Thoughts on D3 TDV6

[Baggy]

Hi All

Looking at getting SWAMBO back into a Discovery or speciffically a Disco 3.

Have seen a D3 2007 TDV6 S with 154K on clock for $25K
Has leather seats, look like coils have been swapped for Kings springs.

Can you advise what I should be looking out for in the diesel, havent checked it out its service history ....like to get some informed thoughts from you good folks as to anything specific to look out for.

Cheers

Baggy

[LandyAndy]

Look for a model with Terrain Response,it gives you the air suspension.
In the TDV6 watch the oil pump issue,fit the upgrade.
Pick an ordinary bitumen road to test the air suspension to see how good it is.I build roads for a living,my new D4 makes Albany Hwy between Williams and Armadale seem smooth.I gaurantee you it aint in any other vehicle I drive;););););)
Andrew

[CaptAwsm]

I look forward to testing that theory Andrew, I'm heading down that road this weekend in my new (to me) TDV6 SE. From what I've experienced so far coming from a Td5 Disco 2 air suspension is the best. Terrain Response I'm yet to learn.

In fact I'm new to everything in this D3!

[Nomad9]

Hi Baggy,
Just been through this selection process, I bought a V6 petrol in the end from Roleystone. There is a 4.4 petrol 2005 with fruit for about $25k. I thought I would give the petrol a go this time round, SE, I like the air suspension and the TR, personal thing. Originally I bought an S 2.7, ended up dong the suspension lift with upgraded coils, had to get a garage to change the springs they were tight, even with spring compressors, they are a small spring in length.
After having the air I wouldn't go back to the springs. The 4.0 petrol has a timing chain, not a belt........ My water outlet on my 2.7 also started to leak took me ages to find it, eventually became apparent after water filled the v in the middle of the engine and dripped down the back of the gearbox.
I think there was only the one 2.7 locally that I saw for that sort of money. Good luck with your quest.........
Cheers Marty

[Baggy]

Thanks Everyone

Andrew ...been following your post on your new aqusition ...congradulations a D4 is a great vehicle ...out of my $$ range but simply great.

I'm still only in the early stages of looking so I'll add air suspention to list.

CaptAwsm / Nomad9 - I'll follow Andrews and your thoughts and add air suspension to my must have list.

Can anyone tell me from what year did air / terrain become std and was it on the S or SE models.

Nomad9 from your post am I correct in saying you had a 2.7TDV6 S and went to a petrol SE which is the opposite way to most general thought

One things for sure ....those of us who've owned Disco's before they are still the most capable and best value 4WD on the market barr none.

Cheers

Baggy

[Nomad9]

Hi Baggy,
My original D3 was a TDV6 S model, as far as I'm aware petrol have been available as long as diesel.

I did go from Diesel to petrol, personal circumstances dictated to me what I should be looking for at this time. Now I was looking for a daily commute, when I bought the diesel I was looking for a long distance touring vehicle.
I like to work on my own vehicles as well, the TDV6 I had heard of horror turbo stories and I had a horror tale with an EGR valve, I had a coolant leak on both my diesels from the same place, just a bit gun shy. Plus I was looking at another $8k to $10k more for a good one same year.

I find the petrol fine so far I'm managing about 11.8 kl/100 according to the gauge, same comfort and no timing belt, no EGR no coolant leak and no turbo. I'm good.

[rar110]

Hi Baggy,
My original D3 was a TDV6 S model, as far as I'm aware petrol have been available as long as diesel.

I did go from Diesel to petrol, personal circumstances dictated to me what I should be looking for at this time. Now I was looking for a daily commute, when I bought the diesel I was looking for a long distance touring vehicle.
I like to work on my own vehicles as well, the TDV6 I had heard of horror turbo stories and I had a horror tale with an EGR valve, I had a coolant leak on both my diesels from the same place, just because a bit guy shy. Plus I was looking at another $8k to $10k more for a good one same year.

I find the petrol fine so far I'm managing about 11.8 kl/100 according to the gauge, same comfort and no timing belt, no EGR no coolant leak and no turbo. I'm good.

That's pretty impressive economy, less than 2 lt/100km difference to a TDV6 2.7.

[jonesy63]

That's pretty impressive economy, less than 2 lt/100km difference to a TDV6 2.7.

In Perth... flat country and no traffic jams - compared to cities on the East coast.

[Piddler]

4.4 V8 would be a good option :)

Cheers

[TerryO]

4.4 V8 would be a good option :)

Cheers

I agree, a 4.4 is a very good option and would be one I would make over a V6 petrol, the V8 even uses less fuel believe it or not and is far quieter and smoother to drive plus makes lots more power. While more fuel hungry than the diesel a V8 should be far cheaper to maintain as they get older and fuel is usually the cheapest part of owning a vehicle, especially as they get older.

Just make sure before buying a V8 that the sparks plugs can be removed easily, as plenty of them have never had them changed since new and they can seize in if they have not been removed previously. Plus most V8's are in HSE's and that takes the level of enjoyment of owning a D3 to a whole different level.

Good luck in your search, just make sure whatever you buy it has a good service history.

[LandyAndy]

I look forward to testing that theory Andrew, I'm heading down that road this weekend in my new (to me) TDV6 SE. From what I've experienced so far coming from a Td5 Disco 2 air suspension is the best. Terrain Response I'm yet to learn.

In fact I'm new to everything in this D3!

May be too late.
If passing thru Williams,look for all the Landys behind The Williams Woolshed.Call in and say gidday:cool::cool::cool::cool:
Andrew

[CaptAwsm]

Bummer. Is too late, I usually stop at the Caltex. But will keep it in mind next time! Ben.

[Redback]

For the air suspension model with the TDV6, factor in timing belt change at 160,000ks, appox $3000, lower control arm bushes, as well as others in the suspension, auto tran service, is a good idea at those Ks also, good service history.

Baz.

[Chilly]

For the air suspension model with the TDV6, factor in timing belt change at 160,000ks, appox $3000, lower control arm bushes, as well as others in the suspension, auto tran service, is a good idea at those Ks also, good service history.

Baz.

$3000 for a timing belt change...really?? ****!!!
How much for the..
lower control arm bushes?
Auto trans?
air compressor?

[LandyAndy]

In Perth... flat country and no traffic jams - compared to cities on the East coast.

We do have hills,and every time I have to go to the city traffic jams **** me no end;););););)
Andrew

[LandyAndy]

$3000 for a timing belt change...really?? ****!!!
How much for the..
lower control arm bushes?
Auto trans?
air compressor?

The belt change involves a body off chassis job I believe,Could be wrong.
Andrew

[sheerluck]

The belt change involves a body off chassis job I believe,Could be wrong.
Andrew

Not true Andy. The high pressure fuel pump belt at the back of the engine is accessible with body on, though anyone with gorilla sized hands will struggle.

I think Baz may have overcooked that $3000, though the established wisdom is that the oil pump is best being changed at the same time as the belts to avoid expensive breakages.

[CaptAwsm]

I've seen it done without on the Disco3 forums but it looks like a pain of a job. Front belt doesn't look too bad but the rear belt is tucked behind the battery and computer. Yuck.

Ben.

[sheerluck]

I've seen it done without on the Disco3 forums but it looks like a pain of a job. Front belt doesn't look too bad but the rear belt is tucked behind the battery and computer. Yuck.

Ben.

I used the 'how-to' written by Disco_Mikey on Disco3. Front belt change was actually very straightforward.

[rar110]

I used the 'how-to' written by Disco_Mikey on Disco3. Front belt change was actually very straightforward.

I think I remember you doing your belt & oil pump while the body was off which I suppose would have made it quicker. But how long does this job take for a DIY?

[TerryO]

Just a word of caution. I had the timing belt replaced on my TDV6 by a decent sized and reasonably well known independent workshop which had been nominated by the dealer I had bought the car from to get some warranty work done and three times they timed it half a tooth out and three times they had a Valves v pistons situation which caused damage to rocker gear and valves.

I walked into the workshop by chance one Saturday morning and they had just finished putting it back together for the third time and driven it round the block and it had gone rattle rattle once again. So I said to them do you really want to go through this a fourth time and run the risk it going bang again or how about buying a new long engine from LR and you guys keep this engine.

I got a brand new long engine from that 3 month experience. So yes its doable and shouldn't be that hard but even pro's can get it wrong and the damage is not pretty so make sure you know what your doing cause you have no one else to blame and pay for it to be fixed if you get it wrong.

[sheerluck]

I think I remember you doing your belt & oil pump while the body was off which I suppose would have made it quicker. But how long does this job take for a DIY?

I did the front belt and oil pump with the body still on. However, it was quite well dismantled at the time. :D

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/2111597-post82.html

The rear belt was done with the body off though (and I was lucky I did)

I would imagine it would take a whole day DIY, with the amount of bits that need to be moved out of the way. Removing the starter motor to insert the locking pin was by far and away the hardest part, the rest of it was just being methodical, checking, double checking.