used discovery 3

[salladam]

hi everyone...im new to this site as i am looking to buy our first land rover.
i am specifically looking at the discovery 3(used) as it is in our price range.
i was hoping i could get other owners perspectives and experiences on the discovery are as i am hearing good and bad (like most cars).

are parts more expensive than other cars aswell as services
is there always issues with the car.
is it hard to get parts

we are looking at trading in our 2003 prado and that has been a good car.

thanks

[shanegtr]

I do my own vehicle maintenance so I'll give you my prospective - I imagine it would be different if you where paying someone else to do most of the work. I've also not had my disco for very long:
Parts prices I haven't found to be too bad, certainly no more expensive than any other similar aged vehicles. In saying that there are a few expensive(for what they are) components. Getting parts is fine for me, any major bits I just order from the UK where they are plentiful and cheaper than here. As long as what every your doing is planned that's fine.


I run a TDV6 and the engine oil is more expensive (synthetic oil)than what Im used to, but there's only half as much compared to most Japanese diesels and the services are a little longer.
Auto oil is expensive, but its good quality synthetic and would be on par with most modern auto fluids.
Timing belts are on the more expensive side, but much longer service intervals than any Japanese car so its offset somewhat there.
I've had one drama with a front airbag leaking so replaced both front strut assemblies complete and new front wheel bearings as well. So far I haven't had any other dramas. I know front lower control arm bushes flog out quickly (compared to a Japanese 4wd), but you can get complete replacement arms cheap enough to do the job quickly.

[Nomad9]

Hi Salladam,
Another perspective, I've had three TDV6's D3's and I'm now on my first V6 petrol, had this one now for about twelve months. A lot of what is mentioned in the previous post applies to the petrol model. Front control arms, gearbox oil, etc etc.

Like Shane I do my own maintenance, yes sometimes it is a challenge however in LR land help is never far away via one avenue or the other. Parts are available, planned maintenance is the best approach, sometimes the occasional surprise can be exciting such as a transmission module or a broken brake light or brake light switch.

Personally I wouldn't now go back to the TDV6 after having the petrol V6, I had a split water outlet housing which nearly cost me a motor, I had an EGR valve to replace which took four days of my life I will never get back. No doubt a LR agent would have done it quicker and charged appropriately. Fuel pump belt have a look at one with a mirror enough said.

If you can afford the 3.0 diesel go for your life, I have heard nothing but good stories about them, the resale value reflects this. Me my next adventure later this year will be a V8 4.4 just got to find the right one at the right price. Saying that right now my V6 is giving me everything I need, really enjoying the experience. Great vehicle, standard livery no extras, goes well, comfortable, performs well off road, fairly economical depends on how much of a hurry I'm in. Tows well, at a price.

Enjoy the search, make sure you drive a few don't buy the first one you sit in despite feeling this urge to buy straight away. keep in touch with the forum there is truck oad of experience here, and opinions, you now have mine........

[carlschmid2002]

I have a 2005 V8 D3 and love it. If you can get hold of someone who owns one to check it out would be my best advice. There are a lot of little things that cost you money. I was lucky to purchase one that has all the fruit. The V8 can be a tad thirsty around town but maintenance costs are usually less than the TDV6. There are many parts suppliers in Australia and the UK and if you are handy you can fix most problems. If you need to hand it over to your friendly LR dealer expect frightening repair bills.

[Bens]

hey Salladam

the D3 is a beautiful car.

i have owned mine for nearly 12 months. it is a 2006 SE TDV6 with 200k kms. and in that time i have had to outlay quite a bit in cash to replace the following:

turbo
EGR
brake discs
suspension compressor

about three months ago through sheer frustration with my mechanic i decided to start trying to fix things on the car myself. i have zero experience with this type of work but have found it really straight forward if i take my time and do thorough searches on this and other forums to determine what an issue is and how to fix it.
parts by and large i dont find particularily expensive with the exception of the turbo and a suspension compressor.
services i had been paying about $450 for but will be doing them myself going forward.

i think i have got a lot of car for the money i paid and even with the above part replacements still feel like i am ahead. if you are willing to work on the car they are a great buy. if not, be prepared to spend a bit on mechanics bills, based on my experience.
good luck. Ben

[istuart918]

hi everyone...im new to this site as i am looking to buy our first land rover.
i am specifically looking at the discovery 3(used) as it is in our price range.
i was hoping i could get other owners perspectives and experiences on the discovery are as i am hearing good and bad (like most cars).

are parts more expensive than other cars aswell as services
is there always issues with the car.
is it hard to get parts

we are looking at trading in our 2003 prado and that has been a good car.

thanks


I had a low mileage 1997 2.7l Prado and it was a good car. Reliable and cheap to maintain although under powered. I've always wanted a Range Rover and a couple of years ago bought a 2007 TDV6 Discovery with 70,000 kms. The Disco has a luxurious feel and economical. I am annoyed that a number of extras (reversing camera, lockable fuel cap, Bluetooth phone connection) on the car don't work. Since I bought it I've spent the following:
(1) $1500 to servicing the automatic and replacing the sump pan
(2) $1500 tyres
(3) $1700 replaced the EGR valves
(4) $429 battery
(5) $2000 replaced front & rear timing belts and water pump
(6) $500 replaced top turbo hose and rear brake pads.


The car has now done 92,000kms. The annual service cost around $500.
The repairs are a lot more expensive than I was hoping and I don't have quite the same confidence on its reliability as the Prado. Good news is that the last mechanic I went to was the cheapest so far $968 (6 above + service) and I am happy with the work. I've changed workshops for all the above.


Am planning to have a good look around Uluru in August. Am hoping the car goes well.


Good luck on your journey with the Discovery.

[salladam]

Eeekkk....as much as I would love a discovery 3...I think it would be better financially for us if we went for something different....my husband would probs do the servicing but I dont think we could afford if something went wrong and kept going wrong plus we are not great on the regular care this car would need....thank you all for your replies

[~Rich~]

Bought a 2007 TDV6 Discovery with 70,000 kms. Since I bought it I've spent the following:
(1) $1500 to servicing the automatic and replacing the sump pan
(2) $1500 tyres
(3) $1700 replaced the EGR valves
(4) $429 battery
(5) $2000 replaced front & rear timing belts and water pump
(6) $500 replaced top turbo hose and rear brake pads.

The car has now done 92,000kms. .

Yes I agree the Disco is more expensive than a Prado to look after, perhaps a Pajero would of been a better choice for you.

$1500 seems excessive for the Auto pan and service.

In regard to your other costs - Tyres I recall all vehicles have those and they do tend to wear out, Disco or not they still do.
Same with batteries and brakes, most vehicles now a days tend to wear the discs and pads out quicker for better braking performance.

Why did you do the front and rear timing belts so early?
This expense could of been postponed until due at 110,000k.

[NomadicD3]

LOL, forgive me for thinking this amusing. If you are already concerned about the costs you should sell now.:p.
Wait til you've paid
$1000 for a tail shaft
$1800 rear diff
$1100 for EAS compressor
$1800 new AMK compressor
$2500 eas over haul
$2000 for another eas over haul
$2500 complete A/C system over haul
$6500 auto transmission rebuild
All that before 200,000k's
and that's not to mention the accessories $$$$ :D

As mentioned the gear box service with pan should have only been about $800-$1000
$429 for a battery??? Varta for $280???

[Roverlord off road spares]

Front suspension arms are also a common fail point

[istuart918]

Yes I agree the Disco is more expensive than a Prado to look after, perhaps a Pajero would of been a better choice for you.

$1500 seems excessive for the Auto pan and service.

In regard to your other costs - Tyres I recall all vehicles have those and they do tend to wear out, Disco or not they still do.
Same with batteries and brakes, most vehicles now a days tend to wear the discs and pads out quicker for better braking performance.

Why did you do the front and rear timing belts so early?
This expense could of been postponed until due at 110,000k.





Hi Rich,


I was told that it goes by age of the car and not just the kms. The mechanic showed me the belts afterwards and they did look worn. I think you are right about the steel pan. Think I got ripped off there. Agree with your comment about tyres and the battery was a Varta G14.


I'm hoping I'm onto a good workshop now and that I've done most of the major stuff.


Cheers Ian

[Nomad9]

Hi Salladam,
It doesn't matter to a point what you buy you could end up with unexpected bills, the Discovery 3 is a complex vehicle there is no getting away from it. If you are worried about diesel related issues like timing belts pick a petrol engine, the 4.0 V6 has a timing chain.
The money you save buying a petrol engine will offset the economy of the petrol V diesel discussion. A lot of the other stuff mentioned like batteries and tyres and brakes you'll pay for that on any vehicle, bottom front suspension arms are specific to the D3 if you are worried about air compressors and the expense of air compressors buy a coiler, you'll regret it later, however the initial cost will be cheaper.
The timing belt kit for my 100 series Land Cruiser cost me $1500 and that wasn't fitted.
If you do get a D3 just make sure you do the servicing right and you will have many kilometres of joyous motoring ahead of you. Don't try and cut corners and do it on the "really" cheap.

[DiscoDB]

Eeekkk....as much as I would love a discovery 3...I think it would be better financially for us if we went for something different....my husband would probs do the servicing but I dont think we could afford if something went wrong and kept going wrong plus we are not great on the regular care this car would need....thank you all for your replies

I can see how the replies could concern you. You did not mention what your price range was. Coming from a 2003 Prado you may want to consider a low km 2004 Discovery 2. The Discovery 2 was very advanced compared to the competition at the time, a sign of what was to come with the D3, and a great way to fall in love with Land Rovers.