Need help - d3 problems or normal?

[catsman]

Hi, looked at a D3 to buy today. Driven a few but this one seems a bit jerky raising and lowering the suspension, should it be smooth or is that normal?

Also, on the startup, first couple of fires before it starts idling are a bit rough (4L petrol). Is that normal or are these evidence of a hard life?

Any advice appreciated

[lpj]

Suspension should raise smoothly and the engine should start smoothly. I'd stay away.

[AnD3rew]

You rarely in normal use feel the suspension do anything unless you play with the control switch. Every now and then when stopped at the lights on a bit of an angle you might feel a slight adjustment. If it is raising and lowering by itself without reason there is something wrong.

[catsman]

I was playing around with it cycling between access normal and offroad height.

One I drove seemed to raise slowly but smoothly and could hardly notice it changing, this one went up quicker but a bit in stages, sorta like buses do.

The auto box would kick down with a jerk too when under hard acceration.

Feel like it was driven hard by previous owner and not sure if I should stay away, or sink $300 on an inspection..

[Graeme]

this one went up quicker but a bit in stages, My D4 goes up quickly in stages because the compressor is working well. The rear quickly raises first then the front then the rear again then the front again but by this time has slowed, running just from the compressor rather than from the reservoir and compressor.

[AnD3rew]

I was playing around with it cycling between access normal and offroad height.

One I drove seemed to raise slowly but smoothly and could hardly notice it changing, this one went up quicker but a bit in stages, sorta like buses do.

The auto box would kick down with a jerk too when under hard acceration.

Feel like it was driven hard by previous owner and not sure if I should stay away, or sink $300 on an inspection..

Ah that's different then. Yes it tends to raise one end at a time and if you play a lot it gets slower and slower, it has a limited capacity in the storage tank and the it will take some time to recover.

[Dagilmo]

Feel like it was driven hard by previous owner and not sure if I should stay away, or sink $300 on an inspection..

My two bobs worth: If you're not sure, keep driving them to get a better feel for how they should perform. When you find one that you think is a good example and YOU don't have doubts about, get it inspected. All things being equal, I wouldn't waste money on an inspection if you have doubts.

2x Graeme's comments. Mine raises in stages and has a near new compressor.

Good luck with the search.

[catsman]

Cheers for the advice. It was a bit worn inside so maybe ill holdout for a better one