New Owner looking to by 2007 Disco 3

[91Viper]

Guys/Gals

Just joined the forum as I am planning to purchase a 2007 Disco 3 (V6) and thought this would be a good place to get the low down on what these cars are really like. It has very low Kms and never been off-road.

I am interested to know any things I need to be aware of when buy one...

Have been trawling through some of the posts here but any useful tips would be helpful to a Disco n00b

Thanks team

[WhiteD3]

Viper,

Had mine now for 3.5 years with no real dramas. Very happy with the D3 and will only get rid of it for a D4.

Anything specific you want to know?

Is it an S or SE? I assume its an SE so you'll have seven seats, leather, air suspension.

Make sure your expectations re economy (or lack there of) are aligned with reality. Hwy = ~ 11l/100km, City = 16 and upward depending on how you drive.

Tyres; if its never been offroad it's probably got factory fitted wranglers on it. If its an SE they're 18" and you'll want/need to get something better for off road. Do a search in the D3 section for info.


Is it under warranty? If so, its about to expire so you may want to invest in the Alliance extended warranty. Do a search in the D3 section for info.

Cheers.

[91Viper]

It is an SE

thanks for the tips regarding extended warranty - will have to check this out. But I must ask why? when it is really almost brand new...

Re: fuel i'm moving up from my tricked up commodore so the economy is about the same based upon the numbers posted - ;) no change really

I'll have a search regarding tyres..

[DiscoSaffa]

Ditto to everything WhiteD3 says...... I love mine and it will be replaced with D4 only……. Although with the D4 pricing that is not going to as soon as I would like…… :(

By "V6" I am assuming you are talking the 4.0l petrol model, or have you omitted the "TD”

Generally the V6 petrol is the least popular of the pickings, that said it is what I have (and WD3 for that matter) and I love it, but then I like petrol engines, and (for me anyway) the numbers just didn’t stack up for the TDV6.

Anyway, I digress….. being less popular, they become a serious bargain second hand. My brother in-law sold his 05 V6 for just $35k…. and you get a LOT of vehicle for that money. As WD3 points out, fuel consumption is something you have to live with, but you will have saved a fair few $$s on the cost of the vehicle, so that offsets the cost of the fuel. (from new to about 150000km, it is cheaper to run the V6).

As far as I am aware, from 07 on, the V6 was only available as a SE, so you get most of the tricks, and 18 inch wheels, which depending on the type of off road work you are wanting to do, it may not be an issue...... you do (unlike the D4) have the option of fitting 17s if things are going to get hectic :burnrubber:

Anyway, confirm a few details for us, and we will be able to advise from there, and have a good read around the forum…… a wealth of information there.

DS

[91Viper]

thanks for the post..

Looking at a V6 petrol - I can understand the fuel issue as the weight and aero sure wouldn't help in punching out low numbers

Don't plan on any offroad work - just something safe with 7 seats for the kids (got 3 of the munchkins) . need a few extra seats to help with getting friends to school that the commodore just doesn't have.

[DiscoSaffa]

thanks for the post..

Looking at a V6 petrol - I can understand the fuel issue as the weight and aero sure wouldn't help in punching out low numbers

Don't plan on any offroad work - just something safe with 7 seats for the kids (got 3 of the munchkins) . need a few extra seats to help with getting friends to school that the commodore just doesn't have.

Then you won't go far wrong with the D3 V6......... you get a lot of car for the money!

As for no offroad work....... lets talk again in 6 months ;) they are a true wolf in sheeps clothing......the urge to lean to your left and start playing with all the toys won't take long to kick in. They are a fantastic peopel mover but at the same time they are stoopidly capable vehicles off road...... some might say addictive.....

[Neil P]

they become a serious bargain second hand. My brother in-law sold his 05 V6 for just $35k…. and you get a LOT of vehicle for that money.
That's not much of a loss . They were A$52k for petrol S in '05
at Southside Brisbane , so he's lost very little in half a decade .
You can lose that much in a year on a V8 Statesman .........

[Michael2]

I got a friend who's selling his '05 D3 TDV6 HSE. He's replaced it with an '04 TD5 D2A.

The D3 is an awesome car and the only real issues he had with it was puncturing tyres on bush trips and the electronic handbrake making a noise. The hand brake is a known issue, there have been several part number upgrades with no real resolution to problems and stock is very limited with none available from your usual after market parts suppliers.

The D2A with 16" rims is probably better suited to his driving, if I had the money I'd be buying the D3 off him. It's the only proper 7 seater where you can realistically expect an adult to sit in the back. It pulls really powerfully and tracks through bends and rough terrain superbly, which is probably what increases its susceptibility to tyre damage. I'd recommend you drive a TDV6 before committing to the petrol version.

[DJC]

Having recently been through this exercise, I strongly recommend trying to find out a bit about the gearbox and find out whether it's been flushed, especially if its done a few kms. Also look for any gearbox shudders around 60km/hr. I am no expert but consensus appears to be anywhere between every 40-80k kms for a flush. Can cost a reasonable amount if done properly so worth making it a condition of sale if dealer can't prove it's been done.

Plenty of posts on this topic if you want more info

Good luck - beautiful vehicle to drive compared to my previous car (patrol) but rapidly coming to the conclusion that they definitely need a bit more TLC!!

Cheers
Darren

[gghaggis]

I am no expert but consensus appears to be anywhere between every 40-80k kms for a flush.

That seems a little excessive? If you're doing a lot of heavy towing/off-roading, perhaps review it at 80 000km, but for the average driver I'd expect at least 80 ~ 100 000. A few people flush the gearbox earlier for peace of mind, but unless you're doing it yourself with alternatively-sourced fluid, it's an expensive option.

Cheers,

Gordon

[DJC]

That seems a little excessive? If you're doing a lot of heavy towing/off-roading, perhaps review it at 80 000km, but for the average driver I'd expect at least 80 ~ 100 000. A few people flush the gearbox earlier for peace of mind, but unless you're doing it yourself with alternatively-sourced fluid, it's an expensive option.

Cheers,

Gordon

Yeah I agree but that's what an auto trans specialist garage told me. Others said 60 and 80. If i was being skeptical you might think garages are trading on the uncertainty;)