Ownership diary of Discovery 5 HSE Lux

Discussion in 'Jaguar Land Rover' started by aldo, Jun 16, 2022.

  1. aldo
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    aldo

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    Well as some of you may be aware, I made the jump from my very trusted X5 F15 40D M Sport, over to JLR the Discovery 5.

    I cannot stress how much thought process went into all of this! I am an analytical thinker anyway, particularly when it comes to cars and their practicalities etc. Also, more so as we all know JLR’s reputation for not only creating some truly luxury and capable vehicles, but also including little traits with them on reliability etc.

    So, the search has been on and off for the last 18 months, pretty much since used car values increased which wasn’t too relevant as it was commensurate with the rise second-hand values from dealers. Cars I had looked at 3 years ago, equivalent age, spec and mileage looking at equivalents now observed an overall increase off up to 10-15%. You would only benefit in this if you were to sell your car and ‘downgrade’ or get a reasonably priced run of the mill run about.

    Due to LR’s reputation, by default I always swayed towards the purchasing approved used from the main dealer network. A few years ago, this was even more appealing with 2 years approved warranty and breakdown, however this was removed September 2019. It is not unknown for some dealerships (usually in Northern Ireland) to offer a 2-year warranty as a sweetener.

    I’ve lost track of the number of enquiries I made with numerous JLR garages. Some were dead ends in that the car was sold, sometimes literally from under me! Others didn’t get back to me, some part exchange values were just insulting (varies dealer to dealer despite tending to use the same independent systems) and others finance APR was as much as 9.9% which makes a significant difference. Based on the most recent experience, where Marshalls of Cambridge had the right sort of vehicle available, competitive APR initial enquiries were positive. This was until we discussed the part exchange! It was quite frankly insulting so I didn’t really go too enthusiastic on it but whilst my enquiry was ongoing someone else had ‘reserved’ the car directly via their website so it came to an abrupt end. Low and behold, a week later I was called by the sales associate. The buyer from the week before, their finance failed to go through and asked would I still be interested. He also said that he’s spoken to his sales manager and she had agreed to make the numbers work to fit in with my part exchange/monthly payments, but I had to take the vehicle before the end of the month which was like 3 days away at this point. The car was then reserved to me on the website (no deposit taken), and he said he’d call me to progress. Long story short, despite sending me emails to say he’ll call me, he never did. My emails were ignored too so this again hit a brick wall.

    I had now gone off the boil at this point and was happy to keep the X5. Low and behold, her indoors then sees a car advertised on Auto Trader out of the main dealer network. It was competitively priced and everything we want. Enquiries were made and the deal was done over the phone. The sales process was great and refreshing from what was JLR sales. Zero pressure and a competitive part exchange price for the X5. They also threw in 2-year independent warranty.

    During the week leading up to the pickup, I was on and off calls/emails confirming a few details. During this, the agent from the dealership did inform me that the valeters and MOT garage had reported that it started on the 2nd/3rd push of the button. However, they did reiterate that the car does start. As we both collectively thought it could just be low battery because of standing around and a few small trips etc that it probably come good after a long run out.

    During the pickup, I was given the keys to complete an unaccompanied test drive. This went great, started on the button, had a good drive about both on motorway and country lanes. Stopped and took a good look around and used my LAK pen to test the body work (I know some of it is aluminium)! All was fine, went back, they inspected the X5 and off we went.

    All went well after we left, we headed homebound and stopped off in Jeremy Clarkson’s farm shop. The kids were enjoying the rear media (with Headphones)! I was getting to know the car, including identifying some other niggles and her indoors didn’t seem to pick too much about it! We then stopped off on some services on the M6 and enjoyed a KFC!

    We got back out to the car park to then drive the last stretch home and then NOTHING! The car failed to start. Despite me trying numerous trouble shooting attempts including getting in the car via keyless entry, remote button entry and placing the keys all around the interior and against the reader, absolutely diddly squat!

    Again, long story short, eventually I gave up and we had to be recovered. I was charged £199 for out of membership RAC call out. £180 to get the car home as we were >10 miles from home.

    I called the dealership on the Sunday, they very apologetic and stated they would’ve never let me take the car if they knew this was going to happen, which to an extent I can agree with. I confirmed the fault of the starting along with 2 other faults I had identified including a mis aligned wing mirror camera and a SOS error (could be linked to key). I was then asked to get it booked in to Landrover at my convenience. So, the car sat on the drive for a few days, still wouldn’t start so another £100 to get it transported to the local dealership. Landrover have confirmed that it’ll be £125 per diagnostic, so at minimum £250, along with all the other Breakdown and Recovery costs the bills are currently starting to add up.

    The car is still sat at the dealership now and yet to be looked at. I’m really hoping they can look at it soon as we wanted to take the car to Ireland next Friday.

    Will keep you posted, but all in a pretty rubbish ownership diary so far, but I guess half expected with the pre indicator of a possible starting issue. The 100 miles I drove in it were lovely though!
     
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  2. Wynne71
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    Wynne71 WARLORD Site Supporter

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    Oh dear! Not a great ad for the JLR ownership experience. Hopefully all down to a dodgy battery that can be put right quickly.
    Sounds as though the dealer is looking to put it right for you, and quickly.
     
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    Last edited: Jun 16, 2022
  3. Peter
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    Peter WARLORD

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    Sorry to read it's not a very good start to ownership. Hopefully something simple.

    Peter
     
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  4. aldo
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    When the dealer mentioned the starting issue, they said they'd seen it before on a Range Rover Sport. Come to think I don't remember him saying what the outcome of that was apart from it being a key reader error.

    A specialist down the road from me, reckons it is a key module which is located under the centre console and is about £1600 to replace! I actually officially introduced myself to him the other day, despite living down the road for a few years! I figured he may be handy to know in the not so distant future! He also said they are not all that bad and he'll check the previous service/work history for me to see if I got a good one or not :LOL:
     
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  5. edthefed
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    edthefed WARLORD

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    Hope it gets sorted without too much hassle

    You are far braver than me - i do keep getting drawn to JLR products but then i read a story like yours
     
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  6. aldo
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    aldo

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    Yes I think I need my head examining. If you also read the club pages I don’t know how anyone sleeps.

    Hopefully this will be the worst.

    I said to her in doors, it’s a 3 strike rule. 3 significant let downs and that’ll be it. Hope not as although some owners have common issues with theirs, they always come back and get another!


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  7. boylucifer
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    boylucifer

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    Fingers crossed it all comes good Aldo! Must’ve been a horrible experience with a new motor!
     
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  8. a.s.uk
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    a.s.uk WARLORD

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    Ditto above..
    The Writing was somewhat on the wall with the starting issue…..
    Seriously Good luck…. These stories shouldn’t even be coming up…
    Can’t help thinking you’ll be back with the Germans sometime soon….
    JLR even admit themselves their reliability is way short of the mark….


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  9. aldo
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    aldo

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    Absolutely, it would be straight back in to a X5 too!
     
  10. aldo
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    aldo

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    Well I’ve had an update from LR

    Appears the Telematic control unit is to blame for the problematic starting and SOS error. Cost to replace £1420.

    The mirror and camera needs stripping down and possibly a new camera, £574.

    Both above £250 diagnostic charge in total not £375 as the SOS error is linked to starting issue, so only 1 diagnostic charge.

    The above along with the recovery charges, its mounting up.

    Sadly not as positive conversation today with the supplying dealership.

    The guy I’m usually dealing with is out of office until Tuesday. He gave me 2 alternative contacts who know the situation. Spoke to another guy and already on the defensive that “we” wouldn’t have told you to take to Landrover etc.

    Starting to get my back up now but tried to remain calm. Was asked to put the quote breakdown in to an email and send through. Then one of the staff that knows about the situation will call me back. Email sent, no callback after 20 minutes. Called back just after 5 and was told he’d gone home?! Despite him being in a meeting 20 minutes earlier!

    Reluctantly agreed to call back tomorrow morning when he was back in. 6 minutes later a reply to my email asking for a written breakdown form LR.

    Call back to LR and the service agent I’m dealing with has gone home and no one can access the job!

    So we’ll see where we go tomorrow.

    Commercially for them, it is costing but surely it would cost them a significant amount for them to sort and a pretty sh!tty customer experience.


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  11. Wynne71
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    Blimey. That really isn’t the outcome you would be looking for. Things do go wrong, it’s how quickly these are put right is the measure of any good company.
    Everything crossed that the outcome is the right one for you ASAP. Must be starting to leave a sour taste….
     
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  12. edthefed
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    edthefed WARLORD

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    Think I would be trying to get the sale cancelled and get backin the X5
     
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  13. a.s.uk
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    a.s.uk WARLORD

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    What is wrong with these dealers?
    Sell you something that doesn’t work….. then fix the damn thing you w@nkers…….
    Sometimes it just beggars belief…
    Good luck….


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  14. aldo
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    aldo

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    The thought has crossed my mind. They had the X5 advertised the next day (my valeting skills must be good)! But no, I have to give them the opportunity to put the car right.

    I'm more chilled out today and things seem to be moving in the right direction. Landrover have supplied me with the quotation, which i then passed on to the dealership. One of the MD's called me within 20 minutes and said they'd spoken to LR too, agreed the repairs and at some discount to trade.

    Happy days, the wait now is to see now if this Telematics unit (which seems to be more troublesome in the Disco Sports) comes in on Tuesday.

    Fingers crossed
     
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  15. Wynne71
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    Got everything crossed that this gets sorted for you, hopefully you can crack on with enjoying the car then.
    (y)
     
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  16. Peter
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    Peter WARLORD

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    We will be watching this space. Sure do hope they fix it for you without more hassle.

    Peter
     
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  17. The CO
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    Ugh, what a chore. Stuff happens and as someone else has said, it's what they do when it does go wrong that is the real measure of customer service. I once bought a very expensive piece of hi-fi equipment as 'open box' and when it arrived it was anything but. I was absolutely livid but calm with them and to their absolute credit they let me continue to use it (once they'd sent the accessories) whilst they ordered a brand new one from the manufacturer. Six weeks later I was in possession of a brand new widget for a significant discount. I was a very happy chappy.

    LRs are stupidly complicated things and I found that when one thing goes wrong something else usually goes wrong as well. But when they work, they really are wonderful machines. I recently took my FFRR to Bruges and back, what a wonderful way to travel. Soooo comfortable.

    Hope yours is sorted soon.
     
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  18. Wayfarer
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    Agree with you on that, great vehicles when they do what they are supposed to do, but when they go wrong due to penny pinching and complexity, they are expensive to fix.
    As they say in the off road world if you want to drive anywhere take a Land Rover, but if you want to come back take a Toyota!
    Customer service from HQ and a lot of their dealers who live in their “gin palace” showrooms is very poor.
    Although out of the main dealer networks there are some great knowledgeable independents, who often have developed proper fixes to the problems, particularly on the older models.
    Would love another but it would have to be a well cared for enthusiast owned older model.

    I also hope you get it sorted very soon and it then gives you a great ownership experience and you continue the diary on here to tempt some of us old owners back to LR
     
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  19. Abh29
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    Stay with the older models, just looked at my sons 86" ser ! that spent many years as a garage recovery truck before being registered in 1986.

    If it goes wrong its so easy to fix. PLUS. no tax no MoT and cheap insurance
     
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  20. Wayfarer
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    Yes but not very comfortable for a long drive, personally I reckon pre 2015 are best, and personally I’d avoid the 2.7 and 3.0 L diesels, the v8 petrol or diesel are reputed to be very reliable if looked after, but like most things you pays your money and take your pick.
     

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