The DS is a good car and that's the problem, LR had the chance to make it great but rather than sticking to what they do best, they've went after the Germans and missed the mark. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

Really appreciate your honesty J77. I had considered waiting for either cheaper models to come online or secondhand DS's to become more affordable for me-I have never spent more than £25k on a car so I could be waiting a while! I initially quite liked the DS but still preferred the old school Land Rover boxy shape. A couple of people in the village I live in have DS's (both white). Now the novelty has warn off I still quite like them but I don't think I will be buying one. I had considered an Evoque petrol as I can get a used one on my budget now. Would you avoid the Evoque? Creaking dashes would drive me mad!

I had an Evoque loan car while my DS was in for some warranty work, it was the SD4 manual dynamic and it was good fun to drive, I'd never driven one with the dynamic setting before and I made for a rather enjoyable drive along some back roads, really nice.

I wouldn't avoid it as such just look out for the creaking centre console, not every Evoque suffered with it. The Si4 is only available on the dynamic so should be a really nice car to drive on sunny summer Sunday afternoon blasting down some scenic roads.

The DS also is worth a look when prices come down, as I say it isn't bad and it is nice to drive holds the road reasonably well, some journalists prefer it to the RRS2 and the interior space is fantastic for such a compact SUV. It's just Land Rovers "that'll do" mentality. Small things like lack of seatbelt height adjustment, ambient lighting that's below par it should have signature strips in the doors but the light is pretty much non existent. The 3rd row seatbelt clips are so flimsy it's unbelievable. Some DS autos are suffering with some of the same problems auto Evoque owners were suffering a year ago. It's minor things that would make a major difference to the car.

I'll say to Land Rover what my teacher said to me "must try harder"

Got some mud on it the other day playing.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

I still really don't know what my replacement LR will be when the time comes. A RRS would be nice but the prices will rise a fair bit by 2019 rumours of the replacement defender being available in a 300bhp superchargd diesel does sound very appealing! I just hope it's not a very aerodynamic shape  MY14 Kahn Converted Dynamic - Fuji White Ebony/Pimento Interior
MY15 Xenon Headlight Conversion

MY17 RRS SVR - Estoril Blue Cirrus/Ebony 🪣💺’s

I think the new Defender will still retain its boxy shape, but perhaps slightly softer edges.

I'm not sure what will replace my DS I will look at the next Discovery but I suspect prices will be through the roof. I honestly think my next car will be from another brand. I like the new XC90, it's 3rd row seats are the same size as the 2nd and when up still has a 451 litre boot, would consider the XC70 also. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

J77 wrote "Small things like lack of seatbelt height adjustment"

My X3 is exactly the same with no height adjustment for the seatbelts, I wonder what the reasoning is behind it?

Still loving the X3, haven't seen many DS's around and must admit i'm still not a fan, LR have abused the Evoques styling success and transplanted it on every model now so that they all loose their individual identity. Heard mixed reactions to the DS and that it was rushed out much to early (really should have waited for the ingenium engines for launch and that interior design is already looking tired) Now - 2017 BMW X3 M Sport Carbon Black
Gone - 2014 BMW X3 M Sport Space Grey, faultless!
Gone - 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Bali Blue with xenons
Gone - 2008 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Rimini Red with bodykit

My DS is going providing all the figures stack up. It's not a bad car, I just miss my D4 and that proper command driving position. I had doubts through the whole order process but thought they would pass.

So, we live and learn. On order is a 16MY Discovery SE, Loire Blue, privacy glass and possibly xenons if I can squeeze more it my dealer.

Let the "told you so" commence  21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

Tbh honest Im not surprised at all! You came from a D4 to a DS. I would never DOWNGRADE from a FL2 to a DS. Will you be happy with cloth seats? IIRC I believe the SE now comes with front fog lights. On the SE can you upgrade to the sat nav unit?

PS I'd get the torch fitted  MY14 Kahn Converted Dynamic - Fuji White Ebony/Pimento Interior
MY15 Xenon Headlight Conversion

MY17 RRS SVR - Estoril Blue Cirrus/Ebony 🪣💺’s

Now up to 187 nearly new DS available on the approved LR site and thats before J77 chops his in  MY 09 GS manual in Lago Grey, Wood Co arm rest and side bumper strips - now sold.

MY 15 SD4 SE Auto Orkney Grey with colour coded Bumper Door Mouldings

ex demonstrators mainly - the new demo cars with different engine due end august / 1st week setember
some bargains to be had if you haggle... and dont mind the older proven engine 

LR NUT wrote:

Tbh honest Im not surprised at all! You came from a D4 to a DS. I would never DOWNGRADE from a FL2 to a DS. Will you be happy with cloth seats? IIRC I believe the SE now comes with front fog lights. On the SE can you upgrade to the sat nav unit?

PS I'd get the torch fitted

Only £180 for the heated wheel it can be added as an option on the SE  MY14 Kahn Converted Dynamic - Fuji White Ebony/Pimento Interior
MY15 Xenon Headlight Conversion

MY17 RRS SVR - Estoril Blue Cirrus/Ebony 🪣💺’s

I've been there, can be added on the builder but isnt available option for SE. It's an error on the builder apparently, it was the first thing I asked for. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

When has the builder ever been correct

Maybe worth phoning a few different dealers to see what they say  MY14 Kahn Converted Dynamic - Fuji White Ebony/Pimento Interior
MY15 Xenon Headlight Conversion

MY17 RRS SVR - Estoril Blue Cirrus/Ebony 🪣💺’s

Wow! Sorry to hear this but frankly I'm not surprised! Possibly it may have been better to grab one of the last Freelander 2's as I did.
I've now sat in the DS a few times and it's like sitting in a bowl compared to the Fl2 and honestly, the styling, bland and ugly all roled into one, especially from the rear!
I've had the FL2 7 months now and I'm loving it even more if that's possible, so I hope you recapture that LR feeling with the D4.  MY15
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Surround Camera System
InControl Apps soon to be replaced with CarPlay (WIP)
Meridian Premium Surround Sound
Digital Audio Broadcast
Timed Climate
Cruise ECO Data
Follow Me Home Reverse
Extra Features Menu
Picture In Motion
4x4i screen (WIP)
Digital Broadcast TV
Meridian Rear Media with WIFI
Factory Powered Tailgate
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Reverse Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Electrochromatic Wing Mirrors (WIP)