Buying a used Disco 3 . . Will the pleasure outweigh the pain?

[Leonoates]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and hoping to shortly fulfill a boyhood dream of Land Rover ownership . . . . . . question is which Landy? . . . .Having a family who wants comfort, a frequent need for a sixth or seventh seat and the occasional need to tow stuff I'm thinking a Disco 3 TDV6 is the way to go but should I being blowing the whole budget of $30kish on a 3 with 250k or more on the clock or perhaps a fewer kms but a patchy service history, going for a petrol? or should I save some money up front and get the best late model series 2 td5 I can find or should I heaven forbid hold off on the dream until I have come more dough and get Soft reader n the meantime?

Practically I'll be using the car mainly around town with weekends in the mud from time to time and I'll need to have it serviced and maintained by a garage.

Any thought or suggestions appreciated

[rar110]

If you are patient, have cash and can make a decision quickly you can pick up a late D3 with 150,000km in good used condition for $30,000. I've spent 6 mths looking and good ones come up but go quickly. Eg I missed out on the following 2008 SE D3s: • private Sale $30,000 150,000km white satnav, dual battery, e-diff, auto service done. Sold in a day. • Brisbane dealer $34750 DA 147,000km grey cream interior. • Brisbane private sale $27400, 96,000km, silver, black interior, sold in a day.

[Ean Austral]

Gday and Welcome to the forum,


There has been lots of discussion recently on the diesel vs petrol D3 and for your intended usage a petrol may be a good option, especially when you factor in the price and spec difference.


I have noticed the price of the D3 has fallen a lot in the last 12 months as the early D4 are now coming on the market. Just do your home work, don't rush and keep an eye on the markets section on this forum as there is always some good bargains to be had.


Personally I would look at a D3 rather than a D2. There is plenty of info on this site about the D3 and the things to look out for.


Cheers Ean

[gusthedog]

It depends :D. If it were me in your boat I'd buy a tricked up D2a td5 for $15-20k and go on a holiday. I'd then use the remaining budget to fix anything that goes wrong. I am a complete tight arse though and do my own maintenance :D If you have a good in dependant Landy bloke near you it can make it much easier too. My closest Landy mechanic is 150kms away and I'd never take it to a local garage. So I do my own minor stuff and will go the 150kms if I have to.

So my choice would be D2a. At least with your budget if it breaks you can afford to fix it. And it is a Landy so chances are it will break down at some point :wasntme:

[Bytemrk]

Welcome Leonoates,

As the others have said you can get a good D3 for that money. However you will need to do plenty of homework and be patient. Proper service history will be a real key to ensuring you start right.

Jump into the D3/D4/RRS section of the forum and read heaps - it will help you fully understand what to look for and the keys to getting this decision right.

Welcome to the forum and enjoy your stay.

[Leonoates]

Does anybody have any hints for things I should be looking, for on a disco 3. For example I've heard that they need a full flush of the transmission fluid at around 100k and the suspension needs often need new airbags at 150k. I guess I'm trying to get myself together a checklist for when I go and look at vehicles

[Rich84]

Transmission service is a definite one - 100k is fine but preferably it'd be at 80k. If that hasn't been done, factor in $2.5K for a new torque converter and trans service, because the TC lockup clutch friction lining will almost surely be damaged beyond repair.

168K or 7 years is timing belt and HPFP belt replacement time for the TDV6. You will also want to make sure the oil pump has been replaced as a pre-emptive, as the original pumps are known to fatigue crack around where the timing belt tensioner is mounted, which leads to failure of the timing belt and with it the rest of the engine. There is a new version available with beefed up metal webbing to prevent the problem.

For the air suspension it is mainly the compressor that wears out or fails due to being starved by a blocked air intake. The intake is servicable and can prolong the life of the compressor if tended to early. The airbags themselves are over-engineered and rarely fail. Normally they will outlast the shock absorbers.

The alternator is a weak point - very common failure.

Other than that they're pretty reliable cars and very enjoyable to drive and cover great distances in. I get comments on my RRS all the time and people asking about it - people like yourself probably who are thinking about buying them. I always recommend the newer LRs - they're great cars.

[BUNGLE BUNGLES]

We just bought our first 2008 petrol Disco 3 last week , 83 k kms on the clock for 25 k , was a bargain but we knew it required new lower control arm bushes , brake rotors - all these are expected maintenance items for a D3 about 2.5 k to replace .

Also make sure all the doors lock with the remote as well - common fault

What we didn't expect is now and then the "Transmission - Limited number of gears available" after we bought it . Not trying to get off topic , what does this mean ??????

[LandyAndy]

We just bought our first 2008 petrol Disco 3 last week , 83 k kms on the clock for 25 k , was a bargain but we knew it required new lower control arm bushes , brake rotors - all these are expected maintenance items for a D3 about 2.5 k to replace .

Also make sure all the doors lock with the remote as well - common fault

What we didn't expect is now and then the "Transmission - Limited number of gears available" after we bought it . Not trying to get off topic , what does this mean ??????

It means you parked close to a later model D4 and they had a chat.The D4 was telling the D3 it had 2 more gears;);););)
Leg pulling of course,Im sure the brains trust will come up with an answer.
Goodluck
Andrew

[CaptAwsm]

So, I bought a D3 TDV6 a few months ago now and with a budget of $30k you should be able to buy something good. My tips are definitely budget for a steel pan replacement on your auto box. The whole sealed for life thing is a load of rubbish. Also bear in mind that 168k is when the timing belts due on the TDV6, if you can find one that's had it done then you're on a winner.

If fuel consumption isn't such a big concern, pick the petrol. Runs a timing chain so no timing belt to worry about.

Ben.

[Epic pooh]

What we didn't expect is now and then the "Transmission - Limited number of gears available" after we bought it . Not trying to get off topic , what does this mean ??????

Check the battery state, condition of brake light switch and tail lamp bulbs.

[Epic pooh]

The brake light switch should be a service item - I'd change it every three years. If the car has sat around prior to purchase, charge the battery.

[Rich84]

Check the battery state, condition of brake light switch and tail lamp bulbs.

Hahaha, you really do have to love our cars... nobody would ever think to check the brake light bulbs to diagnose a transmission problem!!

[Epic pooh]

"Princess Disco" is what a hunjy driving mate calls mine. He also often says "you got up there on road tyres". So not all bad :)

Even the service manager at my local dealership hangs his head in dispair - he said once that it was a tactic to get you in and charge you like a wounded bull for a nonexistent problem. Remarkable honesty, surprising he has a job there haha

[Markk]

The answer has got to be YES. They look fantastic and when things work they are formidable off road in standard condition, quite the pleasure to own and operate on road.
But, I find its the closest thing to becoming a mechanic, there is always something needing work. And everything is a pain to get at and a big pain to pay for, that's of course if you can work out what's causing the problem.
We have to love them. on reflection the pleasure does out way the pain.:)


You've got a great deal of advise and a great bunch of people on this site to share your experience with. Go for it.

[Leonoates]

Thank you all for your advice.

I like suggestion of getting a well sorted late 2 and using the balance of the budget on a trip . . . . But that requires balancing kids hols, my leave, wife's leave etc.

Actually found a D3 I liked at the weekend - more kms than I'd have liked but immaculate service history and super tidy - am having a mechanic go over it tomorrow so hopefully I'll be a fully fledged Land Rover owner by the weekend!

[Cliffy]

Hope it goes well for you!

[TerryO]

Having both a D2a and a D3 personally I'd go the D3.

D2's are still great for what they are and cost but have little carrying capacity in comparison, ride poorly in comparison, slow and gutless in comparison, noisy and like a truck to drive in comparison. Are very old technology in comparison.

If you can handle paying a little extra up front as you drive for fuel, then the V8 I reckon is the go, most of the expensive maintenance issues a D3 has are Diesel engine related. The V8's just soldier on costing stuff all to maintain and with very few issues in comparison to a TDV6, plus they are cheaper to buy so you often get a low mileage HSE for the price of a high mileage SE TDV6.

Most people want to buy a TDV6 because they reckon they are saving money on running costs, in many cases this is a false economy, the cost of maintenance and repairs on a TDV6 over time will far out strip the difference in the extra fuel costs of a V8, especially as the TDV6's get older.

Using this logic after weighing up all the options and the type driving I do I brought a 5 litre V8 petrol D4 over a diesel D4. However if I was towing a large van around Australia on a constant long term basis then I would have seriously considered buying a diesel.

Good luck in your decision making and search.

[Tassiefender]

Welcome to the forum. Trust me - the vested knowledge in this place will settle your beating heart and stop emotional reactions to warning lights etc, so read widely!

In all seriousness, I'd definitely opt for a D3. That said (and having experienced the reality), I'd search for one post-2007. The earlier models had a few bugs that incurred $$$ (cargo door freezing, compressor, etc etc). A 2008 SE should be achievable with your budget. Petrol versus diesel? I am biased to diesel, but your call. If you decide on petrol, just be aware of likely thirst and try for one with less kms.

Good luck!

[V2Evo96]

Having both a D2a and a D3 personally I'd go the D3.

D2's are still great for what they are and cost but have little carrying capacity in comparison, ride poorly in comparison, slow and gutless in comparison, noisy and like a truck to drive in comparison. Are very old technology in comparison.

If you can handle paying a little extra up front as you drive for fuel, then the V8 I reckon is the go, most of the expensive maintenance issues a D3 has are Diesel engine related. The V8's just soldier on costing stuff all to maintain and with very few issues in comparison to a TDV6, plus they are cheaper to buy so you often get a low mileage HSE for the price of a high mileage SE TDV6.

Most people want to buy a TDV6 because they reckon they are saving money on running costs, in many cases this is a false economy, the cost of maintenance and repairs on a TDV6 over time will far out strip the difference in the extra fuel costs of a V8, especially as the TDV6's get older.

Using this logic after weighing up all the options and the type driving I do I brought a 5 litre V8 petrol D4 over a diesel D4. However if I was towing a large van around Australia on a constant long term basis then I would have seriously considered buying a diesel.

Good luck in your decision making and search.

Well said TerryO, and exactly the reason I chose a 2009 D3V6 SE with 68k on the clock (unable to find a V8 at the time and couldn't pass on this one).

Had the full auto flush at 60k incl an upgrade compressor with full service history for $34,000 - bought in March this year. Was NSW registered and passed Vic roadworthy with no issues at all.

Magnificent machine but I agree if I were going to tow a float or van I would have bought a TDV6.
All good very happy.

[rar110]

Well said TerryO, and exactly the reason I chose a 2009 D3V6 SE with 68k on the clock (unable to find a V8 at the time and couldn't pass on this one). Had the full auto flush at 60k incl an upgrade compressor with full service history for $34,000 - bought in March this year. Was NSW registered and passed Vic roadworthy with no issues at all. Magnificent machine but I agree if I were going to tow a float or van I would have bought a TDV6. All good very happy.

That was a good buy.