D3 Petrol upgrade to Diesel?

[davemc]

Hello All,

I normally read not post here :)
So we have a 2006 D3 SE V6 Petrol. Just started towing with it getting 18-20's the small tank means we get around 400k. So $ and we have to make sure we fill on longer trips or we hit a Petrol station on fumes.

I am due to upgrade my car soon and was originally looking at something for myself around $25k 2010 plus maybe another Mini :) As we have 4 kids wonder if I look around for a D3 Diesel instead? Have two family cars and keep the D3 Petrol. For around that $'s looks 05/06 with 170k or so? Our petrol only just clicked over 100k.
I know timing belt due 7 years. Some do not mention if its done.
Also understand if original air susp comp its due to move to a AMK.. As done the petrol. We had the auto done on our D3 as well.

So basically two questions?
1) What are you guys getting towing? We have a 2T Off road pop top getting 18-20's
2) Do you think buying a 10 year old D3 second hand could end up being a money pit.. a S/H D4 be around $20k more.

[Ean Austral]

Hello All,

I normally read not post here :)
So we have a 2006 D3 SE V6 Petrol. Just started towing with it getting 18-20's the small tank means we get around 400k. So $ and we have to make sure we fill on longer trips or we hit a Petrol station on fumes.

I am due to upgrade my car soon and was originally looking at something for myself around $25k 2010 plus maybe another Mini :) As we have 4 kids wonder if I look around for a D3 Diesel instead? Have two family cars and keep the D3 Petrol. For around that $'s looks 05/06 with 170k or so? Our petrol only just clicked over 100k.
I know timing belt due 7 years. Some do not mention if its done.
Also understand if original air susp comp its due to move to a AMK.. As done the petrol. We had the auto done on our D3 as well.

So basically two questions?
1) What are you guys getting towing? We have a 2T Off road pop top getting 18-20's
2) Do you think buying a 10 year old D3 second hand could end up being a money pit.. a S/H D4 be around $20k more.


Add a long range tank to the existing car an option ? can buy a lot of petrol with $$$ left over.


Cheers Ean

[davemc]

Add a long range tank to the existing car an option ? can buy a lot of petrol with $$$ left over.
Cheers Ean
Thanks Ean for option 3 my friend with a Prado laughed at the 80 litre tank. Although I would think be around $4k to do wheel and tank.. Wife does not want the wheel on the back we have a twin pram to get out. The Caravan wheels not the same as the Disco :(

[Ean Austral]

Thanks Ean for option 3 my friend with a Prado laughed at the 80 litre tank. Although I would think be around $4k to do wheel and tank.. Wife does not want the wheel on the back we have a twin pram to get out. The Caravan wheels not the same as the Disco :(


$4000 for what would make a good tourer with you knowing the car and having addressed some issues you mentioned.. wonder what that's worth... Can be an expensive lesson buying a 2nd hand car, and then having 2 x D3's


Can always do as we do...remove the arm of the wheel carrier when around town for everyday driving. may be a bit of time on the side of the road if you get a flat, but with mobile phones and keeping the rubber good shouldn't be to much of an issue.


The diesel has the same size tank, sure range is further but still an issue if towing.


Just my 2c of course.


Cheers Ean

[NTB]

Hello Davemc,

I have a poptop camper/caravan which is about 2t when loaded. I have a D4 SDV6 3.0L Diesel so the engine is different to the 2.7L Diesel. We did a trip to Central Australia last June/July and found that when you wanted to travel at the speed limits it can use a bit of diesel.

Attached is a extract of my Car Log giving details of my fuel usage for your reference. The important columns for you are the "Actual L/100km" and the comments of the type of driving for that fill of diesel. This may or may not help you.

I hope this may help you because depending on the type of driving, your range can also be limited with a diesel. I have heard that the D3 2.7L can be much better than the 3.0L for diesel consumption. I am not complaining about my usage and the torque is great for cruising and over taking.

NTB

[Ean Austral]

Hello Davemc,

I have a poptop camper/caravan which is about 2t when loaded. I have a D4 SDV6 3.0L Diesel so the engine is different to the 2.7L Diesel. We did a trip to Central Australia last June/July and found that when you wanted to travel at the speed limits it can use a bit of diesel.

Attached is a extract of my Car Log giving details of my fuel usage for your reference. The important columns for you are the "Actual L/100km" and the comments of the type of driving for that fill of diesel. This may or may not help you.

I hope this may help you because depending on the type of driving, your range can also be limited with a diesel. I have heard that the D3 2.7L can be much better than the 3.0L for diesel consumption. I am not complaining about my usage and the torque is great for cruising and over taking.

NTB






Wow the fuel usage from Ayres rock - coober pedy was high, were you pushing windy conditions or just doing a lot of road train overtaking.




Cheers Ean

[davemc]

Hello Davemc,
Attached is a extract of my Car Log giving details of my fuel usage for your reference. The important columns for you are the "Actual L/100km" and the comments of the type of driving for that fill of diesel. This may or may not help you.

NTB

thanks a lot for that NTB.. Yes searching around a few forums I am on I found 13-18's for a Diesel.. at 13's I save 5-7 at 17-18's not much :(
The other pain towing with Petrol is most servo's the petrol pumps are in front of the shop. Have to back out of them which is fun.
We already thought to trade the Petrol D3 for a Diesel although be $10k change over for a roughly same condition car. At even 7lt diff that is almost 90k to catch up $ wise.. Unless my sums are out. Add the extra servicing for a diesel.
Maybe I just start carrying a jerry can :D

Seeing my 04 Mini due to move on, ending up with two D3's will not be the worst thing to happen. At the moment we swap cars as the Mini I have only seats 4. I have looked at some 5 seat Mini's although could go for something else newer with 5 or 7 if non tow car.
Just thought if I am upgrading may take the plunge and make mine the tow car, instead of mums taxi. At the moment she avg's 19's around town me 8's so averages out..

Just worried 170k plus getting on a bit, asked the mechanics I go to. They said if its been serviced you be ok although there are things on them getting ready to go at that age. I know how much it costs to have things fixed :)
They said go for a newer D4 if you want to move up. Just way to much $'s

[Ean Austral]

There's a thread in this section titled D3 petrol Vs Deisel ongoing running cost or similar to that , it could be worth reading some of the reply's in that thread.
It may give you some things to think about from different posters points of view.


Cheers Ean

[davemc]

There's a thread in this section titled D3 petrol Vs Deisel ongoing running cost or similar to that , it could be worth reading some of the reply's in that thread.
It may give you some things to think about from different posters points of view.
Cheers Ean
Thanks yes I have read that one..... If we wanted to update the D3 Petrol I probably would not bother.
Seeing I am now looking for a new car to stop swapping cars all the time is why I am wondering.. If I am spending around $25k on something new and I have looked at a Freelander 2 as well. Maybe I should get the tow car and leave the petrol D3 with the wife

[Meken]

Freelander 2 diesel is not a bad option - 10-11 around town 7-8 highway no van. We get no worse than 13 towing 1.6t van. Not as roomy but pretty darn close to as capable (except where clearance required) but if I had a pic of where I drove today I'd say you'd be impressed - about as close to a 3m high cliff as I think anyone would Attempt - all done with aplomb;)

[davemc]

Freelander 2 diesel is not a bad option - 10-11 around town 7-8 highway no van. We get no worse than 13 towing 1.6t van. Not as roomy but pretty darn close to as capable (except where clearance required) but if I had a pic of where I drove today I'd say you'd be impressed - about as close to a 3m high cliff as I think anyone would Attempt - all done with aplomb;)
Yes for my run about the Freelander might be nice....I can get a newer one for the same $'s then the D3.. I just keep thinking should I pay more or take a chance on a older D3?

We could not tow the van with the Freelander.. and the wife would have to go in the boot :D Not sure you can put a dickie seat in a freelander?

I've looked at a few non Disco's in the price range Prado, Pathfinder, Pajero, Challenger and Territory. We have a kid in the back if we go 7 seater. Most have no third row airbags or anchor points. So pure safety the D3 wins out.
I think only the Territory does although the 3rd row does not split.

[NTB]

Hello Ean,

As indicated in the Notes the run from Ayres Rock to Coober Pedy had very strong head winds, always over taking and constantly travelling at 110km/h.

NTB

[Geedublya]

Put two jerry can holders on the poptop and then you will have the security of another 40 litres when towing and none of the inconvenience of a rear wheel carrier.

My D3 2.7 was getting 16-17 l/100 when towing the 1.5t camper trailer so I really don't think changing to a diesel will be a great advantage.

[davemc]

We went to check out a Territory today.. The wife was probably more impressed then I was.
No split rear seats
cannot flip forward the second row seat so need to either squish past or stand on the seat back to get into rear.
under $30k gets you a 2011/12 under 100k.. no leather seats etc etc

[shanegtr]

we've been looking at getting a second 7 seater - one that has a little more room behind the 3rd row seats than the D3. Try having a look at a volvo xc90

[davemc]

we've been looking at getting a second 7 seater - one that has a little more room behind the 3rd row seats than the D3. Try having a look at a volvo xc90

We looked at a XC90 before we got the D3.. Read a lot about the auto's going I think they fixed this around 08 onwards. So yes maybe worth another look.

Not sure it would have enough grunt to tow.. They are very nice.
The Territory just felt inside like a Falcon.. Might just be getting to be a snob the D3 and Mini both finished a lot better.

edit: Had a look Diesel XC90's around the same $ as a D3. Get a year or so later..

[shanegtr]

It seems most autos that let go in them are T6's, and I did read something the other night that its mainly the ones in the states (front wheel drive?)

They should get cheaper in the second hand market as the new model is coming out next year

[davemc]

It seems most autos that let go in them are T6's, and I did read something the other night that its mainly the ones in the states (front wheel drive?)

They should get cheaper in the second hand market as the new model is coming out next year

I think your right it was the T6.. LE and D ok.. Although been a while since I looked at them.. They drive nice.. We almost got one when we got the D3 it was down to a year older XC90 with 20k more and the D3. Both the same $.
Might have more room behind the seat although the D3 seat nicer to sit in.
Add the air suspension we felt it was a better drive.
Also the dealer with the D3 was really great let us have it for half a day.

[TerryO]

Unless you looking for an excuse to have two Disco's then I agree with Ean, why not get a long range tank and rear wheel carrier that can be removed for everyday driving? You will have to do massive kilometres to justify another Disco to save the money on the fuel usage difference and older diesels are expensive to maintain.

Our TDV6 D3 towing a 2.5 ton dual axle off road pop top averages 17-19 litres on freeway driving at no more than the speed limit, far worse if even slightly above the limit.
On country back roads at around 80-90 kph it averages around 22-23 litres per 100 km.

In the long run it might be cheaper to trade in the wife than have to buy a new Disco. ... ;)

[davemc]

In the long run it might be cheaper to trade in the wife than have to buy a new Disco. ... ;)
thanks.. Maybe cheapest carry one Jerry can. Have to check laws where you can store then as I think they changed recently. Even a small one might be good for security on longer runs... Or we just stop every 2 hours and fill :(
yes looked at a few second hand D4's around $50k.. we get $10k trade in on the Mini so $40k change over and we get a D3 and a D4. The wife would like a D4 :)
Originally I said for school/creche runs I would look at a 5 seat car.. Maybe keep with Minis and get a Clubman $10k change over. Or a newer Countryman a few be around $20k swap over.. a D4 at $40k.. um...
The Discovery Sport comes out next year I say it be around $60k new for base..

[TerryO]

D3's are great vehicles and beat the pants off of other 4x4's on so many fronts. D4's just do it do much nicer again, it's pretty hard to get us out of the D4, we drive it at every opportunity.

If your wife likes the D4 then why not jump at the chance to get one, don't stress its only money. .... :angel:

[Rich84]

Amazing that there's such variation in fuel economy for the 2.7...


For comparison, towing a 2.0t camper trailer with four people in the car and fridges etc, I've never seen worse than 12L/100km.


My daily commute at the moment is 50% over 80km/h, 50% urban, the trip computer is reading 8.9L/100km. My Audi A4 1.8t quattro gets 8.3L/100km in the same conditions, can't complain with that!


Best I've seen it is driving across to Melbourne with 7.0L/100km.

[TerryO]

My D3 has 32" mud tyres fitted and front bar, winch, rear wheel carrier, sliders etc etc. so all of that also works against fuel economy. If I put the 18's back on with A/T's instead of MUDs the economy improves by about 1-1.5 litres per 100.

[davemc]

I'd rather $40k off the home loan.
I was originally looking $10-$20k change over, yes she love a D4 although...:)

It does seem it varies fuel wise depends on shape, weight of caravan and lead in foot:)

If I get a second hand D3 05-06 around 170k do you think it could turn into a money pit.
Locally in Vic I see a 05 with timing belt and air comp done $25k
Also one that had a new engine at 40k and 150 on the clock $26k

I normally always buy secondhand cars 30-40k on the clock a few years old once they take the price hit. Although trying not to spend $70k
on a low k's D4

[Epic pooh]

By the look of some of these fuel economies maybe you should look at an early V8 D3 which are available cheap. I get 14.5 on the open road towing my little van (1200kgs very good aero) at speed limit or more.

Any D3 can be a money pit given the age. IMO naturally ;)

[davemc]

By the look of some of these fuel economies maybe you should look at an early V8 D3 which are available cheap. I get 14.5 on the open road towing my little van (1200kgs very good aero) at speed limit or more.

Any D3 can be a money pit given the age. IMO naturally ;)

Hindsight prob should of got the V8 instead of the V6 as seems they are better on fuel..
We can do 11-13's without a van on the freeway which I find not bad.
Even thought our van is a poptop its a outback so 2.8 high with A/C on roof.
Do not think it helps.