Am I mad for buying another Disco 4?

RipcordMentee said:

Am I mad to buy another Disco 4?

I had a high spec Disco 4 that I absolutely loved, unfortunately the crank went on it recently (I did make a post on here so thank you to all of you who replied!) and it was sold as a project to someone else. To say I was gutted is an understatement.

I’ve been looking for a new car since and with the crank being a common issue with the Disco 4 I’ve been looking at other brands but nothing compares for what I need.

Due to where we live the ability to off road is needed but we’re also a family of 6 so space is also a must and the other cars I’ve looked at (Audi Q7 and BMW x5) I just don’t like in comparison to the Disco nor does it have the space inside we’ve been so used to.

Which brings me to my question…

My Disco 4 was a 2010, 3.0 TDV6 and I’ve come across another stunning Disco 4, 2012 3.0 SDV6 with 8 gears..


Having had it looked over as best I can with a mechanic on the ground it seems sound. It’s got 14 service stamps in the book so been looked after and I’m tempted… but am I mad for getting into it?

Is there any more reliability between years and specs? Or should I just avoid entirely now, I’d be grateful for people’s thoughts and experiences.

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lynall said:

As I understand it the 3.0 was a problem right the way through its life, incl in the Disco5.

I have a D3 and love its practicality, when it dies I would like a D4, but I reckon it is financial suicide.
I always remember a quote I read about the 3.0 v6 which went, it was like driving around on a hand grenade with the pin pulled!

D4 prices have fell massively over the past 18 months or so, high spec 16/66 plates were 30k are now half that, I am surprised it took that long tbh as every man and their dog knows about the crank issues, and that incls non lr people.


It is a LR model wide issue, the ingenium engines are having massive problems in the sport/evoque and new shape defender.

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johnlad said:

I’m pretty sure the 3.0 diesel engine in the new defender is a different breed than the D4. Not heard of any cranks snapping in the defender, the majority of the issues in the ingenious engines were in the 2.0 litre that has been dropped by LR.

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1988smithy said:

2.0 i4 ingenium petrol and diesel are still in production.

New 3.0 i6 petrol and diesel are indeed completely different to 3.0 sdv6, being inline 6's.

The 6's are generally pretty good, especially the petrols.

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johnlad said:

I’m pretty sure the 3.0 diesel engine in the new defender is a different breed than the D4. Not heard of any cranks snapping in the defender, the majority of the issues in the ingenious engines were in the 2.0 litre that has been dropped by LR.

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lynall said:

v6?

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johnlad said:

2.0 has been dropped from the defenders

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johnlad said:

Defender is inline 6

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