Should I change for a D4?

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mikerajjers

mikerajjers

Well-Known Member
Posts
1,467
Location
Bedford UK or Trnava SK
My 110 300tdi is nearly finished after a full rebuild. The only 'problem' is it doesn't have Aircon and the fiance doesn't find it comfortable to go on a road trip (in honesty she is probably right)...which Is the main reason I had it rebuilt.

I have been offered an amount for it for which I could buy a 5 year old D4 with full JLR service history and have 5 k left over.

I'm really tempted to sell it...what are your thoughts?

I have a TD5 90 which I would keep regardless for tinkering and fun
 
Upgrade the fiance to one who likes the 110!!

Aitrcon - not a problem
No aircon is not a problem with the vents and windows. I took mine down through Morocco without aircon and did not have any issues. If it is a real deal breaker you can buy the pump and condenser so you should be able to retro fit an aircon system to it.

Confort -
What about it is not comfortable.
Suspension - You can change the spring and shock set up to give a softer smoother ride.
Seats - New land rover seats would make it hugely more conformable unless they are already new. It is also possible to fit seats from different vehicles for more confront, although I don't have a problem with the land rover ones.
Seat position - if it the general "cramped" nature of the seating position you can get seat risers, and bulkhead removal bars allowing a great range of movements for the seat position to be changed

If you have just rebuilt it I personally would not want to be parting with it and instead would be looking to fix the "problems" your fiance has with it as they are likely to be fairly minor and easy to rectify.
 
The D4 will do all the defender can do faster in more comfort more safely, but it will cost more at some point in its life.

If I was younger I would have the Defender for the image, as Ive gotten older I like the air conditioned automatic comfort of a disco.
 
If you want a defender AND comfort go test drive a Puma. Mine has levver seats, aircon for summer, botty warmers for winter, all standard for the XS. And a radio you can hear.
 
Thanks for replies! The 110 can have Aircon added, that's true. Really it's the motorway comfort as well...noise moreso than seating. Most journeys would be 2-8 hours as we live in central Europe and would like to explore the sorrounding countries. I wanted to do some proper longish 2 month expeditions with the defender 110 but since starting the rebuild we've got a mortgage and can't afford to spend lengths of time out of work. My main concern is the potential outcome of a motorway accident in the 110...off-road at low speed this wouldn't be so bad.
 
mikerajjers said:
Most journeys would be 2-8 hours as we live in central Europe and would like to explore the sorrounding countries.
Click to expand...
So fit a higher ratio transfer box, mine will sit at 85 if needed and is comfortable sat at 75 wich is 3000rpm.

mikerajjers said:
My main concern is the potential outcome of a motorway accident in the 110...off-road at low speed this wouldn't be so bad.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't fancy a motorway speed accident in any vehicle so I would try to avoid them in anything and not .
 
If you can accommodate good diagnostics in your budget, which on the face of it you can, and you have the patience to deal with any hissy fits, then I'd suggest this might be a good way forward ..... ( sounds like you'll have something of a slush fund to keep the D4 happy ).

I do agree with you fiancée that deafeners are uncomfortable, and the D4 is completely and utterly not - more like an arm chair with wheels ....

Problem I see with any modern vehicle is that they are life limited simply by being so complex, so I'm glad you are keeping your 90 :)
 
mikerajjers said:
My 110 300tdi is nearly finished after a full rebuild. The only 'problem' is it doesn't have Aircon and the fiance doesn't find it comfortable to go on a road trip (in honesty she is probably right)...which Is the main reason I had it rebuilt.

I have been offered an amount for it for which I could buy a 5 year old D4 with full JLR service history and have 5 k left over.

I'm really tempted to sell it...what are your thoughts?

I have a TD5 90 which I would keep regardless for tinkering and fun
Click to expand...
110 will likely hold its money. While a D4 will be loosing value every day.

If you are happy with this. Then go for it. And at the end of the day, if the 110 isn’t the right vehicle for your use. Then it makes sense to look at alternatives.

As a left field option. You might want to look at a JK Wrangler Unlimited. They hold their money pretty well too. And offer pretty much everything the 110 does and more. But with something closer to Discovery comfort and convenience levels.

2f5d92cabd333364a729c32dc99fc326.jpg
 
Disco1BFG said:
Problem I see with any modern vehicle is that they are life limited simply by being so complex, so I'm glad you are keeping your 90 :)
Click to expand...

People used to say that about the sierra with its electronic ignition and the montego with its fuel injection, times change and now theres people out there making kits to drop a LS3 with auto trans into the D3 with all other functions working.
People doing engine swaps on bmws 4 to 6 pots and so on.
Peopls always find a work around
 
lynall said:
People used to say that about the sierra with its electronic ignition and the montego with its fuel injection, times change and now theres people out there making kits to drop a LS3 with auto trans into the D3 with all other functions working.
People doing engine swaps on bmws 4 to 6 pots and so on.
Peopls always find a work around
Click to expand...

Yep, and this is great to see :)
 
dag019 said:
So fit a higher ratio transfer box, mine will sit at 85 if needed and is comfortable sat at 75 wich is 3000rpm.
I've put in a transfer box from a Discovery

I wouldn't fancy a motorway speed accident in any vehicle so I would try to avoid them in anything and not .
Click to expand...
I try to avoid them too.

I haven't driven the 110 yet as my mate is adding the finishing touches so I may well decide to keep it.
 
300bhp/ton said:
110 will likely hold its money. While a D4 will be loosing value every day.

If you are happy with this. Then go for it. And at the end of the day, if the 110 isn’t the right vehicle for your use. Then it makes sense to look at alternatives.

As a left field option. You might want to look at a JK Wrangler Unlimited. They hold their money pretty well too. And offer pretty much everything the 110 does and more. But with something closer to Discovery comfort and convenience levels.

2f5d92cabd333364a729c32dc99fc326.jpg
Click to expand...

I have thought about other options too, even a Nissan Patrol but I have my heart set on Land Rovers. I won't rush the decision and may wait to see what the new Defender will be like. However, it will probably be way over budget. The new Suzuki Jimny looks brilliant...porbably not a motorway cruiser but looks good
 
I think as you get older your priorities change.

Red hot out today, in the D3 dog in the back a/c working overtime through town, then a 75 mph run for a few miles having a chat with the missus speaking normally then town again to get down to the boat, I thought to myself it does it all so effortlessly.
Now the Defender I would have arrived hot/sweaty/frustrated the dog couldnt have come with me, half the kit would not fit in the back and so on.
 
300bhp/ton said:
110 will likely hold its money. While a D4 will be loosing value every day.

If you are happy with this. Then go for it. And at the end of the day, if the 110 isn’t the right vehicle for your use. Then it makes sense to look at alternatives.

As a left field option. You might want to look at a JK Wrangler Unlimited. They hold their money pretty well too. And offer pretty much everything the 110 does and more. But with something closer to Discovery comfort and convenience levels.

2f5d92cabd333364a729c32dc99fc326.jpg
Click to expand...

I like the look of the LWB Wrangler too, if l got rid of my 110 l’d probably go for one.

The only thing l’d say about changing your fully restored 110 for a Disco 4 is you’ll lose all your money over time where the 110 will retain its value.
As long as that is OK then the Disco 4 is a superb vehicle for the journeys you have in mind.
 
Last edited:
lightning said:
I like the look of the LWB Wrangler too, if l got rid of my 110 l’d probably go for one.

The only thing l’d say about changing your fully restored 110 for a Disco 4 is you’ll lose all your money over time where the 110 will retain its value.
As long as that is OK then the Disco 4 is a superb vehicle for the journeys you have in mind.
Click to expand...

You are right about the D4 losing its value. Also with the D4 (like any used car) its always a bit of a gamble regarding the condition. That's why I had the 110 rebuilt...I bought it cheap but with a solid chassis and reasonable body
 
Good point on depreciation

Wife has said to me about getting a D4 and my reply was, what can a 20/25k D4 do that the D3 cant? and I dont have to be to precious about the D3 as I tend to use it as a mobile shed.
 
Somebody offered you £25,000 for your Defender 110 300tdi?
That’s a pretty damn good offer. Are they exporting it to the USA?
 
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