Cost of 5 years of td5 ownership

[Davetd5]

Ever wondered how much a td5 D2a costs to maintain over a 5 yr period? Well here's my experience from my records:

When we were looking for a decent 4WD for our block and occasional offroad stuff I was keen for a Prado 120 series (well actually a LC 100 if funds allowed) but SWMBO was dead set on a td5 because her previous tdi and its superior ride and handling had taken her and her folks across the Simpson without putting her mum's bad back out (ex-nurse!)

I agreed to take a punt that a D2a wouldn't cost more than a Prado over 5 years of ownership (not allowing for depreciation). She saw the only blue one for sale in Aust at Port Lincoln and after 5 years this is how things have panned out:

Disco 2a MY2003 build date 9/2002
Purchase 17th April 2009 $ 28,000.00
An equivalent Prado was 40k, so if the D2 costs less than 12k to repair over 5 years ($2400/ year) then we’re ahead!

2009 – rear disc pads $ 75.00

2010
Fuel tank hose Mar 2010 124,000km $ 30.00
120,000km service
Front Discs and pads Mar2010 $ 150.00
LHF Window Regulator April 2010 $ 125.00 (fitted Jan2011)
Starter motor contacts Apr10 126,000km $ 90.00
Fuel Pressure Regulator April10 126,600 $ 320.00
Radiator by-pass hoses $100.00
ABS code clear and shuttle valve rewire
Front Tailshaft June 2010 130,000km $ 600.00
RHF ABS wheel sensor July 10 132,000km $ 150.00
Pwr Steering LP Hose $70.00
1.10.10 Engine fuel injector loom and r/c gskt $150.00

1.10.10 (RHF guard, front bumper, grille, RH headlight replaced after accident with motorcyclist. Insurance repaired with used parts)
Repairs for 2010 - $1785 (total 1860.00)

2011
Jan 2011 Ignition barrel rebuild $150.00
14.2.11 Trans Service 144,ooo $120
And Oil pump bolt and sump gasket $40.00
18.4.11 All coolant hoses 145,000 $400.00 (subtotal $710)
12.7.11 Fuel Cooler o-rings 154,000 $20.00
20.7.11 2nd hand fuel pump 154088km $394.00 incl filter
(took 2nd hnd pump back 10 days later and got brand new pump +340.00 difference.
Purchased water pump and fan belt $225.00
August 2011 4 x Pirelli Scorpion Tyres $1200.00
Repairs for 2011 = $1569.00 (+1860= 3429.00)

2012
Feb 2012 Battery $260.00
May 2012 Water pump, fan belt and idler bearing fitted
17.5.12 Belt tensioner, RHR ABS sensor purchased $235.00
4.6.12 RH Engine mount $175.00
6.6.12 Fitted engine mount, tensioner and LHF ABS sensor 178,000km
5.7.12 Tom Woods front shaft $600.00
29.10.12 Head reconditioned and new gasket. 186,000km
Parts from PCB Gaskets, Head Bolts, Radiator, EGR, MAF, T/Stat, Coolant, Engine Saver, pads, rear discs$2400.00
Lonsdale Engine Worx $ 500.00
Sprint Aberfoyle Oils and misc $ 320.00
Head GasketTotal $3220.00
23.12.12 Major Service – oil, trans service and filter, air filter, diff oils, transfer case oil.
Replace transmission cooler pipes 189,000km $200.00
Total repair costs for 2012 = $4690.00 (+3429= $8120.00)

2013
13.9.13 Crank Damper Pulley and seal 207,000km $ 580.00
17.9.13 Spare fuel pump 2nd hand $ 120.00
27.9.13 Oil and Filter, Air Filter 208,000km $ 140.00
2.11.13 Tyres 212,000 $1000.00
15.11.13 FPR Diaphram 213.000km $ 80.00
15.11.13 Starter Contacts $ 88.00
Total Repairs for 2013 = $2008.00 (+ 8120.00 = $10,128.00 – tyres = 9128.00)

2014
Jan 2014 SLABS ECU 2nd hand (spare) $ 50.00
14.4.14 Nanocom and mount ordered $ 486.00
16.4.14 2014 RHF ABS sensor (long lead OEM) 222,000km $ 180.00
Total 2014 ytd = $ 716.00
Total Repairs from 17.4.09- 17.4.14 -$ 9128.00+$716.00 =$9844.00
12,000 – 9844 = $2156!! Ahead after 5 years of D2a td5 ownership according to my rubbery calculations (not to mention the blood, sweat and tears).

I reckon this is probably typical of D2a td5 ownership.
Would I do it again? Yeah, probably, we go to the Flinders in it most years and have never been let down. I couldn't do LR ownership without all the support and advice from AULRO dot COM!! She's eyeing off a D4 now, but she has to keep this for another 5 years. Next vehicle purchased will be for me!
Thanks Dave

[winaje]

A good read. Your calcs do not take into account a single cent spent on the Prado in the example though, so you are a lot further ahead than you think...

[Davetd5]

Thanks, yes I'm aware of that. Any vehicle owned over 5 years would need brakes, tyres, a battery and belts and hoses for a start. I wanted to make it a worse kind of scenario thing!

[mools]

Yes, interesting reading that, thanks for posting. To be honest though an engine saver and a nano com are upgrades not maintenance.

How do you reckon it works out including depreciation?

[roverrescue]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha
comparing a D2a to a 120 playdo is like comparing a Fibroadenoma to a Type 3c ductal carcinoma.

Who cares what it costs YOU WIN!

ps the last good "disco" was a D2a ;)

Steve
(D1 owner from a hundred years ago who realised that a 130 had found him)
(pps I like boobies)

[Disco Muppet]

(pps I like boobies)

Between those and land rovers, sounds like you have expensive hobbies :p

[roverrescue]

Have I told you a story about chainsaws yet?

S

[Davetd5]

Yes, interesting reading that, thanks for posting. To be honest though an engine saver and a nano com are upgrades not maintenance.

How do you reckon it works out including depreciation?

As far as depreciation goes, what was a $40k 120 is now around $25k, what was a $28k D2a td5 is around $15k, so both have lost a similar amount, on average the Prado a few grand more. Used prices on each seem to vary a fair bit but that's an average for where I live.

I'd say an engine saver is a must. A nanocom saves me having to go hunting for a code reader/ clearer every time an abs sensor packs in (3 so far) so more convenience thing.

[Davetd5]

I like boobies too, but only from the outside. Thankfully I haven't had to deal with lumps, bumps and carcinomas with any of my nearest and dearest. I would much prefer a LR to cancer!

[Slunnie]

You've thrown one hell of a lot more into your TD5 that what mines had over the last 5 years with regards to maintenance.

[mools]

As far as depreciation goes, what was a $40k 120 is now around $25k, what was a $28k D2a td5 is around $15k, so both have lost a similar amount, on average the Prado a few grand more. Used prices on each seem to vary a fair bit but that's an average for where I live.

I'd say an engine saver is a must. A nanocom saves me having to go hunting for a code reader/ clearer every time an abs sensor packs in (3 so far) so more convenience thing.

Fair enough Dave I agree with you on both fronts, I just tend to take things to the nth degree. With that in mind and considering the difference in purchase price of some $15k, say that was to be paid against a mortgage then for the five years you'd gain a further 5% pa on that too. I'm just musing because I'm bored.

Looking at your list of expenditure I'd say you've been a little unfortunate though - I hope my Td5 won't cost me that over the next 5yr / 100000km. Fingers crossed.

Not really understanding the cancer references though Steve - am I missing something?

Ian.

[roverrescue]

Mools,
call it being a few sheets to the wind.

A Fibroadeonoma is a hassle (average landy ownership)
A 3c Ductal Ca is essentially a death sentence (playdoe ownership)

Combination of red wine and boobology - forgive me
No offense intended to anyone who has been through the living hell of losing a loved one to Ca...


S

[Davetd5]

You've thrown one hell of a lot more into your TD5 that what mines had over the last 5 years with regards to maintenance.

I'd say there's been a few things that were more preventative than actual failures. This vehicle gets driven every day, tows trailers, pulls stumps, goes bush so I cant afford to wait and see if an idler pulley or a harmonic balancer lets go once its getting noisy.
Despite all the work done on it, I'm pleased with it. Our other car is a 2002 Corolla that in 260k has had absolutely no failures or maintenance/ repairs other than usual servicing and brakes, clutch etc. Yet I despise it for its ordinariness! Go figure!

[stevedot]

brought our 2002 td5 on the 29th april 2009 with 73k on the clock
now just gone over 150k
over 5 years parts needed
1 front drive shaft
2 batteries
1 starter solenoid kit
1 injector harness (was still running fine but some oil at plug so changed it)
1 bearing for fan belt tensioner
2 air filters
1 fuel filter
2 trans filter kits
ball joints and tie rods
front discs and pads
none maintaince stuff
chip
egr blanking kit
that's it never stopped tows the caravan well I think its been cheep to run
we love our disco

[ozscott]

Playdos are not the last word in reliability and drive like a lifted 2nd gen Camry. They really are aweful boring things...and the d2 runs rings around it off-road

Cheers

[Spudlynicholas]

My neighbouroonie bought a disco 2 new in....um 2001 I think. He now has 270000 on it. He had no idea what 3 amigoes was. He has done brakes a few times, starter motor once, recently replaced a radiator, done the hubs once (maybe the fronts twice, but I'll have to ask) and the alternator once...oh and a set of hoses along the way too. I figure that compares favourably with the old 4 runners I have had (and still have) with similar, actually less km's on it.

In the last few years alone the tojo has had brakes and hubs all round, alternator, radiator, hoses and belts, fuel pump (ouch!) drive shaft uni joint, steering system rods and arms, ball joints, and if I cared enough I would get the rear diff serviced, but it works for me for what I do so I'll leave it alone.

So in my limited experience, ignoring the usual wear items of tyres, brakes etc, the discos are more spares intensive (some bits seem to be made out of a particularly soft brand of cheese, and in typical pom style things can be overly complicated) but not overly so.

I currently own a disco 2 update with 200k kms on it, I'm interested to see how it goes over the next 50k kms. I may yet change my tune!

Now lets compare it to a Euro machine with heaps of electrickery in it, say a BMW x5 with similar kays on it... anyone with any experience there?

Ian

[Disco Muppet]

Hmm...all up my Td5 has cost me about $30k, including buying it, fixing it, upgrading it, etc.
I fully intend to spend not quite that much but getting there on it over the next few years.
Why?
Because I'm not going to sell it. What's the point? It's a somewhat tired 13 year old car. By the time I'm finished it will be an awesome 13+ year old car.
Not like I'm going to get any money back, who cares? :cool:

Steve....I'm listening....You're not from Texas by any chance are you? :p

[Davetd5]

[QUOTE=Spudlynicholas;
So in my limited experience, ignoring the usual wear items of tyres, brakes etc, the discos are more spares intensive (some bits seem to be made out of a particularly soft brand of cheese, and in typical pom style things can be overly complicated) but not overly so.
Ian[/QUOTE]

I agree. I don't think the disco is any less reliable than the Falcons and Holdens I've owned (parts cost significantly more though!). What is good about the Disco is that it seems almost infinitely rebuild-able, like an old Harley,and the knowledge about how to is out there and readily available. If I wanted a practical and reliable car for driving to work and church I'd have a Camry, wouldn't I?
Happy Easter, btw. He is Risen!

[chopper]

As far as depreciation goes, what was a $40k 120 is now around $25k, what was a $28k D2a td5 is around $15k, so both have lost a similar amount, on average the Prado a few grand more. Used prices on each seem to vary a fair bit but that's an average for where I live.

I'd say an engine saver is a must. A nanocom saves me having to go hunting for a code reader/ clearer every time an abs sensor packs in (3 so far) so more convenience thing.

15k is a bit optimistic ( especially if the prospective buyer reads the history )

[Cobber]

That's quite an interesting read :cool:

[Davetd5]

15k is a bit optimistic ( especially if the prospective buyer reads the history )

The insurance company says market value is $12,700 which is probably closer to the mark. I can't even think of what mine would be worth because its not for sale. Prices being asked for similar td5's online vary from about $10k up to the high teens.

I did this whole exercise of keeping records and doing preventative maintenance mostly to convince myself I hadn't allowed myself to get suckered in by purchasing a LR of all things. I'd have to say it seems like I'm doing ok after all! Being able to swing the spanners myself has helped, I'd hate to have paid for labour on top of everything.

The only issue with preventative maintenance is that sometimes its best to leave well enough alone. I read on here that it was important to look at the injector loom plug for oil, so I took it off one night and checked, not realising that I'd bumped one of those silly brittle by pass coolant hoses off the radiator. Next morning I drove off not knowing that it was pumping its coolant out. First I knew was when the heater wasn't working, then 30 secs later the ECU started cutting injectors out as an overheat reaction. The head gasket lasted another 2.5 years, but it used coolant that whole time!

[chopper]

The insurance company says market value is $12,700 which is probably closer to the mark. I can't even think of what mine would be worth because its not for sale. Prices being asked for similar td5's online vary from about $10k up to the high teens.

I did this whole exercise of keeping records and doing preventative maintenance mostly to convince myself I hadn't allowed myself to get suckered in by purchasing a LR of all things. I'd have to say it seems like I'm doing ok after all! Being able to swing the spanners myself has helped, I'd hate to have paid for labour on top of everything.

The only issue with preventative maintenance is that sometimes its best to leave well enough alone. I read on here that it was important to look at the injector loom plug for oil, so I took it off one night and checked, not realising that I'd bumped one of those silly brittle by pass coolant hoses off the radiator. Next morning I drove off not knowing that it was pumping its coolant out. First I knew was when the heater wasn't working, then 30 secs later the ECU started cutting injectors out as an overheat reaction. The head gasket lasted another 2.5 years, but it used coolant that whole time!

I did the same thing to the hose that juts out over the air cleaner , lucky it had pressure in it and pee'd out everywhere, no missing that leak. Pipe was brittle as uncooked spaghetti after 10 yrs.

[Redpaul65]

Great post Dave. Had my D2a for about 10 mths and just gone thru the head gasket bit. Comparable cost - made me feel better. Also replaced coolant pump, oil cooler, thermostat, engine mounts, tensioner, cooler hoses...and the radiator - 'cos I hadn't read the forum about how brittle those poxy little plastic nipples get. Ah well, still better that the alternative.

[Steve Td5 130]

Hi All

Bought my wife's D2 7 years ago with 183,000k on the clock and have just had the cylinder head removed to replace the plastic dowels 305,000k
Below is the list of everything else that's been done.

Injector harness
Frt Lhs Abs sensor
Tailshaft
Xy switch
Radiator
Egr removed
Starter Motor replaced
Water Pump
Power Steering Pump
Headlining replaced

I still think we have had value for money ( used off-road regularly )

The other 4wd we had from new for 3 years only had 75,000k on the clock and required a new engine under warranty and the dealer kept passing the buck until it ran out of warranty at 100,000k
where I sold the car and bought the D 2 which is still going strong.

Cheers

Steve

[twr7cx]

Shhhhhh... What ever you do, don't tell rovercare about this thread, it might throw out his opinions on the TD5 < http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-2/196167-td5-worse-than-i-hoped.html >.

[Basil135]

Unless I missed it somewhere, how many k's has your TD5 done?

That is a significant factor in determining its value.

[Steve Td5 130]

Hi Basil

About to do a 310,000 k service on the D2.
With all the things I have fix on my wife's car over the last 7 years I consider the D2 to be value for money compared to the other 4wd that she had for only
3 years.

Cheers

Steve

[rovercare]

Shhhhhh... What ever you do, don't tell rovercare about this thread, it might throw out his opinions on the TD5 < http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-2/196167-td5-worse-than-i-hoped.html >.

Actually it pretty much reaffirms ,my opinion

[GregTD5]

My 2001 TD5, bought new, has cost me very little over the past few years, but I have always had it serviced on time, or kept it up to date myself, with less than 180 K on the clock.
The boobies, also havn't been to bad over the last few years as well, considering she is much younger than me.
The big problem is the cost of booze, which the younger boobies keeps bringing me, when i service the Landy and do other odd jobs around the house.
Some times I have a fair old conundrum around the house, as the more work i try to do the more it costs me in beer.