put 28 inch A/T on it

me mate patrol has 30 inch A/T on it

my old 200 have 28 inch A/T as well

Magnificent car – The best car I have ever owned, by miles. The auto transmission is smooth as silk and the fact that it locks into top gear (8th) and stays there, makes it beautiful for touring, unlike the Toyota 4wd’s that chop and change gears. The 600nm of torque make towing a breeze, and the fuel economy is amazing. On top of that, the interior noise is almost non existent. A superb car.  Show details

Fault with EPB – The EPB or electronic Park Brake is not a serviceable part but after 4 years the motor or actuator that controls the hand brake seized making the vehicle immobile and the part needed to be replaced at a cost of $1590 plus minimum 4 hours labour so over $2000 to repair a park brake  Show details

Discovery 4 – I bought a 2011 Discovery 4 in 2015 with 55000klm on it . It now has 150000klm now and has proven to be a great 4wd. It’s towed a caravan around most of OZ easily and is a very comfortable economical everyday car. People we speak to with Discovery 3or 4s all are also very happy with them. Ours has the 2.7 ford diesel I changed all the trans and diff oils at 100000 The disco is a very good vehicle.  Show details

Fuel Gauge never worked since new and Land Rover won’t fix it – Fuel gauge never worked from new, when parked on mild slope! Say they will fix it every service and haven’t. Now say it’s normal to not work if parked on a mild slope!!! Avoid Land Rover!!!!! If you have a problem, they will not fix it even though it’s a $70000 car.  Show details

My Land Rover Discovery 2016 – I’ve had my 2016 Land Rover Discovery 4 for 18 months now, and unfortunately believe the purchase was floored, and I should have stuck by replacing my 22-year-old 80 series Toyota Land Cruiser with a 200 series. While I liked the idea of a British Marque, the decision was my mistake, as I didn’t do enough research. I did consider waiting for… Read more

your newer model, but judging by the delays, uncertainty and no indication price or options, my instincts said No, which proved correct.

I took delivery of my 2016 Discovery, which was a run out vehicle, in September 2016. In hindsight it lacked the options that I would now not accept for a modern vehicle. This is particularly the case with the GPS, which could not locate a street in Perth that had been gazetted more than five years earlier, and this is the market the vehicle was being sold into-very frustrating. Furthermore, where I live, I have totally given up on its reliability and nearly always use Google maps via Wi-Fi or my TOM TOM GO 5100 as the information is live and up to date. Furthermore, it doesn’t cost the earth, and it has lifetime maps for the whole world. (I appreciate there are updates now, but the hardware is hardly cutting edge, so lacking in any real usefulness)

I don’t wish to dwell on my lack of judgement but we have holidayed in Europe recent years, and hired a standard VW Passat, and a Renault Kadjar. Each of these vehicles had All the top end features, including GPS Data, which constantly let one know whether we were speeding, including adaptive cruise control, which should be basic tools. And these vehicles are less than half the price of the Discovery, so why is this? Do their profits need to so high or your overheads so owner us.

The Land Rover Discovery 2016 is a box on wheels, and the current vehicle looks like someone has set off a hand grenade and blown it out on all sides. But then the new local dealer in Bunbury said that you get used to it, and it grows on you.

With the 2016 model, these are some of the things that annoy me about it. Judging, I would say your most recent vehicles have similar issues, as LR doesn’t seem to learn the lessons well: -

• The tow bar cover is cheap and nasty, somewhat trashy plastic clips holding it on, which fall-off easily;

• The towing plug should be an external arrangement because of this fiddly cover plate as you need to get down under the vehicle to fix-it;

• No tread protection on the doorsills (In the interim, I have bought some on line, which are easy to fit)-another extra;

• Doors should be double sealed like the Toyota Land Cruiser, as the Discovery’s require more force to close, and are therefore quite unsophisticated when there is no need to be;

• Body Shape is terribly dated, and its replacement is disappointing (The VELAR/RR Sport are a much better shapes, and with diesel becoming persona non-grata, concentrating on hybrids is for LR is probably their best option);

• You could easily ditch the Discovery as I believe you have more than enough models and technology can be incorporated in these vehicles reducing your costs;

• The vehicle is way to heavy, even for a 2016 model;

• Wiper blades don’t lift off the glass back and front for easier cleaning like the Cruiser;

• Not much thought has gone into the registration plate fixing arrangements…if it doesn’t suit the UK number plate- don’t worry about, the Colonials and other recipients will just have to wear it! From this sought of thing, I really wonder why they sell into Australia, as the vehicle doesn’t seem to meet any of our expectations as LR has to much of a laisser-faire attitude and needs to lift their Game.

Inside the vehicle the following I don’t find satisfactory either: -

• The GPS doesn’t have a provision for live inputs for speed limits including traffic congestion and there is no way to alter this; The system is so basic, it is unbelievable;

• I am constantly catching my foot on the underside panel in the vicinity of the accelerator pedal, and I only have a size 9 foot;

• Furthermore, I am constantly knocking the flaps on the steering wheel when I do a U turn, which is annoying to reset;

• The screen for the radio is way to small in this day and age, and could have been improved long ago;

• No after-market coloured floor mats for the boot, which are the same as the upholstery that are easily available. In my case, beige, the hardest to match was the boot, which I was able to finally purchase on-line in the US;

• The dealer offered us mudflaps at $550, which I purchased for less than $100 on line, fitting myself. I have seen a number of ‘Discoveries’ without mudflaps as I imagine the owners similarly balked at such a rip-off for a couple of bits of plastic; this experience turned me off LR parts forever.

• Likewise, I purchased electric side steps, and extended roof rails, which would have saved me a lot over their inflated prices;

• Servicing, well that was another issue. LR Perth quoted me at least $760, when my local mechanic did it for $430, and he has a great reputation. There are No secrets that I see your pricing as predatory & it isn’t nearly 200K away.

• Furthermore, LR needs to grips with is servicing. I live in the second largest city in Western Australia. However, I have had to drive to Perth for servicing. Furthermore, I unable to use the online servicing website as there wasn’t any recognised garage in Bunbury when I spoke to your office. I since believe LR has just partnered with GM agent in Bunbury, but my experience with LR so far isn’t good, and I won’t be taking up the option. However, Australia suffers from a tyranny of distance from everywhere, so you need to be more flexible in the provision of Service.

• I would have liked heated seats, but unfortunately I would have to purchase a whole bunch of other stuff, which is next to useless in Australia. Why can’t you tailor vehicles for Australia? In the era of robotics, this task should not insurmountable?

• And why can’t the vehicles be up-graded with such things as Adaptive Cruise Control?... Or similar to other devices like TV’s with 4K and 5K adaptability, which should be part of your aim and culture?

• There is no small change compartment for the driver for parking, or is it that in this case technology has already done away with this? There is a silly little lid in the centre compartment, which looks like an after thought and prone to I don’t know what!

Basically, this an insight into part of my dissatisfaction, as I have never been so disappointed in any vehicle when I reflect on what is available these days, and am angry with myself. Furthermore, I could have said more about their customer service in Australia, but I have Bleated-on enough.

Fast Forward to December 2016. I now have had the vehicle just over two years with just over 20,000 k on the clock. I am a bit of a cyclist, so try an d minimise my driving to a degree. All this time the vehicle is always garaged, and well looked after iePolished and serviced correctly.

Comparing my wife's Honda Euro Luxury, which also the same colour, (White) and is a 2007 I have noticed there are more paint chips on the DISCOVERY than I would like given that they are driven under the same conditions. from my point view I can only conclude that Land Rover's paint finish is not all that durable compared to much older Honda, so I will leave you to your conclusions as I should have replaced the old Landcruiser with another, but that is Tank on Wheels and guzzles fuel when it tows.

Most versatile vehicle on the market. Air suspension makes sure of it – Air suspension is a game changer in this market, once you have it, you won't buy another 4x4 without it. Parts are expensive in Perth, although if you are within warranty you can relax knowing you have the best warranty service by far. Land Rover assist will go above and beyond if you ever need help(I never have). Once out of warranty or fixed… Read more

price service, you'll want to be ordering parts(bushes wear out after ten years or so), directly from the U.K from places like Advanced Factors(just get a part # from your mechanic, delivery takes 3 days).

Things to love:

Comfort while on corrugated tracks like Gibb RIver Road, Tanami, GCR. The hardest thing to do is have restraint on the throttle as you'll feel like you're on the highway with the correct tyre pressure.

Brakes that work- there's a reason why those 18" wheels are on it, because 3.5t doesn't stop quickly with anything less!

Air Suspension- Not having to put 2 or 4 inch lift in which you will do to every other 4x4 once you bottom out a few times. Access height allows easy entry for pets & grandparents.

Busting Myths:

Air suspension- Air bags are virtually bullet proof, there have been extremely low numbers of failures in the D3/D4, It's a system that's been refined over 20 years of engineering. You'd be more likely to snap a standard suspension coil than tear an airbag.

Wheels too big for 4x4- 18" wheels now available in steel and alloy for all D3/D4 models and tyre choices are ample. With The B/Stone 697, i've never had a flat and i use it off-road more than most ever will. BFG also available, these are the only 2 tyres you want to rely on anyway.

Electronic Park Brake- Nothing wrong with these at all when adjusted regularly like they should be. They have issues when people leave them for 10 years without adjustment, and then wonder why the motor faults...

Things to expect to not last forever:

Contrrol Arm Bushes, buy the HD Meyle fronts once the originals wear out and they'll be fine for another 100k km.

Air suspension compressor- No air compressor lasts forever, nor will this. It's an $800 unit built by Mercedes, and will need replacing dependant on how often it's used, if you keep it at standard road height it will last 10 years. I'd expect every 5 years with constant 4x4 use(raising/lowering more often) Extremely small price to pay for a giant advantage.

Cautions:

Modern diesels: Most should last well over 400k km's. Although a few unlucky people have had them go bang at 150k. They can be hit and miss, this applies for ALL manufacturers, don't go buy a 4.5l 200s v8 because you think it's invincible, even those have gone bang as low as 130k km. Land Rover have been known to replace complete engines on 8 year old vehicles with over 100k kms free of charge. I wouldn't buy anything else from new in diesel as Toyotas warranty has become disgraceful, after 2 years it's non existent.

Hope this is useful info, sorry for the essay. Everything else is obvious, you're buying the most comfortable 4x4 in it's class with ample room for touring or 7 adults. FYI mines now at 230,000kms. I've averages 15k kms of touring per year, fully loaded to 3.5t with all accessories fitted and 1500 km fuel range.

Amazing – The discovery is a perfect car. Full of luxury it is an amazing car to drive. With its amazing new technology and high quality sound speakers. Highly capable off-road, yet very smooth and comfortable on road High-quality interior Good powertrain options Bold exterior Love it so much worth the money  Show details

Great SUV and Family Car – This is a great versatile family SUV. Has all the luxury trimmings you would need. Driving performance is great - very low noise especially for a diesel. 7 seater flexibility can fit the extended family - very spacious inside. High riding height ensures great visibility for the driver and passengers all around. Dislikes - as an older model - misses out on some of the latest gadgetry - ie. blindspot monitoring etc.  Show details

Nothing but the BEST – Owned a 2008 Freelander 2 which took me around the country including Cape York. I liked it so much I bought a 2012 Disco 4. Disco is quiet at any speed, very comfortable, spacious and practical, ride very well, smooth easy power at all speeds. Tried Victoria high country with ease. Love the unique exterior design and Discovery 2017 is not for me.  Show details

Great car – One of the best decisions ever made. Road comfort is worth it with its air suspension. Bought a dealer demo for 70k. It replaces prado for its money spent. Once a year service or 26k kms service. Prado or any other cars needed two or three services at this mileage. Cost 700$ for service and is a dreAm to ride.now I prefers long trips. Can occupy 7 adults comfortable  Show details

Seat belt fraying and trim wearing – Dream to drive, fuel sensor in tank replaced now ok. BUT! we have a 2013 model and I have seen others with the seat belt fraying and the trim on the housing wearing through sometimes seat belt will not retract LR will not take responsibility said even if under waranty they would not. bought Bruce Lynton Same attitude. September 6th 2017 Update:… Read more

Air bag in suspension

We used this site to warn people about the seat belt fraying and trim wearing. We are unable to get any response from government agencies that should be protecting us they pass the buck or have no powers. Now we have trouble with the door on the passenger side not opening to fix it was quoted around $800. Also from 100,000 k the air compressor is slow and is failing. Was charged $300 plus to diagnose. Wonder how much to repair it? Too many issues with this car. We were told by a Land Rover dealer, "what do you expect it is four years old" so go to a cheaper car that lasts longer than that. Royal Warrant? Means nothing these days certainly not quality. We do not want to sell this lemon to some one else as we were advised to do. They suggested to get rid of it after two years. Both Bruce Lynton Gold Coast and Fosseys Tamworth. Guess it is not a luxury car but just some sort of missed promoted status symbol. We do not do any off road driving.

October 5th 2017 Update: Frayed seat belt, worn seat belt component, passenger door actuators failure, air suspension needs a

2013 Land Rover. The car is a delight to drive but the cost and failure of parts after 3 years is very expensive. The replacement of the door actuator was quoted at $540 plus $90 for quote the door would not open. The air suspension was checked as it is slow to rise cost $180 possible compressor $1350 plus labour to replace this. My husband replaced the actuator with an original part for $300 tops 2 hours as he was unfamiliar with We could have bought the little motor from China for $20 but we were travelling. The seat belt right at the top not across the body area is frayed the plastic trim has worn will not be long before it cracks. Our car is treated very very well it looks new inside and out.

January 5th 2018 Update: Door lock actuator

The Discovery is beautiful to drive. However! I do not know if this part wears on other vehicles but after only four years I have had two replaced. This was an expensive quote around $700. If you are a handy person you can purchase the part and do it yourself with sites advising how to do this it cost have as much. As my husband is very handy we ordered the motor for $20 from Honk Kong and were able to put it in the original actuator part. It just clips in.

February 10th 2018 Update: Left hand door actuator

Our 4 year old Land Rover door actuator brushes wore out on the front and back passenger doors so as our warranty had expired hubby decided to change them so we bought a part on eBay. Seller was Ideal home Item ID 332483351787 Price $20.238 plus postage came to $ 25.10. each. I would only recommend you do this if you are car minded it took two hours. As we did not replace the whole part only the motor it was cheap. We got a quote which was around $ 700 for part and labour from a dealer. This woul mean paying around $1000 upward. They have to reset the computer. You can disconnect this box without disconnecting the computer. Hope this helps you

February 14th 2018 Update: Door actuators and air bag suspension compressor

After 4 years had to replace two door actuators and the air bag compressor for the suspension. Good car to drive but disappointed in having to do this. the doors would not unlock and the car was slow to go up and down. The car was just out of warranty unfortunately I live two hours away from the dealer so just solved the problem the best way I could.

May 12th 2018 Update: Performance of electrical door mechanics

Love the car and luxury of driving it. However ! Since we bought it new in 2013 but we had to replace the front passenger, rear passenger, and boot motors. The doors cannot be opened from the outside. The boot was especially a nuisance. We have a new suspension system but no one seems to know why the warning light still comes on.

July 5th 2018 Update: Company attitude stinks. No one can tell us why our suspension light comes on and off after a new on

Shame nice car to drive a dream. Not worth the money. We were told by our dealer most people get rid of them after two years. our car was 4 yrs old now we just hit the ok button and hope for the best. Hope nothing happens when travelling the outback some of you guys if you are a little handy after warranty you can skirt around the outrageous repair costs.

There are lemons out there!! – It has all the makings of the perfect family car. Unfortunately our car was extremely unreliable and therefore, very unsafe. We bought our car new from Barbagellos in Perth in 2010. At 27,000 kms, the first of the car's significant issues presented itself. The car developed computer related faults that would cause it to shut itself down, even… Read more

during highway speeds, forcing you to manhandle the car to the side of the road. As the engine would cut itself out, there was no power steering during this time, making this extremely hard even for a guy to do.

The dashboard would display numerous faults like gearbox warnings, engine warning, emergency brake warning which wouldn't actually be logged onto the car computer making it extremely (or impossible) to diagnose.

We persevered with the car for another 50,000kms with many more breakdowns and expensive trips back to the dealership. The car was no longer reliable to go away on a family trip in. Barbagellos could fix the car. I rang Land Rover Aust and got them to send their technicians to Perth to resolve the issue, but they were also unable to correct the problems. I finally asked them, what do you suppose I do with a car that even LR Australia cannot fix, and Barbagellos Service Department just said; sell it.

In the 5 years of owning it, we must have spent $20,000 just on servicing alone. When you have to spend $150 to change the windscreen wiper blades (yes, just the little rubber strip part), you can see how service bills quickly rack up.

I finally gave in and sold the car to a dealership where at least I wasn't directly passing this lemon onto a person.

I ended up buying a new CX-9 grand tourer afterwards for the family. It is 1000 times better as a road car and a lot more comfortable. $280 capped service and its never missed a beat so far.

This was sadly my experience with a Disco 4. You have been warned.

amazing, amazing amazing – i have a discovery and i can't say it is not bad one bit. i have had no faults with it. it drives very smoothly and very quiet, compared to most cars. It is very capable going offroad (considering it won 4x4 of the year like 4 times). it is also a very sexy looking car and love it very much. we've been very impressed and i will surely get another one.  Show details ·  1

LEMON - AND LANDROVER ARE HORRENDOUS TO DEAL WITH – LEMON! This vehicle has so much potential, but if you don't like constant safety issues and major repairs, don't go near Land Rover. Not only did our Discovery 4 break down on a motorway just 6 km off the showroom floor, Land Rover refused to replace it with a new car, and instead kept it for 14 days and replaced the blown gear box, which had… Read more

failed after 6 km. The trauma wasn't so much that our brand new car broke down on a main road during peak hour and I had to direct B Double trucks around our car stuck in the right lane of a major Sydney arterial, but the way in which we have been treated since. Land Rover took weeks to respond to our request for a new vehicle (far be it for the consumer to insist on a new vehicle when they just paid for exactly that 30 minutes prior to the major failure causing this brand new car to be towed) and Head Office not only refused to replace the car, but their insistence that it has been 'returned to manufacturers specifications' has failed over and over again. We have had the following issues: 1. Major gearbox failure at 6km requiring new gearbox. 2. Steering arm loose - major safety concern. 3. Continual oil leaks from where the gearbox was replaced (it has been removed twice so far and continues to leak) 4. Major steering vibration on the motorway so the car now sits idle in the driveway, unable to be driven far and at speed above 60km/h.

If Land Rover had any customer service skills whatsoever, this would have been rectified long ago. They treat customers with disdain and, although they offered an extended 2 year warranty, this car has been in and out of the repair shop so many times it is simply a lemon.

Latest request to have it repaired now falls on deaf ears at the local Land Rover franchise. They want to wipe their hands of it (they say our car being repaired under warranty will mean they are out of pocket!) and won't respond to emails, won't return phone calls. The most stressful experience ever, when your dream car, full of potential, sits idle on the driveway.

The way we have been treated has caused so much stress, I cannot warn you enough not to buy a Landrover. Save yourself the grief. Now onto Fair Trading.......

D4 HSE 2014 Update – Its an excellent vehicle - tows brilliantly, powerful, very easy to steer compared to 200 Series Toyota, touch screen is great and the car feels as if its designed by individuals rather than committees. I write though to say that all the 3 litre diesels have twin turbos, not just the "SD" variants. The difference is in the Turbos themselves.… Read more

While I love the power, and it is handy when towing to have a lot more KW, the premium for the engine is probably a false economy. However the interior upgrades I find very useful - the sat nav is terrific. I think a reversing camera (standard on all I think) is mandatory. The headlights on mine are bright but you can always add spot lights. The main reason I bought at HSE was because of the seats - beating short from my waste up, I raise the seat a little bit - and I have long legs, so I move the seat back. On the standard TDV6 seats, that leave a hole in the small of your back. So I needed the more adustable seats. Which are very comfortable indeed.

I tow a 2.5 tonne van - an Australian Off Road Matrix. I cruised at 110 coming back for SheepYard Flat to Melbourne, and got 10 litres per 100 KM (actually a bit less on the computer). If I cruise at 96KMH (which is 100 on the speedo) I get around 13 litres per 100 KMH - on the computer. So more like 13.4. If I cruise slower, I will get around 12 litres/100m, and if I cruise at 106 (110 on the speedo) I will get high 14s. But if I am climbing, then the fuel economy increases. When I got that 10/litre per 100KMh, I was decending - Sheepyard Flat is in the hills (near Mt Bulla) and also, a good wind must have been behind me!!

I don't have many negatives on the D4. Probably the only negative is that the fuel tank is a bit small. My van though can carry 80 litres of diesel - but many remove the underneath tyre and put a second tank in. However that is only good IMO if you are "On the Road" all time ... I am not.

The trailer parking when in reverse, is quite outstanding - I can reverse up to the van, step out and drop the van straight onto the tow bar. The only issue with the rear camera, is that its not directly above the tow bar - so you have to place the tow bar (which is visible when the camera automatically crops into the close up view when you get close to the van) to slightly one side of the van's tow tongue. Detaching is a piece of cake.

One other thing - the gearbox does not have planned oil changes - in fact, it needs them. If you tow, you need to change the gearbox oil every 50k. This will provide huge life. If you don't, then expect the oil to turn to custard at 100,000, and by then your warranty is likely gone. Plan to change the gearbox oil - its worth it.

Its a great vehicle but I fear the D5 will not be as good for towing - a chassis is worthwhile.

Awesome car and looks great. WENT on TRIP....Amazing – This company has proved that they make really good cars in a reasonable price ranges. I bought a car for my dad and he has been really happy with it. The display is amazing and battery life is fair for the price. The mileage and looks is also very nice. overall great experience and love the leather  Show details

Unbelievable motor vehicle – Bought 2nd Disco last October after faultless experience wth previous Discovery which had 70,000 klm in less than 2 years.Have now completed 25,000 klm in new vehicle which again faultless,handling,comfort,economy,and after sales sales excellent.The running costs are very good considering I tow large caravan most of the time.Serviicing costs very reasonable when it is serviced each 26,000 klms.  Show details

Love my car – I love this car. I have one baby and a second on the way and it's got some much room for everything you need to lug around with 2 kids. This car is a heavy vehicle which I didn't like at first but since driving it for nearly a year I can't stand driving any of those cheaper light vehicles. They just feel so unsafe. Also being a diesel it did take a while to wear it in as it was a bit touchy for a a few months but now it's smooth sailing.  Show details

Awesome vehicle – Having done 76,000km so far i can honestly say the driving experience is fantastic. Extremely comfortable (its like driving a leather recliner lounge chair around), quiet and effortless to drive. Plenty of power, great vision via the large windows and 7 seats makes this vehicle a top choice. Heaps of room in the cabin and plenty of space in… Read more

the back for storage (I've got an Engel fridge mounted in mine with heaps of space left for other stuff). Mine has been very reliable and it's not too thirsty depending on your driving style.

D4 - much more than a 4x4 – After 150,000km I say more than enough power to make pulling a 2.2 tonne caravan all over Australia a pleasure. Powerful acceleration if needed. Handles like a well- bred car and has brakes that are superb. Excellent vision, excellent wipers and outstanding headlights. Low to moderate road and engine noise, little wind noise. Interior:… Read more

especially seat options including full-foldown centre and rear seats give outstanding cargo space; 3rd row seats are adult size with easy access. Extensive storage areas including twin glove boxes. Air bag suspension very smooth and its lowering feature excellent for shorter pax. accessing and exiting vehicle. All controls are well placed and easy to use. I would prefer clearer illumination of the gauges in day light. Aircon. is excellent and easy to set and independent air con. for 3rd row seats with separate controls excellent. Set back of front seats and modest rake of windscreen provide excellent glare reduction as does glare- reducing glass all round.

Fuel economy according to accumulating trip computer for 150,000km is 8.2 litres/100 km. Regular driving usually 7.4liters/100km. On-road reliability absolute; replaced suspension bushes, front, @ 123,000km, rear brake pads at 67,000km, front still original pads. Tyre life of Toyo Highway 76,000km, 30% with caravan, very satisfactory.(See my review of Toyo Highways ).Lubricants relatively expensive but extended periods between changes mitigate that expense. Vehicle set up allows home-maintenance for regular servicing needs. Most substantial point of criticism is difficulty of getting to the under-slung full size spare wheel.

Landrover Discovery 4 Luxury pack HSE – On full airbag suspension is like driving on a cloud Twin turbo diesel has excellent power and economy Large windows and cameras for full and clear vision all round inc 3 sunroofs An intelligent car with sat nav, bluetooth , memory seats and mirrors Airbags throughout and a very safe car to drive  Show details