Disco 4SDV6, GL 350CDI, E70X5 40d 7 seat or a Q7 S-Line

[BritishExpat]

Hello all

I plan to return to the UK for good in a couple of months after 10 years in the Gulf and will need a car. Must haves include 7 seats, and auto box, and having driven SUV’s for the last 9 years or so I’ve got accustomed to the high seating position , good ground clearance and general go anywhere ability so don’t want to back to a normal car so that rules out an e class estate with 7 seats or a people carrier.
I’ve never leased a car before or bought on finance, and whilst I understand the argument for having a fixed monthly cost which allows one to have a brand new car, at this stage I don’t think it’s for me.
So I’m going to be looking at one of the above I guess, budget is up to £15k and I’m looking for recommendations or advice please.
I’ve had a GL320 before and an e70 3 litre single turbo SE in the UK before. Both were nice cars, and I liked most things about them, although if I was to buy either marque again I’d want a 2012 GL350 with the more powerful engine and revised styling or a 2010 onwards LCI X5, with the facelift and 8 speed auto. I like the fact that you can get these with a twin turbo engine and the road tax is only £300.
However, I can’t help wanting a Disco 4 SDV6 in HSE spec ideally. I think they look magnificent and have a really classy interior as well. The reliability is what I have concerns about, with lots of documented cases of crankshaft failure due to spun shells and turbo failure. I wouldn’t want to buy one, and have loads of issues with it as I’d be kicking myself for buying it in the first place. Or am I being paranoid, and they are worth taking a chance on?
The last option is a Q7 with the 245 BHP 3 litre Diesel engine and the 8 speed automatic box. A friend of mine has one and rates it highly, but I’m not really keen on them for reasons I can’t really quantify.
Also, I guess there’s the 2012 onwards Hyundai Santa Fe which comes with a 7 seat option. The 7 seat ones that are sold over here have an extended wheelbase, but the UK ones cram 7 seats into the standard wheelbase, does anyone have any first hand experience of these?
I’m looking for feedback and informed opinions to help me make a decision please, and any alternative suggestions that I may not have thought of.
I know S Max’s are well regarded, but the power shift gearbox problems are enough to put me off, and I don’t want a manual. I’ve heard the 2.2 diesel has a conventional auto though, so are they worth considering?
I will be moving back to Birmingham, but won’t be venturing into the low emission zone often, so not being Euro 6 compliant is not a big issue as far as I’m concerned.
BMW 2 series Grand Tourer and VW Touran mark 3 are also within budget, am I wrong to dismiss these?

I’ve always found this to be a really knowledgable community, and would really appreciate any and all feedback.
Thanks
R

[Sweepinghand]

I drive an E70 3.0d msport X5
It’s a great car - 7 seats (not that I use them) and at £15k you’ll easily pick something up that’s good
My only expense has been a set of tyres / run flats but they were only £500 as I just bought a decent budget brand instead of £200 plus a corner “brand names”

I wouldn’t touch a LR and thr Audi option is way more exciting endive to run

E70 real mpg 32 around town and A roads - motorway you’ll see 39-42
All depends how you drive

Parts and maintenance parts are cheap via the likes of euro car parts and can be fitted by independent garages cheaply


Transfer case oils are “lifetime” and mines at 69k and never been done, some owners have it done if any lumpiness

They are amazing value for money - oh and the rear suspension airbags can go but again are not expensive to renew
Mine haven’t - just going off a Facebook group I follow that’s helpful

[Kirk280]

Discovery 4s are genuinely superb, I love ours. FFF is the man to discuss reliability etc.

[Beanie]

I haven't had a D4 but have owned a D3 and currently run a 3.0ltr RRS which is very similar mechanically to the D4.
They are great cars but are expensive to run around that age. The 7 year service is a big one as it included the cam belt and high pressure fuel pump which is at the back of the engine (it is timed and apparently awkward to change). Front lower and rear upper wishbone bushes wear and can cost £600 per axle as they can need cutting off. If the electronic parking brake is not properly maintained it will begin to screech and if not attended to, a new module will set you back about £800. The crank is the big one and there seems no rhyme or reason as to why they go. There are companies who can resurrect a dead engine dependent on the extent of the damage or you can get a new one from LR. Despite what LR say, the autobox will benefit from a flush around 70k as recommended by ZF who make them, budget about £300.
They can suffer from DPF regeneration/oil dilution issues if you only do short journeys, but that is a common issue with diesels with DPF's.
Not wishing to put you off as I will keep mine while I can afford it, but I would strongly suggest a comprehensive aftermarket warranty. A lot of owners use Warranty Direct as they will cover a snapped crank, which is not always the case. They have various levels of cover ranging £2-3,000 for 3 years which sounds a lot but gives you peace of mind.
Oh, and find a good independent specialist, the main dealers will just empty your wallet.
I'm sure FFF will be able to give you chapter and verse on these, the above is just what Iv'e picked up during LR ownership.

[BritishExpat]

Thanks a lot guys for your replies, some food for thought there.

[Dave O'Sullivan]

I have just gone through exactly the same thought process as you. We have five kids so need a seven seater, prefer SUV and budget of around £15K. Our current car is a 2008 Volvo XC90.
I looked at the Disco 4 closely. We used to have a 3 that I loved. However, even with the fact that I own a garage and one of my guys is ex LR, I decided against it. Too many I know of with too many expensive issues. The GL was great and I loved it but again at the £15K mark you're into running an expensive older model.
BMW was very appealing and I almost bought one on here a couple of months ago. The Touran / Zafira are ok as a run around but the boot is tiny with the two reward seats up - same as the Discovery Sport.

So in the end, I replaced the Volvo with...a Volvo. New shape model picked up yesterday. Lovely thing but did somewhat smash the £15K I was contemplating spending!
If £15K is rigid, I'd advise a decent late old shape XC90. If you can go up a bit, then get the newer one.

[Franky Four Fingers]

I haven't had a D4 but have owned a D3 and currently run a 3.0ltr RRS which is very similar mechanically to the D4.
They are great cars but are expensive to run around that age. The 7 year service is a big one as it included the cam belt and high pressure fuel pump which is at the back of the engine (it is timed and apparently awkward to change). Front lower and rear upper wishbone bushes wear and can cost £600 per axle as they can need cutting off. If the electronic parking brake is not properly maintained it will begin to screech and if not attended to, a new module will set you back about £800. The crank is the big one and there seems no rhyme or reason as to why they go. There are companies who can resurrect a dead engine dependent on the extent of the damage or you can get a new one from LR. Despite what LR say, the autobox will benefit from a flush around 70k as recommended by ZF who make them, budget about £300.
They can suffer from DPF regeneration/oil dilution issues if you only do short journeys, but that is a common issue with diesels with DPF's.
Not wishing to put you off as I will keep mine while I can afford it, but I would strongly suggest a comprehensive aftermarket warranty. A lot of owners use Warranty Direct as they will cover a snapped crank, which is not always the case. They have various levels of cover ranging £2-3,000 for 3 years which sounds a lot but gives you peace of mind.
Oh, and find a good independent specialist, the main dealers will just empty your wallet.
I'm sure FFF will be able to give you chapter and verse on these, the above is just what Iv'e picked up during LR ownership.

Nailed it- not a lot to add tbh.

[BritishExpat]

Thanks guys, I’m really grateful that so many of you made the effort to help me out.
So as things stand I’ve ruled out the Disco, head has overruled the heart in this case.
I would love a new shape XC90, but have to pay for an extension plus complete remodelling of the house, hence the fixed(ish) budget. The old shape XC90’s never really appealed to me so it’s a no.
So, I’m on the lookout for and X5 E70 or a nice GL350.
R

[joe narvey]

I have a diesel now and am looking to sell/ part-ex ( this isn’t a for sale advert). I’m in London and local authorities are making it increasingly difficult to drive diesel here and SUVs are now unable to use some roads because of width restrictions and limited parking.

My car is a ultra low emission BMW diesel 2016 but still is charged an environmental surcharge when parking in certain areas.

Petrol or hybrid only way to go if in the city.

[Rodder]

What about a Skoda kodiaq or VW all space?


Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

[reggie747]

What about a Skoda kodiaq or VW all space?

A decent spec Kodiaq might be a struggle for 15 grand

[Rodder]

But for a little bit more you’re going to get a much newer car with significantly less running costs


Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

[nellyh]

I’ve had a GL350, Volvo XC90 (old shape) and currently run a 7 seat X5 40d (2018 F15). In terms of driving, the X5 is head and shoulders the best of the lot and I’m completely sold on it.

However, the 3rd row seating option are really jump seats for little kids and unusable for anyone over about 5 feet 5 inches. If I bought again I wouldn’t bother with the 3rd row seating as my kids and their friends are now into their teens so pointless for me. If I needed more usable 3rd row seats I’d go back to the XC90. It was reliable and practical, but totally uninspiring to drive!