Any thoughts on why my MY12 SD4 feels a little less "refined" than others I've driven recently?

It feels to me that the engine's a bit rougher, and noisier than other SD4's. I really noticed it from the very first time I started it up on the day I collected it at the dealer. I p/x'd a Disco 3, so everything seemed less "refined", and I just accepted it. Since that first day, I've constantly thought it's just a bit more agricultural than I would have liked or expected.

I'm currently driving a loan car - LE Sport SD4 - and it's just so smooth, quiet and - that word again - refined compared to mine. It also picks up drive from idle more instantly and effortlessly, and feels just a little quicker and less strained. It sits on a hill in Drive without brakes, which mine won't do.

The dealer told me last week that there's nothing wrong, but I'm convinced there's something not right. They say every car's different - didn't think L-R hand built them - and mine is fine.

Anyone got any thoughts on this lack of refinement? .
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....if you wait for it to go wrong , it's sure to oblige.

Few questions to try and work out a few things...

Whats the mileage on the car?

What fuel do you use?

Whats your driving style / journey types?

Jon Freelander 2, 2014 Dynamic SD4 Santorini Black

Hi Jon,

MILEAGE - 4K

FUEL - mix of supermarket/ branded. Predominantly supermarket.

STYLE etc - pretty gentle for max MPG , but good mix of driving - most journeys get engine fully warmed,, maybe 40% of mileage accounted for by journeys of over 25 miles, and 70mph.

The engine hasn't felt any different since there were 8 miles on the clock. The car I'm comparing it with today has 1700 miles up - dealer courtesy car - and that car is no different to any other FL2 I've driven - TD4 or SD4 - except mine  .
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....if you wait for it to go wrong , it's sure to oblige.

I don't want this to start a mass debate on fuel, but on the odd occasion I have been forced to use supermarket fuel, the car is noisier and not as smooth, mine is an SD4 2011 model.
I always use VPower and many members agree with the fact it is smoother, others use two stroke which gives them smoother and quieter running.
Try a few tanks of the good stuff, the cost difference is not that great and you may be surprised.

Don't want any mass debating here. Plenty of other sites for that sort of thing.  2013 RR Evoque Pure Tech
2012 TD4 GS Auto Orkney Grey - gone

Try disconnecting the battery for 10-15 mins then seeing if things are any better, could just be a computer gremlin.

Vpower / BP ultimate would be my next recommendation, or some redex or similar.

Last time I filled up with vpower I ran in a lower gear than I normally would for a few trips, (i.e. 5th at 70) has made a massive difference to mine, better mpg (when I started driving normally again) and no smoke when pulling away at full throttle.

If your not happy with it just take it back again, see if you can get another car to compare side by side to prove your point?

Jon Freelander 2, 2014 Dynamic SD4 Santorini Black

Yeah, I had thought about fuel being the issue, but it doesn't properly explain why it was like this from new, or why dealer's courtesy cars, which almost certainly won't have seen any v-power or similar, are sooooooo much more refined.

I've had enough cars over the years to have experienced the marginal differences that better/ different fuels can bring. I've also had plenty experience of differences in individual engines/ drivetrains, and the varied responses to the questions raised in this dept. The point is that this car of mine, is to my mind and senses, not just different to account for tolerances and parameters in manufacture, but exhibiting a fault or rogue component(s).

Sorry to sound so dismissive of everyone's advice, but I've been here or hereabouts before, and in my opinion I'm in a situation that just can't or won't be resolved. So I'm really looking for some pointers to put on the table at the dealers, to maybe help me obtain some kind of satisfaction.

Thanks everyone  .
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....if you wait for it to go wrong , it's sure to oblige.

Is there another dealer nearby you could take it to for a second opinion? If there is a problem and its in warnety they normally jump at the chance to do work.

How long have you had the car, did you consider requesting to return it?

Are there any other forum members nearby that could help you out, just confirming your problems, if the dealer really won't listen ring landrover hq and get them on the case.

Jon Freelander 2, 2014 Dynamic SD4 Santorini Black

Hi, I think your gonna open up a whole can of worms here. You can have two similar cars built one after the other and chances are that they will not perform in the same way.
There are so many things that can change the way an engine, drive train etc etc will run and theres only so many sensors that are monitored by the ECU that you may never trace what is causing the engine to run rough.
Nowadays engineers will just plug in a dianostics meter which will check to see if any fault codes have been stored. with these meters they can also check live data and perform componant tests but this is limited.
After this, componants can be replaced but you could spend a fortune on parts and still be no better off.
Some times software updates can help but not always.
A few years ago my friend bought a brand new ford diesel and from day one had a problem with the car which in the end was never rectified.
For no reason while driving along the road at about 30 miles an hour it would all of a sudden excelerate sharply with out using the throttle. Ford replaced just about every part of the car from the control gear/ECU to the instrument cluster but still nothing changed and it continiued to do it untill he traded it in a few years later back at the same dealership. Good luck in yor quest.

Thanks Jon and Super spark.

I'm not hopeful that I'll ever resolve it. I still think I've got a rogue one at the very limit of tolerances. I am going to try the battery suggestion, and hope!

I'll give the super diesel fuel a go too - may as well rule out all the variables

..........and I should say that L-R tech checked it over on Wed. They were present to try to eliminate a steering pull/ drift. It looks like they're happy with the whole plot. .
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....if you wait for it to go wrong , it's sure to oblige.

Rougher, noisier and less power... Hmm...
You could say they're the symptoms of a timing that's a little off...
But to verify this it's quite a job. And needs some specific tools.

Alex -

I agree with your timing suggestion, but only if it was an old fashioned mechanical diesel pump type engine. With modern diesels the timing's controlled by electronics - the ECU applies the correct "map" according to inputs from a raft of sensors. So, that all being correct, what causes an engine to vary from others in the way mine does? I'm leaning towards a dicky MAF sensor, or maybe even the ECU.

Anyways, thanks L-R for your useful input in this. Just as well I know a bit of what I'm talking about. Anyone else would probably just accept the excuse and never be quite happy with their motor. What am I talking about - I'm not happy with mine  .
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....if you wait for it to go wrong , it's sure to oblige.

Why not post a video up so people can give some opinions? Freelander 2, 2014 Dynamic SD4 Santorini Black

Posting a video would put a face to the words spoken. I suppose that a diagnostic meter was connected to the ecu and displaying all the correct values for all sensors monitoring engine systems.
Timing is controlled by the ecu which is determined from from live data from all sensors concerned. Many of the sensors work together to calculate what the engines needs are.
Again if no fault codes are being stored you have one hell of a job tracking the hidden fault down.
These systems were designed to also to help the engineer in tracing and rectifying the problem but some times this is easer said than done

Yes guys, a video does make sense. I need to do 2 - the car I'm comparing and mine. Can't do mine until it's back. There's some delay in it coming back today. I'll see about doing the loan car today.

The first stumbling block, as always, is getting L-R to agree there's something amiss. Then the engineers can start trying to track down the source. I'm at the first step - trying to get L-R to accept that I'm right. Early days then.

On a slightly different tack, how many people have become tired of shelling out to run their Disco 3, and downsized like me? And how many are a bit disappointed with their Freelander? In my opinion, L-R have built a pretty basic vehicle in the FL2 and are making a good profit from it. There just doesn't seem to be any real quality in the FL2 - it appears at first to be pretty good, but a short acquaintance puts that right. Tell me I'm wrong/ biased. Please  .
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....if you wait for it to go wrong , it's sure to oblige.