My New Pride & Joy.

[sniegy]

Well Finally it arrived.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/604.jpg

As the description below says, it has all the options i wanted.
I didnt opt for the 3.0Ltr as i thought the 2.7Ltr was good enough & i think i would of lost my licence in the first month.:eek::eek:
Couple of extra things i did was to fit side protection moulds & get them color coded, i like it some may not, The grill, both side vents & wheels are also painted the same color, "Shadow Chrome". The photo doesnt really show the color but those of you that know it, it is an awesome color.
I didnt like the bright silver color on the vents & grill so changed it. Also didnt like the wheels, but had a set i purchased about a year ago. The 19" rims from the V8 HSE on the D3. I liked the wheels & always have. Saw a set of rims on some show cars & thought i may do that when i get one.
Well i have & have enjoyed the vehicle heaps in the last 24hrs, Did a drive day today at work as i am also one of the instructors & decided to use my vehicle...I know why would you use your own vehicle. Well thats why i bought it for to enjoy.
I have worked with the product for nearly 20yrs & a little over 10yrs with my current employer MLR & decided to get myself a nice gift. My wife(Barb), my 2 little munchkins (Eden & Olivia) & I can now travel this wonderful country in comfort.

Sorry for the little rant, but i am one happy little puppy, I have had permagrin:woot: & we all love the vehicle.
To all of you who are thinking about it, Dont think just do it, You wont be dissapointed.:p

[justinc]

Fantastic! enjoy it, and the permagrin will last for a LOOONG time!!!

Congratulations, good choice:):)

JC

[dmdigital]

Nice one Pete. Is it really just white that colour or a washed out silver:confused:

Now go out and get it really dirty:p

[mowog]

Nice ride..

[Ashes]

Very nice. Many years of enjoyments I recon:D

[chuck]

Pete

Congratulations & Enjoy It.

I went away in the D3 this week end up to the back of the Thompson Dam.

The cars performance both on & off road still brings a grin.

What it does as a standard car is amazing.

Regards

Chuck

[brad72]

She looks beautiful. It'll be a tight squeeze for your wife tonight trying to share the bed with you and the landy. :p

Can't wait for mine to arrive now, I have the same one on order, the tinted windows really make her look good.

Congratulations:D

[Narangga]

I definitely like the 'upgrades'. Looks great.

And don't let Derek upset you by say it would have got stuck with us yesterday! :o

[Jamo]

Congratulations Pete! Looks fantastic! :D:D:D:D

You've many years of Permagrin ahead of you!:cool:

[roamer]

Looks cool Pete,:cool::cool: really like colour coded side mouldings, are they painted or coloured plastic.
I know your not dissappointed. :D
Drive it like ya stole it, Ken :angel:

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I noticed the change in tag line:p

I saw a white one in traffic just today,,

:cool::cool::cool:

[sniegy]

Ken,
Painted to match the vehicle.;)

[dmdigital]

And don't let Derek upset you by say it would have got stuck with us yesterday! :o
Let's count them off: 80 Series LC, stuck, D2 stuck, Troopy stuck, Defender NOT stuck:p

I would put this down to weight, clearance and wheel base more than anything else. It was the lightest vehicle with the best clearance.

Now a D4 weighs how much more than a Defender:eek:

Anyway Dale, think how nice Pete's new car would have looked with all that black mud over it and on the carpets :eek2:

[DI5CO]

Looks awsome!! I quite like it in white:) need a pic with the led's at night! Well done!!

[DDdisco]

It looks fantastic. Just that little bit different to make it "your own". Hope you have fun with it. :)

[Graeme]

Congratulations Pete! Just don't wear it out in the first week.

How's the halogen high beam alignment? It seems there are good ones and bad ones.

[sniegy]

Hi Graeme,
Havent checked yet, Will let you know when i get a chance.
LR have replied to me late last week about yours & a few others.
We will wait until the QualityAassurance program is done & check then.
Otherwise it is 2 new lights.

[3.9County]

Wow! Nice truck indeed. :)

[scarry]

That is a nice looking D4:)

White is one of my favourite colours.

I just want one.....

Is it a 5 seater with the option of the extra seats?,& a few other things.

When is the 5 seater coming with the 3l?

[sniegy]

Paul, Certinaly is optioned up to the 7 seats, with a few extra's..:D
Unfortunately the 3.0 will never come with a 5 seat option as a majority will be sold as 7 seats regardless of engine(to date we have not sold one 5 seater D4).
Our market also makes the D4 3.0 the mid spec motor so again the option is not avaiable in Australia.
Cheers

[ADMIRAL]

Congratulations Pete! Just don't wear it out in the first week.

How's the halogen high beam alignment? It seems there are good ones and bad ones.


Good choice. I have the white D4 with the black cloth, 2.7 in a 5 seater. I look like I will have to paint the side protection strips white ( company graphic to go on ) They look ok on yours. My halogens are up with the possums too.

[rmp]

Lovely car, nice colour too. I look forward to seeing it on the next D3 Trip which will I shall now extended to include D4 owners too.

I did notice the avatar change....

[trobbo]

and there I was feeling pretty good about myself picking up my d3 hse last week... but yours is something else. well done!


Hmmm a d3 trip, just what I was thinking

[Signal1]

Congrats Pete, she looks great. Good on you for rewarding yourself, the restraint you show not having bought a D3 or RR previously especially being with them all day is amazing. But then again, you are around them each day...ya bugger!:twisted:

Peter Phillips

[Bundalene]

What a great looking car, especially the colour co-ordination which reminds me of a project we did late last year.

IMHO the colour is a lot easier to keep clean than a dark car and, when nice and shiny, always looks great.

Absolutely brilliant!.

Erich

[RichardK]

Beautiful:D, congratulations, they sure are a good looking 4by, I hope it serves you well and you enjoy it to the full.

[sniegy]

Well,
This last week & a bit for me has been one big blurr.
Wednesday last week i was sent to Sydney for a course & was originally told it "may" happen, didnt receive any official notes saying this is your flight details & this is where you will be staying & assumed (possibly wrong) that this was not going to happen.:eek:
So i started to think about what bits & pieces i can add to the Discovery while i was at home on the weekend coming, So i had prepared some wiring & a few little components to fit (RedArc Remote trailer brake unit, GME 3340 CB, Engel Fridge Lead-will follow up on these with photo's & install details later) to start with, BUT my wife wanted to go away;), So..Barb had booked a Caravan Park in NSW:eek::eek: (by the way Narrabeen is a wonderful spot).

I left for my course on Wednesday night, to receive a phone call from my wife to say get home Friday night as soon as possible as we are heading off Friday to Sydney, We did chat about this & again didnt think this was going to happen as nothing was booked (again possibly wrong).
Did the course for the 2 days to return home Friday night, sleep & then get up again & drive to Sydney at 06:00Hrs.:o

BUT..

This this time was different I was behind the wheel of a nice shiny new Discovery 4..hehe..Mine. I still go out in the mornings & touch it, just to make sure that it isnt a dream...My wife has caught me a couple of times & now passes with the comment "Another Colorbond Moment I See":eek:

So off we go all bags packed the night before, I love my wife:angel:, Drive up the Hume to Wangarratta for breakfast at yes the M word. At least the coffee is worthwhile. Things i firstly noticed is yes the D4 rides firmer on 19"s, But for me i liked it especially at 110Km/hr, tyres at 33/36 pressures, Pre-delivery setup pressures, The vehicle tracks extremely well for 2.5T+ vehicle, I had no issues with wondering steering in truck ruts or any thing like that at all.

Across the Border & hello concrete:eek::eek: highway heaven..
The good thing now for those that have not driven to Sydney for a while is that 98% of the highway is dual lane except for Hollbrook & Tarcutta & the speed limit is 110Km/hr all the way except for those 2 towns & 2 slow down points from existing towns(cant remember the names tho').
A real easy drive.

I happen to find a rock floating through the air from behind a truck, which "starred" the w/screen, but apart from that all was good.
Will get this fixed when i get back to work.

We heading into Sydney & up the M5 (which was probably the longer way, but good for the kids to see the Harbour, Opera hose etc) under the airport & across the Cahill Expressway & across the bridge, then towards Manly & across the Spit Bridge, then up Pittwater Rd to Narrabeen to the Holiday park.
I was very suprised as was told the raffic in Sydney can be a huge pain, but from the start of the M5 to The Park was an Hour!:eek:
I had to check my watch 2 or 3 times to make sure.:p

Once we had set up & did some shopping, swimming & some more swimming(love that rock pool in Narrabeen), the next day we headed off into Manly via the bus, Purchased a Family Day Tripper ticket & got into Manly & then caught the Ferry into Sydney(Circular Quay) & then from there we dropped into the city & then caught a train to Milsons point & the Kids had a ball at Luna park.
We later caught a Ferry back to Circular Quay & then the Ferry to Manly & then the bus back to the park.

I showed the kids around Sydney as much as i could & had a lot of fun in the short time we were there..

The weather was brilliant, all the days were very warm & even on the day that it rained all day, was still warm & muggy, it didnt stop us from going out. It was very pleasant.

We then packed up & headed out & this was where patience was a good thing, took 2.5 hrs to go from the Park to the end of the M5/Hume highway connection. Ah well....Life goes on..

The vehicle was superb, no issues whatsoever, apart from one..
Grame the Headlights also point upwards, but mainly my left one, but this will be sorted as i did find out more info while i was in Sydney prior to my holiday, There is a section in SDD to set up & adjust your headlights.
Will play when i return & advise the outcome also after carrying out Q093, when released.
Fuel Consumtion was extremely good, Gauge says 8.8L/100 k's, but in reality was 9.1L/100k's, this was mainly highway driving at 110Km/hr & then Sydney stop start traffic & then home again. This will probably stay at that figure as the vehicle will go to Barb & i will have a Co. Car to drive. The engine will return better figures as time goes by, something i have taken notice of at work on clients vehicles.
It was a pleasure to drive, the seating was excellent, everything just worked.
Something i am not used to is the key..Next time i would order the keyless entry, as everytime you wish to lock/unlock the vehcle you need to remove the key from your person, then again try to find where you placed the key prior to entering the vehicle.
If i had the "Keyless" entry this would make it a lot easier when approaching the vehicle, as long as you have the key on/with you & your hand breaks the beam in the door lock handle the vehicle opens, this way you dont need to look for the key & vise versa, when you close the door you touch the black button on the door habdle & your away.
Again just little things you notice after the fact.
The Auto lights are just fantastic, Set & forget, The Auto wipers again excellent, But this depends on how you set it up, i found on the max setting was way to sensative, so mine is now on the midway between the Min/Max settings, you also have to make sure that the sensor is clean otherwise you will have the wiper going at weird times, (make sure there are no dead bugs:eek:)as this was happening to me, after a good clean & bug gutts gone it was excellent, even driving home on Wednesda when it was raining I did not have to touch the headlights & wipers at all, Just had to concentrate on the traffic around me & where i was going.

I didnt get a chance to do any offroad, but in time it will happen, the trip was to(for me anyway) iron out any problems & in reality i have none, I am extremely happy with the vehicle & so is my wife, The kids love it & they know i love it too.

For those wondering about doing it, Go sit your bum in one & go for a drive, a descent drive, play with the buttons ask questions to your dealer, if he cant help ask the forum &/or me, we/I will gladly help.
Seriously the competition wont come close.

Cheers all.

p.s. My wife wants to go back to Narrabeen with some friends, so all that are close next time we are up, we should catch up & have a drink.

[Disco4SE]

Hi Sniegy, What a thread, more like a book. Good you had a good time and enjoyed the Disco. I noticed that you mentioned you have a 2.7Lt D4 with 19" rims. I thought the 19" rims only come out on the 3.0Lt?

[sniegy]

Hi Disco4SE,
Yes, The 2.7's come standard with the 18's, 19's can also be ordered as an option too.
I didnt like the look of the 18's at all anyway & was hoping LR would do an upgrade as they usually do every new year & fit a different set of 18's, unfortunately they didn't.
18months ago saw an opportunity to buy a 2nd hand set of 19" rims i liked, so did back then. They now sit on my beast like brand new units.
Cheers

[Grover-98]

I am becoming more and more a fan of the New Discoveries each time i see them... I bet you do as well each time you see one in your driveway! :D

James.

[grumpybastard]

Another Colorbond Moment I See

Hahaha.. keep that up and your wife will start getting jealous :)

What happened to the D2? It must have a few kms under its belt by now?

[sniegy]

Hi Matt,
Moved it on to a new owner, Last i heard he was still happy with it;)

Cheers

[njz]

I like the colour coded side mouldings and want to put some on the work HSE. Any tips on getting them painted? I've been quoted some interesting prices to get them painted and all sorts of comments on how the paint won't stick etc...

[Disco4SE]

Hi njz, I had my 2008 D3 done at a local reputable panel works for $800.00. He mentioned that all the guards etc came off really easily. Looks good too

[njz]

Hi njz, I had my 2008 D3 done at a local reputable panel works for $800.00. He mentioned that all the guards etc came off really easily. Looks good too

So no probs painting the plastic or rubber? I've been hearing things about special paint needed etc. It's an 09 so the guards etc. are all ready colour coded.

[NavyDiver]

I am becoming more and more a fan of the New Discoveries each time i see them... I bet you do as well each time you see one in your driveway! :D

James.

I would buy a D4 today IF it was not so compromised by tire size as a 4wd. For touring on tar it sounds fine. Of road LR seems to have lost the plot if the 4WDOY reports are true.
I brought a second hand D3 after reading the story on the D4.

Regards James

[sniegy]

Seeing that you purchased a D3, I would presume it is a TDV6, so in that case you still could of purchased a D4 & stuck with the 18's & if liked opted to go to 17's.

You dont "Have" to buy the 3.0 ltr engine.:eek:

[Disco4SE]

I suppose it all depends on highway use compared to off road. After having the D3 2.7 & now the D4 3.0, I wouldn't base my decision on tyre size. The 3.0 is so much more better to drive

[ADMIRAL]

I would buy a D4 today IF it was not so compromised by tire size as a 4wd. For touring on tar it sounds fine. Of road LR seems to have lost the plot if the 4WDOY reports are true.
I brought a second hand D3 after reading the story on the D4.

Regards James

I went for the D4 2.7, as I wanted the wider options for tyre type, including 17" rims. I don't feel compromised. My intention is to take the D4 on some big off road trips. However, how many people really use the 4WD ability of their fourbie.

If I was intending to do some heavy duty towing, the 3.0lt would have been the logical choice.

I think that is the call LR are putting to potential purchasers. Off road go 2.7. On road go 3.0 ! It is much the same choice we make when looking at tyres, and the same compromise when considering the tread pattern and intended use.

[Dirty3]

I am becoming more and more a fan of the New Discoveries each time i see them... I bet you do as well each time you see one in your driveway! :D

James.


Just took delivery of my "new" D3 last Wednesday. Took here up into the Vic high country and had a ball. I am totally impressed with the technology of Terrain Response. I'm looking at some steel 17" wheels for off road use, and the package will almost be complete.

[Owl]

I'm looking at some steel 17" wheels for off road use, and the package will almost be complete.

Hi Hedley,
Are you going to be happy with the "not quite legal" steel 17" rims? I want to do the same, but I'm hesitating - looking for something with +41mm offset. Eastern Wheel Works say they can't make a steel wheel that's legal on a D3. Alloy Performance BB-6 may be the only option.

[Bushwanderer]

Why don't you use LR alloys?

Best Wishes,
Peter

[chuck]

Peter

I think it boils down to cost & availability.
I stupidly let some OEM 17's go & am now regretting it.

Regards

Chuck

[Owl]

Why don't you use LR alloys?

Best Wishes,
Peter


Peter

I think it boils down to cost & availability.
I stupidly let some OEM 17's go & am now regretting it.

Regards

Chuck

Chuck got it in 1!

Ian

[Dirty3]

Hi Hedley,
Are you going to be happy with the "not quite legal" steel 17" rims? I want to do the same, but I'm hesitating - looking for something with +41mm offset. Eastern Wheel Works say they can't make a steel wheel that's legal on a D3. Alloy Performance BB-6 may be the only option.

What's the deal with the legalities? So many wheel manufacturers out there surely they must be legal? As far as getting a set of original's I would, but I've looked around and they are rarer than late model D3's at a sensible price!!! Anyway, can someone explain this to me?

Cheers, Neil.

[Owl]

What's the deal with the legalities? So many wheel manufacturers out there surely they must be legal? As far as getting a set of original's I would, but I've looked around and they are rarer than late model D3's at a sensible price!!! Anyway, can someone explain this to me?

Cheers, Neil.

Hi Hedley,
Rather than repeat it, read it here:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/86757-legality-aftermarket-17-rims-d3.html
It's a bit long winded, but worth the read.

Ian

[TDV6]

Your trundle bus looks great, wish I had the readys to upgrade, one thought came to mind is seeing how nice your car looks and trying to keep it that way, every time I use a car park I lift the car into high off road position, so that other peoples car doors when opened only hit the lower plastic side protection attached to the car/doors.

Ryall

[PCH]

Hey Pete,

Nice new truck. I like the economy you are returning with a new engine. I did a similar run to Canberra at Xmas and my D3 could only manage 10.5 lt/100km on the way up and 9.5 lt/100km on the way back.

I'm booked in for service in a few weeks, see you then to check your permagrin :-)

Chris