Thinking of upgrading to D3

[twigrx7]

Hi,

I'm looking at upgrading to the D3 from my 2000 D2. Question; is it really worth it? ...are the D3's as good as they seem?

If you've owned your D3 for a while, I'd appreciate some feedback. What problems you've come across? What model variations are there?
I'd prefer a 7 seat option....think this is the SE and apparently there are different models that have different ways for the second row seats fold. I think some models have the 2nd row fold flat too!!???

Thanks for your help and info guys.
Have a great day.
PJ

[CaverD3]

PJ

Like chaulk and cheese. Had a D2 before the D3 and the upgrade is amazing.

Five seaters have different second row. All seven seaters have fold flat seats.

SE is a seven seater but some may have extras as well.

[DiscoWeb]

twigxr7

Like going from Mimi Macpherson to Elle Macpherson,

Same family and their is not a lot wrong with the first is fine but the second is just that much better in every department.

There is plenty of chat about issue with the D3 if you search the forum or have a look at the FAQ's they will give you a great run down on the options, some know issues and other interesting facts.

I think the consensus would be you will be pleased with the change to "Elle".

Regards,

George

[WhiteD3]

Had mine for almost 4 years and 92,000km. Love it and am looking at the D4 next year. I doubt there's a more capable on and off road car on the market.

[PCH]

I've had my D3 for 5yrs 8mths (137K km) and will be looking to replace in 2011 with a D4. I'm really only upgrading because I like the thought of the 3.0lt with more torque for towing and slightly better economy.

What my main concern is that my 17" STT's for off roading won't fit and there isn't any decent off road tyre available in the 19" at the moment. So going for a D3 is still great choice. I might even stick with my D3 for the flexibility of 17" wheels.

Chris

[Nomad9]

Hi PJ,
I had a couple of D2's, I then bought a D3, as mentioned chalk and cheese, the D3 is an awesome piece of technology. My first D3 met with an untimely end, I then had to find another one, I searched long and hard but I couldn't find one local for what I regarded as the right price. I then went back to looking at late D2's but I couldn't bring myself to buy one, I found one in the ACT, just what I was looking for, so I flew over and drove it back to Perth.
If I had to say anything it would be the amount of electronics the D3 has got, everything is electronic. Going bush I always have and I suspect always will have the fear of something electrical stranding me in the middle of know where. I had the tranny module go on me when I was at home on the drive way, just lucky I suspect, that module more or less imobilised the vehicle, thankfully I had a Faultmate and I was able to diagnose the problem, get a spare unit and fit it, all very easy. I'm now gaining more confidence, this to me would be the only thing I'm wary about.
Would I change, no I wouldn't, the ride, the handling, the economy, the gadgets, you can't beat it. With the Discovery 3 and now I suspect 4, every other manufacturer is only ever catching up, and that is a good feeling.
Going onto a forum like this you do find a lot of people who have problems, thats the nature of a technical forum like this, the good part this is where the answers are, and nine times out of ten the problems are easily resolved. I'm amazed at how many posts a re made by people who start with "this is my first post, has anybody........" I think its' great, and them maybe being able to help a bit, fantastic.
Mines a late 05 TDV6 SE, 93k on the clock, drives like new. You won't regret the move. Good luck finding one.

[Mike_S]

Plenty of info on here I'm sure, but it's also worth a look on www.disco3.co.uk (http://www.disco3.co.uk) , I've found it to be a real help even with my RRS. As others have said, read between the lines of the problems and you 'll be fine. Yes, they're complex vehicles but the information out there on them is just incredible.

[theresanothersteve]

We just updated the wife's '97 D1 to an '08 D3 and she absolutely loves it.

She finds it so relaxing to drive, the D1 got to be more fatiguing as we got older. The D3 is so smooth and effortless it's amazing.

Took it to show a mate with D2, he's now looking for a D3 as well...

Nothing against early Discos, we comparing '80s technology with that from the 00s. And, after she wrote a Falcon off with less than 1000ks on the clock and walked away because of the the inbuilt safety features I'm really glad she's got something with active and passive safety features.

HTH

[twigrx7]

Thanks for info and input ...appreciated.
I'm fairly sure I will go with a D3....just love the D2 and can't bring myself to get rid of the 4x4 and go back to a car....for offroading, even just dirt/gravel roads and driving in the wet...and heavy rain. the D2 has been great and can only imagine the D3 would be similar...but better :)

[VladTepes]

I'm having some evil thoughts along hese lines too... as the wifes Citroen comes off lease next April. What prices are tehse fetching ex-dealer and do they come with some sort of after market warranty if purchased at a dealer? i wouldn;t be too interested ina D3 that wasn;t under warranty - at least iot would allow me to get any issues sorted at someone elses expense.

Edit: Just looked at Austral website. 08MY $52K and $58K. Ouch.

Is there any particular year where major worthwhile upgrades were done or is more or less any year worth looking at ?

[Neil P]

TwigRX7 , Do you use this Indy ?

[connock]

Thanks for info and input ...appreciated.
I'm fairly sure I will go with a D3....just love the D2 and can't bring myself to get rid of the 4x4 and go back to a car....for offroading, even just dirt/gravel roads and driving in the wet...and heavy rain. the D2 has been great and can only imagine the D3 would be similar...but better :)

Mate I know were your at I to loved my defener , my teenage kids started to gang up on me to get a car that didnt stand out at the school car park. My wife found the HD clutch to heavy etc etc:mad: So naturally being a green oval bloke I started looking at the D3.I Have now got a 06 TDV6 SE and loving it. Great to go away 4x4ing with mates with jap built cars and run rings around them:D

Cheers connock
PS Good luck

[DJC]

Hi - I upgraded about 6 months ago to an 05 SE from a similarly aged Nissan Patrol.

A couple of lessons (from a non technical perspective) that I have subsequently learnt at the expense of my wallet are

1. When test driving pay particular attention to the transmission - any hint of a shudder and be concerned. Try and find out whether they have had the gearbox flushed, or make it a condition of sale as not particularly cheap to get done. Our shudder was under acceleration about 30-40km/h and luckily the flush seemed to get rid of it - for how long, not too sure. Plenty of info on this if you do a search

2. If you are going to be towing anything with LED lights you will need to buy a module to allow the disco to detect the trailer. Costs a couple fo hundred bucks aftermarket

Overall - the difference to a Patrol is amazing and it's a pleasure to drive, great visibility, feels more spacious as a passenger than the patrol, towing and highway driving is great. However, it's is more expensive to service and the worry factor seems to be a notch or two higher!!

Would I change it - no way

Cheers
Darren

[chuck]

Changed over from D2 to O9 TDV6SE 18 months ago.

If you can afford it buy one with existing warranty then you can purchase extended warranty for 2 years and additional 100,00 k.

They are great on road & off road however you have to know how to use the terrain response system to get the best out of them.

Regards

Chuck

[Dirty3]

I've had a D1-TDI, D2TD5 (Prado TD 2003 in between) now the D3 2008 (2.7TDV6).
I tell you what, I was impressed with each step up to the new model.
I cannot rave enough how awesome the D3 is. I took it away 4wheeling last week, and what the D2 would have done easily, but felt like it was working hard, the D3 just chews up without effort. Engine braking is superb, no HDC required and the track were pretty steep. The D2 would have been on the brakes the whole way down (or HDC on). Driving is a pleasure, super comfortable, grunty motor when required, even the missus likes to drive it.

Plus the amount of stuff it comes with and the technology just surpasses so many others on the market. GET ONE!!

[Ean Austral]

Done the same swap yesterday, had my D2 for 8 yrs and took me all over the place, but picked up a D3 08 TDV6 and all I can say is :D:D:D:D:D:D:D


Cheers Ean

[chuck]

PJ

All I can say it is well worth it.
I am in Port Mac SA at the moment.
5 hour effortless drive from Melbourne & literally on the beach in the afternoon.
Went from Port Mac to Robe & return yesterday.
Overtook B Doubles effortlessly & you really have to watch your speed, before you know it you are cruising on 130 kmh.
Again highway to deep sand with flick of switch & airing down.

This is my first long trip in the car & I am super impressed.

Regards

Chuck