Pick My Next Vehicle

MM3846

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2014
1,221
161
LI, NY
I absolutely love and recommend the LR4. Getting a Disco was a dream since I was in middle school, and I wanted a Kalahari D2 forever. I got my D1 a few years ago after being convinced they were the "better" truck over a D2. I loved it. I miss it.

I test drove everything I could before getting the LR4 because I wanted to be absolutely sure I was getting not just what I thought I wanted, but what I enjoyed driving the most. I really wanted to try and love a 4Runner, or a Lexus GX... because that what makes the most sense as a reliable, family-hauler, daily driver. I just couldn't, there was no spark. The LR4 (and 3) just felt right, and brought me back to my D1.

The LR3 is great. The motor is more reliable and less sensitive than the 5.0, you can (or could at the time) get them a lot cheaper, and I was into the fact that a full-on replacement head unit/audio system was easier. The interior was more utilitarian, which I was about as well. I found the powertrain to be completely adequate. My buddy has a LR4, and I've driven it but it was before I was car shopping so I never drove it. Well, I did and the 5.0 is a monster, plain and simple. So I convinced myself despite the "downfalls" of the 5.0 I needed one.

The Range Rover with the 5.0 is a totally different experience. There's more rear seat room than the LR4 but "less" overall space for cargo. The angled rear window and lower roofline contribute to that even though the vehicle is slightly longer overall. The Rangie drives better, as it should. I decided I wanted the 3rd row and the Disco look so I hunted down a one owner '13 LR4 HD with 46k miles, and got in just before the pandemic prices went batshit. I've put a little over 15k miles on it so far, and have had to deal with some Rover issues but I expected that. Unless something crazy happens like fuel goes to $8 a gallon and we all have to switch to electric vehicles ASAP I plan on keeping this one beyond 200k miles.

If you can find a well-loved LR3 HD with under 120k miles or so for less than $15-16k, that is a good buy right now. Expect to hover ~$30k for a perfect, low miles '13 LR4.
 

Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,043
856
AZ
Wow. That makes me feel good, but my Discos have been abused. Kind of hard for me to believe you, but I know you've been around longer than me.

What rear bumper is that?
Perhaps "crap" was a bit harsh when describing my 1996 and 2004 Discos.....they were well loved and well used but light years away from the LR4 when it comes to ride quality, build quality, and offroad experience. The 5.0 V8 is so much more engine than the 4.0 and 4.6 in the older Discos. Actually I should say 4.6s plural since many D2s (including mine) go through more than one engine.

That rear bumper is a Tactical 4X4 with the swing-away tire carrier:

 

Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,043
856
AZ
The Range Rover with the 5.0 is a totally different experience. There's more rear seat room than the LR4 but "less" overall space for cargo. The angled rear window and lower roofline contribute to that even though the vehicle is slightly longer overall. The Rangie drives better, as it should.
I sold my OEM 19" wheels and tires from my LR4 to a guy with a Range Rover. I didn't drive it but just sitting in it was strange. Same interior as my LR4 but such a different feeling inside with the RR body compared to the LR4. Once you get used to the open air feeling of a Disco it's hard to go back.
 

MM3846

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2014
1,221
161
LI, NY
I sold my OEM 19" wheels and tires from my LR4 to a guy with a Range Rover. I didn't drive it but just sitting in it was strange. Same interior as my LR4 but such a different feeling inside with the RR body compared to the LR4. Once you get used to the open air feeling of a Disco it's hard to go back.

The LR4 feels more like a Disco than the L322 feels like a RRC.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ERover82

bri

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
6,178
152
US
Perhaps "crap" was a bit harsh when describing my 1996 and 2004 Discos.....they were well loved and well used but light years away from the LR4 when it comes to ride quality, build quality, and offroad experience. The 5.0 V8 is so much more engine than the 4.0 and 4.6 in the older Discos. Actually I should say 4.6s plural since many D2s (including mine) go through more than one engine.

That rear bumper is a Tactical 4X4 with the swing-away tire carrier:

I like the rear bumper. Perhaps their slider, but damn. The front one really looks "bulky". I don't like blades either, is there a tweener?
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
LR4 is the last of the old chassis and Engine stuff. Nobody should miss the 5.0 once it’s gone.
The new Defender is built on a very similar if not the exact chassis as both the 405 Range and Sport and Disco5.The new 2.0 is pretty solid and the 3.0 with the mild hybrid is starting to make a little sense after a few years of it.
So if you really start trying to decide between LR4 and a stripped down Defender with the 2.0 in it. I would buy the new Defender. Hands down no contest. Stripped down the way I built one it was 52K. That was a 90 with the steel wheels and steel springs. Locking diff, cold climate package and skid plates.
 

Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,043
856
AZ
The Tactical 4x4 front bumper doesn't appeal to me. I'm looking at the Lucky 8 CFE front bumper:


or the Proud Rhino front bumper:


You can't beat $1600 for front bumper with winch included. The Proud Rhino is much more robust but you pay for it....$2,000 not including winch plus shipping will bite. The CFE stands for Cost Friendly Edition and it ships in 3 parts that are bolted together whereas the Proud Rhino is a typical pallet-on-truck shipment. The only downside to the CFE is that it's made for the LR3 and there are gaps under the LR4 headlights where there are not gaps on the LR3.

CFE:
CFE hi res.jpg

Proud Rhino:
Proud Rhino2 w bash plate.jpg
 

Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,043
856
AZ
LR4 is the last of the old chassis and Engine stuff. Nobody should miss the 5.0 once it’s gone.
The new Defender is built on a very similar if not the exact chassis as both the 405 Range and Sport and Disco5.The new 2.0 is pretty solid and the 3.0 with the mild hybrid is starting to make a little sense after a few years of it.
So if you really start trying to decide between LR4 and a stripped down Defender with the 2.0 in it. I would buy the new Defender. Hands down no contest. Stripped down the way I built one it was 52K. That was a 90 with the steel wheels and steel springs. Locking diff, cold climate package and skid plates.
I value your word as a true LR guy but you're also talking $52k for a stripper Defender vs. sub-$30K for a loaded LR4. Hell, my LR4 was over $65K in 2013 dollars and I picked it up for $28K in August 2020 with 69k miles.
 

ERover82

Well-known member
Nov 26, 2011
3,899
450
Darien Gap
I value your word as a true LR guy but you're also talking $52k for a stripper Defender vs. sub-$30K for a loaded LR4. Hell, my LR4 was over $65K in 2013 dollars and I picked it up for $28K in August 2020 with 69k miles.
$52k for far less room and power, if you could even find one. They just don't make sense. An AT4 Yukon is a lot more attractive if looking new.
 

Howski

Well-known member
Oct 19, 2009
1,483
209
Alabama
$52k for far less room and power, if you could even find one. They just don't make sense. An AT4 Yukon is a lot more attractive if looking new.
Hard finding at AT4 under $65k at least around here though I do like them a lot
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
I value your word as a true LR guy but you're also talking $52k for a stripper Defender vs. sub-$30K for a loaded LR4. Hell, my LR4 was over $65K in 2013 dollars and I picked it up for $28K in August 2020 with 69k miles.
I understand what your saying. I get that you can get an LR$ thats just gone out of factory warranty for 30 and go it alone. Nothing wrong with an LR4, I'm just saying the new chassis setup is much better. It's going to need much less help after 60,000 miles. I kind of think they came up with a suspension and drivetrain that works so damn good they started building everything with same or similar chassis.
When they came out with the Disco sport it drove so much better than the Evoque. Most guys I work with said shit like "why even make Evoque anymore" It's the rear suspension I think that makes all the difference. Big hollow cast control arms suck up all the disturbance. It's a huge improvement.
As far as the Tahoe or Suburban thing. I'm looking into buying a Silverado but I think they have some shit going on with the 9 speed trans(or whatever speed.)Those guys are doing a lot of engine work that makes the 5.0 look like a trouble free engine.
 

MM3846

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2014
1,221
161
LI, NY
I priced out a stripped down 110 before I got my LR4 and it was too hard of a pill to swallow cost wise. I think it was just under $60k at the time for all the off-road packs and nothing else. I still haven't driven one, but man they are nice. If I had to pay someone for service, it would make more sense to be look harder at something new or under warranty since that's where you'll get that cost creep over time.
 

StangGT5

Well-known member
Feb 4, 2019
295
130
Atlanta, GA
I will pile-on for another LR4 recommendation. I had a 2011 that was killed by a tree, and now a 2013 with 76K. I paid half what a 4 cylinder Defender costs, and the Defender just doesn't do it for me even in 6 cylinder trim. The LR4 seems very familiar to its predecessors and has the same presence. I had a few LR3s, and they are very reliable. The 5.0 just makes so much more power than the 4.4. LR3s can also develop transmission issues that balance out the potential timing chain problems a 5.0 can have. The more modern appearance, interior, and gobs of power put me in the LR4 camp.

2013 was the last year for the V8, and supposedly will not need timing chain guides like the 10-12s. I did not consider the V6. It is supposedly more reliable, but I am just a V8 Rover guy. I like the added power and real shifter. It took me a few months to find a 2013 with the HD package, which was a must for me. I didn't really care about the LUX dash and seats. The wheels were going in the bin either way. The front winch bumpers are not as bulbous in person. I have bumpers sliders and wheels on mine, and they are tuck in close as they can. It's not like the ARB stuff.

With all that said, I have been thinking about switching to a 2012 RR SC (the Yukon AT4 6.2 is also attractive). I have a bunch of offroaders, so the added power and looks are attractive for a pavement pounder / light offroader. If you do not need the added utility of a LR4, consider a 2010-2012 RR. Just know it will need chain guides at some point.
 

Attachments

  • 20211225_155241.jpg
    20211225_155241.jpg
    269.6 KB · Views: 13
  • Like
Reactions: MM3846

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
Is that DIY-able?

Yes, although it requires specialized tools and is above average difficulty. Thankfully there are plenty of resources in the form of write-ups and videos from those who have done it. Given the price tag of a professional job, it's no wonder.
 

p m

Administrator
Staff member
Apr 19, 2004
15,617
838
58
La Jolla, CA
www.3rj.org
Is that DIY-able?
Everything is DIY-able.

they were well loved and well used but light years away from the LR4 when it comes to ride quality, build quality, and offroad experience.
Bill,

Since I still have both my 290-kmi Disco 1 and an LR4 at my house... I'll skip my feelings towards LR4's reliability for now.

Utility-wise, LR4 wins hands down. The first trip we made to the mountains blew my mind away - going up a 7% grade from 4500 to 7500 ft with six people, at 80mph, 2200 rpm in the 6th gear? For the D1 it would be a 55-mph, 4500-rpm in the 2nd gear proposition.

But now, whenever I drive the LR4, I feel like I'm driving a bus. Disco 1 was a lot more personal driving. Like a Classic - you see everything around you, you can sneak into whatever narrow hole there is (between the trees or rocks, that is).

I don't long for LR4 whenever I drive the Disco or any of my Classics. Actually, I want an un-fucked D1.