Buying Advice: Replacement for LR4 V8, ingenium motor options viable?

[Wadkiller]

My wife drives a Discovery 4 V8, with the school run starting this is very uneconomical. This used to be my daily and I do very low mileage. I replaced the D4 with a Ranger DC. In the short term a switch will work, but long term I need an alternative.

We love the D4, has lots of space and is the perfect vehicle for long distance traveling. In a perfect world I would keep the D4 and add a more frugal 3rd vehicle, but I would be bothered paying insurance and annual services for a vehicle that barely drives.

We have family with a Freelander 2.2, and it has served them very well. I read horror stories about the 2.0d Ingenium motors, specifically timing chains, used in the Discovery Sport and Evoque (+various other Jaguar models). This seems to be sorted on models post Nov2019. I assume this is the case for both the 130 odd kw and 177kw motor?

The practicality of the Disco Sport is a massive plus, but I dont need 7 seats, thus also entertaining the Evoque. If I am starting to entertain late model Disco Sports I might as well buy a new Ford Everest 2.0 bi-turbo.

Am I crazy to even entertain the thought of an ingenium motor? I love my LR4 (had a LR3 V8 as well), am I now too brand loyal and possibly blind to other options? What else can I consider? In the same price range with +- 50k Km on the odo a Volvo XC60 D5 is a good buy. Your input?

I am not fond of buying new, due to our general low avg mileage per annum. New is not good value for money for me. I can stretch my budget, but would prefer to be below R500k. (side note, I get diesel mostly free or relatively cheap if above a certain quantity, thus a diesel is preferred above the V8 pertol)

 

[Emoji]

Hello!

I would personally look at a Toyota (Corolla Cross/Rav4 no diesel, Fortuner for diesel) in that price range.

I would also personally look at Nissan (Qashqai/X-trail also no diesel I have come across).

There some very decent, reliable SUVs out there with low mileage under R500k. I didn't even realise that until now.

 

[Wadkiller]

Thanks for the suggestions, but I am really not a fan of the Fortuner 3rd row seat setup. So impractical compared to the Everest and Discovery. Will look at the other alternatives you mentioned.

 

[CallMeTsuki]

I have family with Toyota Land Cruisers and Prado's, and the vehicles are great overall, although the uncle has the petrol v8 cruiser which just gulps petrol for fun. There are some options on "webuycars" within the 500k budget, like this 2011 V8 Diesel Cruiser or this 2015 3L Prado . At least from my experience with the Cruiser, the 3rd row seats are a lot more comfortable than those of the Fortuner.

 

[CallMeTsuki]

Hello!

I would personally look at a Toyota (Corolla Cross/Rav4 no diesel, Fortuner for diesel) in that price range.

I would also personally look at Nissan (Qashqai/X-trail also no diesel I have come across).

There some very decent, reliable SUVs out there with low mileage under R500k. I didn't even realise that until now.

Also surprised me how affordable a 2nd hand SUV is now.

 

[ultimate]

My wife drives a Discovery 4 V8, with the school run starting this is very uneconomical. This used to be my daily and I do very low mileage. I replaced the D4 with a Ranger DC. In the short term a switch will work, but long term I need an alternative.

We love the D4, has lots of space and is the perfect vehicle for long distance traveling. In a perfect world I would keep the D4 and add a more frugal 3rd vehicle, but I would be bothered paying insurance and annual services for a vehicle that barely drives.

We have family with a Freelander 2.2, and it has served them very well. I read horror stories about the 2.0d Ingenium motors, specifically timing chains, used in the Discovery Sport and Evoque (+various other Jaguar models). This seems to be sorted on models post Nov2019. I assume this is the case for both the 130 odd kw and 177kw motor?

The practicality of the Disco Sport is a massive plus, but I dont need 7 seats, thus also entertaining the Evoque. If I am starting to entertain late model Disco Sports I might as well buy a new Ford Everest 2.0 bi-turbo.

Am I crazy to even entertain the thought of an ingenium motor? I love my LR4 (had a LR3 V8 as well), am I now too brand loyal and possibly blind to other options? What else can I consider? In the same price range with +- 50k Km on the odo a Volvo XC60 D5 is a good buy. Your input?

I am not fond of buying new, due to our general low avg mileage per annum. New is not good value for money for me. I can stretch my budget, but would prefer to be below R500k. (side note, I get diesel mostly free or relatively cheap if above a certain quantity, thus a diesel is preferred above the V8 pertol)

If you like the disco why not switch to the v 6 diesel averages around 10 km/L and the exact same car probably same torque /power with tune?

 

[Freeman]

The 3L in the Disco 4 motor works great until they grenade themselves. Look up Disco 4 snapped cranks. The crank is underengineered for a v6 that puts out 600nm.

You can get the Disco sport with the 2.2 diesel (same motor as came in the freelander 2, not an ingenium motor) but I think it is only the earlier models. You might struggle to find a nice low mileage one though.

 

[Wadkiller]

If you like the disco why not switch to the v 6 diesel averages around 10 km/L and the exact same car probably same torque /power with tune?

Probably not the worst advice. Its not an economical vehicle though.

The 3L in the Disco 4 motor works great until they grenade themselves. Look up Disco 4 snapped cranks. The crank is underengineered for a v6 that puts out 600nm.

You can get the Disco sport with the 2.2 diesel (same motor as came in the freelander 2, not an ingenium motor) but I think it is only the earlier models. You might struggle to find a nice low mileage one though.

I dont think its underengineered. There are models with high mileage with no issues. The issue started with the 2.7L motor form the D3, first a turned bearing, then oil pump issues that lead to the snapped crank. I understand it might be one of various manufacturers, which the man on the street have no way of confirming, that supplied some of these cranks. They use various manufacturers to supply the same part. Anyway, all that is hearsay and I dont have any way to determine if I will be a lucky/unlucky D4 3.0L diesel owner.

 

[Freeman]

By underengineered I mean that the bearing surface area on the Disco 3L crank is too low (~84mm across the main bearings) for the power it makes. If there is even the tiniest imperfection in the crank it will snap over time. They designed a great engine that assumed perfect manufacturing, unfortunately there is no such thing (as you say, could be one of the parts suppliers making poor parts).

If you wanna buy one then you need to find one that has been babied with good oil. Also, Full Dealer Service history doesn't help you, 24000 km service interval is insane for a diesel that already has poor oiling (go look at the oil channels for the two inner main bearings) and low bearing surface area. You need to find one that has been serviced every 12000km IMO.

Buying a diesel disco 4 is playing the lottery, if the crank goes the repair will be at least R100k (assuming you can find parts!).

Stick with your v8 and stick with peace of mind (although make sure you have the recalled timing chain guide for your v8). Otherwise 2.2d disco sport is lekker.

 

[Emoji]

The Volvo XC60 is a very good looking car and seems to hold its value surprisingly well. I don't know enough about its reliability though. Is the XC40 too small? It can be had for less.

 

[Emoji]

Maybe a left-field suggestion but have you considered something from Hyundai or Kia in that price range? Looks like some decent options are available.

 

[Wadkiller]

@Freeman is the 3L diesel in the Disco 5 also problematic?

 

[Freeman]

It's a good question. I haven't seen a tear down of one of the disco 5 motors. I'm sure that it is updated from the Disco 4 one. A quick google for Disco 5 snapped cranks didn't turn up much.

 

[Freeman]

Here are some recommendations to extend the life of the diesel for as long as possible,

So basically, use a 5W40 C3 oil, not the land rover recommended stuff. And overfill to 6.3l instead of 5.5l.

 

[ettiene]

I am curious where you get this free diesel. Stolen out of trucks?