Discovery Sport experience

ktansdell replied on 07/12/2017 19:19

Posted on 07/12/2017 19:19

New to caravanning, I am trying to decide which used 4x4 tow car to buy to pull a MTPLM 1439kg caravan.  I have read all the bad press about the Discovery Sport 2.2 L (reliability, electronics, build, etc.).  Can any members please share their experiences of the new Discovery 2.0L (SE Tech or HSE) to help me - good and bad.  It seems to be much better on economy and I am hoping that LR have sorted the electronics issues with the new version? (from Sep 2105).  Many thanks in anticipation.

kentman replied on 13/12/2017 21:06

Posted on 13/12/2017 21:06

Have a 2.0 HSE. Towed a Bailey Unicorn until start of this year. Now have a Coachman VIP. Towed to Italy last year and was delighted with how the car towed. Also a very relaxing and comfortable solo car.

iffajobsworthdoing replied on 14/12/2017 20:41

Posted on 14/12/2017 20:41

Looks a touch windy judging by the fella crouching down behind the door, probably fortunate it was a LR rather than some of the other 4x4's out there.

EmilysDad replied on 14/12/2017 22:58

Posted on 14/12/2017 07:53 by banjokat

The small fuel tank was the main reason we didn't get one. Had more vehicles to choose from as we didn't need seven seats though. 

Posted on 14/12/2017 22:58

Surely the size of the tank isn't that relevant 😞, it's the range that's relevant. One of my cars has a 35 litre tank with a range of around 300 miles, another has a tank size more than twice the size but its range is only around 450 miles

lornalou1 replied on 15/12/2017 11:49

Posted on 15/12/2017 11:49

have you ever waych the program "motorway patrol" about the job the police do. I remember one, that the police got a call that a car had broken down in the 3rd lane of motorway, when they got there it was a lady in a LR evoque and said she had just picked it up from dealer brand new 30mins ago and was on her way home when everything just stopped working and shut down. she got out the car and shut the door and nobody could get back in again even the dealer so the police had to drag it across the motorway with no steering and wait for a truck to lift and take back to dealers to sort. 30 mins old. WOW.

Bluemalaga replied on 15/12/2017 18:29

Posted on 07/12/2017 21:02 by dwlgll20

Been towing with a MY17 HSE 180 this year with the 2.0 engine. Overall very impressed a great tow car.

Tow bar fitting, this isn’t as straight forward as it seems. If you need to get a tow bar fitted and have the 7 seater it can get expensive as extra parts may be needed. The exhaust system differs between the 5 and 7 seater which is further impacted upon if it has a underslung spare or inside spare (as standard it comes with an inflation kit). It’s worth getting some quotes, but make sure the fitters give the quote on your exact model. We’ve got the factory fitted heavy duty electronic tow bar with the tow pack which is great.

Just some things to check out:
B Pillar rattle which if you get requires extensive work.
Oil dilution, pre June 2017 vehicles which have the service plan get free extra oil changes for the first five years. If used check it has the service plan otherwise it can get expensive. Check the in built computer which will show when next oil service is due.
MPG nothing like Land Rover say, I’m getting on normal drives 40 (ish) mpg with towing a 1550kg van and lots in the car around 30mpg
Small fuel tank, because of AdBlue tank?
Poor in built sat nav (it loves B and narrow country roads, well it is a Land Rover). 

 

 

Posted on 15/12/2017 18:29

Had 4 land rovers so far and you are correct, the Sat Nav is diabolical.

 

Ktansdell

Have you looked at the latest Skoda range, not the cars they used to be. The newer 4x4's may give you all you are looking for. I have been on sites this year where Skodas have been the very popular choice of fellow caravaners.

ktansdell replied on 15/12/2017 20:52

Posted on 15/12/2017 20:52

Hi, thanks to all for your helpful comments.

Lornalou1 - yes, this is precisely why I was asking for advice.  The LR salesmen say that it was the pre 2014 Discovery Sports which had electronics problems, and that they are sorted in the newer model.  Sales talk or truth?

Bluemalaga - yes, I even looked at the new Skoda Kodiaq.  Gets a good magazine review.  Not sure how well it would do on a caravan site tough - more like a big estate car.

All - interesting that I have now found two separate Landrover mechanics who tell me that if I want reliability I should be looking at 3 litre Discovery 4s.  The search continues!

 

 

 

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