Potential D3 purchase? Thoughts?

[Timmy]

So the thought of going D3 has crossed my mind to level up from my current D2 TD5.

I've been doing some light reading about potential problems, particularly in early D3s such as steel oilpans, non-serviced transmissions, compressors, and of particular interest is the TDV6 vs V8 camps in terms of capital outlay and longer term servicing/fuel costs.

So here's an example of a particularly cheap, high km V8. Can I get thoughts on the potential cans of worms that I'm opening please.

2005 Land Rover Discovery 3 SE Silver Automatic 6SP A Wagon in NSW | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2005-Land-Rover-Discovery-3-SE-Silver-Automatic-6sp-A-Wagon-/252064256967?hash=item3ab03353c7)

It is quite cheap given it's also the SE. I know it means there is likely something that is going to need replacing. Given the low outlay, what are thoughts on how it would fare if I can't afford too much more?

[LandyAndy]

Is VERY cheap.
Ks arent over the top,25000 a year.
The V8 mob will be saying buy buy buy.
The V8 is more economical than the V6 petrol.I did look into it when I started dreaming of upgrading from my D2,I ended up hocking myself up for a new D4.
Buy it,knowing you may have to help it along financially,no different to owning a D2.You wont belive the difference between a D2 and a D3,they made a huge step forward!!!
ENJOY
Andrew

[DiscoDB]

A $13k V8 D3 could make a nice addition. Just keep the D2.

The only concern I would have is would you pay $20k for it if it had a new gearbox? Other than normal maintenance that is probably the worse case scenario.

[Timmy]

Keeping D2 isn't an option unfortunately.
I forgot to mention, a key reason for looking at moving to a D3 is that we currently have a D2 (2" lift), and an X-Trail. We have to downsize to one car as I am getting a company car in the next 6 months (sedan).
My argument is to keep the D2, but wife says it's too tall and hard to get kids in and out (2yr + 6mnth olds). I want to keep a 'real' 4WD, but X-trail is practical around town for her.
If I can sell her of "access mode" (is this as easy as I've read? press button it lowers 20mm to get in/out) and not lift the D3 could be a go-er. Bonus is she does like how they look!

[LandyAndy]

Keeping D2 isn't an option unfortunately.
I forgot to mention, a key reason for looking at moving to a D3 is that we currently have a D2 (2" lift), and an X-Trail. We have to downsize to one car as I am getting a company car in the next 6 months (sedan).
My argument is to keep the D2, but wife says it's too tall and hard to get kids in and out (2yr + 6mnth olds). I want to keep a 'real' 4WD, but X-trail is practical around town for her.
If I can sell her of "access mode" (is this as easy as I've read? press button it lowers 20mm to get in/out) and not lift the D3 could be a go-er. Bonus is she does like how they look!

And with a Liams kit you can lower it below and lift it over the factory specs;););););)
Andrew

[AnD3rew]

A $13k V8 D3 could make a nice addition. Just keep the D2.

The only concern I would have is would you pay $20k for it if it had a new gearbox? Other than normal maintenance that is probably the worse case scenario.

Yes I would tend to agree it is extremely cheap and from the pictures it looks reasonable on the surface. About $7k is a good number to keep up your sleeve for a disaster for a transmission. EAS compressor is a bit over $1k, full set of shocks and airbags is probably around $2-3k. If you can confirm that it has had a steel pan on the transmission and had at least one transmission flush it would be a bonus.

[Timmy]

The price makes me think that it's "dealer bait" so that you either call up or head in to see it and they say 'Sorry you just missed it, but we have this similar one for just a little more. It's in much better condition and of course we do finance!'.
Either way, I'm not in a rush - doesn't help that it's in NSW and I'm in VIC.

I might spend this weekend going and sitting in a few to see how I like them in person :)

[justinc]

The v8 is an excellent prospect unless towing heavyish loads. They'll do it ok it 8s just the fuel range is a worry. Unladen hwy expect as low as 12l/100km and with no timing belts,expensive fuel system tepairs and maintrnance of the diesel variant it truly is a bargain. They sound great too 😎.

[Timmy]

Thanks Justin.
So towing with the V8 will just be thirsty work, right? I have a 21ft boat that I seldom tow, and that I estimate would be 2.5t with trailer. Never a long trip, not more than say 50-100km.
The other towable is a camper trailer, that is approx 350kg loaded up.
There does seem to be a lot going for the V8 on paper.

[Timmy]

So the more I've looked, the higher my budget has gone haha!

Have found an 05 tdv6 hse that myself and the wife are fond of. Seems to have had lots of the 'standard' issues addressed.

steel pan, recently replaced lower control arms, replaced compressor, llams kit.

Only concern is it is an earlier D3. Anything else I need to worry about with them?

[PeterOZ]

So the more I've looked, the higher my budget has gone haha!

Have found an 05 tdv6 hse that myself and the wife are fond of. Seems to have had lots of the 'standard' issues addressed.

steel pan, recently replaced lower control arms, replaced compressor, llams kit.

Only concern is it is an earlier D3. Anything else I need to worry about with them?

how many kms? Has it had timing belt/chains done? Has it had the upgraded oil pump housing replaced then?
Trans service?
HP fuel pump?
small things like intercooler hoses, plastic coolant cross over pipe, shocks/airbags and other suspension parts.


Service history and by who? Signs of heavy off road use? LLAMS makes me think it has done a lot of offroad use.


just things to consider. 2005 is now very old.

[Timmy]

how many kms? Has it had timing belt/chains done? Has it had the upgraded oil pump housing replaced then?
Trans service?
HP fuel pump?
small things like intercooler hoses, plastic coolant cross over pipe, shocks/airbags and other suspension parts.


Service history and by who? Signs of heavy off road use? LLAMS makes me think it has done a lot of offroad use.


just things to consider. 2005 is now very old.

All excellent questions! Exactly why I posted this haha!

220km, timing belt done at 190km as the new owner didn't know if it had been done. Oil housing is unknown. Trans has been serviced and given steel pan. Fuel pump I'd say hasn't been done.
Front shocks/bags have been done.

No signs of any offroad use, which is funny given the llams. Was put on for looks. Either that or has had a fantastic under body clean! Other things that suggest are no body scratching, pristine rock sliders.

Service history has been kept but has changed from dealer to dealer, from memory majority were land rovers specialists.

Here is the car. Please no one Al this from under me haha!

https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Land-Rover-Discovery-3-2005/SSE-AD-3595859

[PeterOZ]

All excellent questions! Exactly why I posted this haha!

220km, timing belt done at 190km as the new owner didn't know if it had been done. Oil housing is unknown. Trans has been serviced and given steel pan. Fuel pump I'd say hasn't been done.
Front shocks/bags have been done.

No signs of any offroad use, which is funny given the llams. Was put on for looks. Either that or has had a fantastic under body clean! Other things that suggest are no body scratching, pristine rock sliders.

Service history has been kept but has changed from dealer to dealer, from memory majority were land rovers specialists.

Here is the car. Please no one Al this from under me haha!

https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Land-Rover-Discovery-3-2005/SSE-AD-3595859 (http://<br /> https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Land-Rover-Discovery-3-2005/SSE-AD-3595859)



Only things that worry me are high chances of the timing belts/chains/tensioner giving way and the engine beating itself to death.


I had mine done about 20 thou ago, did not get the upgraded housing though as indie LR spec advised they had never seen one fail and not to waste my money. $13k later and a new 2nd hand engine fitted . . .


LLAMs and rocksliders fitted mmmmm makes me wonder about what sort of lie it has had.


Worse case $13 - 22k for new engine
Trans $7k
HP fuel pump $5k - might be less
air comp - $1.2k
diffs and transfer case I'm not sure, front diff is about $1500 I think.


I nurse mine now as I can't really afford to get rid of it or buy something new and have to get some return on the new engine.


If you have the budget look for much lower km vehciles, maybe a good D4. Again comes down to budget to play with. At 220,000km you will need to factor in some hefty repair bills at some stage just as I am looking at now.


I was planning on trading mine in at the 3 year mark and get a new one under novated lease. end of marraige and I still have the D3. Go figure.


I probably should sell it and buy an old bomb station wagon!

[TerryO]

I can't get the link to work Tim, so your safe. ... ;)

Plenty of early D3's have done lots more k's then 220 and still going very well. As for Llams and sliders, no big deal even if it has been off road a bit, these vehicles off road are reasonably hard to break.

[Timmy]

Haha make sure you click it in my post, not in the quoted reply

[Bytemrk]

Terry was right...something funky going on with the link in your original post...but I fixed it for you. ;)

[TerryO]

It looks nice, has he got the original wheels? The condition of them would tell you how hard it has been bashed or not.

Plenty of these vehicles get half or all the way built up for the big off road trip and never see the dirt. If it had been bashed off road then the black paint would show it.

Chances are if it has Llams then someone on here has owned it.

My one has seen plenty of hard off road usage and still goes strong, even with the bumps and creases in the panels and dented chassis rails.

As I said yours looks like a nice one, good luck.

[Narangga]

If current owner had the timing belts done does he have the receipts or is he able to tell you who did the work?

That would be one way of finding out if a new oil pump housing was fitted, which I think is the main question not yet answered.

Enjoying ours - just can't get the remotes to work :(

[Timmy]

I believe they did the work themselves. I've also found out they work at a Landrover workshop, so I'm a lot more confident now. Had it looked over by my normal mechanic and he said it's in really good nick.
I've committed to the buy now!

[Narangga]

I believe they did the work themselves. I've also found out they work at a Landrover workshop, so I'm a lot more confident now. Had it looked over by my normal mechanic and he said it's in really good nick.
I've committed to the buy now!

I would still try and find out of the oil pump housing was changed. Can be a problem if it hasn't been because then you are in to engine change territory if that fails.

[LRD414]

I would still try and find out of the oil pump housing was changed. Can be a problem if it hasn't been because then you are in to engine change territory if that fails.
Yep, Timmy have a read of these threads.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/221962-timing-belt-failure.html
DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Support the oil pump casing investigation (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic107148-375.html) particularly page 26

Cheers,
Scott
PS ... Not trying to put you off. Just to be aware. Still a good value prospect.

[Narangga]

And this one

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/223282-d3-tdv6-clunk-bang-stop.html

[Timmy]

So I ended up buying it...

Oh my god they are a completely different car to the D2!

Confirmed timing belt done at 190k as wasn't sure when it was done but was advised it was already updated.

Fingers crossed it stays happy!

Have already purchased some 17" king rims and mickey t a/t's (used but ok) 265/70/17 should just squeeze in.

Can't wait to take it off the black top and test it out!!

[Narangga]

Having bought one 2 months ago - yes they are very different to the D2 :cool:

All the best with it.

[Narangga]

N/A

[Bytemrk]

Can't wait to take it off the black top and test it out!!

I think you may be risking Peragrin :cool:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/764.jpg


I am sure you will not be disappointed.

[Timmy]

I think you may be risking Peragrin :cool:

Taking it out this coming weekend! Have bought a travall barrier and a set of King rims 17" with 265/70/17 mickey t atz (used but they'll do!).

Can't wait - it's amazing to drive 😊