Buying a 2007 TDV6 D3

[bremund]

Hi All, I'm going to be picking up a 2007 Disco 3 TDV6 SE from a Land Rover dealership this week (pending a test drive/inspection as the car is 6 hours drive away).

They tell me they've checked it over and all is good with the car, full service history.

Is there anything else I should be checking?

I've seen mention of timing belts at 7 years. Also seen mentions of a oil pump housing issues (and a newer style of housing), is there a way I can tell if the housing is changed?

Also any obvious things that I'll probably miss in the excitement of the moment?

Hopefully this time next week I'll have a D3 :D

Thanks

[~Rich~]

Welcome Bremund,

How many k's has it done?

Possibly a steel pan conversion and Auto service required, I get mine done every 50,000k.

I'd be asking about if you find issues during the Warranty period do I have to return it to you?

I bought mine from a WA L/R dealer and had some warranty repairs done by Alto here in Sydney and billed to them. I recall it was the front suspension bushes and the fuel filler flap lock I had fixed.

Cheers Rich

[sheerluck]

:welcome:

And good luck with the test drive.

Just the same as with any other car, listen out for suspension noises (banging or clunking over bumps), look for lights on the dash or uneven wear on the tyres.

Take a squizz at the battery to have a look and see if it's recent - these things are power hungry and start to misbehave if the battery and charging circuit aren't up to scratch.

Yes, you'll be up for a timing belt change if it hasn't already been done on mileage (168k), but there's no way of telling visually if the oil pump housing has been changed without removing the timing cover.

If you're handy with the spanners, the belt and oil pump change are not too arduous though.

[bremund]

It has 140,000kms

Warranty was activated 1st March 2007, so thinking it should of had it's 7 year service.

Coming from a short wheel base 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara, did all the work on it myself.

[~Rich~]

Well the maintenance difference will be a shock against a basic Japanese make, don't get me wrong they are a great vehicle. You just have to look after them.

[sheerluck]

It has 140,000kms

Warranty was activated 1st March 2007, so thinking it should of had it's 7 year service.

I wouldn't assume. It could have been sitting on the dealer's forecourt for 3 months. Maybe someone traded it in because they didn't like the quote for the 7 year service.


Coming from a short wheel base 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara, did all the work on it myself.

There's plenty of info around the web to be able to do it yourself. The D3 workshop manual is available to buy from the shop at the top of the forum.

[bremund]

Well the maintenance difference will be a shock against a basic Japanese make, don't get me wrong they are a great vehicle. You just have to look after them.

Well 1st Jan this year I owned these three
2000 Saab 9-3
2002 RenaultSport Clio
2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara

They're all going/gone to get the D3. I'd hoping the D3 will be cheaper than the three above.

[Meken]

I'd be negotiating the 7 year service to be done by them before pickup, they are the ones who have already made representations that the cars service history is in accordance with manufacturers schedule

[alpick]

I agree with meken, the 7 seven yr service including the change to the oil pump housing is near the $2k mark , it's a bugger of a job to get the fuel pump belt at the rear of the engine. I would not attempt it unless you are very good at mechanics and have all the right tools.

Also have the front steering bushes been done

Has the High pressure fuel pump and brake recalls been done

Does it have the original air compressor for suspension or does it have the new updated AMK? Compressor, if it still has the original you will be up for one of those soon $1200.

I would not be paying retail price for the car without those jobs having been sorted.


My D3 is the best car I have ever owned, fantastic on road rides like a caprice,(dsc saved a major prang when coopers ATR tyre blew) and off road is unsurpassed in ability and comfort.

Hope that helps

[bremund]

Last time I spoke to the dealer (before I started this thread), he said that "it has a full service history, as a Land Rover dealer we don't sell them without a full history"

So I assumed it has the 7 year done. I'll contact and make sure.


I agree with meken, the 7 seven yr service including the change to the oil pump housing is near the $2k mark , it's a bugger of a job to get the fuel pump belt at the rear of the engine. I would not attempt it unless you are very good at mechanics and have all the right tools.

Is the oil pump housing something the dealer would of done at the 7 year service, or is it something I'll specifically have to ask for?


Also have the front steering bushes been done

Does it have the original air compressor for suspension or does it have the new updated AMK? Compressor, if it still has the original you will be up for one of those soon $1200.

Once again is the front steering bushes and updated air compressor something the dealer would of proactively done, or asked to do?


Hope that helps

Yes, thanks heaps guys for all the comments/suggestions so far.

[alpick]

If it has a full service history from the dealer ask for a copy of it to be sent to. Its the warranty / recall work you need to know really.

That should detail the work done and when of course. I purchased mine privately at the end of warranty and lease and was provided with a copy of the service record from the dealer so i knew exactly what i was getting.

The steering bushes on that model were a bit weak and should have been replaced (don't think it was a recall but mine had been done under warranty).

My compressor had been updated under warranty as well. If yours is not under warranty of some sort you will have to pay and the original compressors were troublesome. the updated compressor job includes updating the compressor software to run lower pressure in the air tank. As i said if yours is still original plan on that expense in the near future, haven't heard of an original compressor lasting more than 5 years really.

the recall jobs need to be done by the dealer before you purchase it if they haven't already. Should be annotated on the inside of drivers door pillar as aback up to the service record.

if the 7 year service has not been completed (belt change etc) then price the car accordingly. i.e reduce the price by the amount the service will cost ($2k i reckon including oil pump housing)

The change of the oil pump housing is owners choice/pay, but many reputable independent service centres will not do the seven year belt change without changing the oil pump housing as in the past the original housing failed after belt change, leaving service centres liable. The replacement oil pump housing is a beefed up design, the job adds about $600 to the seven year service according to Cooper automotive in Sydney.

Cheers

[bremund]

So I asked if the 7 year service had been done. I received a screenshot of the "Direct Dealer Warranty - Vehicle Details" screen showing delivery date as 1/3/2007 and all recalls are done. Here's the response


Vehicle currently done – 142,782KM and we have just serviced.

Next service due in 154,000KM or 12 months which will be minor service.

Following service due 167,000KM which is a major service, 7 year 84 month, belts require changing.

I have spoken to our LR technician and we have inspected the belts and they are in good working order and do not require changing at this time.

[sheerluck]

Walk away.

[jonesy63]

Alternatively, get a quote for the major service at a Sydney independent and then ask for a discount on the purchase amount - by at least that amount. :)

[bremund]

Alternatively, get a quote for the major service at a Sydney independent and then ask for a discount on the purchase amount - by at least that amount. :)

So I did press for more details, it was traded on a brand new Freelander just before 7 year service was due.

The dealer felt it doesn't need the 7 year service, saying it'd cost them $800.

I've asked for dates/kms of the service history. If that all checks out it just might be the dealer trying to save money.

[rar110]

I'm also looking for my 1st disco so no personal experience. From my enquiries it's not just belts that will need attention. The transmission service is recommended by independents at 80,000 km intervals and is nearly as expensive. I don't know if Land Rover recognise the need for a trans service. Also I've been told the diff oil capacity is smallish and should be changed with the transmission service. The dealer may not admit this stuff is necessary so refuse to reduce price.

[sheerluck]

So I did press for more details, it was traded on a brand new Freelander just before 7 year service was due.

The dealer felt it doesn't need the 7 year service, saying it'd cost them $800.

I've asked for dates/kms of the service history. If that all checks out it just might be the dealer trying to save money.

The service schedule calls for a belt change at 7 years (or 168k, whichever is reached first). There is nothing in there about "unless you don't feel it's needed". In order for them to say

I have spoken to our LR technician and we have inspected the belts and they are in good working order and do not require changing at this time.
They would had to do a significant amount of disassembly, as there is no inspection hole in the timing cover. So I call bull****, and they are fobbing you off.

So if they are fobbing you off over this replacement that the service schedule calls for, then what would they be like to deal with, with any other issue.

That is why I say walk away.

[bremund]

What are the service intervals? 12 months or 6 months? and what kms?

[sheerluck]

What are the service intervals? 12 months or 6 months? and what kms?

Listed here. http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/d3-d4-rrs/27493d1280876468-discovery-3-service-schedule-discovery-203-20maintenance-20check-20sheet-20-28all-20models-20-29-20-20km.pdf

[SBD4]

Bremund, you can bet your bottom dollar that if the car was already in your ownership, they would be recommending the service be done without hesitation.

As long as an independent has said the car is in good knick and the dealer discounts to the tune of the said due service, then OK. Otherwise do as Dave says. Or, make sure you budget for an expensive service very soon after getting ownership.

[Meken]

$2k for belt & pump housing + $2k for tranny flush /steel pan ... Getting expensive! With light of firefoxgc issues with his car - I would be asking them for landrover Australia to back up their claim that it doesn't need the scheduled service completed!! & provide some form of warranty??

[shorty]

I second what everyone has said. I bought a D3 a year ago and really like it but it does cost a bit. If not already done you may need to consider the following over the next year or two:

Tranny flush and steel pan conversion
Front control arm bushes
Brake overhaul (if EPB module needs replacing its expensive)
Air compressor replacement (when the original fails which it soon will)
Timing belt job (with housing)
Turbo hose replacements
Air strut / shock replacement eventually
Other routine maintenance

All this is the get the vehicle to being mechanically sound. If you are then planning on remote off-roading and want to start adding bull bars / Dual batteries / underbody protection / towing electrics upgrades etc to a car that doesn't have any of this it can all get very expensive.

[catch-22]

Walk away. Another will come up. It will. They always do.

I'd walk away as it's unlikely the tranny has been done. If not done before 100k, well, we've all heard the horror stories.

The seller is fobbing you off on the things you're asking, but what about all the stuff that hasn't been said that you're not asking.

Walk away.

[rocmic]

Bremund
There is no doubt that the car is due for the 84 month service. The dealer seems to say so himself. As others have said it is 168000 km or 84 months which ever comes first.
Normal service interval is 12000km or 6 months whichever comes first.
Given the age of your vehicle the oil pump housing will be the old type which has failed on other vehicles. Davis Performance Landies will not put everything back together after a belt change if the oil pump housing is the old type. they insist on replacing it - they have been burnt by an engine failure due to the old housing breaking after a belt change.
If the dealer is unwilling to reduce the price by the cost of the major service, then - walk away.
Cheers
Mike

[bremund]

Thanks once again for all the advice.

So a bit of an update. I've pushed the dealer to read the service history to me over the phone. It seems the previous owner did it all by the book plus extra, it has had more servicing that required by Land Rover.

I've also had a friend that is a Land Rover mechanic at a Dealership in Sydney look the car up for me. He says that the Brake Booster recall has been done, however the car is too new and not in the VIN range for the Fuel Pump recall. Should I still worry about the Fuel Pump?

He also advised me to change the oil pump to the 3.0 diesel oil pump.

So I'm thinking I'll still have a look at it on Saturday (I don't mind a drive) and
try and negotiate the price down based on the work needed. I'm thinking it's just the dealer that is a trying to cut costs, not the previous owner.

[jonesy63]

I've also had a friend that is a Land Rover mechanic at a Dealership in Sydney look the car up for me. He says that the Brake Booster recall has been done, however the car is too new and not in the VIN range for the Fuel Pump recall. Should I still worry about the Fuel Pump?

Land Rover (http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/997270)

Get the VIN and check if it is in that range.

FWIW, when the HPFP goes - it sheds metal through the whole fuel system. Worst case scenario - replace everything that diesel flows through or stored. That was a $17k warranty job on my previous D3. :eek::eek:

[rar110]

A 2008 (built 12/2007) D3 I looked at had a HPFP fail. That and transmission was replaced under warranty.

[rocmic]

My D3 was delivered (well waranty activated because it was a demo) in Mar 08, built Nov 07. Definitely had the HPFP recall done.
VIN is A466134 which falls in the middle of the range for the recall, which covers MY07 - MY09 D3's and Sports. Definitely worth checking

[jonesy63]

Also note - very carefully - there were THREE versions of the recall. The only one which counts is the very last one in November 2010. A dealer could say "the recall was done" - but if it was one of the two earlier ones, the HPFP could well die again!

[Hogarthde]

I'am a bit late... MY08 D3 tdv6 vin; A484991, having issues with engine going to F at acceleration, MR Automotive suggest new HPFP , however when i rang LR in Sydney , the lady said did not qualify for 'recall' do i have a case?

dave

[jonesy63]

Dave - I think there are two possibilities:
1) If your D3 hasn't had the recall work done - your VIN is in the range on that link I gave: 2007 to 2009MY Discovery 3 (LA412306-LA512711). In this case, I think they're trying to bluff you. Also note the recall notice says to contact your local dealer - not LR directly. The dealer will be able to look up the history of your car and fight for your case if in this situation.

2) If your D3 has already had that recall completed - you may have picked up some bad diesel (water is most likely). In which case, you need to check your insurance covers your repair work.

Good luck!
Cheers,
Rob

[Hogarthde]

Thanks Rob,i have an old noggin on old shoulders but still can't work out some shenanigans. The independent workshop said contact Qld main agent,.. she said contact Aust agent,...and she had a mild attack of disinterest...

Have only had machine 2 yrs and long way from home and don't even a dog to abuse!

dave

[bremund]

So an update on car purchase. I was going to post earlier, but decided to wait for it to all pan out.

On the day of test drive/purchase I mentioned I wanted the price reduced as the timing belt wasn't done. They wouldn't budge on replacing the timing belt and insisted that it would last another two years. Thinking it through I felt happier to have the timing belt replaced at an independent along with the oil pump housing. So wasn't terrible bothered by this, so it wasn't a roadblock to me.

I did get them to agree that I didn't need to take the car back to them.

Happy with the above and that it had a more than a full service history I bought the car.

Drove the car the home a bit of a longer way (about 600 kms) and love the manners of the car on the open road at 100/110 kph

After 1 week of ownership the alternator died. I was at my parents in law's place and normally leave the car unlocked in their driveway (battleaxe block). Went to leave only to find the car dead. So had it towed to Alto, and provided them with all details about it being used car warranty. Call the salesman I purchased the car from and let him know. Next thing I get someone calling me accusing me of listening to the radio too much!!! I didn't bother explaining how an alternator works and simple said I'd only had the car one week, so they should replace it, they agreed (and it was the first and only time I dealt with that person at the selling dealership).

So Alto replaced the faulty alternator and replaced the battery (saying the alternator killed the battery). They also diagnosed an e-brake problem, and a problem with the rear diff, as well as confirming all recalls have been carried out. The selling dealer approved the e-brake to be replaced (total 6 parts listed on invoice), however told me to take it to another dealer for a check that the diff was faulty.

Took it to another Trivett Parramatta and they confirmed the rear diff was faulty. At this time I also find out that the salesman who sold me the car is no longer working at that dealer (don't know why). So the rear diff was approved to be carried out at Alto, just needed to wait on parts to be shipped.

While waiting for rear diff parts I start getting suspension warnings and the yellow suspension light, so I take it back to Alto for them to look at. Alto confirm that it's the compressor that needs replacing.

I call the selling dealer to let them know the compressor needs replacing, and they decided they want the car back. After chatting to a friend, who tells me they have the right to have it back especially now so much has needed replacing, I don't argue for the car to stay in Sydney.

The selling dealer organised a truck to shipped it there and back, so at least I didn't have to drive there and back.

The selling dealer replaced the rear diff and compressor. Then took it for a road test and decided that the front diff needed replacing, so replaced that as well.

So all up I have a 2007 D3 SE TDV6 with 145,000 kms, with new
- Alternator
- Battery
- e-brake
- front diff
- rear diff
- compressor

Plus I've had a Sydney Independent Land Rover specialist look over the car and confirm all is good now, plus replace the timing belt, oil pump housing, and do the metal gearbox pan replacement.

So all up I'm very happy with the purchase, it's just been a bit more of a journey to get to this point than I thought. I feel the dealership I bought off has handled this situation very well, and I would recommend people go there, as ultimately they did the right thing without any fight. Really they went above and beyond what they were legally required to do.

Here are some photos