D2 Driver gets an LR4
#1
D2 Driver gets an LR4
Hello Disco Brethren,
I picked up my 2012 LR4 on Tuesday last week. It has been fantastic. The first couple days were nicely weathered, and I enjoyed putting about 350 miles on it. The weather turned worse on Friday, and I drove it 75 miles north and east in the snow storm.
It had been snowing for about 2 hours, and the weather was just above freezing. Then it dropped suddenly to about 20, and the wet road turned to ice.
It took me 4 hours to go the 75 miles, and I passed 14 wrecked or ditched cars on the freeway along the way. Nuts!
Then, I spent the weekend 'off road', hunting rabbits and squirrels. The snow wasn't too deep, but there were 8-10 inch drifts on the trails and in front of the woods. The Rover did fantastically, even with the tame tires it arrived with.
A few notes:
***************GOOD*****************
> I was impressed with how fast the air suspension works. The bags in my 2004 took a long time to inflate. This thing rises or lowers in 3 or 4 seconds. It's so fast to jump down then back up, you can easily pop it down while you're paying at Starbucks, then let it re-adjust once you get up to 35 for a few seconds (or manually).
> The "snow and sand" setting works really well. I didn't notice too much on the snow, since I always had a good base, but I got to drive on the Grand Haven beach (next to the parking lot), and it was very cool: my tires never spun, no matter how hard I pushed the gas.
> The power is breath-taking. REALLY fast acceleration, with very little effort.
> The gearing seems very balanced, with a lean toward the high end. At 75mph, I'm only running 1,500rpm (half what the D2 did). It didn't seem to get in the way of driving in the snow though.
> The interior is fantastic. I got the "Lux" package, and the leather is very fine. Everything is perfect, with lots of lights in places that make a big impact. "Puddle" lights that shine on the ground when you open the door. Small lights that illuminate the door handles while you drive.
***************BAD***************** (maybe not necessarily BAD, but at least things that I hadn't expected)
> The touch screen for the GPS and audio is slow. It would be impressive in 2002. As an iPhone user, it's horrendously slow. Unless I want to spin an entire album or audiobook, I prefer to use the AUX cable and browse my music on my phone. The built in GPS is VERY nice and accurate (FAR more highly accurate than my "stick on" $400 Garmin). However, the touch screen is nowhere near as intuitive or fast as the Garmin, and that's a big bummer. It's slow to the point of embarrassment, as in, I hope nobody ever has to watch me punch in an address. I'd pay anyone $2,000 right now for a modern system.
> You don't sit "up" like you do in a Disco. I guess I haven't adjusted the seat a whole lot, but you definitely are surrounded by "vehicle" instead of glass. Somehow, the view is actually BETTER: it takes less time to get a clear view of what's around me on the freeway in the LR4 than I could in my Disco, which is saying something given how new this is to me. The bottom line is, in my D2, I feel like I'm "on top" of the vehicle. In the LR4, I feel like I'm within it. The steering wheel is more directly in front of me than in the D2. This could be a very big improvement, and I'm sure it makes the vehicle more safe, but there it is.
> Seeing the hood. Similar to the post above, since you don't sit up as high, you don't have as good a view of the front corners as you do with the D2.
> There's not as much storage space. This is kind of a bummer. Not only did they do away with the good old service panels in the back, but the visor slots are gone, the flat utility dash is gone (replaced by a rounded and useless, albeit gorgeous) dash, and the flat console around the gear selector are gone. The deep console container has been replaced with a cooler / refrigerator, so no more knives and spare ammunition rolling around in there. (The cooler does work REALLY well, FYI). There is a tray on top of the cooler, but you couldn't fit a pistol. Maybe a few packs of gum. The only consolation is two huge glove boxes, each bigger than the one on the D2.
> I haven't totally adjusted to the throttle yet, but there's a tiny delay when you push the gas. I almost don't even notice it, but if you try to take off fast, you do. It's this strange delay followed by a rubber-band like acceleration that pushes you back in your seat. I know it'll be smooth once I'm used to it, but it almost feels like it takes a second for the torque converter to spin up or something. We're talking about less than a second here, but as a car guy, I notice it.
> The could have insulated around the transmission stuff better, and around the window controls. It's been very cold lately (between 0 and 20 degrees F), but you can definitely feel the cold radiating through these areas. There's no BREEZE, but you can feel it on your right knee and left hand.
> The window controls and door locks are now on the doors, where us Americans have always had them. I REALLY ... REALLY liked having all this stuff on the center console, and regret this change.
> Still no oil pressure gauge, which baffles me with any vehicle (what are they trying to hide...? *gulp*)
> Not that I care, but gas mileage is no better than the D2. I get 2-4 more mpg more than I did in my D2, which had knobby tires and a roof rack.
> If you don't buckle up, the seat belt dinger keeps dinging every 5th second. I always buckle up..... UNLESS I'm putting through the snowy woods looking for squirrels to shoot for dinner. Holy cow, please give me a button to disable this.
***************MORE GOOD***************** (always end on a good note!).
> VERY quiet. My D2 ROARED going down the freeway, and conversations were always in an elevated voice. This thing is quiet, and when there's been no crosswind, it's almost _perfectly_ quiet. If its classy analogue clock ticked, you might even be able to hear it at 70mph.
> I of course got a Fuji White LR4, and I must say, the full Fuji White of the LR4 is stunning when compared to the Chawton white of the D2. I always thought it was a pure white, but it's very clearly not so when you have them side by side. The Fuji is very bright and rich.
> The engine sounds fantastic. Even at 2k RPM, you can hear the sporty Jag V8, and at 3,500+, it sounds as good as any stock "sports" car I've heard. Between 5,000-6,000 (just once or twice) it sounds incredibly aggressive.
> The LR4 gives a whole new meaning to the idea of "Sport" mode. I could only _kind of_ tell when my 2004 and 2000 were in Sport mode. But, the LR4's sport mode is WAY... haha.... WAY more aggressive. REALLY powerful, holds the revs high for up and down shifting. The entire vehicle transforms.
> The emergency brake works REALLY well. It feels like it could hold the vehicle still on a 70 degree bank, and I wouldn't doubt it. You can hear it engaging when you pull the lever, and it sounds like it's drilling itself into the ground. CRAZY strong.
> The braking is 1 million times better than the D2. You feel like you're only ever using 30% of the pedal, even during a fast stop. You can tell that if you REALLY needed to stop, it would be able to.
> The engineering is far better. The doors close consistently, effortlessly, and evenly. Everything matches up with where it's supposed to be. No air noise.
> The windows go up and down really fast. The back windows are separated like a Jeep, so the glass above the wheel well is stationary, and the front of the glass is mobile. So, the back windows can go completely down- brilliant.
> The key FOB is very quick and smart, and the programming out of the factory is very intuitive. I love how the truck is always unlocked and ready, and I love the push button ignition.
> The heated steering wheel gets warm within 10 seconds. REALLY GOOD FEATURE. Most car companies ignore the 80/20 rule, but they did it here. They put a LOT of care into the steering wheel, which is a brilliant move, given how much you use it. Great job. The controls are all easy and logical, though the cruise is on the left side of the wheel. I wish I could reverse the cruise and cell phone buttons, since I doubt I'll ever use the blue tooth phone stuff (though I did try it, and it works great).
> The seats are much better planned. They tuck away nicely, are more comfortable, and look nicer. It went from a truck that I felt bad for using to entertain associates in (In the D2, everyone gets dirty pants when getting in and out of the back) to one that is very impressive. Truly executive quality. The heated rear seats, vast increase in leg room, and the maintained stadium seating (though not quite as bold) make it a true limousine.
> The temp gauge is much more useful, thank God.
> Absolutely zero interior rattles or vibrations. I'm sure the D2s felt this way when they had 0 miles on them, but this thing feels perfectly tight.
> Suspension is perfect. Bumps are evened out, and pot holes don't penetrate the cabin.
> The illuminating quality of the headlights is leaps and bound beyond the 2004. The road far in front of you, and the ditches beside you are lit up perfectly. I can see far better with just the dims on the LR4 than I could with my D2's brights on AND my 4 overhead Hellas.
> The horn sounded great on the D2, and I was afraid the LR4 would have a feminine horn. It's different than the D2, but if anything, more deep. A very good note.
> The cup holders are like magic. Most things in the 2004 were either too big or too small. These cup holders have rubber inserts that can take a short Starbucks drink and hold it tight, AND a 1 liter bottle of water. I've never seen anything like it.
> The sound system is amazing. You can adjust the sub independently from the bass, for some VERY good results.
> The camera that pops on when you go in reverse is amazing. Crystal clear, even in the night. This could literally save lives.
> Everything's an air bag. It makes me feel very safe. Plus, the seat detects how much you weigh, and determined whether you'd be safer with or without air bags. So, you can let your kids ride up front without manually turning any of the bags off.
> With 3 "run roofs", it's really well lit inside. I love that.
Okay, that's all I can think of for now. I hope someone finds this useful eventually, if they're trying to make a buying decision! Mine had a sticker of $59,700, and I got it for $58k even, about $61,700 after taxes etc.
> Lux package (refined leather, cold weather package, 7 seats, 19 inch wheels)
> Upgraded radio
Let me know if you have any questions!
Pat
I picked up my 2012 LR4 on Tuesday last week. It has been fantastic. The first couple days were nicely weathered, and I enjoyed putting about 350 miles on it. The weather turned worse on Friday, and I drove it 75 miles north and east in the snow storm.
It had been snowing for about 2 hours, and the weather was just above freezing. Then it dropped suddenly to about 20, and the wet road turned to ice.
It took me 4 hours to go the 75 miles, and I passed 14 wrecked or ditched cars on the freeway along the way. Nuts!
Then, I spent the weekend 'off road', hunting rabbits and squirrels. The snow wasn't too deep, but there were 8-10 inch drifts on the trails and in front of the woods. The Rover did fantastically, even with the tame tires it arrived with.
A few notes:
***************GOOD*****************
> I was impressed with how fast the air suspension works. The bags in my 2004 took a long time to inflate. This thing rises or lowers in 3 or 4 seconds. It's so fast to jump down then back up, you can easily pop it down while you're paying at Starbucks, then let it re-adjust once you get up to 35 for a few seconds (or manually).
> The "snow and sand" setting works really well. I didn't notice too much on the snow, since I always had a good base, but I got to drive on the Grand Haven beach (next to the parking lot), and it was very cool: my tires never spun, no matter how hard I pushed the gas.
> The power is breath-taking. REALLY fast acceleration, with very little effort.
> The gearing seems very balanced, with a lean toward the high end. At 75mph, I'm only running 1,500rpm (half what the D2 did). It didn't seem to get in the way of driving in the snow though.
> The interior is fantastic. I got the "Lux" package, and the leather is very fine. Everything is perfect, with lots of lights in places that make a big impact. "Puddle" lights that shine on the ground when you open the door. Small lights that illuminate the door handles while you drive.
***************BAD***************** (maybe not necessarily BAD, but at least things that I hadn't expected)
> The touch screen for the GPS and audio is slow. It would be impressive in 2002. As an iPhone user, it's horrendously slow. Unless I want to spin an entire album or audiobook, I prefer to use the AUX cable and browse my music on my phone. The built in GPS is VERY nice and accurate (FAR more highly accurate than my "stick on" $400 Garmin). However, the touch screen is nowhere near as intuitive or fast as the Garmin, and that's a big bummer. It's slow to the point of embarrassment, as in, I hope nobody ever has to watch me punch in an address. I'd pay anyone $2,000 right now for a modern system.
> You don't sit "up" like you do in a Disco. I guess I haven't adjusted the seat a whole lot, but you definitely are surrounded by "vehicle" instead of glass. Somehow, the view is actually BETTER: it takes less time to get a clear view of what's around me on the freeway in the LR4 than I could in my Disco, which is saying something given how new this is to me. The bottom line is, in my D2, I feel like I'm "on top" of the vehicle. In the LR4, I feel like I'm within it. The steering wheel is more directly in front of me than in the D2. This could be a very big improvement, and I'm sure it makes the vehicle more safe, but there it is.
> Seeing the hood. Similar to the post above, since you don't sit up as high, you don't have as good a view of the front corners as you do with the D2.
> There's not as much storage space. This is kind of a bummer. Not only did they do away with the good old service panels in the back, but the visor slots are gone, the flat utility dash is gone (replaced by a rounded and useless, albeit gorgeous) dash, and the flat console around the gear selector are gone. The deep console container has been replaced with a cooler / refrigerator, so no more knives and spare ammunition rolling around in there. (The cooler does work REALLY well, FYI). There is a tray on top of the cooler, but you couldn't fit a pistol. Maybe a few packs of gum. The only consolation is two huge glove boxes, each bigger than the one on the D2.
> I haven't totally adjusted to the throttle yet, but there's a tiny delay when you push the gas. I almost don't even notice it, but if you try to take off fast, you do. It's this strange delay followed by a rubber-band like acceleration that pushes you back in your seat. I know it'll be smooth once I'm used to it, but it almost feels like it takes a second for the torque converter to spin up or something. We're talking about less than a second here, but as a car guy, I notice it.
> The could have insulated around the transmission stuff better, and around the window controls. It's been very cold lately (between 0 and 20 degrees F), but you can definitely feel the cold radiating through these areas. There's no BREEZE, but you can feel it on your right knee and left hand.
> The window controls and door locks are now on the doors, where us Americans have always had them. I REALLY ... REALLY liked having all this stuff on the center console, and regret this change.
> Still no oil pressure gauge, which baffles me with any vehicle (what are they trying to hide...? *gulp*)
> Not that I care, but gas mileage is no better than the D2. I get 2-4 more mpg more than I did in my D2, which had knobby tires and a roof rack.
> If you don't buckle up, the seat belt dinger keeps dinging every 5th second. I always buckle up..... UNLESS I'm putting through the snowy woods looking for squirrels to shoot for dinner. Holy cow, please give me a button to disable this.
***************MORE GOOD***************** (always end on a good note!).
> VERY quiet. My D2 ROARED going down the freeway, and conversations were always in an elevated voice. This thing is quiet, and when there's been no crosswind, it's almost _perfectly_ quiet. If its classy analogue clock ticked, you might even be able to hear it at 70mph.
> I of course got a Fuji White LR4, and I must say, the full Fuji White of the LR4 is stunning when compared to the Chawton white of the D2. I always thought it was a pure white, but it's very clearly not so when you have them side by side. The Fuji is very bright and rich.
> The engine sounds fantastic. Even at 2k RPM, you can hear the sporty Jag V8, and at 3,500+, it sounds as good as any stock "sports" car I've heard. Between 5,000-6,000 (just once or twice) it sounds incredibly aggressive.
> The LR4 gives a whole new meaning to the idea of "Sport" mode. I could only _kind of_ tell when my 2004 and 2000 were in Sport mode. But, the LR4's sport mode is WAY... haha.... WAY more aggressive. REALLY powerful, holds the revs high for up and down shifting. The entire vehicle transforms.
> The emergency brake works REALLY well. It feels like it could hold the vehicle still on a 70 degree bank, and I wouldn't doubt it. You can hear it engaging when you pull the lever, and it sounds like it's drilling itself into the ground. CRAZY strong.
> The braking is 1 million times better than the D2. You feel like you're only ever using 30% of the pedal, even during a fast stop. You can tell that if you REALLY needed to stop, it would be able to.
> The engineering is far better. The doors close consistently, effortlessly, and evenly. Everything matches up with where it's supposed to be. No air noise.
> The windows go up and down really fast. The back windows are separated like a Jeep, so the glass above the wheel well is stationary, and the front of the glass is mobile. So, the back windows can go completely down- brilliant.
> The key FOB is very quick and smart, and the programming out of the factory is very intuitive. I love how the truck is always unlocked and ready, and I love the push button ignition.
> The heated steering wheel gets warm within 10 seconds. REALLY GOOD FEATURE. Most car companies ignore the 80/20 rule, but they did it here. They put a LOT of care into the steering wheel, which is a brilliant move, given how much you use it. Great job. The controls are all easy and logical, though the cruise is on the left side of the wheel. I wish I could reverse the cruise and cell phone buttons, since I doubt I'll ever use the blue tooth phone stuff (though I did try it, and it works great).
> The seats are much better planned. They tuck away nicely, are more comfortable, and look nicer. It went from a truck that I felt bad for using to entertain associates in (In the D2, everyone gets dirty pants when getting in and out of the back) to one that is very impressive. Truly executive quality. The heated rear seats, vast increase in leg room, and the maintained stadium seating (though not quite as bold) make it a true limousine.
> The temp gauge is much more useful, thank God.
> Absolutely zero interior rattles or vibrations. I'm sure the D2s felt this way when they had 0 miles on them, but this thing feels perfectly tight.
> Suspension is perfect. Bumps are evened out, and pot holes don't penetrate the cabin.
> The illuminating quality of the headlights is leaps and bound beyond the 2004. The road far in front of you, and the ditches beside you are lit up perfectly. I can see far better with just the dims on the LR4 than I could with my D2's brights on AND my 4 overhead Hellas.
> The horn sounded great on the D2, and I was afraid the LR4 would have a feminine horn. It's different than the D2, but if anything, more deep. A very good note.
> The cup holders are like magic. Most things in the 2004 were either too big or too small. These cup holders have rubber inserts that can take a short Starbucks drink and hold it tight, AND a 1 liter bottle of water. I've never seen anything like it.
> The sound system is amazing. You can adjust the sub independently from the bass, for some VERY good results.
> The camera that pops on when you go in reverse is amazing. Crystal clear, even in the night. This could literally save lives.
> Everything's an air bag. It makes me feel very safe. Plus, the seat detects how much you weigh, and determined whether you'd be safer with or without air bags. So, you can let your kids ride up front without manually turning any of the bags off.
> With 3 "run roofs", it's really well lit inside. I love that.
Okay, that's all I can think of for now. I hope someone finds this useful eventually, if they're trying to make a buying decision! Mine had a sticker of $59,700, and I got it for $58k even, about $61,700 after taxes etc.
> Lux package (refined leather, cold weather package, 7 seats, 19 inch wheels)
> Upgraded radio
Let me know if you have any questions!
Pat
#2
#3
Usually you can turn the seat belt chime off with a combination of things.
On the Econoline I used to drive if you turned the key to the "II" position, turned on the headlights, then switched to high beams, then pressed the gas pedal 5 times to the floor it would turn off the seat belt chime but the red light would still flash, no big deal.
On the Sprinter I drove I just buckled the seat belt behind the seat because you could not turn it off.
Eventually the chime always burns out.
Good for you on the purchase!!!
On the Econoline I used to drive if you turned the key to the "II" position, turned on the headlights, then switched to high beams, then pressed the gas pedal 5 times to the floor it would turn off the seat belt chime but the red light would still flash, no big deal.
On the Sprinter I drove I just buckled the seat belt behind the seat because you could not turn it off.
Eventually the chime always burns out.
Good for you on the purchase!!!
#4
Thanks, Phil!
Normally I'd LIKE the chime, because it's a good excuse to tell less-responsible passengers "sorry man, but this d*mn thing isn't gunna shut up unless you buckle up".
Just got back from another drive, and I want to clarify this a little more:
> You don't sit "up" like you do in a Disco.
They said they maintained the "command driving position" with the LR4, but I would argue that they didn't. Now, this could either be an improvement or a disappointment. To ME it's not necessarily a disappointment, but I will say that I prefer the "command" position: being on TOP of the vehicle.
Improvement: I think a lot of people will feel more secure with the "sunk down in" feeling.
Disappointment: For off-roading (or even for maneuvering in tight spaces), you really need to be able to know exactly where your corners are. Now, you can LEARN this with any vehicle (my 1996 Monte Carlo's hood curved very gradually out of view, but I could always park within 1 inch of a concrete barrier with perfect accuracy). But still, being able to see this is pretty critical.
With the LR4, you sit closer to 'level' with the hood than you do in the D2. Now, it's not even at all, and it's WAY better than a Lincoln Navigator or, God help us, an H3. But still, you can't see your front corners as well as you can with the D2.
And, I really like that. With the D2, you almost feel like you can reach out and touch the front of your truck. But with the LR4, you can't. The hood curves a bit, and... you're lower.
So, I hope that helps. Obviously something like that is apparent with a test drive. Many of the other things I posted aren't, since most dealers aren't exactly eager to let you sit there and try every little thing.
Normally I'd LIKE the chime, because it's a good excuse to tell less-responsible passengers "sorry man, but this d*mn thing isn't gunna shut up unless you buckle up".
Just got back from another drive, and I want to clarify this a little more:
> You don't sit "up" like you do in a Disco.
They said they maintained the "command driving position" with the LR4, but I would argue that they didn't. Now, this could either be an improvement or a disappointment. To ME it's not necessarily a disappointment, but I will say that I prefer the "command" position: being on TOP of the vehicle.
Improvement: I think a lot of people will feel more secure with the "sunk down in" feeling.
Disappointment: For off-roading (or even for maneuvering in tight spaces), you really need to be able to know exactly where your corners are. Now, you can LEARN this with any vehicle (my 1996 Monte Carlo's hood curved very gradually out of view, but I could always park within 1 inch of a concrete barrier with perfect accuracy). But still, being able to see this is pretty critical.
With the LR4, you sit closer to 'level' with the hood than you do in the D2. Now, it's not even at all, and it's WAY better than a Lincoln Navigator or, God help us, an H3. But still, you can't see your front corners as well as you can with the D2.
And, I really like that. With the D2, you almost feel like you can reach out and touch the front of your truck. But with the LR4, you can't. The hood curves a bit, and... you're lower.
So, I hope that helps. Obviously something like that is apparent with a test drive. Many of the other things I posted aren't, since most dealers aren't exactly eager to let you sit there and try every little thing.
#6
1. Turn engine on and then off before seatbelt warning appears.
2. Fasten driver's seatbelt and then turn on engine again.
3. Within 60 seconds, disengage and re-engage driver's seatbelt 8 times. A chime will then ring confirming elimination of seatbelt warning.
This eliminates both the audible and visual seatbelt warnings.
2. Fasten driver's seatbelt and then turn on engine again.
3. Within 60 seconds, disengage and re-engage driver's seatbelt 8 times. A chime will then ring confirming elimination of seatbelt warning.
This eliminates both the audible and visual seatbelt warnings.
#7
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