A quick search has shown there’s not a lot of love shown for this engine choice

But it might hold the key to my 20 year loyalty to Land Rover remaining intact

I’ve owned various Discovery’s and FFRR’s over the years but the last 2 have really tried my patience.

A 2015 D4 that to be fair was probably my favourite LR but a friend’s D4 suffered the dreaded crank issue at 4 years old and under 30k miles and I panicked and traded it for a 2015 FFRR 5.0 litre supercharged. A fantastic machine and if I just had to put petrol in it, I’d keep it forever
But it’s being recovered again tomorrow to have a 2nd injector changed inside 2 months. Number 7 cylinder last time, this time number 6!! At £700 a time, enough is enough and with the trade in price only £2k less than I paid a few years ago I’m cashing in.

So onto the SD4. The one I had a look at comes well specced with the off road pack and pano roof. The obvious difference being the engine
I had a good test drive expecting the worst but was pleasantly surprised. It seemed to suffer far less turbo lag than I remember in my SDV6. Yes it had to be worked harder but didn’t seem to lack power and the noise was not upsetting the ambiance in the cabin. A bit of clatter outside, but I remember thinking the SDV6 sounded like a tractor compared to the 5.0 ltr petrol, so these things are all relative.

I’d be interested to hear from long term SD4 RRS owners regarding fuel economy and day to day living with an SD4.

I’m coming to the conclusion that if I don’t buy this my Land Rover days are probably over

Bought my SD4 Nov 20 from Saxton 4x4. Great dealership.
Since leaving LR 3years ago buying a volvo xc60 had the most miserable time of my life.
Now i am back with the SD4 life is sweet. I have had no issues. Fuel economy is great 36.5 driving Dunfermline to Edinburgh on my daily commute.
Performance is fine for me dont have any issues. Aircon blowing warm air right now.
Otherwise its does everything i ask.
Off road too i stalk and fish in the highlands. I cant fault it.
Looking around the forum not read of any of the spectacular and highly financial issues of cranks etc relating to the SD4.
I am one happy guy to be back behind the wheel of the green oval.
I am 47. I dont need high performance engine my pace in life has slowed down. I have a command driving position again. I feel safe and that does it for me.
I love this car. Love command drive position
Speed kills
Dont drink drug drive
Stay safe during pandemic follow the rules.
cars owned from present day...
L494 Montalcino Red
Evoque(her indoors)

Vogue
mk1 RRS x2
Disco 4 3 2 1
we wont discuss the Volvo XC60

Thanks gerrymac, that’s just the sort of feedback I was after.

I love Land Rovers and owning one will never be a cheap way of motoring. I’m happy to factor in some extra costs on top of the scheduled running expenses, but my latest RR has really tarnished the LR experience. I travel a lot around Europe in normal times and thank my lucky stars that due to the restrictions I’ve only been left stranded not far from home.

On my test drive I came to the conclusion that I could live with the smaller less refined engine and mitigate the worries of broken Cranks and Timing Chains quite easily

Rubens
For me its been a great choice. Internal its just so nice and the comfort is there.
It can be slow to take off from a standing start. However i am not racing on an F1 track.
I do a lot of country roads around Scotland and it handles brilliant.
Had the snow the previous winter just did what its meant to.
My only thing is the adding the Adblue which its the first car i have had to do this and is a real pain.
However this is modern times.
have a look i have some photos i have on my pics
I went for Montalchino red .
Let me know how it all develops
best wishes and good luck Love command drive position
Speed kills
Dont drink drug drive
Stay safe during pandemic follow the rules.
cars owned from present day...
L494 Montalcino Red
Evoque(her indoors)

Vogue
mk1 RRS x2
Disco 4 3 2 1
we wont discuss the Volvo XC60

I think you need to find a decent specced one as the real basic ones only come on coil springs IIRC?

The one I looked at is well specced, it has air suspension and a host of extras.

The 3 things I’ll miss from my FF Autobiography are, deployable side steps, soft close doors and cooled seats. It pretty much has everything else I’ll ever use.

My SD4 is top spec.
Cant ask for any more.
The most common thing I use is the gravel setting as I am fishing 3 to 4 times per week and to get to the loch its forrest track.
Heated seats are just great in the winter.
I put 10lit of adblu in last night its still the only pain in the a××× i have.
Otherwise cant complain.
As for the dealership Saxton 4x4 that was a great experience. Smashing bunch of guys. it was a long way for me from Fife but worth it. I probably saved about 5k with the prices always being higher in scotland Love command drive position
Speed kills
Dont drink drug drive
Stay safe during pandemic follow the rules.
cars owned from present day...
L494 Montalcino Red
Evoque(her indoors)

Vogue
mk1 RRS x2
Disco 4 3 2 1
we wont discuss the Volvo XC60