Want to buy a D3

[timdo1]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at buying a D3 ande wanted to know if people had had problems around and over the 200,000 Km's mark. I'm looking at the diesel and the V8. Diesel obviously gives me more range but the V8 is attractive because its usually cheaper, and has more power. I'm a melbourne builder and will fill the car with tools and kids. Also i do about 6 trips a year, mosyly high country but want to do more desert and central Aust.

Really just trying to get on top of big price malfunctions. Hope you guys can give me some insight.

Currently driving a V8 series 2. Its falling apart now.

Thanks:D

[Disco4SE]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at buying a D3 ande wanted to know if people had had problems around and over the 200,000 Km's mark. I'm looking at the diesel and the V8. Diesel obviously gives me more range but the V8 is attractive because its usually cheaper, and has more power. I'm a melbourne builder and will fill the car with tools and kids. Also i do about 6 trips a year, mosyly high country but want to do more desert and central Aust.

Really just trying to get on top of big price malfunctions. Hope you guys can give me some insight.

Currently driving a V8 series 2. Its falling apart now.

Thanks:D
Hi Timdo1,
I too am a builder. My advise is to go for the diesel.
The diesel is a better tow vehicle. The extra range you will get out of the diesel when in remote areas, will be beneficial.
An old bloke told me once that if you happened to run out of fuel, farmers always have diesel on hand.
The extra money that you spend on your purchase will still be there when you sell.
Cheers, Craig

[ozscott]

Mate just trawl back through the D3/D4 board topics and pick up on the main things that cost as the ks increase. It appears from my reading (I have D1 and D2 not new shape) that the replacement of suspension bushing and bearings (read splined drives with bearings in them) is a big cost. The D3 engines seem bullet proof from what I read. The auto's are likely to be a problem if the fluid has not been changed (see the RR board also for these problems). The electric park brake is the worlds least desirable bit of engineering on an off road vehicle that is actually used offroad... I am sure others will chime in also.

Cheers

[DiscoWeb]

timdo1,

Have a read of the recent post below which might help in your thoughts about a high Km D3.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/125567-gotta-love-d3-ownership.html

I do not think that should put you off as it is likely any high KM vehicle will have or be susceptible to multiple repairs etc but be aware cost can be a bit higher for D3.

But, they are a great vehicle, awesomely capable off road and the diesel is a great option, reasonable range for 99% of use and quite a step forward in pretty much every way from the D2.

Check the FAQ's but things you should note are;

Earlier model S specs were coil rather that air suspension so did not get the terrain response;

Try and find one with the e-diff fitted particularly if you are going to use it off road;

Make sure it has been well serviced and has the ATF flushed as the transmission is a very expensive fix.

Good luck.

George

[dominicbeirne]

Hi Timdo1,

I bought my D3 when they were clearing stock for the D4. I should have insisted on Diesel instead took floor stock demonstrator in V6 petrol. Am having some issues getting extras that I want, like winch bars and snorkels etc, for the trips I want to take the kids on. Go diesel where you can as the accessories are made to fit the diesel not petrol. I can't get a snorkel or winch bar for love nor money at the moment.

Cheers

Dom:)

[TerryO]

I've heard that its hard to get off road gear for the petrol six but is it the same for the V8? I'm pretty sure I have seen a number of V8's advertised forsale with winch bars and snorkels etc.

Having driven several 4.4 V8's I would have to say they are a real pleasure to drive.

Mind you so is the TDV6. :)

cheers,
Terry

[SuperMono]

My TDV6 is just shy of the 200K mark and (fingers crossed, touch wood and so on) nothing of note has come up so far. Mine has a pretty good service history although the transmission wasn't flushed until I bought it (as far as I know). Was primarily highway use by the previous owner but it has been used hard in terms of cosmetic wear and tear. Full of foundry sand, cattle feed and probably a few old rats and mice
Everthing works fine and drives well (springs and struts replaced upon purchase).

Repeat: fingers crossed, touch wood and so on!

[Graeme]

Earlier model S specs were coil rather that air suspension so did not get the terrain response;
Air suspension was an option though, and many were ordered with it.

[timdo1]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Yes the S was generally a Spring suspension vehicle. Its interesting that lots of the S vehicles have air suspension and therefore terrain response.

By the way the Series 2 gave up the ghost coming out of the ringwood tunnel a couple of days ago. Blew the head. Time to start looking seriously.

[bbyer]

Since you are coming out of a Series 2, a coil spring D3 would be a big step upwards - will seem like a limo, and with the diesel, the cost of operation will not be much more than with an old Series anyway.

The worst that will happen is the tranny; the rest of it is kind of normal for the best 4x4 by far. Parts are generally more expensive than a Series unit but at least you can get them.

Fixing is more tricky than a Series and you will need new tools - no Whitworth, but E-Torx, Bi-Hex and who knows what else the Brits dreamed up this time.

With the D3, I expect that you will be able to raise your rates so the 3 could just pay for itself - well that would be a good story to a wife anyway and you will feel good, even going to the jobsite.

[101RRS]

The D3 coiler has pretty ordinary ground clearance so if you go down this route and you want to go offroad a lift would have to be on the cards.

Garry

[gazm3]

i just picked up a D3 last wednesday, and id go the diesel everytime. The diesel is very smooth and quiet. Im sure the v8 would be great as well but prob not so good if fuel gets more expensive than it is currently. The diesel id imagine (ill find out soon) is re-mappable to similar levels of acceleration than the v8 has now.

[SuperMono]

The D3 coiler has pretty ordinary ground clearance so if you go down this route and you want to go offroad a lift would have to be on the cards.

Garry

If you are buying a 200K D3 chances are you will be up for some suspension work anyway. I went the Dobinsons 50mm+ kit, depending on the load you want to carry you may want to forgo the heavy springs and keep a lighter rate.

[gazm3]

beware thou with having the old succsess curse. if you have a D3 dont take it to quotes ect cos people will think thier bills will be too much. I used to use a Bmw M3 for work when doing estimates, not so bad now as its getting older but when it was current model business dropped off