Hi all,

I post actively on other Land Rover related forums, but up until now have just lurked around here. But I’ve now registered so I can participate a bit more.

If I could be so bold as to start off with a question……..

There’s a couple of what I would call “promo” G4’s, doing the rounds of the dealerships & large public events & shows. I don’t know are these cars going to be used on the challenge next year or not, or are they simply promo cars.

But anyway, I’m thinking of looking into chasing either the RRS or D3, to see when or if they may come up for sale from Land Rover. However my concern is, if they were just for promotional use only & not get put through their paces in the challenge, would they then be “poo poo’d” as not really being a proper G4 vehicle ??

Would they just viewed as a mere replica & therefore not warrant the true respect & enthusiasm afforded to a event car ??

I would assume that these cars would command a fair price & therefore would want to make sure, that I was spending wisely.

What do you think ???

Cheers in advance, for any & all views & opinions :)

I can't help with '08' vehicles but ...

There is an amazing D2 up for sale that is owned by the UK Representative of the 2006 Challenge 'Brian Reynolds'.

Also I can put you in touch with someone who is selling their D3.

Please let me know if you would like more information.

Kim :)

There really is no reason not to buy the promo cars. They should have been kitted up to the same spec as the actual event cars and though they don't do the event this can be a good thing, especially given some of the vehicles that did the salt lakes in Bolivia.

Get a diesel if possible.

Adrian

My Defender (BV55 ZBX) didn't take part in the 2006 event but was used for the International Team Selections and went to Morocco.

I also have reason to believe it was used for other purposes but until I can be certain of what and when will not claim anything else for it!

Stu007's 2002 Defender has also led a very exciting life away from the event.

I have not found my vehicle to be "valued" less than an actual event vehicle as mine is still in 1st. class condition and did not have to put up with the strains of the event.

Hope this helps,

Yeah they have all the kit, only thing they are missing is the Mantec plate & also they are running on road tyres, not MTR’s. However both those issues are very easily solved.

Also & this is the big thing for me, is that they are Diesels. As there is no way I could consider running a petrol engine D3 or RRS here in Ireland, with the new draconian measures introduced, under the guise of being “Green”. The insurance alone would be a killer, plus I’d lose my company’s Diesel allowance.

So when I saw that these cars were Diesel, it made my desire to own a G4, a little more achievable.

Thing I was worried about, was that they might only be Promo cars & wondered would I still not have a “true G4 ?”

Would guess, that the first of the 08 year cars, will be released in about 18 months time, ??

Have driven a 08 TDV6 D3,,:w00t:  hopefully the Sports are running the TDV8:) otherwise will be sticking with a proper engine

Mark

If that's the case, will be sticking with the 4.4 V8 :)

That's easy for you oil rich sutheners to say, but what about us poor cousins up here:D

:P:P:P

Must say I wouldn’t dream of having a petrol 4x4, just seems wrong to me to have anything other than a diesel.

I’d say that here in Ireland 99.5% of  4x4’s are diesel powered, it would be quite the novelty to see a petrol engined 4x4 here.

Cheers, Richard.

Thanks Richard,, that good news :D

I did think (but not 100% sure) that the 08/09 Sport's were the TDV8, could not live with a V6 version !!!!:w00t:

Ok so, just to continue my research into the world of buying & owning a G4 vehicle……..

When Land Rover sell off the vehicles, are they usually bare bones vehicles, stripped down of all the gear & all you get initially is an Orange D3 or RRS ??

Then you have go off & independently source the rack, lights, RAI, winch, livery etc, etc ??

Or do they sometimes sell off the cars complete & fully kitted out.

They actually do both, some are sold with everything and some are stripped and sold bare.

I've bought both a 110 bare and a full specced RRS.

Personally, it was a nightmare trying to re spec the 110 so go for the full spec.

I have a RRS 4.4 and the average of 17/18 mpg is not good but my wife had a diesel Disco 3 and in the running around she did it only averaged 22 mpg. 4mpg on 10k miles per annum is £450 per year, but compared to the cost of LPG conversions and the newer cost of a diesel, you would probably loss that a month in additional depreciation !

All large 4x4 are suffering pretty chronic depreciation at present, must fairly new RRS / Disco 3 are losing circa £800/£1k per month on Glasses Guide.

As Paul says the vehicles have been released bare or fully kitted. This was mainly with the 2003 event vehicles where the majority of the D110's and D2's released were completely bare even down to having new wings fitted on D2 to replace those cut when fitting snorkles. A lot of the equipment was not homologated for use in the UK on these vehicles including engines, towbars.

For 2006 vehicles most of the vehicles appear to have had most of the equipment left on. There are some exceptions such as the front and centre under body protection plates fitted on the FFRR. the rear tank guards were left on though.

If you want all the kit on don't bother looking at those that have not got it. It takes a huge amount of time and no little amount of cash to put one back together with all the genuine kit.

Adrian

Cheers guys.

Yeah if I buy one, I would have to have it with all the kit on. No point otherwise I’d think, might as well get a standard D3 & just dicky it up a bit. A G4 to me, must be the real deal or nothing.

Biggest thing I’m trying to get my head around, is what is life like driving a bright orange Dsicovery ?

Subtle it is not, that’s for sure.

If I were to buy a G4, it have to be my daily driver, as either my RRS or wifey’s FL2 would have to go, to make room for “Tango”

While over in the UK, I’m sure they melt into the background better, but here it’s a small place & everyone has an opinion on what another person does. Everyone is into everyone else’s business & where I live (city with village mindset) I’d be reasonably well known & I can see people saying…. “Oh look at Zebadee the Dick, in the bright Orange Jeep” !!

Now I don’t really care what the unwashed & uneducated think to be honest, as I know that those who know would appreciate the G4. But there would be a fair bit of jealousy & resentment around here & I wonder would my prized G4 be the target for spiteful vandalism.

Of course this is all conjecture, as I might not be able to get one. It's not as if I can just saunter into my local dealer & order one.

You have to get used to the open mouthed stare as you drive past.

I assure you they do not blend into the back ground, you have a talking point where ever you stop.

There is nothing like a bright orange vehicle with G4 livery - honest 

I agree, there's nothing better than watching all the interest in the orange car even when there's a Delorion(spp?) or an astin martin next to it! The kids in France were fascinated by the winch.

Cheers

Anne