My Rangie is back in the dealers to sort out some stuff they caused last time it was with them......

Can't fault the dealer for service etc , whilst they are getting to the bottom of what they did to my car they have loaned me a 64 plate HSE Disco TDV6 - always wanted to see the difference...

What a difference - hate the Eco mode (auto start stop) , build quality not great, performance - phrase skin off a rice pudding comes to mind, gadgets - low, switches feel cheap.

Love - the clever additional seats in the boot.......err that's it

Sorry to all those who have them but - I am sticking with my lovely 5.0 SC Range Rover "On first name terms with my local Dealer......now."

'61 Plate 5.0SC Autobiography - in Black ——— Gone
'53 plate 4.4V8 Vogue Bonatti Grey inside and out. ----- Gone

Do you mean the Discovery 4 or Discovery Sport?

Sorry should have clarified. - traditional disco 4. "On first name terms with my local Dealer......now."

'61 Plate 5.0SC Autobiography - in Black ——— Gone
'53 plate 4.4V8 Vogue Bonatti Grey inside and out. ----- Gone

Sorry sir but i disagree! Not a ffrr granted

I did say sorry to those who have them - just not my cup of tea

Come on then Craig what are the good points I should investigste? The D4 is sat in my garage for a while so I will try to be open minded.

First impressions mean a lot and as you say it's not a FF - however I may have been a bit harsh so let me know good points and I will test. "On first name terms with my local Dealer......now."

'61 Plate 5.0SC Autobiography - in Black ——— Gone
'53 plate 4.4V8 Vogue Bonatti Grey inside and out. ----- Gone

I don't own one but did a D3 for a long period a while ago, used for hauling lots of loads!... They handle corners better! Great gearbox (presuming its an 8sp) Massive load carrying capabilities... Just my opinion sir

Well I've just given back a 64 plate D4 HSE which was a 5 week loaner whilst my FFRR was changed (Long story)

So, your observations.
ECO mode. Get used to it as all cars will have it. And it definitely saves fuel too. I personally like it especially now I'm used to it.
Fit & Finish. Sorry, we disagree here too. The D4 is extremely well finished, the fit is good, no squeaks, good quality leather, a thoroughly nice place to be.
Lack of power. It has plenty although the turbo lag at start off is noticeable and needs mapping out. But no lack of horsepower or torque.
8 Speed box is silky smooth and provides real-world economy whilst selecting the right gear almost instantaneously. Keeps the torquey engine right in the power band.

The only place I felt it was a lesser car than the S/C is the acoustic glass meaning a slightly less peaceful ride, although by no means was it noisy.

Honestly I think you're a country mile off the mark. The D4 is a damn fine vehicle, vastly superior to most. The FFRR is it's superior and was designed that way. How much more do you expect for what was about 60% of the FFRR price?

Ok so maybe I was being a bit harsh and should not compare it to the SC

I find the ride less comfortable, the eco.....a real pain. Sat at a roundabout with my foot on the brake anticipating the turbo lag and then the engine stops. Just don't like it. Must be able to disable it.

Gearbox - yes give you that it is smooth

Fuel economy - I have a 5.0 SC ?

No squeaks true but the switch gear does not feel 'quality'

Seats not as nice as my SC, rear middle doesn't fold or have I missed a catch somewhere?

Thought I would like the rotary gear selector but not as much as I had hoped - love the 'bond villain' way it disappears

Not doubting it is a very capable car and not an unpleasant place to be. If I needed a second workhorse then I can see the attraction, perhaps I should see if the wife wants to have one.......... "On first name terms with my local Dealer......now."

'61 Plate 5.0SC Autobiography - in Black ——— Gone
'53 plate 4.4V8 Vogue Bonatti Grey inside and out. ----- Gone

Yes mine was a second car/workhorse... The two complimented each other perfectly i think

you can turn the Eco off, there is a button for it somewhere...... Afaik.

The d4 hse I had was really nice but felt too much like my d4 van..... Apart from the leather, nav, rear seats and spangly wheels it was the same car..... There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

ECO off button is down by the terrain response stuff. But really no need to turn it off, the engine starts in less time than it takes to lift off the brake and prod the gas. Any perception it's more difficult to drive is psychological.

Switchgear is same make and quality of the L405. If anything it's an improvement over the L322.

No, it's not a FFRR, but then it's 60 clap, not 90. And it's a shed load of car for the money, especially when you stand it next to Merc ML, BMW X5 and all the other wannabe's.

I think the disco is a better car than the range rover l322 by miles.

Steve You remind me of a young me, not much younger mind, perhaps even a little older!

Better? In what way?

I'm regularly in and out of both - the advantages of the Discovery are space and practicality (and a bit less body roll). Otherwise, a late L322 is quicker, more refined and generally a nicer place to be - the gap is certainly narrower when comparing with a 3.0/8-speed Discovery though.

Interesting conversation. I really like the D3 and would love to replace my D1 with one when the prices come down to "off-roading " prices. The D4 seemed much more opulent than the D3. I found it interesting that the D4 wasn't up to FFRR standards, but, given the price difference, that's to be expected.

Thanks for clarifying, MrP. Around here, there's no such thing as a Discovery 4, only the "LR4". Here a Discovery is a D1, D2 or the new Sport. (Even the newest LR4s still have "Land Rover" on the bonnet, not "Discovery ".

Having driven this all day I can now say it is a competent workhorse. It has a good level of fit and finish for its price bracket and I am sure it is very economical. I will seriously be considering it for the replacement for my wife's car..



But it's no 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography Range Rover that one (my one) is still the best by miles. personal viewpoint, other views are available) "On first name terms with my local Dealer......now."

'61 Plate 5.0SC Autobiography - in Black ——— Gone
'53 plate 4.4V8 Vogue Bonatti Grey inside and out. ----- Gone