"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you're finished" - Benjamin Franklin

vk6tnc · Guru

Jeep, Disco, or Toureg

Plendo · Guru

We have ordered our van, and now we need to make a decision as to which tow vehicle to use. We will have an ATM on our van of about 3,200kg (large payload), and thus we need a very capable towing vehicle.

We have narrowed the field, excluding vehicles that are too big, lack sophistication and comfort, have high running cost, very dated mechanicals, or we just plain don't like them.

We are left with three vehicles:

Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD, probably based on a Laredo with a couple of options. It would also have the 8 speed auto which is due in July on the 2014 spec vehicle.

Land Rover Discovery 4, about 3 years old with 60 to 80k. We would wait for a 3.0 SE to come up at an acceptable price.

Volkswagon Toureg TDI (not the 150), again about three years old to get one for an affordable price.

I know and understand that none of these vehicles have huge dealer networks, but at the same time I expect a high degree of reliability, and if we need to wait a few days for parts, tis not the end of the world. We will also make sure we have a high level of roadside assist, covering both the car and the van.

I would love to hear from people who own, or have owned any of the above. I would like to hear positives, negatives, tricks, traps, unique service requirements (example the Toureg appears to need a tailshaft at about 110k).

For all the rest who hold strong views on vehicles, please resist the temptation to educate me.

Thanks in advance to all the people who do have relevant experience and do contribute.

blaze · Guru

just had a vw amarak innto work that requires an engine transplant, drove through about 150mm deep water and it bowwaved in front of the vehicle and straight into the air intake. This happened in a heavy rain ob a road. the car in question had 10000km on it. Just a warn on the amarak air intake. Myself, I would go the d4
cheers
blaze

Plendo · Guru

Thanks Chris and Blaze, good advice, and the location of the air intake/wading ability is certainly something to consider.

BTW, it is not that I do not like Toyotas, I think they are excellent tractors. I just did not want the post to turn into another Toyota v the rest forum.

Santa · Guru

Jeep, Landrover and VW, good luck Plendo, I suspect your going to need it if you go with any of these.

Check this link http://www.dogandlemon.com/2007/12/10/car-surveys Land Rover in particular are notorious for being unreliable, VW and Jeep don't fare a whole lot better.

For good reason Toyota are up near the top.

Plendo · Guru

Hi Santa, I did specifically ask in my initial post for people with relevant experience to respond, I want to get first hand experience of the specific vehicles I nominated, not opinions or third hand gosip.

I should point out that I am past my bush bashing days, I have toured the outback in a Patrol, I am now focused on buying a tow vehicle, one that can tow the weight I need to tow, a vehicle that will be comfortable to live in over a long period of time. I want a vehicle that offers good reliability, and importantly good economy.

If I was going out to do the centre again, I would not be considering the vehicles I am looking at, I would be considering a Ford Ranger, or a Nissan Patrol. But that is not what I need, thus I have been specific about the vehicles I want to discuss.

And to focus the debate further I am looking to spend about $65k, thus I am looking at a 2014 Grand Cherokee (limited, or Laredo with options), a 2010 Discovery, or a 2011/10 Toureg. All are extremely comfortable, and all offer economy that many of the older popular options can only dream about.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

This would be the best place to talk to and with people who own, use and know intimately the Discovery 4 - for all its uses including towing.

Those on here will tell you their experiences and where applicable, warts and all, about the Discovery 4.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/

Cheers - John

Mike C · Senior Member

I have owned a Disco TD4, Range Rover and Jeep..
Disco was great until it developed a fault in the ABS system... $8000.00 for a new computer..Traded it in for the Rangerover..
Rangerover never had an issue other than fuel pump at 140,000klms then it caught the electrical gremlins...Traded that for a Jeep.
Jeep was nothing but trouble.. windows failing to operate, Engine issues, noisey and drove like a tractor (Diesel Cheroke) now traded for a Hilux and all good.

The European cars are incredible when new or only a few years old.. once the Ks get up a bit they can be a nightmare.
The Jeep.. You can get a good one or a pile of %$%$% however the Merc Diesel is suposed to be in a class of its own.
I have heard good reports about the VW and we also have a couple of Amorocks at work and so far they seem pretty good.
The Hylux (now at 160k) has been the most reliable I have owned but unlike the European machines has no soul (if you know what I mean) only 2300 KG towing so no good for you anyway.

Hope that Helps

Cheers

Mike

Plendo · Guru

Thanks John and Mike, I have taken your advice and posted my question on AULRO.

I must admit Mike's experience is what worries me, and if we decide to go Disco (we both love the Disco), then we would look for a vehicle that was still in Warranty, and extend the factory warranty by two years $2,700. This has the side benefit of also extending the Land Rover roadside assist, which is the only one in Australia that will come off road to find you.

I am looking forward to the feedback on AULRO, I believe there is the potential for me to learn a lot. At the moment so much of what I think I know has been seeded by rumour, and gossip like tales.

Thanks again guys, it is feedback like your's I am looking for.

Mike C · Senior Member

Dont be scared by my comments..
You need to be happy with the car and I loved that Disco.. (much older machine than you are looking at).
I would have another tomorrow but now need to get somthing to tow behind the MH.

all the best

Mike

blaze · Guru

Santa wrote:
Jeep, Landrover and VW, good luck Plendo, I suspect your going to need it if you go with any of these.
Check this link http://www.dogandlemon.com/2007/12/10/car-surveys Land Rover in particular are notorious for being unreliable, VW and Jeep don't fare a whole lot better.
For good reason Toyota are up near the top.

hi santa

I am a spare parts manager atm in broome and rest asured that I need to buy in plenty of toyota parts that airnt stocked by the local toyota dealer, filters and brakes are ready avaiable at any mechanical outlet but boy oh boy they certainly use them. Now granted there is no service agent for landrover here but basics are available local and the same as the other brands you need to get it from the city, thats overnight for mmost stuff.

Its a bloody myth that toyota parts can be got any where. Now lets go back pre electronics, yep you could keep a toyota running in any single pub town (that is where you went to source ya bits by local knowlegge), fact is you could keep most makes going like that even a bloody old falcon cause there was always one in the scub on that road 1/2 a mile past joes place.

cheers

blaze

blaze · Guru

just a little more on toyota parts, you would surprised at some of the failures they have. By the way I have owned toyotas, nissans, land rovers , mitsubishis, ford, holden, vauxals and the list goes on, each vehicle has had good and bad points, they all done a job, currently own a landrover, kia and a falcon.

cheers

blaze

Plendo · Guru

Thanks Blaze, you have confirmed something I had suspected, and heard hints about from others.

Given the complexity of all the modern vehicles, I would imagine the good workshops in remote centres would have similar issues working on any of them, and most would have the equipment to hook up for electonic diagnostics, etc.

Drifters · Veteran Member

Hi
I have also been looking at all of these. I dont have any personal experience with any of them but my son in-laws father has a Toureg that he purchased second hand from a horse person, it hasnt given him any trouble. He only uses it for blacktop driving pulling a large Jayco all over and loves it. My issue with it is its lack of a spare wheel which he resolved by carrying one on the back of the van and the fact that as far as I know you cant fit them with a bulbar. Evidently the front is not designed to take it and none of the bulbar companies have come up with a way to adapt them.
Phil

GaryKelly · Guru

The great thing about being poor like me is a total lack of options hehe. I bought my Ford ute at Christmas because it was cheap and available. I didn't even bother to ask anyone's opinion. So far so good. In fact, if I may so say, I think it's just scrumptious.

hitchngo · Newbie

Love our jeep grand cherokie after having nissan patrols and toyota,s We get 7.5 L - per 100 k,s

Our van is 23 ft 3.5 towing with the jeep and bells and whistles. The earlier 3 litre diesel motors were german, Now they are made by fiat. Unreal milage.

$120 bucks to fill and 1200 ks not towing, when towing with tanks full water and loaded from sth aust to townsville trip meter said we adverage 13- 13 .6 litres per 100 ks

Plendo · Guru

Good to hear you are happy with your Jeep.

When I was looking I initially thought the Jeep was the car for me, but when I drove it I found it unsettling to drive, I just was not comfortable with the dynamics. When I drove a Landrover Discovery, I felt right at home, it just feels right. Plus the technology was a level above the competition at that point, but the rest of the field has caught up now.

I have now been driving the Disco for 18 months, I have done about 29K, it just does everything fantastically well. I used to drive along admiring other vehicles I would love to have, that just does not happen now.

Do I like our Discovery, no I love it.