Member Since: 07 Dec 2007
Location: Herts
Posts: 13
Advice D3 v D4
We’ve had our 2006 D3 since 2007 and it has now done 125,000 miles.
We’ve had most of the common failures and diagnosed and solved many of them with the help of this forum (thanks). Although we’ve not had the crank failure that I’ve just read about!
It has been by far our favourite car, but I’m worried about it’s long term reliability for trips to the Alps etc.
We don’t really like the D5 and regret not getting one of the last D4s when they were discontinued.
The question now is, if we get a 2016 D4 Landmark with 40k miles will we have to go through all the same failures as we did with the current car or had they ironed out most of the problems by the time the outgoing models were sold?
Was the crank failure issue solved or are the 3.0L engines just as susceptible?
Thanks for any opinions offered.
16th Sep 2022 9:40 am
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4142
Crank failure is always a risk, the D4 is a far nicer car to drive long distances in than a D3 as I found the 3.0l far more responsive than the 2.7 IMO (ducks for cover).
On the downside you will be swapping a car you know and have had serviced properly for one that you know nothing about (LR servicing counts for very little)... make sure you get a good warranty !
Pros and cons, if you are having doubts about the D3 then yes change up but if it's running well then why change?
Plenty of threads and opinions on here about this ...I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
16th Sep 2022 10:38 am
qcnr
Member Since: 23 Nov 2017
Location: Norway
Posts: 107
What is it about the reliability you are worried about? 125000miles is nothing on a modern car, you could easily doubly that mileage with good maintenance.
You could buy the D4 and have the engine let go at 45000miles. Better the devil you know.
16th Sep 2022 11:17 am
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4142
Re: Advice D3 v D4
gasman wrote:
Was the crank failure issue solved or are the 3.0L engines just as susceptible?
Crank failure was on the 3.0l engines, the 2.7 TDV6 suffers from spun shells... take your pick
And no, the issue was never formally admitted by JLR so they did nothing to rectify it (other than provide "goodwill gestures" if the car met their criteria). The same issue occurs on other models with the same engine...I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
16th Sep 2022 11:21 am
gasman
Member Since: 07 Dec 2007
Location: Herts
Posts: 13
This is good so far, tending towards the cheaper option (apart from the road tax).
I think the driver to change is the future non-availability of straightforward non-hybrid replacements when it finally dies irretrievably eg by crank failure.
16th Sep 2022 11:46 am
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2862
We have both a D3 (276k miles) and a D4 (126k). I much prefer driving the D3 for general use as I find it more straightforward and relaxing. There is no doubt that the D4 is the 'better' vehicle if speed, response and handling is what is important to you - it is the one I take if time is likely to be an issue. However, the D3 is my favourite, despite the considerable abuse I give it.
Reliability wise then it can be a lottery ref the engine. As others have said, it may be a case of better the devil you know. I would suggest that one consideration might be the condition of your chassis - some are beginning to develop significant rust by now, and your D3 is 16 yrs old. If all is soud then I think I would carry on with the vehicle you have which, at the end of the day, has a very low residual value. You can then keep an eye out for the right D4 when it comes along!Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
16th Sep 2022 8:55 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72771
Having run 2 side by side (D3 S & D4 HSE) I preferred the D3. The D3 was like wearing a well worn pair of sneakers or loafers, D4 was like a stiff pair of brogues.
MPG for the two was identical, the D4 was completely reliable while the D3 was a complete cash cow and ended up dying a grizzly death far from home. D3 put a smile on my chops and the D4 didn’t.
Pays yer money & takes yer choice/chance (delete as appropriate).
16th Sep 2022 9:02 pm
stephenw46
Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 1154
I’ve had the D3 and own a D4 although the power of the D4 I preferred the D3 in all honesty if you’re happy with it keep it good luck
16th Sep 2022 9:28 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13871
The car that made me smile was my D3. Best car I ever had. New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
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
16th Sep 2022 10:48 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72771
Doing stuff like this deffo put a smile on my chops. She looked after me big time, right til the end when she drove her last.
Click image to enlarge
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Click image to enlarge
16th Sep 2022 11:40 pm
gasman
Member Since: 07 Dec 2007
Location: Herts
Posts: 13
Thanks everyone for the sensible advice. I shall delete the Autotrader saved search for Landmark D4s!
18th Sep 2022 9:01 pm
kajtzu
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6563
I liked my D4.
I love my D3.
I’d potentially cheat on the D3 if I would find a very late 2012 D4 V8.
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