How to buy a Discovery 4 - Common problems, cost of parts, test drive tips (XS spec)

The Land Rover Discovery 4 is a vehicle legendary for its off road capability, on-road comfort, interior spec and features and just generally handsome looks. However, it is also quite legendary for a number of problems.

In this How To guide, our video guy Ciro De Siena, who has just bought one of these beasts, takes us through some of the common problems with the car, and how to spot them on your test drive and inspection.

We also look at replacement parts pricing and the cost to perform the important cambelt service.

We'll cover air suspension issues, the handbrake issue, cracked intake manifold, exhaust gas recirculation solution and mass air flow sensor issues.

We'll also cover why this rare Discovery 4 XS spec might be the pick of the bunch...

0:00 - Intro
1:30 - Buying a used car
2:30 - Service history
3:30 - Air suspension
4:45 - Handbrake
5:20 - Land Rover Discovery ownership
6:05 - Intake Manifold
6:40 - Exhaust Gas Recirculation
7:10 - Crank
8:04 - Under the car
9:20 - Wheels
9:35 - Scratches
10:14 - Conclusion

Save 20% on car insurance when you buy online:

Visit SentiMETAL at:

Follow SentiMETAL on the socials:

Apple

Android

Huawei App Gallery

[oarabileramogale]

New cars in South Africa are craaaazy expensive these days. please make more videos like this reviewing used cars and giving advice on what to lookout for. This was great!

[muzinkosi]

Brilliant car, i have a 2011 SDV6 HSE, that i bought in 2013 @ 65000km, currently on 255000km. Air compressor packed up 3 yrs ago, bought a replacement one from Land Rover parts for africa for R8000, had my indie replace it and i was out the door for R11000 all in. Electronic break packed up at about 120000km got it fixed an no problem, learnt my lesson not to go play in mud, it’s the electronic motor that packs up just above the top of the spare wheel, get it serviced or cleaned every third or so service. Oil changes religiously done every 10000km. Drives like a dream and i have no plans of parting ways with it. I take it off-road and on hunting trips no worries. It’s a brilliant car and worth keeping for a very long time, 13 years and still counting no issues. They are just brilliant. did my cambelt at 150000km, will do it again at

[veedeekay]

This has the "ReDriven" YouTube channel vibes, but I like it since its more SA focussed. And of course, Ciro

[khulekilemsimanga]

Always good to hear about actual costs. Not the usual internet fearmongering where someone will have you believe that every JLR product will wake up at night and eat the yoghurt in your fridge out of sheer spite.

[KatlegoMac]

This video is a stuff of legends! Great work for the South African market. 🇿🇦🔥🔥🔥

[tendailuwo]

I have a Disco 4 V8. Amazing car. Not as unreliable as people say although occasionally repairs can be pricey. Love it and don’t see myself replacing it any time soon.

[tdjohn]

Just bought a 2013 LR4 HSE with only 57, 000 miles. I too got under the car and looked for any leaks, or physical damage. None found. I had also purchased a scanner and checked for any codes. All clear, so I think I found a winner.

[stevejones]

Thanks Ciro. Relevant tips on used cars is exactly what we need when new cars are so unaffordable. You must be dong well to have a C63, Disco, Mx5(?) and whatever else.

[mikecoleman]

I've had an XS since 2013 - fantastic all round vehicle. I didn't want air suspension / sunroof / 7 seats ( and the reduced packing space) so went for the XS. As it turns out it's the best Disco 4 IMO. A few points - For off road use factory suspension is too low (185 mm clearance) so you'll need a 50mm lift on the coil springs to improve ground clearance. If the parking brake gets stuck you can release it by removing the cupholder - quite simple. Change the oil & filter every 10-12000km rather than the 26000km as recommended by LR. Enjoy

[vuyilefalita]

I've always liked the Discovery4 HSE, out of all the Discovery models.But i've been sceptical about ever owning one because of hearing about air-suspension issues and how expensive it is to maintain.I had no idea that the XS was a much better option.Thanks alot for this much needed information Ciro, much appreciated.

[WesleyRobb]

I recently bought a 2013 SE and I absolutely love it. Great car and great video!

[clintalexander]

I recently bought a 2015 LR4 HSE HD package and loving it . Rigging it out to be my Overlanding vehicle.

[Ventoux]

Had a 2012 S from new. Absolutely loved it … except when the turbo went at 37k … and again when it went at 75k. Traded it in just before the maintenance plan finished.

[double-n]

Great video! The Disco 4's are some of the most underrated cars on the market. But the air suspension is really not such a big issue. If the car is well maintained they rarely have an issue. I had all 4 air shocks replaced at a Land Rover specialist in Centurion for around R33k including labour, with OE parts. The car had around 220, 000km at that point. I dare you to find another luxury SUV where replacing all 4 shocks will cost less than that. The Disco is a really heavy car and the shocks on the XS will also probably have be replaced at that mileage, and I don't expect it to be that much cheaper. As for the compressor, there's a filter on the air intake. Just keep that clean and it will probably last the lifetime of the car.

[phiritonathato]

Great review of the Disco 4. You should do more videos on popular 2nd hand buys in the market. 1 car I would love for you to review is the Range Rover L322 the TDV8 models, I believe its also a great buy and has so much spec on offer just the number of quirks and running costs that people dont know about and that should be put out there for anyone looking to buy a L322 Range Rover.

[komododragontrades]

these typeS of vids ARE GENIUS, NEED MORE🔥🔥🔥, I WANTED TO SPEND MY WHOLE WEEKKENDS watching these but i found only a few😭😭😭

[jcvantasties]

Excellent video team! More of these please, for all the "old greats".
Please do a similar video on the Freelander 2

[adriaanserrao]

When it comes to doing everything and driving long distance nothing comes close to this car to me. Drove one from Melkbosstrand 1200km into the northern cape the one day and back the other day. Unbelievable comfortable, smooth, great sound system, decent fuel consumption for something so huge. The sdv6 and 8 speed are much better than the 6 speed.

[Ngunirovers]

Great Review
Great choice in car. The disco 4 is superb, we run a fleet of defender game viewers as well as cruiser bakkies. One would think when choosing a car for transferring guests we would have chosen Land Cruiser prados or 200 series. But even after replacing an engine, the used disco is cheaper to buy and run than the equivalent Land Cruiser. However we changed the fleet over to V8’s and now don’t worry about snapped cranks, or cracked manifolds, or failed turbos, or limp modes. Only fuel bills. When we had the diesels we had two 2015 snap cranks, word on the street is that because the XS has only one turbo and less power it snaps fewer cranks🤷🏼‍♂️ the disco 4 is not the best at anything, but it is very good at everything, making it a great all rounder.

[Bjm]

I truly like this episode, hope you can do more "common problems" from time to time for popular cars 🙏🏾😁