Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14487
The second row in the new Defender go flat and you can have a 40/20/40 split seat.
The new Defender is a good long haul load lugga but the boot is smaller than a D4 and the swing away rear door takes some getting used to but is ok.
As you said in your thesis, there is no true replacement to the D3/4. It really did everything.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
10th Nov 2022 6:04 am
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2821
Thanks Moo, I assume that's a 5 seat 110?Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
10th Nov 2022 7:47 am
therso
Member Since: 01 Dec 2010
Location: Here!
Posts: 368
Hello folks, I've been away and have now returned. A D3 followed by a D4 then a FFRR which I had for a week before another D4 sat on my drive and then I just had to give a D5 a try. SWMBO wasn't happy in the FFRR, nor the D5 she loved the D3 & 4 so guess what I traded it in for a................Defender 110 First Edition with all the bells and whistles.
After a while the rear door bothered me, the rear loadspace annoyed me, some of the technical stuff got on my nerves and I felt as if the vehicles brain was trying to control me. One evening I realised that I had no plans to drive around the globe. Nor did I intend to cross Africa and Australia, and I most definitely did not aspire to do a Blashford-Snell and 'do' the Darien Gap. £60-odd-thousand quid sat on my drive doing nothing so, in very short order, a man came and gave me £4.5K more than I'd paid for it and that was the last time I saw it.
If I look out of my window, there now sits a 16 plate D4 Landmark. SWMBO happy. Me happy. Okay, it's not the 'bee's knees' with all the new tech etc but it is still a bloody impressive automobile and a pleasure to drive. And the best thing? It's still dry inside (Famous last words)!
11th Nov 2022 11:15 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14487
If only Toyota imported some of their Aussie kit. 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
TBH there is very little by way of Japanese design that I like. Not saying it doesn't function well, but naff designs just don't do anything for me..
Dean
====================================
2011 D4 XS - OBD port protection, RLD spare wheel protector, All LED interiors lights, Timed Climate enabled, iiD tool paired.
2011 D4 Landmark - Stolen from same dealer before I paid for it
2011 D4 GS - Stolen whilst at dealer ... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
1996 300Tdi - Eaten by tin worms
12th Nov 2022 9:12 am
Jagbusa
Member Since: 02 Nov 2022
Location: Costa del Blackpool
Posts: 37
The difficulty here is, nobody else in the world makes "Land Rovers" (and I mean this in the 4x4 sense not the LR sense) like Land Rover, in the same way no one makes an executive saloon like the British. There may be more reliable, there may be faster or more economical, but when it comes down to it, even with some of the flaws inherent in design or build, there is something about these vehicles that no one else does better than the British. I realise we can't still be riding around in Range Rover classics as requirements change, not least of which are safety, economy and emissions, but I don't understand why LR have made some of the design mistake they recently have.
The D3/D4 is an instantly recognisable vehicle, I honestly don't know what the current Discovery looks like. Is it the one with the weird back end and off set number plate or is the thing that looks like an ugly Evoque (apologies to all / any who have one of the above mentioned, no offence intended), debadge them and they look like any other 4x4 unless you are looking at the "Family Front".
Agree entirely with pretty much all comments and sympathise with the OP and anyone else for that matter, who finds themselves in the situation of finding a replacement for their D4 (a D4 would be a replacement for a D3 generally). I have no idea what you could possibly recommend other than rebuilding / restoring your D4.
Bet there wouldn't be much difference in cost even if you replaced the whole drive train between doing that and changing for a D5. Great post btw. 2009my Discovery 3 2.7V6 HSE
12th Nov 2022 10:10 am
nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1359
I’ve been into a Stealership this morning with my son who’s considering a DS as his new company car (long lead time on anything). Quite honestly there was absolutely nothing in there that I would waste my cash on (if I had any! ) £180,000+ for a new FFRR, and the new RRS next to it looks like a right dog’s dinner, (and the boot on the hybrid was pathetically small). Don’t get me started on the fugly Defender (which is so badly flawed as a tow vehicle). There was a 130 model in there, which makes the already fugly thing look even worse. It makes the D5 look like a supermodel, until you look at its a**e. No thank you.
12th Nov 2022 4:42 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23866
^What's the new Defender towing flaw?
I’ve seen a few towing a variety of trailers.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)
12th Nov 2022 5:24 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2821
Yes please, like LT I'd really like to know what the flaw is with the new Defender and towing.
All I can think of is the lower weight compared to a D3/4.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
12th Nov 2022 5:47 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15272
Probably just the spare wheel overhang.
I don’t think that would stop me buying one …… just the lack of cash …. oh and nearly forgot
….I’ve got a D4. ...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
< ‘tis but a mere scratch …….. it’ll polish out.
12th Nov 2022 6:02 pm
nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1359
Yes, apologies, I should have qualified that the Defender is flawed for towing caravans. The spare wheel on the back door makes it impossible to raise the stabiliser handle vertical without opining the door, which CAN then foul on the jockey wheel handle. Secondly, the most popular towing mirrors on the market are very difficult to attach and to keep attached to the mirror housings. Maybe small details, but flaws nevertheless when LR boast about their towing prowess.
12th Nov 2022 7:24 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2821
Thanks for clarifying that Nigel207.
I'd not thought about a stabiliser handle as I've never used one, but it had crossed my mind that a side opening door won't work with my boat trailer because it will hit the jockey wheel.
Exactly that used to happen with one of my old boat trailers and the last Shogun I had.
You could only open the door a small way with the trailer attached.
It looks like I'll eventually have to go down the D5 route, and put up with not liking how it looks, but the non-flat load surface really worries me. I need to get to a dealer and have a look for myself.
Of course one option is for me to put some time and effort into developing a D3/4 style tailgate conversion for the Defender, it appears I could make a fortune, but then there's a question about what to do with the spare wheel.
Or perhaps my circumstances will change before I have to move on from my D4.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
12th Nov 2022 9:43 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23866
nigel207 wrote:
Yes, apologies, I should have qualified that the Defender is flawed for towing caravans. The spare wheel on the back door makes it impossible to raise the stabiliser handle vertical without opining the door, which CAN then foul on the jockey wheel handle. Secondly, the most popular towing mirrors on the market are very difficult to attach and to keep attached to the mirror housings. Maybe small details, but flaws nevertheless when LR boast about their towing prowess.
Thanks. 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)
12th Nov 2022 10:34 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14487
So I went to watch my daughter play hockey at school this afternoon. In the car park of the SUV / 4X4 class there were 9 D4s, 1 D3, 2 RRS, 1 FFRR, 4 XC 90, a new Mercedes GLS and Noddy, my Defender. No D5s which I thought said it all.
As may daughter asked, do wish you still had your D3? A hard question that, but yes.
There is still no D3/4 replacement / equivalent from anyone manufacturer. The Defender is the closest but its still flawed. LR should have followed Mercedes approach with the G-Wagon.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
12th Nov 2022 11:10 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2821
I agree Moo
I've been having a scout round, and actually, the closest new vehicle I can find to a D4, with lifting tailgate(but not split), large box like load space, 7 seats, reasonable 4x4 system, 3.5tn towing capacity, 7 adult sized seats, almost flat load space with all the seats folded down(but not flat), and looks a lot nicer than a D5.
.
.
.
.
Mercedes GLS
Not that I could afford one, but the last of the old GL420s etc is newer than the last D4.
But I've no idea how good they are.
So would probably still compromise on a D5Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
) £180,000+ for a new FFRR, and the new RRS next to it looks like a right dog’s dinner, (and the boot on the hybrid was pathetically small). Don’t get me started on the fugly Defender (which is so badly flawed as a tow vehicle). There was a 130 model in there, which makes the already fugly thing look even worse. It makes the D5 look like a supermodel, until you look at its a**e. 
No thank you.
