Ownership Diary - LR Discovery 5 R-Dynamic HSE

Yeah - more punctures on this car than any other. I think it's a mixture of both the terrible roads plus low profile tyres and heavy car. My neighbour who had an XC90 previously used to go through tyres like nobody's business; both because it was the T8 and therefore lots of power but also heavy. Hoping I've had my bad run of it.

Just looking at my Pistonheads cost record, it's eye-watering. Currently sitting at £1.94 per mile / £1,335 per month!

Our last proper family car which we had for a period of time (30months) was the Porsche MacanS. That came in at £1.43 per mile / £732 per month! That's pretty telling.

We won't talk about Mrs Spuff's previous run-around which she had for 40months - the X1 xDrive20i. That was £0.68 per mile / £323 per month.

All of those are all costs (servicing, warranty, insurance, tax etc), fuel and depreciation.

 

So, the job I've been putting off as it's a bit of a faff. That said, went better than expected.

I lowered the spacesaver out of the rear well under the car using the in built winch system. Then with a bit of faffing, having already added some protection to the face of the wheel to protect it from rubbing, I threaded the steel wire through the hub of the new wheel, lined it up and winched it back into place.

I'm slightly concerned at what appears to be some heat damage to the tyre of the space-saver. Not because I'm concerned about getting money back on it (I'm eBaying it just to get it out of the garage) but because I'm concerned about not perishing the new tyre. But let's see.

Main thing is I have a full-sized spare wheel with all season tyre which means if I get another puncture, we are not only ok to keep moving and take the urgency out of finding a replacement, but also fully equipped for Austria in February.




Just the snowchains to buy now!

 

Nothing other than an update to convey my utter relief at having changed the battery a few weeks back....

I parked up the car last Monday at STN and for the most part, the temperatures were hovering around zero. The last two days before collecting it, however, the temps hadn't got above freezing and were down to -6C over the weekend. We arrived home yesterday (eventually!) to a car covered in snow.

Quick press of the start button, a slight delay (which was worrying but turned out to just be the glowplugs doing their thing) and the strongest start I've heard from the thing in 2yrs!

Feel very comfortable now with the idea of taking it to Austria in 6wks or so time. I'll keep the weekly overnight charges going with the CTEK but otherwise we're all good. Just £800 of snowchains to buy now

 

Thanks @zarnd - I'll have a nosey around. The engine bay is jammered, so doubt there's anything available there. The battery lives just behind the osr wheel arch. Certainly no more room there but I'll check out the other side.

 

Result - managed to find the exact model of snow chains I needed on eBay (like a needle in a haystack). Had a bit of a haggle and got them for £595 versus the £795 I was looking at brand new. Allegedly only used once. TBH, I'd be surprised if we needed them but would hope to be able to get the bulk of that back as and when we need to sell them.

A chunk of money, but delighted that we're slowly getting everything in place.

Next stop - Marshalls Cambridge. Need to book it in to see about the osr bench which stopped moving following them putting it back to together after drying the carpets. Given we'll have the teenager in the rear most seat for our 14hr overnight drive to Austria at half term, we need to be able to extract her easily. It'll be under warranty but unfortunately have a £250 excess.

 

You’re absolutely right. I did raise it when they called for a review of the service following the carpet drying but I’ve left it so long to follow up, I’m not sure they’ll honour it. Let’s see.