Disco 5: Let the depression set in

[Roverlady]

I took delivery late Friday afternoon of my new D5 diesel - this thing is amazingly quiet. The LR3 is going up for sale now that the new car is here.

It has taken years for the LR3/4 to grow on me and the new one seems so weird and spaceship-like...but it also seems like a nice consideration for a replacement for my Honda Pilot in a few years. Nice to see some real photos--I haven't seen one in person yet.

Did you get the third row package? Is the towing rating for the diesel pretty good?

 

[ERover82]

The last LR4 reached a peak of refinement from the early awkward LR3.

Here's my LR3 in a color, wheel style, tire, and LR4 style grill, that IMHO makes the best of the platform.

View attachment 56457

 

[pinkytoe69]

By comparison to the new "Discovery", yes, absolutely. They were unique, distinct within their class, and weren't simply a version of an average American SUV with an LR badge.

Yup.

Anyone else think the D5 has a big ass?

 

[Blue]

LR3 and 4 still have the unique boxy style. Now they are all just the same egg shape.

 

[Howski]

Anyone else think the D5 has a big ass?

Claims to have a better departure angle than previous Discos which I can't believe. It's got a bigger ass end than a D2

 

[ERover82]

Claims to have a better departure angle than previous Discos which I can't believe. It's got a bigger ass end than a D2

The angles are measured at the tallest suspension setting, which is higher than previous models IIRC.

 

[JackW]

Did you get the third row package? Is the towing rating for the diesel pretty good?

I had to get the third row in order to get the Capability Plus Package which adds the locking rear diff and ATPC (All Terrain Progress Control) - sort of an off road cruise control. I played with that at the Overland Expo demo ride last year in a diesel Range Rover Sport and it was pretty cool - not necessary but interesting.

When we were entering my order in the system it wouldn't add the Advanced Towing Package without the seven seat package either. The brochure didn't specify that you needed the seven seat package but it wouldn't add it without it. I figured that the seven seat package will be more valuable in the long run so I just gave in and ordered it that way.

The diesel is rated to tow up to 7716 lbs versus 8201 lbs for the V-6 gasoline model - probably because the diesel weighs around 200 lbs more than the gas model.

I figure that I'll be trading this in on a new Defender in two years when it comes out - hopefully it will be shaped a little more like a box.

One very interesting thing I've noticed is that there is a lot of room between the front of the engine and the back of the radiator - it definitely looks like the Ingenium inline six will fit in the engine compartment My guess is the 2019 models will step away from the Ford V-6 and go to an all Land Rover drive train.

This thing is remarkably quiet - getting 21 mpg in heavy in town traffic (around 400 miles per tank) and it gives a great push in your back when you drop the hammer coming down an on ramp.

And yes it has a big ass...

 

[jymmiejamz]

I think the LR3 is the most boring Land Rover made. They ride great and are reliable, but man, they are like a Ford inside. I like the LR4 a lot, but I'd rather have the new Discovery with a diesel because it is so much quieter than the V8.

 

[mgreenspan]

I like the LR4 a lot, but I'd rather have the new Discovery with a diesel because it is so much quieter than the V8.

You mean you'd rather have it because it's less of the castration that a minivan would be? You and your lady friend pooping out babies yet?

 

[jymmiejamz]

Hah, not yet. We'll get a Defender 110 when we have kids, not a minivan.

I'm all about the interior when it comes to newer Land Rovers. That's part of the reason I like the LR4 so much more than the LR3. Admittedly, I haven't spent much time around the new Discovery, so I don't know how nice it really is, but I do like the current Range Rover and Range Rover Sport platform. I'm still kicking myself for not getting a 2016 RR diesel when they had the employee lease program for $550/month with nothing down.

 

[Roverlady]

I had to get the third row in order to get the Capability Plus Package which adds the locking rear diff and ATPC (All Terrain Progress Control) - sort of an off road cruise control. I played with that at the Overland Expo demo ride last year in a diesel Range Rover Sport and it was pretty cool - not necessary but interesting.

When we were entering my order in the system it wouldn't add the Advanced Towing Package without the seven seat package either. The brochure didn't specify that you needed the seven seat package but it wouldn't add it without it. I figured that the seven seat package will be more valuable in the long run so I just gave in and ordered it that way.

The diesel is rated to tow up to 7716 lbs versus 8201 lbs for the V-6 gasoline model - probably because the diesel weighs around 200 lbs more than the gas model.

I figure that I'll be trading this in on a new Defender in two years when it comes out - hopefully it will be shaped a little more like a box.

One very interesting thing I've noticed is that there is a lot of room between the front of the engine and the back of the radiator - it definitely looks like the Ingenium inline six will fit in the engine compartment My guess is the 2019 models will step away from the Ford V-6 and go to an all Land Rover drive train.

This thing is remarkably quiet - getting 21 mpg in heavy in town traffic (around 400 miles per tank) and it gives a great push in your back when you drop the hammer coming down an on ramp.

And yes it has a big ass...

That big ass is the part I like least-but I like the interior refinement and love the diesel option. I will eventually want something I can tow a small horse trailer with...and the new Expeditions will have the tow rating that beats the Discovery. But I'll always love Land Rover no matter what they look like. I'm keeping my DI until it's a pile of parts!

 

[Some Dude]

I think the LR3 is the most boring Land Rover made. They ride great and are reliable, but man, they are like a Ford inside.

I agree completely. My wife just got a 2017 VW and that thing has had me thinking about an LR4 every day because the interior is just bogus on the LR3. I feel like they really sorted out the interior on the LR4. Shit, my D2 was nicer inside.

 

[Blue]

How reliable are the LR4s? Would love to out my wife in one.

 

[jymmiejamz]

How reliable are the LR4s? Would love to out my wife in one.

All the same issues as an LR3, but with the addition of water pumps and timing chain tensioners and guides. The timing chain tensioner and guide failure is related to lack of maintenance, so if you change the oil, it will never be an issue.

 

[ERover82]

I'm guessing replacing the water pump early is the only fix?

 

[Howski]

In somewhat related news the new G Wagen is going to IFS/IRS. This marks the end of solid axle full size suv's as far as I know

 

[JackW]

So Autocar has put this drawing up on their website - sort of a rehash of what we've seen with the addition of Discovery 5 headlights. Would this be something you guys would go for?

 

[pinkytoe69]

The red one kinda looks like an FJ mated with a range rover.

Not that there's anything wrong with that per se

 

[Blue]

Looks like something my kid would draw. He's 2.

 

[Tugela]

Those look alright. An improvement on the DC100, in my view. Nice to see that the height of the window glass stays constant over the length of the vehicle instead of receding towards the back as on other newer Rovers. Other thoughts:

• The windshield height might be a bit short for tall drivers.
• I don't see a rain gutter on the roof or any other obvious way to attach a full-length rack.
• Wheel size looks reasonable for off-road use. Maybe 18"?
• Those two points in the front bumper look like sensors. For what? Suggests that this will have a lot more technology than I care for.
• Any kind of aftermarket front bumper (or even a factory brush guard) would probably stick out so far as to be a nuisance or look ridiculous. It's hard to see how such a product would work with that integrated bumper.
• Looks like independent suspension all around. So probably using existing architecture or something similar to it.
• Placement of the spare wheel on the SWB version might be the only thing worse than the Isuzu Vehicross in terms of obscuring rear visibility.
• Geometry and short overhands on the SWB look well-suited to off-roading.

Not bad, all things considered. If it came in a stripped-down, no frills version with an Ingenium diesel for less than $45,000 I would seriously consider buying one.