Disco 3 or Toyota Prado

[Argonaut]

Hi all,

I know your probably thinking this a Land Rover forum how dare he blaspheme on here with the T word, but I couldn't control myself. My dilemma is that that I am looking at purchasing a used 2007-2008 diesel 4wd in A/T and have narrowed it down to the 2 candidates as per the subject line. It will be used mainly for daily driver / touring nothing really hardcore but hey if it's in the way then it must be conquered ! I am looking to keeping it as a long term car and have read about issues regarding both. I haven't test driven either yet, but I think I will have to to get an idea on how they drive. I understand there are a few issues and things to changed, EPB, transmission pan, and I am hoping to do the minor servicing myself, and was wondering if it's fairly 'straight forward' ?
I have the support of the other half who quite likes the look and feel of the car. My biggest concern that if anything does go haywire that it would be costly.

Your comments and thoughts are appreciated and it would be intersting to hear if anyone has gone from a Prado into a Disco or vice versa.

Thanks
Argonaut:)

[Tombie]

I have a D4 and a 150 Prado for work.

The D3 is essentially the same as a D4.

There is no comparison.

Just for back from boiling my backside off in the Prado (their A/C is rubbish) and hopped into the Disco.

Like chalk and cheese!

[~Rich~]

I drove them both and fell in love with the D3!!!
Could not compare the two really - the difference is so great, the Prado engine feels & sounds agricultural in comparison.

I bought a 2005 model and has not had any major issues.
Engine fine, gearbox fine, car awesome!
( Apart from getting a new eDiff and alternator under Allianz extended warranty!)

[chuck]

I went from a 2009 D3 TDV6SE to a 2012 Prado D4D Altitude.

With in 4 months I had sold the Prado and bought a D4.

Luckily I bought the Prado at fleet pricing & sold it for $2K less than I paid for it.

At the same time Landrover reduced the price of the D4 SDV6 so ended up getting a good price.

Go the D3 with tte best service history, least kilometres & best warranty you can afford.

I still regret selling my D3.

Cheers

[oldsalt]

I've got a 2007 D3 - I've changed the auto oil & pan, and it runs like a swiss watch... and compared to the ride in my mates Toyota it's a limo....
Don't get me wrong - I think the Toyotas are good vehicles but they just aren't in the same class as the Landrovers.
Do your homework re service history etc and scour this forum and you won't go far wrong. They really are a special vehicle... just make sure you do an off road course and learn how to use all the various TR settings - it helps quite a bit.
cheers

[discotwinturbo]

They are chalk and cheese. Two very different cars.

A more closer comparo is the 200 against the D4..... The D4 won out even though I had my heart set on the 200 (did I say that aloud?).

The driving, the style, the performance, the handling, the economy, the ability to tow heavy weights without messing around with WDH's.....the D4 is just a better all rounder.

Plus I had plenty of inside knowledge with family and friends that worked keeping Toyotas on the road....they are just as reliable as each other, but the LR problems don't seem to be catastrophic as the Toyotas.

Brett....

[Ashes]

Get out there and drive both of them and I'm sure if you are mostly looking for a daily driver then the D3 will win hands down. Internally a very practical vehicle with 7 very good sized seats and having the 2nd and 3rd row seats able to fold flat is brilliant. Extremely capable out of the box, even with road tires.

[roamer]

I bought a 2005 model and has not had any major issues.
Engine fine, gearbox fine, car awesome!
( Apart from getting a new eDiff and alternator under Allianz extended warranty!)


Come on ...a new e diff and alternator, are major issues
no matter who paid for them.

[DoctorJ]

I too was weighing up between the two when I was purchasing do yourself a favour if you truly want the Prado do not drive the D3 because you will not go back, don't get me wrong I highly rate the Prado but they simply do not drive anywhere near the D3 the engine and suspension setup is so much more superior you could not believe they are in the same class. The other thing that swayed me was the issues that the D3 have are substantially cheaper to fix than the Prados. So do I regret buying the D3 well let me put it this way a guy in a Prado on my last trip was coming down Billy Goats Bluff and said for me to be careful and not go the way I was going as it would be too difficult, well the D3 just ate it up without any issues.

Best of luck on your search

Cheers
Julian

[Tombie]

Prados wobble... Track the highway...
Handle only mediocre on fast dirt.
Easily knocked offline in wind
Poor A/C and that's in the front!
Rattle like buggery
Use 1-2l/100km more than D4
Noisy engine, NVH
Poorly spaced 5 speed Auto

Not a good 4wd...

Just a well priced 4wd...

So they sell like a Comalcon or Falcadore based on price!

[Utemad]

If you are looking at an 07-08 Prado then note that people here are talking about the 150 that came out in 09. You would be looking at a 120.
The 150 handles much better than a 120. I've never driven a Disco3 or 4 so can't compare.

[~Rich~]

Come on ...a new e diff and alternator, are major issues
no matter who paid for them.

Well the alternator can go anytime on any vehicle, the eDiff had the smallest whine and it was very hard to pickup.
My mechanic & myself decided we should try Allianz for a replacement while I still had the extended warranty.
I could of just of easily left it be and replaced the bearings latter on. A SA company sells the kit to rebuild eDiffs and it is known that some of the early D3's had an issue with a coating on the inside of the diff breaking down.

I had a 80 series Cruiser that overheated once while 4wding, replaced the radiator and found 6mths down the track that I had the smallest head gasket leak. This damaged both the head and the block, that was a big issue and expence on a 24 valve engine!

That is why I didn't think either of the D3 things being a major issue.

[Disco44]

If you want a Prado for black top running then it will be OK but still not in the class of the D3.To make it a true off reader out of it you would have to spend around $15000 on mainly suspension.The D3 would need nothing as it quite capable on & off road without mods.But like all modern vehicles it needs servicing at the nominated intervals.All in all, a top vehicle look at all the awards it has won.The D4 has been named again as 4WDOTY for the eight year running by all the Australian Motoring Organisations (NRMA, RACQ, RACV, RAA, RAC and the NT).The D3, it's predecessor, won all before it too since it was released in Australia.
What further recommendations would you require?

John.

[JamesH]

Prado can carry 180 litres of fuel can't it? That' a def plus.

Not that I'm here to argue for the Prado. They depress the hell out of me. People don't choose them, they end up with them. Bought by thousands of people who want something else if they're honest with themselves.

[baldivistribe]

Had a Prado once long long ago. Never again will I buy Toyota. Ours spent more time at the dealer than in our garage. Needless to say it got sold for our D4. There really is no comparison, the 120 could carry more fuel but it needed to because when towing it drank the diesel like lolly water.
Im sure you will enjoy the D3 over the Prado.
Cheers
Steve

[ozscott]

If you want a Prado for black top running then it will be OK but still not in the class of the D3.To make it a true off reader out of it you would have to spend around $15000 on mainly suspension.The D3 would need nothing as it quite capable on & off road without mods.But like all modern vehicles it needs servicing at the nominated intervals.All in all, a top vehicle look at all the awards it has won.The D4 has been named again as 4WDOTY for the eight year running by all the Australian Motoring Organisations (NRMA, RACQ, RACV, RAA, RAC and the NT).The D3, it's predecessor, won all before it too since it was released in Australia.
What further recommendations would you require?

John.

John he wants real world experience with a focus on reliability. He doesn't want to rely on motoring clubs etc having a hand picked (by the manufacturer) vehicle for a day or so... They don't have to live with it.

I don't believe a differential failure and alternator is minor. I doubt anyone in their 40's onwards would but I understand what the above poster was saying to justify his comments because in truth even the traditionally reliable brands such as Toyota and Nissan Patrol are no longer immune to problems and often a lot bigger ones than the LR ones.

Cheers.

[harlie]

I’ve spent heaps of time in a 120 Prado, I can’t believe people have this dilemma. They are so different to a D3/4/RRS or anything from EU for that matter it not funny. However I will admit that some people will prefer the Jap feel of the vehicles, LRs aren’t for everyone.

Go and drive them, it’s your $ and you have to live with it.

If you are going to service the car yourself, D3 parts are much cheaper than Toyota. There are plenty of LR specialty outlets selling bits and you have the UK shops. We also have AULRO which most will agree, despite the occasional tiff, are a very helpful bunch.

If you are going to rely on dealers to “service” this car, buy a Toyota.

Despite what the one eyed Toyota owners claim, they do have their issues too, however with better dealer support most of these are delt with.

[OzAd4x4]

I think the other thing that you need to be aware of is if travelling remotely and you have a failure you are going to be better off with the Prado as parts and servicing is more readily available in remote areas.

My D4 had a hissy fit about 3 hours from civilisation and the only solution was to tow it to the nearest LR dealer (5 hours away) which luckily for me was my normal dealer. If it had been a Toyota there was a dealer in a country town about an hour away....considering it was a code clearing exercise instead of ruining my weekend away I could have been back amongst it again within the day!

Having driven both the Prado, D3/4 however there is no comparision in terms of performance, handling and refinement - the Disco is streets ahead hence I won't part with it for anaything. I am just gonna get a Faultmate and EAS kit so I can in future at least get myself out of trouble... ;)

[TerryO]

A 'code clearing exercise' doesn't need to cost you more then five minutes in time and a one off investment of a few hundred dollars, simply buy a Faultmate or a Hawkeye and clear the codes yourself and basically you have a great diagnostic tool that will get you out of the 90% of small problems that seem to stop most folk who aren't prepared.

I never go anywhere without our Hawkeye which gives great peace of mind. Even if I bought a new Cruiser I would look round for a similar diagnostic tool to keep with the vehicle, no modern 4x4 should ever go bush without one of these smart tools in the glove box in my opinion.

Having a local Toyota dealer in most towns is good if it is a work day but if your away on a public holiday or it is a Sunday or your miles out in the bush a near buy local dealer isn't going to be of much help.

cheers,
Terry

[Epic]

I looked into a Playdoh before settling on the D4. I didn't even take it or a drive. The quality of the finish was less than average.
The D4 looks like a well refined handsome brut where as the prado looks like Dame Edna out on the town.
My views don't answer your questions realy but valid points in my decision making process.
For what it's worth, I borrowed my fathers 200 series Sahara for 6 weeks waiting for mine to be delivered. It was ok but compared to the D4, the ride was ordinary and I got sick of filling up the tank. Dad drove my car last week and I think I know what will eventually replace the Sahara. He was well impressed.

[Argonaut]

Thanks for all the information very much valued and informative. I noticed that a quite a few people have extended warranty taken out, I know it's good insurance but when the warranty runs out do people normally trade up or keep the car ? The reason I ask if I do get a second hand one it may not have warranty, and I am planning on keeping it for a while, does this indicate that fixing a D3 if anything goes wrong, is going to be a costly exercise. I have read that some latter model 4WD's (Prado 120 series) require new injectors at 130-150K km, is this the same with the D3 ?

Argonaut:)

[ozscott]

I have never heard of that with the d3 or 4.

As for ride, style and handling LR has always been ahead of the Japanese made 4wd's... This is not a d3 or 4 phenomenon. I think the dilemma for some is that they would give up those things for better reliability but as noted above Toyota no longer have the last say on that head.

Cheers

[newlandyowner]

Ive started looking for a replacement for the D2, havent got to the test drive part yet, just reading up online.

Check out the reviews on the Land Rover Australia website

The World's Most Awarded 4WD | Land Rover Australia (http://www.landrover.com/au/en/lr/discovery-4/4wdoftheyear/)

Theres some good comparisons against the 200 Series and some reviews of the D3 and D4. They all come out on top against the Toyotas in a lot of aspects, hence all the awards.

We are looking at moving to the Pilbara, and my only worry about owning a Land Rover is the lack of Land Rover agents in remote towns. But then like it has been said, you can buy diagnostic tools to get you out of the sh"t, and is a damn good idea to take one if you are heading away in a modern 4wd. So it shouldnt be such a problem.

Plus there is always AULRO members more than willing to offer advice.

Resale value is better for a Toyota, but your initial out lay is a lot more. There are some pretty good priced TDV6 D3's on car sales, and they do come a lot more spec'd than the prado's.

[TerryO]

Initially when a brand new LR model comes out spare parts are horrendously priced and it scares the crap out of everyone like what happened when the D3 first came out.
From my limited observations as time goes on, usually about five or so years later, many of the silly priced parts dramatically come down to a reasonable price.

For instance a shock strut and airbag cost well over a thousand dollars, now you can buy them for round five hundred each and often even less than that. Same for injectors they are less than half the original price for a TDV6. All be it now you buy these parts from aftermarket suppliers, but often they have the same makers brand name on them as the original factory OEM parts used to have.

This may not be the case with every part but from what I have seen it has followed similar trends with both my D2a and now the D3.

Now often the major cost is labour but even then there are many private LR mechanics around who do a good job for a reasonable fee.

While no true 4x4 is cheap to keep on road, a secondhand D3 shouldn't scare anyone away from the brand, just make sure you bought a well serviced one in the first place and all should be good. This where forums like Aulro come in so handy, there is such a collective wealth of information on tap to assist members that it's hard not to find a easier or cheaper way to get something fixed or put in place preventative maintenance.

I'll stand corrected if others have had different experiences on parts pricing.

Cheers,
Terry

[Graeme]

For instance a shock strut and airbag cost well over a thousand dollars, now you can buy them for round five hundred each and often even less than that.
I've just paid my customs invoice for 4 new D3 shocks c/w airsprings which will take the total price to $1675. These are for my D4 that's out of warranty with no extended warranty. The D4 is here for the long haul.

[lrdef110]

Hi Graeme, are you able to advise the source of this purchase?

Cheers

[Tombie]

Just remember.

The car starts out as the tech job, expensive etc...

You WILL need to upkeep a high end vehicle regardless of age.

So be prepared to spend some cash on a regular basis on ANY "fancy" vehicle.

Oh and on the Playdo fuel tank - 180l and 1200km... That's no load! :(

[Graeme]

Hi Graeme, are you able to advise the source of this purchase?They're coming from Famous Four but I could have paid only about $200 more from Karcraft except that they wont have any until mid Feb. As the current shocks (refitted D4 originals) somehow seemed to have gone really soft after being stored for 2 years, the car is woeful to drive so want replacements ASAP.

PS. I'm not very happy that the rear air-springs had internal cracks at 95k kms although the suspension travel gets a good work-out where and how I drive. Yesterday 1 rear lost its air whilst parked at access height so it really is timely getting new air-springs.

[Ean Austral]

Thanks for all the information very much valued and informative. I noticed that a quite a few people have extended warranty taken out, I know it's good insurance but when the warranty runs out do people normally trade up or keep the car ? The reason I ask if I do get a second hand one it may not have warranty, and I am planning on keeping it for a while, does this indicate that fixing a D3 if anything goes wrong, is going to be a costly exercise. I have read that some latter model 4WD's (Prado 120 series) require new injectors at 130-150K km, is this the same with the D3 ?

Argonaut:)

When I got my D3 the guys I got it from told me front suspension at 100k and timing belt at 150k. I am unsure about the HP fuel pump belt but guess same time as timing belt. Haven't heard of injectors.
I have done my front rotors but I class these as a wear and tear item and are cheap and very easy to replace.
Which ever you choose good luck

Cheers Ean

[roamer]

[QUOTE=newlandyowner;1832617][FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"][COLOR="Blue"]Ive started looking for a replacement for the D2, havent got to the test drive part yet, just reading up online.

Check out the reviews on the Land Rover Australia website

The World's Most Awarded 4WD | Land Rover Australia (http://www.landrover.com/au/en/lr/discovery-4/4wdoftheyear/)

Theres some good comparisons against the 200 Series and some reviews of the D3 and D4. They all come out on top against the Toyotas in a lot of aspects, hence all the awards.



Hi newlandy

All the awards are great and deserved,
but they are won by new cars over a few days of testing, then handed back
There is no consideration as to longevity, running/maintenance costs or relieablity (time in workshop)

Would be good to see a long term award on the same cars after say, 50k,100k and 150k, other wise awards mean zip to the used car market.

Just a point Allianz extended warranty on a D4 is around $3500, same policy LC $1600, gota make ya wonder.

Cheers Ken

[ozscott]

Does make you wonder Ken. Insurers are very savvy at estimating risk... That's what there whole financial existence is based on. So whatever way you cut it they estimate that in those extra couple of years the LR is going to cost them considerably more than the Toyota. And it won't be parts prices on parts they both need like gearboxes etc because Toyota isn't cheap on parts but it could allow for air suspension that the toyo doesn't have.

Cheers

[TerryO]

Hi newlandy

All the awards are great and deserved,
but they are won by new cars over a few days of testing, then handed back
There is no consideration as to longevity, running/maintenance costs or relieablity (time in workshop)

Would be good to see a long term award on the same cars after say, 50k,100k and 150k, other wise awards mean zip to the used car market.

Just a point Allianz extended warranty on a D4 is around $3500, same policy LC $1600, gota make ya wonder.

Cheers Ken


Hi Ken,

I think with Allianz Insurance it's a case of shopping around as well, I recently got a quote through a dealer for the two year extended cover on a HSV Grange I was looking at.

The quote came back at $2900, which is LR pricing and when you consider that there is bugger all that goes wrong on them in comparison to a 4x4 it just makes you wonder.

cheers,
Terry

[roamer]

Hi Ken,

I think with Allianz Insurance it's a case of shopping around as well, I recently got a quote through a dealer for the two year extended cover on a HSV Grange I was looking at.

The quote came back at $2900, which is LR pricing and when you consider that there is bugger all that goes wrong on them in comparison to a 4x4 it just makes you wonder.

cheers,
Terry


Yeah Terry it does pay to shop around,
those prices are from Allianz grading scales
I actually got LR for $2780, so would guess LC would be cheaper as well just used that as a starting point comparison

Cheers Ken

[Tombie]

Makes me think you got ripped of Roamer!!!

We paid $1750 for extended warranty on Dads Landy!

[Tombie]

Does make you wonder Ken. Insurers are very savvy at estimating risk... That's what there whole financial existence is based on. So whatever way you cut it they estimate that in those extra couple of years the LR is going to cost them considerably more than the Toyota. And it won't be parts prices on parts they both need like gearboxes etc because Toyota isn't cheap on parts but it could allow for air suspension that the toyo doesn't have.

Cheers

Insurers are also savvy on price Pointing!!

They will charge what ever the market will bear.

[roamer]

Makes me think you got ripped of Roamer!!!

We paid $1750 for extended warranty on Dads Landy!

Tombie finding that mighty hard to believe, :o
Is it Allianz extended new car warranty ? only avalible thru brokers
or maybe Alliance in which case you wasted your money

Cheers Ken

[Tombie]

Tombie finding that mighty hard to believe, :o
Is it Allianz extended new car warranty ? only avalible thru brokers
or maybe Alliance in which case you wasted your money

Cheers Ken

Old man took out via Solitaire motors the first time and then Extended it again for a second time.

It is the LR Alliance warranty.

Mind you - he also only paid $59k for his D3 brand new SE, Optioned up!
He drives a pretty hard bargain!

[wardy1]

I had the pleasure (?) of driving a Prado up a pretty gnarly track (McFarlanes Flat Tk in the Snowies) a couple of weeks back. The guy was at the bottom after reversing back down and was frankly too bloody scared to have another go. His family weren't too keen either. His problem was that he really had no choice as to whether to go up or not since he was midway along the track, what was behind him was just as bad.

I offered to have him follow my line up but he really was scared! He told me candidly that he had never done any REAL 4wding before..... this is not a track for the faint hearted.

He asked me if I could get it up there for him. I said I would, but only if he sat in the passenger seat and watched. Anyway, I sat there and pushed buttons, turned on the KDSS..... he didn't know what it was!

Anyway, slowly she climbed but my God, it didn't do it easily, even with the KDSS the lack of wheel travel made the vehicle feel very unstable. But it DID get up.

I got back into my D2 (yes, he decided to come along for the ride) and simply walked up the same hill. I was happy..... he was simply staggered that a vehicle worth roughly 1/4 the value of his could do this stuff so easily, and in more comfort!

Seen plenty of D3's do similar work to this in the past and they do it easily, without banging and crashing.

I know which I'd be buying!

Oh, he followed me for a while after this, got a bit of confidence back and did a reasonable job of it.

[Celtoid]

I had the pleasure (?) of driving a Prado up a pretty gnarly track (McFarlanes Flat Tk in the Snowies) a couple of weeks back. The guy was at the bottom after reversing back down and was frankly too bloody scared to have another go. His family weren't too keen either. His problem was that he really had no choice as to whether to go up or not since he was midway along the track, what was behind him was just as bad.

I offered to have him follow my line up but he really was scared! He told me candidly that he had never done any REAL 4wding before..... this is not a track for the faint hearted.

He asked me if I could get it up there for him. I said I would, but only if he sat in the passenger seat and watched. Anyway, I sat there and pushed buttons, turned on the KDSS..... he didn't know what it was!

Anyway, slowly she climbed but my God, it didn't do it easily, even with the KDSS the lack of wheel travel made the vehicle feel very unstable. But it DID get up.

I got back into my D2 (yes, he decided to come along for the ride) and simply walked up the same hill. I was happy..... he was simply staggered that a vehicle worth roughly 1/4 the value of his could do this stuff so easily, and in more comfort!

Seen plenty of D3's do similar work to this in the past and they do it easily, without banging and crashing.

I know which I'd be buying!

Oh, he followed me for a while after this, got a bit of confidence back and did a reasonable job of it.

I think the cost of your car is irrelevant...as the D2 would probably have been considered expensive when new.

Simple fact is.....you just have a better car.....:D

[Ean Austral]

Funnily enough, camped at Tamworth this morning and a bloke came over and asked me about the D3 as he was contemplating the same question A D3 or Prado. I could have been a rude L/R owner and said Go buy one and find out for yourself, but seeing as I wasnt in Coffs harbour :p:p, I told the fellow my expierence, but said go test drive them both and see for yourself.

Just a shame L/R australia doesnt wake up to itself about the poor reputation it has for customer and parts support in outback australia, or rural australia for that matter.

Cheers Ean

[AnD3rew]

Just a shame L/R australia doesnt wake up to itself about the poor reputation it has for customer and parts support in outback australia, or rural australia for that matter.

Cheers Ean

Or anywhere for that matter:o

[Truck69]

Or anywhere for that matter:o

The thing is with any outback adventure.If you are going away on a Long haul trip in the outback in any vehicle one would surely carry spares ,well in my experience.Even a weekend crashing about on tracks around and about most blokes carry spares,so i can't see a problem with any brand as long as you go prepared !

[grey_ghost]

Wow - 7.5 years between the last 2 posts! That's gotta be a record.

[theh33d]

I will throw in my 2 cents
I currently have a D3 V6 petrol. I’ve owned the car for 3 years now covering some 50kms in that time. The Discovery 3 & 4 are amazing vehicles that do have issues if not maintained, but this can be said with all vehicles.
I use a Prado whilst at work and I have clocked up some kilometres in the Prado and for me the Discovery is way ahead of the Prado in refinement and comfort. The use of available space in the Discovery is amazing.
As many members have said already, get out and test drive both and I’m sure the Land Rover experience will over come any doubts you may have.
When looking at any Discovery get the best serviced vehicle that your wallet will allow you to buy.