First Post: Buying Disco 3

[Dagilmo]

Hi,

Long time reader, first time poster. I've been hovering around buying a D3 (would love a D4 but budget and sand covered 3 and 4 yo girls climbing into it put me off) for months now. I've read heaps of stuff (great info, keeps me up at night:)) and I'm almost at put money where mouth is stage. My question is: What's the etiquette regarding asking for help/opinions/advice regarding a specific (an actually listed) vehicle? I'm interested in one for sale currently, but not sure if it's kosher to ask about it specifically?

[BigJon]

Just ask. What is the worst that can happen?

[Ean Austral]

If you are lucky the previous owner may even be on here.

The Mods will move or delete it if it's outside the rules.

Cheers Ean

[Dagilmo]

Thanks Guys.

And actually BigJon you might be best place to help as the car is in Adelaide and I'm 'guessing' you have an 'involvement' in a LR mechanical business there? I'm considering flying over to have a look and would like to get it inspected but not sure where to get it done.

Here is the link to the car sales ad:

2005 Land Rover Discovery 3 SE Sports Automatic (http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Land-Rover-Discovery-3-2005/SSE-AD-2429027/)

Thoughts/comments/ETC?

[BigJon]

I am a self employed mechanic. Not only LR stuff, but I do look after a few.

At a glance that one seems OK, certainly has lots of toys.

[DoubleDisco]

Can't really provide any advice, but this reminds me of when I was looking for a D3.

I posted a link to the carsales ad on here for people to look at and provide feedback on the vehicle.

When I actually went to look at the car the guy was telling how much interest there had been, heaps of people from interstate and he was not really interested in negotiating on the price. He showed me the viewing stats on this car compared to others on his lot. It was about 5 times as many as all his other vehicles. I'm guessing the fellow AULRO forums members were checking it out and creating false interest in the car.

Anyway, that one looks good. Lots of extras, good luck with your search!

[chuck]

Ask for the service history.

Ring the company that has done the servicing according to the service history.

[SBD4]

check if the AES compressor has been changed and if the auto transmission has been serviced.

[Dagilmo]

Thanks Guys. I'm heading over on Friday to have a look. The 'toys' are appealing as I'd prefer to go to the Ministary of Finance for approval on one larger sum than go back regularly for the assessories.

I have the name of the guy who has done the servicing so will call him tomorrow for a chat. Apparently the trany has been done with the new cover. And also the AES compressor.

Pretty excited as I'm currently in a D40 Navara (with the usual stuff, suspension dual battery ETC) and my brother (locked and lifted 200) and mate (new dual cab Landcruiser whatever they are called) have been trying to convince me to go Toyota. Just not interested. Good cars but.……every time I start to look at them I end up back with LRs:D

Will let you know how I go and if I've joined the club.

[Nomad9]

Hi Dagilmo,
I would be interested to hear why the engine was replaced 18 months ago, prodigy brake controller, Anderson plug, mitch hitch all about towing. Has the transmission had a service, has the steel pan conversion been done to the gearbox? Correct me if I'm wrong here but unless you specify that the gearbox oil requires changing the LR stance is SFL, or at last the life of the warranty. Full service history, is that a full service history by LR or a non LR workshop.
I've just been caught by this one, FSH meant done by a non OEM agent, both the wheel bearings and the timing belt replacement had been missed. This is what I'm driving and it isn't a LR another brand, still expensive to fix all the same.
Just be wary of what is written, people are usually proud to announce that the FSH has been done by a LR dealer.

[LeighW]

Congrats Dagilmo on at least thinking about a D3/4 as a viable alternative to the run of the mill 4WDs on offer in Australia.

We purchased a TDV6 new in 2006 and have found it to be an excellent vehicle in most respects. However, I must draw your attention to the fact that all late model sophisticated 4WDs have a lot of electronics that can (and do) give problems (despite fanatical LR servicing in my case). We were horrified when we suffered a catastrophic engine failure that was not caused by wrong oil, poor servicing, inappropriate use or driving. In fact, I think we were basically unlucky and had an engine that was due to fail with or without higher than recommended maintenance.

This soured our taste in the marque only until we replaced the engine, turbo and other bits and pieces to ensure the vehicle would/should give another seven years of comfortable driving.

In your case, do as other posters have suggested/said, check the service history, look at a few to see the types of wear, etc. that shows up and if you are satisfied that the vehicle meets all of your needs, purchase it and ENJOY!

Would I buy Land Rover again? Too right I would!

[Dagilmo]

Hi Nomad9,

Thanks for the comments. I've just read your blog (good read) and the mode of engine failure will strike a cord. The coolent housing failed completely and he couldn't shut it down quickly enough. FSH: first four years with original owner done at dealer remainder with an independent specialist. I've spoken to the LR independent and he says car in good condition with all usual stuff fixed.

[Dagilmo]

Hi All,

Well I'm happy to say trip to Adelaide was worth the effort and I'm now the owner of a Disco 3. Very happy. Had it inspected and the guys found a couple of very minor problems but nothing of any concern. Said very good condition, some come in and end up with two pages on the job card! Negotiated a slightly better price but with good mechanicals and lots of 'stuff' I was a bit keener than I would like to really push the negotiations;).

So now to get it back to Perth. I have used Ceva for my wife's car from Melb recently. Good price and good service but won't let you put anything in the car (which I think is common for the transporters) so I'll be stuck getting the 6 x 17" wheels home and will need separate freight. May fly over and drive back but pretty tight at work and home over next couple of weeks (can't wait any longer, I've bought so I need it! The patience of a 4yo :D) Ideally finding someone to transport with wheels inside is the best option.

Any thoughts?

[Pilbara130]

Just put them in there. I'm pretty sure it's just for insurance but may be wrong. I'm looking at bringing a D3 over from over east so I'd be keen to see who you use and price paid.
Cheers
Dan

[Dagilmo]

Hi Pilbara

I ended up flying over and driving back. Trip went OK but split the intercooler hose (thanks AULRO forum that I knew what it was), though I made it home without problem. It's funny, I noted it still had the original LR hose and thought I'd have to change it at some point. Suppose earlier than expected.

As far as transport. I spent a bit off time pricing transporting a car for my wife from Melbourne and found Ceva to be the cheapest. However just google car transporters and they all have online instant quote services.

So now to get the new pride and joy out and about.

[giskard]

Got pics of your new rig? 😊

[rb30gtr]

Congrats!

Good luck with your new toy.

Also as above requested, pics pics pics!

[~Rich~]

Pics? see here!
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/188951-first-post-buying-disco-3-a.html#post2060087

[Dagilmo]

Thanks Rich!

I'll post some of my photos over the next few days. Have been busy with kids and work since getting home.

I'm going to do the hose replacement myself. There is the option of a kit or just the single hose. Is it advisable to buy the kit and replace both (not sure which the second hose replaces assuming the other side of the intercooler, it was too hot yesterday to have a look) at the same time?

Also I've found directions/instructions for the long hose but not for the other. Any tricks or special tips or is it pretty straight forward?

Further I read a post by 400HPONGAS about flushing the intercooler at the same time any thoughts on this?

[~Rich~]

The long hose is really the only one that gives grief, luckily it's also the easiest one to replace.

You can use the disco3.co.uk website as a good reference site for just about anything on a D3/D4.

Here is a guide on replacing the intercooler hoses:
DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - HOW TO upgrade the Intercooler hoses (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic94971.html)

Looks like a great buy you got!
Cheers Rich

[BobD]

Did you drive it back on a permit and have you now registered it? It is not registered until you put it over the pits in WA and pay the rego here.

Bob