A-RO 95 Posted August 5, 2018 Share Posted August 5, 2018 Hello all, I am based in Germany and I am looking to buy a Discovery 4 / LR4. I have done a bit of research and I am still not sure whether to go for a locally sourced 3.0 Turbo Diesel or import a 5.0 Normally Aspirated Petrol from the UAE. Including transport and import of a 5.0 from the UAE, the cost of both alternatives should be very similar. Here my Pros / Cons list 5.0 Petrol Pros Currently no foreseeable restrictions entering German cities Less vulnerable to variable fuel quality More relaxed cruising on the German Autobahn Cons Appalling fuel economy Less torque No heated seats 3.0 Diesel Pros Better fuel economy More torque Cons Potential ban from entering cities here in Germany Fuel quality and possible problems with DPF and ECU Availability of Diesel fuel for private vehicles in some East European / Asian countries As you can see, I currently have found more pros for the Petrol than the diesel, but the 2 Pros that I have for the diesel are very important points and more immediate as I am not sure when and how often we will be travelling more further afield! A point on which I am unsure at the moment is reliability: I have read quite a bit about engine and crankshaft failures with the 3.0 Diesel. How widespread are the problems, how seriously should I take this point? How reliable are the supposed improved post 2012 diesel engines, and from which VIN? I have not found much information on the reliability of the 5.0 normally aspirated petrol engine, I take that this is due to one of two reasons: 1) There are no known major problems – people are more likely to write their opinions if they have something to complain about! 2) Fewer vehicles on the road with this engine, and those on the road generally have lower mileage / are not used as hard as the diesel engine versions. What are the known weak points of this engine? I would welcome your experiences / views / opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hercu Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 A-RO 95 I am one of the ones battling to get a TDV 6 alive again and although mine is a 2.7 in the same category as 3.0 Diesel ....once broken it cost an arm and a leg to fix The consumption on the V 6 Diesel is not much better than the V 8 petrol but as far as i know the V 8 beats the V 6 by 1000% comes to reliability Engine failure is never heard of where the breakers is full of V6 diesels breaking for parts in South Africa..Just check Gumtree.co.za for Discovery 3/4 breaking for spares The V 8 is a very heavy but truly nice truck with all the power you need and can be used to its full capability on your beautiful Autobahn's My personal opinion... if I ever change it will be a V8 Petrol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garrycol Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 I have the 2.7 TDV6 and petrol V8 other vehicles. Only the OP can works for them. The SDV6 is an exceptionally reliable engine just as the petrol V8. The TDV6 has issues with big end bearings causing crank failure - the petrol V8 has issues with its cam chain tensioner causing failure. It comes down to want you want - for sure the v8 has more power and have an absolute higher top speed but the SDV6 has a better torque curve making it more flexible on the road and in reality for 99% of use will cruise as well as the V8 on the freeway. As mentioned if fuel use is an issue get SDV6. Issues with entry to cities - no idea I guess only you can work that out. Cost of maintenance probably works out about the same - each engine has their own but different requirements. Take each for a drive and work out which you like best - in a drag race the V8 will win but on the road where flexibility is needed the SDV6 will come out ahead. Me - I like the great fuel usage of the diesel - I can get down to 6.6l/100km on the motorway where the petrol in similar conditions is nearly double that. Garry 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sierrafery Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Is LPG conversion illegal in Germany? ...i'll go for the 5.0 and put LPG on it cos that engine is bullet proof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 I wouldn't let an LPG installer anywhere near a Disco 4, I've seen what they do with scotchloks the car would never be right again! The risk of the diesel being banned from some cities is very real but only OP can decide if it's worth it. I consider being banned from London something of a bonus. I always thought petrol was more variable (in quality & supply) globally than diesel as trucks are diesel (ignoring those countries which rely entirely on Honda mopeds for all road transport). Certainly a very modern direct-injection diesel might not like 3rd world full-sulphur diesel with added mosquitoes and water, and is more likely to damage itself (delicate injection pump) than a petrol. Ironically modern petrol engines will be simpler than modern diesels (especially with the emissions equipment) but whichever you have you probably need to take the laptop / scanner with you if you're properly overlanding. I suspect the low number of opinions on the 5.0 V8 petrol is because anyone who can afford to run one is not posting on forums, they would have their butler do it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sierrafery Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 (edited) I think it depends on who is intstalling the LPG, my brother in law has a 2006 D3 with 4.0 V6 on LPG since 2007 so 11 years and it needed only the usual maintainance no fault engine wise, it runs like a dream and even the emissions are lower, the only problem was with the central locking once which i sorted for him, the work was done by real proffesionists with a EU certificate . A matter of choice off course but i'd do it if i had a petrol engine. ... but this discussion might become off topic so i'll not insist anymore Edited August 7, 2018 by sierrafery 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
=jon= Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 If the 5.0 v8 is the same that's used in the full fat RR (albeit minus the blower) - then LPG is a lot more tricky as they are direct injection... As mentioned before cam chain tensioners cause issues on the FFs and it's a big bill to get it sorted.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 IF you can get the petrol on German plates - go petrol. They actually run quite good on LPG - no scotchblocks needed on this side of the Channel - and you'll have less issues with the Greenies.. However - even on LPG, they are not the scheapest to run. Drove one back for a client and it seriously loved the fuel.. But very, very nice.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sierrafery Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 21 minutes ago, Arjan said: Drove one back for a client and it seriously loved the fuel. IMO it's understandable for a 5 litre lump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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