Hi Gents
Need advice please – this forum has always been good to me and I need you more than ever.
I have a straight choice now that my car is outside the LR warantee and there are many of you who have done the swop;
Keep my 2016 Graphite or change to a D5 (same engine)?
Reasons to change
May get a bit more power if a later model.
Move back under the LR corp ‘wing’ regarding warrantee.
Better sound system.
FBH not limited to 20mins...
Reasons to not change
I’ve currently got a good one. No faults in five years.
Looks like a proper Landrover and not like every other car of this type.
I can do oil and all filter changes and minor/medium repairs myself.
The two biggest bugs with my current car are –
1) Turbo lag. When braking for an island, you see a gap in traffic and move from brake to thottle and briefly nothing happens – then whoosh too much power
2) Poor sounds from the sound system.
Can the turbo lag be programmed out? Can the sound system be changed (would be nice if the volume was speed sensitive)?
My heart says keep it but my head says let it go and move on...
21st Mar 2021 9:14 pm
LRD4GAB
Member Since: 05 Nov 2020
Location: Tamworth
Posts: 499
Had my D4 in for a service gave me a Discovery sport it wasn't for me.
21st Mar 2021 9:21 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4244
A remap would help with the turbo lag from reading other comments on the forum, unfortunately the sound system is harder to change. I’d love CarPlay in my D4 but it’s an expensive option to get sorted so it works as it should.I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
21st Mar 2021 9:58 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14429
I had the same dilemma, except it was keep D4 or buy new Defender. Decided on a Volvo XC90 and have not looked back. D4 HSE EU6 (Known as Jeeves)
New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!) Sold
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
21st Mar 2021 10:12 pm
G3Z
Member Since: 16 Dec 2018
Location: South Wales
Posts: 560
I’d definitely be keeping the D4, personally. Especially yours being one of the last.Defender 110 2.4 TDCi Utility Station Wagon.
2007 Disco 3 GS TDV6 Manual
200,000+ mile club 😎
21st Mar 2021 10:14 pm
galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
keep and enjoy....dont get sucked in
22nd Mar 2021 12:27 am
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
Don't fancy a New Defender? (spiritual successor to D3/D4)Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
22nd Mar 2021 12:36 am
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7441
You’lo be making a lot more compromises with a D5.
I’d look to make the choice between keeping the D4, buying a late used Full Fat SDV8, or a new Defender 👍2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: 2 x FL2 as “second” cars 🙄
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
22nd Mar 2021 5:44 am
RogB
Member Since: 15 Jun 2018
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 1730
keep the D4, (im assuming its euro VI compliant so your as future proofed as if you had a D5)2011 D4 XS 305 MY12 - gone but not forgotten
22nd Mar 2021 8:38 am
Pedros
Member Since: 25 Jun 2011
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 454
In your situation, I think I would go for the devil you know. Although the sound system might be better in the D5, I suspect the one you have is fine and you have lived with it for a while now. As for the lag when pulling away before it lifts it's skirts up, as you know, they all do that and again, I expect your driving style has long ago taken that into account.
However, the draw of a new car is often a strong one. We always think the next model will have everything ironed out and be perfect. Rarely does that happen though and you might just be changing niggles. I think nobody can make that decision but you.
22nd Mar 2021 11:30 am
ianm27
Member Since: 02 Jun 2016
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 2154
My two pennies worth, keep the D4.
Its been a good car for you and now its out of warrantee find a good local indy who will look after it as you do and not charge the earth as LR dealers do.
Just don't ever let her hear you say she's been good - we all know that is the kiss of death Uncle Ray's spare wheel protector
Limo Tint
Blackvue front & rear dashcam
Cruise control switch pack
Bodsy's remote for FBH
22nd Mar 2021 12:31 pm
Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Red Merle wrote:
You’lo be making a lot more compromises with a D5.
Why
I changed to D5 after having a number of D4's and dint think its a compromiseMY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
22nd Mar 2021 1:04 pm
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7441
I'm glad you're pleased with yours but, speaking for myself, there were far too many compromises, such as:
1. The high waistline and small glass area, giving greatly reduced visibility, a claustrophobic feeling in the cabin and making it very hard to place the (now very rounded) corners. The view and the design of the cabin make it feel like a tail estate car, rather than a 4x4.
2. Lack of a split tailgate. I find a use for mine every day and having been spoiled with the 4, the lack of a split tailgate is now a deal breaker for me.
3. The plank like comfort of the back seat and the poor view out, for anyone less than about 5'10"
4. The very high loading height. My poor old collie would never be able to get up there now, not even with his ramp. He even now struggles with the Fatty and the load height there is around 4" lower.
5. The pointy spikes at either end of the tailgate.
6. The rear seats that aren't designed to fold flat.
7. The smaller, rounded, tailgate aperture and the shallower and narrower loading bay.
8. The great length of the outer skins on the rear doors, for getting in and out of the car in normal parking spaces.
All cars have compromises and I had to compromise on 6 and 7 with the Fatty, although I now make up for that with a box trailer.2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: 2 x FL2 as “second” cars 🙄
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
22nd Mar 2021 3:59 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26776
You should try and get a test of the Ingenium 6 cylinder engine in a Defender, or Disco 5. It pulls instantly and sounds great!
22nd Mar 2021 4:21 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23832
Red Merle wrote:
I'm glad you're pleased with yours but, speaking for myself, there were far too many compromises, such as:
1. The high waistline and small glass area, giving greatly reduced visibility, a claustrophobic feeling in the cabin and making it very hard to place the (now very rounded) corners. The view and the design of the cabin make it feel like a tail estate car, rather than a 4x4.
2. Lack of a split tailgate. I find a use for mine every day and having been spoiled with the 4, the lack of a split tailgate is now a deal breaker for me.
3. The plank like comfort of the back seat and the poor view out, for anyone less than about 5'10"
4. The very high loading height. My poor old collie would never be able to get up there now, not even with his ramp. He even now struggles with the Fatty and the load height there is around 4" lower.
5. The pointy spikes at either end of the tailgate.
6. The rear seats that aren't designed to fold flat.
7. The smaller, rounded, tailgate aperture and the shallower and narrower loading bay.
8. The great length of the outer skins on the rear doors, for getting in and out of the car in normal parking spaces.
All cars have compromises and I had to compromise on 6 and 7 with the Fatty, although I now make up for that with a box trailer.
All of the above for me, plus a few others and I had the MY20 HSE Luxury with the very impressive SDV6, for over 12k miles. Never had any feeling of "Permagrin", but each to their own, if it suits your needs and you like it, that's all that matters. 2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
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