[oneplusinc]

Curious to hear what people might know about this...

I ordered a custom DS (was told it might be a 2016 model year on arrival).

I went to pick up today and was disappointed that the vehicle arrived different than ordered. It also had a missing rear valence under the back bumper and evidence that it had been (sloppily) hack-sawed off.

Original order:
SE
Exterior: Kakoura Stone w/ OPTIONAL Black Design Package with 19" 5 SPLIT SPOKE STYLE 521 WITH GLOSS BLACK FINISH rims
Interior: Black/Black, with OPTIONAL black morzine headliner
+Vision Assist
+Climate Package

The vehicle arrived with 18" 5 SPLIT SPOKE STYLE 511 WITH BLACK FINISH rims.

It also had the hack-sawed "hole" (don't know how else to describe it) in the back bumper area - see attached image.

Needless to say, nothing gets resolved on a Sunday, so home we went (w/o new vehicle).

Any ideas?

 

[IronMan]

Hello oneplusinc,

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear that your delivered DS is not as per original spec.
The hole is just unbelievable. As the car is not as per your spec - the suggestion would be to refuse the car and wait for another one that is as per your spec. Alternatively, if you think you could live with this car if they get the hole properly fixed for a good discount - also worth to consider.

 

[oneplusinc]

Hello oneplusinc,

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear that your delivered DS is not as per original spec.
The hole is just unbelievable. As the car is not as per your spec - the suggestion would be to refuse the car and wait for another one that is as per your spec. Alternatively, if you think you could live with this car if they get the hole properly fixed for a good discount - also worth to consider.

Definitely disappointed to see such shoddiness in this brand. 18" wheels in a different style when paying for a 19" black package? I'm shocked our salesperson didn't address this before we drove all the way there.

I looked around at the other Disco's on the lot and all of the '15s had a spare accessed from under the rear of the vehicle (with two smaller mufflers - one on each side). All of the '16s have a spare in a traditional well accessed from under the interior rear cargo deck. The '16s all have a huge muffler that runs the width of the undercarriage and hangs quite a bit lower. There is also a single tailpipe feeding into it that drops pretty low just before the muffler. It looks like there is quite a bit more to hang up on when off-road. Also, the other '16s on the lot all had the mystery gaping hole - all appeared to be hack-sawed (dremel/sawz-all/whatever), with very visible over cuts and terrible presentation.

Also, it is now well-known at the dealerships that the configurator on the LR USA website is completely outdated. You will have no idea what comes in if you order off of that. We were hit with a $950 upcharge (apparently new for 2016) for Kaikoura Stone. The dealer staff even claims not to know what is going on.

 

[oneplusinc]

I found another forum where it appears that the dealer did a similar surgery to accommodate a trailer hitch and wiring harness...

2015 Discovery Sport Owner Review - Page 2 - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover Enthusiast Forum

I also noticed that the LR USA configurator removed the "+Towing" option on the screen of Step "2. Exterior" - it used to indicate special-order valences to be used when tow hitches were employed. I guess they don't know what they're doing now and are just hack-sawing holes in all the cars at the factory. Unbelievable! Looks like sh%t from the back.

 

[DiscoDisco]

OMG and WTF?

Thats messed up! and to hear about the others as well? Whats going on???

 

[rmullins]

Definitely disappointed to see such shoddiness in this brand. 18" wheels in a different style when paying for a 19" black package? I'm shocked our salesperson didn't address this before we drove all the way there.

I looked around at the other Disco's on the lot and all of the '15s had a spare accessed from under the rear of the vehicle (with two smaller mufflers - one on each side). All of the '16s have a spare in a traditional well accessed from under the interior rear cargo deck. The '16s all have a huge muffler that runs the width of the undercarriage and hangs quite a bit lower. There is also a single tailpipe feeding into it that drops pretty low just before the muffler. It looks like there is quite a bit more to hang up on when off-road. Also, the other '16s on the lot all had the mystery gaping hole - all appeared to be hack-sawed (dremel/sawz-all/whatever), with very visible over cuts and terrible presentation.

Also, it is now well-known at the dealerships that the configurator on the LR USA website is completely outdated. You will have no idea what comes in if you order off of that. We were hit with a $950 upcharge (apparently new for 2016) for Kaikoura Stone. The dealer staff even claims not to know what is going on.

That's pretty crazy. Going to have to look out for the hole when I pick up my car this week.

 

[petcha]

Weird. Those wheels look like the same design as the 20s. I thought the 18s were a nine spoke design and didn't come in black

 

[oneplusinc]

Weird. Those wheels look like the same design as the 20s. I thought the 18s were a nine spoke design and didn't come in black

Yes, they are like "baby 20s" - these 18s are available in the UK in silver and "dark grey" finish, but not black gloss, so IDK where these things came from.

Regardless, pissed as ****.

 

[oneplusinc]

Weird. Those wheels look like the same design as the 20s. I thought the 18s were a nine spoke design and didn't come in black

Land Rover UK Accessories Online Catalogue. - NEW DISCOVERY SPORT - Wheels & Accessories - Wheels

 

[petcha]

Very weird. I'd be pissed too. Do you have a picture from further out of the back of the vehicle? Wondering if you can see that hole without crouching down

 

[IronMan]

Weird. Those wheels look like the same design as the 20s. I thought the 18s were a nine spoke design and didn't come in black

You were clearly looking at the same brochure as I did - for MY2015.
Looks like MY2016 have some changes.
So you can get the look of 20" black pack and a ride comfort of 18"? Hmmm

As of the hole - it appears to be for the spare tire of 5+2 seater. If that is a 5 seater (which I think it is as there is no spare tire underneath) - then it is some sort of a body parts mix.

 

[rmullins]

Could the hole be for the installation of a tow hitch/bar?

 

[rmullins]

As of the hole - it appears to be for the spare tire of 5+2 seater. If that is a 5 seater (which I think it is as there is no spare tire underneath) - then it is some sort of a body parts mix.

Ah that definitely seems more likely. Hadn't even thought of the fact that the spare tire would have to move with the 5+2.

 

[oneplusinc]

Very weird. I'd be pissed too. Do you have a picture from further out of the back of the vehicle? Wondering if you can see that hole without crouching down

I saw the "hand-cut @@s hole" in a simple walk around from a few feet out. It is clearly visible sitting in a vehicle behind the truck.

New home for all sorts of rodents/ferals (and lots of wires in there for them to chew on!).

 

[DiscoDisco]

Well what do you know, I also have that cutout. However, you really have to squat way down to see it. Ive never noticed before. I often wave to my wife and daughter as they head out in the morning and watch them drive down the street, never noticed until now. I have NO idea what this is for but Im going to find out.

My Disco is an early 2015 model.

 

[disco808]

this makes me curious to see if mine has the cutout. I will take a look today and let everyone know. my DS is also an early 2015 model. The US Launch edition to be exact.

 

[oneplusinc]

So the dealer called back today. The difference between the two rear ends is the 5-seat vs the 5+2 seat. The 5+2 edition has a small spare tire underneath the back of the car (with dual mufflers). And here comes the reply on the 5-seater back end...

According to the dealer, when LR put the spare tire into a traditional compartment under the cargo area, the valence that they had designed for the back didn't fit. Now, mind you - this valence isn't on the 5+2 vehicle, just the 5-seater. So it looks like someone made a grave design error. The only way they could get the valence to fit was to cut a huge hole in it.

All of the 5-seaters are and have been coming in this way. Apparently, I have the ignominious distinction of being the first customer worldwide to say, "Hey, there's something missing back here and it looks like sh%@."

As for getting 18" wheels when I ordered and paid for 19s, there is no answer yet. Stay tuned.

 

[DiscoDisco]

OK, The cutout is to facilitate the factory tow bar. Its way oversized for the standard tow bar and is sized to fit an electrically deployable tow bar.

This is only on the 5 seater. As stated the 5+2 doesn't have this piece. 5+2 has a spare tire with the two mufflers. If you want a tow hitch on the 5+2 you lose the spare tire. Nice!

 

[disco808]

Ok I just had a look under my car. It appeared I have a cover that goes over the cutout. Here are some photos for you to go back get that cover from JLR.

 

[disco808]

Forgot to mention mine is 5 seater 2015 model