Which 4x4?

Pixie5740

I am looking to get a 4x4 and I've narrowed it down to 3 choices (but I'll welcome suggestions from other forum users too).

• BMW X3
• Land Rover Discovery
• Nissan X-Trail

I currently have a BMW 320D (E90) and as much as I love this car it's time to move on. Although I love this car there are 2 main problems with it, 1) the seats kill my back no matter how I adjust them, 2) the rear seats don't fold down to give me extra boot space.

The seats have actually caused my back to go completely several times so that I end up being unable to move. The boot space is important as I go snowboarding at Glen Shee a lot, hillwalking around the Highlands and Grampian in the summer and I do a fair bit of camping too.

I'm also looking for an automatic because the last time my back went I had to drive from Glasgow to Aberdeen and cried every time I had to change gear.

I've sort of ruled out the X3 because the seats look the same as the car I already have. The Nissan X-Trail is proving difficult to find an automatic in the models I would like which leaves the Disco. I currently get 50.4 mpg from my BMW and I know I'll be lucky to achieve half that in a Land Rover. I know the Disco is not the sensible choice but my god did the seats feel good to sit in during the test drive.

What do you MSE Motorists think?

worried_jim

The disco is the daddy, all others are pretenders to the throne. Don't think with your head, think with your back.

Nodding_Donkey

If you look at any Landrovers make sure you take someone that knows them to look for any rust.

Pixie5740

worried_jim wrote: »

The disco is the daddy, all others are pretenders to the throne. Don't think with your head, think with your back.

Thanks Worried Jim. I've actually avoided doing any long journeys in my current car because I know the pain that awaits at the other end so really when you think about it, despite the better fuel economy, the BMW isn't as good value for money.

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

If you look at any Landrovers make sure you take someone that knows them to look for any rust.

Thanks for the tip Nodding Donkey. My friend has always had Discos and has offered to go on a 2nd test drive with me.

Hintza

Why a 4x4?

You really need to sit down and ask yourself that. Our current 4x4 is a Jeep Commander and running costs make your eyes water 25mpg on a good day with the wind behind you, 15mpg if towing 2 tonnes.

The Disco is a nice car but costs will not be much better than mine and servicing will be expensive.

X3 as you have alluded will not offer much more than you have.

X Trail bit long in the tooth now but might be OK.

Why not look at decent estates and soft roaders eg RAV 4, CRV etc, Qashqai?

daveyjp

Budget? There are now a wide range of 4x4 soft roaders, a set of proper tyres and they will do the same job as a very expensive to run Disco.

There is also probably a reason why whenever we go to Scotland we see loads of Subarus. The Forester is an excellent workhorse and the new petrol engine is much more efficient than the old one, even with an auto box.

Pixie5740

Hintza wrote: »

Why a 4x4?

It's the clearance under the car I need for some of the terrain I would like to be able to drive on. My current car is quite low so I would like a more elevated seat position so that [STRIKE]I can look down on the peasants as I drive [/STRIKE] it's easier to get in and out of the vehicle if I hurt my back again after taking a tumble on the slopes.

Hintza wrote: »

Why not look at decent estates and soft roaders eg RAV 4, CRV etc, Qashqai?

I'll check these out too.

Pixie5740

daveyjp wrote: »

Budget? There are now a wide range of 4x4 soft roaders, a set of proper tyres and they will do the same job as a very expensive to run Disco.

There is also probably a reason why whenever we go to Scotland we see loads of Subarus. The Forester is an excellent workhorse and the new petrol engine is much more efficient than the old one, even with an auto box.

My budget is about £35k (cash not finance) and I won't use the car for commuting. I guess as well as a workhorse I like all the bells and whistles. If I'm being really honest, I like the pop up automatic gear stick on the Disco which is not the best reason to buy a car granted but it wouldn't be the most ridiculous reason I've had for making a big purchase.

philnicandevan

I've had the 4 wheel drive version for over a year now with no issues....I also have access issues due to health and found the Skoda Yeti easiest to handle (and comfy!)

AdrianC

The Disco is a lot bigger than the other two. If you're considering that, why an X3 not an X5?

Your originally specified requirements didn't exactly scream 4x4/SUV. You want better seats than your 3-series and folding rear seats (presumably your 3 is a saloon?) Sounds like pretty much ANY hatch or estate will fit those, quite probably better than an SUV with severe packaging compromises to fit the drivetrain in.

OK, you've now added a higher driving position and ground clearance. Fair enough - but bear in mind many soft-roaders don't actually have much more ground clearance than normal cars, because they really aren't designed for use in any kind of terrain more challenging than a bit of flat grass. Tyres do indeed make a lot of difference, but nowhere near as much as axle articulation, wheel travel and actual ground clearance do.

Pixie5740

philnicandevan wrote: »

I've had the 4 wheel drive version for over a year now with no issues....I also have access issues due to health and found the Skoda Yeti easiest to handle (and comfy!)

I do like the Skoda Yeti. I think it's one of those wonderfully practical cars and I like the fact that it's called a Yeti.