Buying/Running costs (now vs future)

[patsaunders]

Hi, I've done some searching on Aulro so far and havn't quite found the answers I've been looking for, hoping the Disco 3 owners out there can help.

If there are any specific threads you know that might help please add a link, I think I've read most of them though.

I am looking to buy a Discovery 3 and have narrowed down my options but am still wondering weather to go Air or coils. I dont need to tow or carry ALOT of gear and I am mainly touring when I can (no need for crazy off-roading) ... Here is what I am thinking please comment as I may be going down the wrong path with this and I am happy to be wrong...

- Purchase price of coil models are a few grand less than air models. Money saved on purchase price would then be needed to be spent of lift and tyres to avoid bottoming out offroad.... Thoughts on best value to buy upfront?

- Tyres/lift affect fuel economy? damage to CV's (mixed opinion of forums)? = higher fuel / maintenance cost over time? Air suspension maintenance cost more again? (car will be 7-10 years old, 100-200,000kms) Whats going to be the most economical over time?

Another thing thats been hard to figure out from the forums is "how many kms is too many for a discovery 3?" Is it even worth considering a +200K vehicle?

Thanks so much for your help.

[101RRS]

Definitively go air suspension - any savings on getting coils will as you mentioned be offset by getting a coiler brought up to scratch and then you will not have the advantage of lower height on the highway and higher height offroad.

There is really no extra costs in maintaining the air suspension over the coils with the exception you may or may not have to take into account the cost of a compressor every 100,000km or so - these can be expensive if bought through dealers or cheap if bought through other sources - down to $500 in some cases. This cost can be reduced by regularly replacing the dessicant.

Definitely go the air suspension.

[patsaunders]

Thanks garrycol,

Thats really good to know about the dessicant and 100,000 km timeframe for the air auspension.

I am still really interested to know how many K's people would say is TOO many? not compare to buying price obviously higher km models are cheaper, but is there a level that you would expect to reach a point of diminishing returns and not get at least a few years out of the car without a major service etc?

thanks

[101RRS]

Services are fairly routine - oil and oil filter every 12,000km and other things like air filter, pollen filter, fuel filter etc at various intervals. Brakes etc as required.

Biggest service is at 160,000km where the belts are changed.

Other oils such as diffs, gearbox and transfer case are fairly big distances if the Lr service schedule are followed but in my and others view these are too long.

All these should be done 50,000 to 100,00km - depends on opinions. Get a steel sump on the auto box and to a basic atf and filter (the steel sump allows this) change on a regular basis.

The above applies irrespective if it air suspended or coil.

There is plenty on here under each of the areas - use the google search function at the bottom of the page. If you cannot find what you need just ask and someone will be along to answer.

Garry

[rar110]

I've been thinking about another sticky about the costs of owning a D3. People's experience with the early D3s or high km D3s would be particularly useful.

[morpheus]

Hi patsaunders.

I bought a high mileage 2006 D3 recently (220ks) and so far the only trouble I have had is the diffs, but if you look at what people have reported (here and elsewhere) this seems to be an issue affecting early models - the diffs had an internal coating that would over time combine and foul the diff oil. This issue can and has struck at any point in a vehicle's life. I know my car had its transmission replaced at 160kms, according to its books.

I normally wouldn't have looked at a vehicle with so many kilometres, but it was well presented and had been owned from new by a fastidious owner, had a full and documented service history, and has the top of the range model so it had all of the options that I had been hunting for ( rear aircon, leather, premium logic7 sound). As a bonus, it also had a long range tank, rear wheel carrier and dual battery system.

So... you can be lucky with a high mileage car, you can be unlucky. However, with any second hand car you can be caught out with an issue, irrespective of how many kilometres it has done.

Good luck with your hunting!

[V2Evo96]

Hi Pat, I found a low mileage 2009 D3 SE V6 petrol (66,000ks) airbag model early this year. Vehicle was "overserviced" due to extended aftermarket warranty requiring service @ 10,000k rather than 12,000k.
Tranny fluid was changed at 60,000, new battery, new compressor etc. with full service history.

They are out there - you just have to search and search and search till you find one.

[rar110]

Is D4 SE servicing at every 12,000 or 24,000km?

[patsaunders]

brilliant! thanks for all the valuable information guys!

[coolum]

The beauty of the d3/4 is ' the package'. IMHO The 'air' is part of that package. The designers really used years of knowledge and listened to what the market wanted (reads 'dreamed of') to come up with this machine.


Truly - If your 'Mr offroad' and spend the majority of your time behind the wheel in rock crawl, then to go for coils, lift, lock and 33's and have the detrimental (compared to Air) ride in your onroad miles, If you are that 'man' then maybe your better off with a Defer.


The package that LR put together is for a 'limo like ride' on the tar, that will allow you to be 'astonished' in the weeds.


Locked and Lifted to spare a possibility of an Air shockie replacement could mean your missing the point in some ways .. even before considering the other items you have mentioned.


I would like to add, did not hesitate to buy a high 220k Km HSE as I've had heaps of either Landrovers Discos and rangies and they ran like the wind for hundreds of kilometres.


All cars require maintenance and all cars have parts that can only be built to last for a certain length of time or Kms ... but LR brand do pretty well in this area. I preferred the V8 over the other 'Donk' offerings as I perceive the 'price at the pump' is cheaper long term, than higher (scheduled) maintenance costs and the possibility of lower (arguably) reliability of the V6 petrol and diesel.


There is simply not much in the way of forum postings for problems with the V8 compared to the (to date) listings for the Diesel. Others may shout me down here, Its just a perception from 'searches I have done'.


If you are looking at a D3/4 - in any shape or form, you're on the right track.


Happy hunting

[patsaunders]

Hi Coolum thanks for the info that's some great food for thought.

Wondering if you or anyone else could offer a couple of "top tips" to look for in higher mileage (my price range) discos to check before getting them to a mechanic? Each inspection costs $$ so if there are any particular disco three things to watch for that may prevent wasting money at the mechanic or at least could negotiate a better price?

This has probably been covered anyone have a link to a good read?

Thanks

[discotwinturbo]

Is D4 SE servicing at every 12,000 or 24,000km? My D4 is every 26k....but have oil and filters at 13k. Brett.....

[morpheus]

If it has high mileage:

Service history, has it had regular servicing at the right intervals.

If you are getting a TDV6, make sure it had its timing belt changed at the 160km mark.

Check the air compressor operation. Make sure it can get into off-road mode ok. (It will probably give you a "warning" if you fiddle with the ride heights too much but this is normal). I once got in a vehicle that did nothing when I selected off road mode. Nothing at all. So I walked away.

Auto transmission operation (does it clunk through gears or shudder).

These are just a few things that come to mind.