Ready to pull trigger

[slipperysteve]

Hi All, seeing as how all of you have faced this issue here goes. Wanting(needing, the gold au falcon wagon is hateful) to buy a D3. There are a bunch near me, sunshine coast, under $20k. Petrol ones seem to have the lowest klms. My brother has been very happy with his. My preference is for a darker colour with the tan interior. Saying that I realize buying second hand you can't be too choosy. Apart from questions regarding service history and replacement parts are there any other questions to be asked?
I've been keeping an eye on carsales for months and would love to finish the week with a new car. Due to some serious medical issues I'm really trying to come up with a shortlist within reasonable distance.
If you were buying again which ones would make your list?
Cheers
Steve

[Russrobe]

The D3 4.4 V8 is the pick of the petrols if you can find one, use the same L/100 as the 6.(Mine averaged 15l/100km) In saying that all 3 are good engines.

I'd only go through a reputable dealer so if you've missed something in the test drive, you're not going to be out of pocket. Statutory warranty was priceless for me. May have had a bad run but many things were covered in the first 3 months.

Air suspension and leather, must haves. So easy to keep clean.

Few personal preferences, I liked the HSE the best for the fridge and sunroofs but really I ended up buying a large fridge for camping anyway...

I'd be aiming below 160k kms.

Transmission been serviced or rebuild.

Keep in mind the timing belt change at 160k km service, or 168 was it??? Anyway that will set you back somewhere between $1500-$2000. Not a big deal for the piece of mind it provides but you're going to need to either budget for it or buy one that has already had it done.

Depending on budget consider D4's. My 2010 tdv6 was $35K....

[scarry]

^^^^^^what he said,also don't go near one without service records,and also have it inspected by an LR independent.

MR at Redcliffe are the go,they are good LR speciallists.
Good luck

[rar110]

If you don't do many km and range is not required then it's worth considering a petrol.

My priority would be EAS, full service history and as young and low km as you can afford.

I'd also aim for a D4 if the budget will stretch, which will be a Tdv6.

[Disco-tastic]

I bought a petrol v6 for under 20k last year. 150k km SE with black leather. Have done just under 15k km in the first year of ownership. I have a thread on here with all my questions and is probably worth a read.

The V6 had a timing chain so no timing belt service required. From what people who have owned both have said the petrol is actually cheaper to own, because it's service costs are lower. It does hurt at the bowser sometimes tho...

Cheers

Dan

Thread is here
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eaulro%2Ecom%2Fafv b%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D220533&share_tid=220533&share_fid=669&share_type=t

Price vs Age - D3 or D4?

[Narangga]

I bought a petrol v6 for under 20k last year. 150k km SE with black leather. Have done just under 15k km in the first year of ownership. I have a thread on here with all my questions and is probably worth a read.

The V6 had a timing chain so no timing belt service required. From what people who have owned both have said the petrol is actually cheaper to own, because it's service costs are lower. It does hurt at the bowser sometimes tho...

Cheers

Dan

Thread is here
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eaulro%2Ecom%2Fafv b%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D220533&share_tid=220533&share_fid=669&share_type=t

Price vs Age - D3 or D4?

Ah but Dan, you should have been with me on the trip from Darwin to Adelaide last week :(

And have you bought petrol at $1.639 a litre like I did with diesel last week??? :Thump:

[Disco-tastic]

Would have loved to have joined you!

And yes, unfortunately i have bought petrol at $1.60 something. For me it works out at about $30/100km!! At least you get 10-12L/100km!

Its currently $1.45 for 98Ron, with diesel at $1.18. It makes me sad everytime the fuel light comes on :(

But then i realise i don't have to service an ultra high pressure fuel pump and injectors, and i dont have a turbo to fail, nor cracking intake plenums or intercooler hoses, or shattering oil pump casings, or timing belts to service, and i feel that little bit better on the inside :D

Dan

[slipperysteve]

Thanks fellas,
I only do 10k-12k klms a year so petrol price and range is fine. The one I really like which is in Mooloolaba has had front bushes done amongst a few other things for 19, 800. But it has 22s! Means more negotiation when a bloke called Harvey has a pristine white one with standard wheels for 17,500. Colour choice might be worth hundreds to me but not thousands.
Do twin speakers on the rear doors mean premium sound?
Should I ask for British Off Road to do a presale inspection or talk to the mechanic who has worked on the one in Mba for the last six years?

[Russrobe]

A D3 with 22s in the king of gangster mobiles. Plus they mean you can buy a second hand set of 18s for around 500 bucks and get some more serious 4x4 tyres that you might not want on for everyday use.

In fact if you have a look on gumtree there's 2 sets of 17" wheels that should fit on all but the v8 models for sale currently in your area for $500.

This one is also worth a look. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/narangba/cars-vans-utes/landrover-discovery3/1123506132

My favourite so far is this one because the transmission has been recently replaced. This could save you up to $7000. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mudgeeraba/cars-vans-utes/2005-land-rover-discovery-3-wagon/1121341514

There was 3 levels of sound system, the one you're talking about would be the mid spec, and is more than enough. The other you will mostly find on HSE models and is a 11 speaker system with 2 speakers near the 3rd row seat belts, and it sounds amazing.

[Russrobe]

This one is nice but in Vic... I waited for months for one like this to pop up in my area.

HSE V8 slightly more expensive at $22k but worth it...

2005 Land Rover Discovery 3 HSE Auto 4x4 (http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Land-Rover-Discovery-3-2005/OAG-AD-13468279/?Cr=4)

[slipperysteve]

[QUOTE=Russrobe;2596572]A D3 with 22s in the king of gangster mobiles. Plus they mean you can buy a second hand set of 18s for around 500 bucks and get some more serious 4x4 tyres that you might not want on for everyday use.

Haha Russrobe, that thought had crossed my mind. My 15yo son thinks that is the main selling point! The other one you linked has also made my shortlist.
Also read through your buying thread, great info in it thanks.
Another one that has made the shortlist http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/_/SSE-AD-4046094
but has two big holes in the front bumper. Any explanations? Nudge bar?

[Russrobe]

Yeah i'd say it was a nudge bar of some sort.

All 3 are worth a look. I'd go get a feel for the interiors, you'll see differences like some will have rear aircon(recommended if you're going to use the 3rd row), then theirs the 3 sound systems, leather colour(I only liked the almond colour but that's a personal preference). Some have the centre console fridge too.

If you hunt around there's some stand outs.

E-Diff(rear locker) is more of a big deal on the D3's if you're going to do plenty of off road use. And is another factory only option.

[slipperysteve]

I've noticed two of the cars I'm looking at have the tow bar blank in place. How hard, expensive is it to fit one. Factory or aftermarket?

[Russrobe]

Oh, so it just needs a tow hitch???

Most people with camper trailers seem to get the adjustable ones anyway.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/142001915888?lpid=107&chn=ps

Just need to put the pin through, easy...

Don't get that exact one though, there's threads on which one to get. Just an example

[Narangga]

I've noticed two of the cars I'm looking at have the tow bar blank in place. How hard, expensive is it to fit one. Factory or aftermarket?

They may well have the factory tow tongue fitting sitting inside in its hidey hole. That does sit very low and is not called 'the plough' for nothing.

Either something like Russ indicated or a Mitch Hitch is far better so there are options.

[Narangga]

Would have loved to have joined you!

And yes, unfortunately i have bought petrol at $1.60 something. For me it works out at about $30/100km!! At least you get 10-12L/100km!

Its currently $1.45 for 98Ron, with diesel at $1.18. It makes me sad everytime the fuel light comes on :(

But then i realise i don't have to service an ultra high pressure fuel pump and injectors, and i dont have a turbo to fail, nor cracking intake plenums or intercooler hoses, or shattering oil pump casings, or timing belts to service, and i feel that little bit better on the inside :D

Dan

Only driving at constipated snail pace around home. :(

Averaged 14.5 on the trip to Adelaide.

[Disco-tastic]

Only driving at constipated snail pace around home. :(

Averaged 14.5 on the trip to Adelaide.
Haha i would get about 22L/100km driving that slow. [emoji1] [emoji23] [emoji22] [emoji24]

[Disco-tastic]

E-Diff(rear locker) is more of a big deal on the D3's if you're going to do plenty of off road use. And is another factory only option.

It can actually be retrofitted. There was a guy in the UK that did it, and a place in sydney was selling one two weeks ago for just under $1500 fitted, with warranty. I wish i had the spare cash lying around!

[slipperysteve]

Tried to upload att.hope it worked.
Ended up with preferred buckingham blue with tan interior.
It is the one with 22 in.rims so advice on 17v18 in. replacements will be welcome.
One little win was the mid spec sound system with aux. jack to keep teenagers happy.:D

[Disco-tastic]

Looks great steve! There are plenty of 18 inch discovery rims on gumtree and ebay, such as these ones.

Discovery 17" rims are a bit harder to find, and many have gone for BMW X5 rims as discussed in this thread (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-4/233699-bmw-x5-wheels-onto-disco-3-a.html), though you need special wheel nuts, which cost about $100 once delivered.

What other plans do you have for it?

Cheers

Dan

[Milton477]

Great buy, did you get it inspected? With those wheels I would guess it hasn't been off road much.

[slipperysteve]

Thanks fellas,
I like the look of the v spoke 18s. Probably go with the ones on the Goldy.
A set of racks to carry boards and an awning to begin with.
I went into the ARB shop in Caloundra and they pointed out if I order from their tent at the Kawana 4wd show this weekend I'll get some pretty decent savings. Pretty fortuitous so I might get a few things like compressor, trax, recovery gear, rod clamps.
Most of my offroad is spent on sand surfing and fishing so the plan is to find a nudge bar that can carry a pair of Fyrlyt nemesis 9000.

[Russrobe]

Nice! You'll want either 265 60 18 or 285 60 18 tyres for the beach. If going for the 18s that is.

[TuffRR]

a place in sydney was selling one two weeks ago for just under $1500 fitted, with warranty. I wish i had the spare cash lying around!

More info please if you have it....

[Disco-tastic]

More info please if you have it....
deleted original post

I found it! It's on gumtree


Please view this ad:

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 3 REAR DIFF ASSEMBLY E-LOCKER RECONDITIONED,
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/seven-hills/other-parts-accessories/land-rover-discovery-3-rear-diff-assembly-e-locker-reconditioned/1089448489?utm_source=com.google.android.apps.docs&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialbuttonsVIP&utm_content=app_android

Cheers

Dan

[~Rich~]

I'll think you will find that installation is for a similarly equipped eDiff vehicle not one with the standard diff.

[Disco-tastic]

Possibly but if you can find a wiring harness it can be retrofitted.

[LandyAndy]

I have a limited understanding of Can Bus sytems.I would have thought in reality you could plug the control wires in anywhere on the can bus system as in reality the can bus visits every component on the vehicle.The canbus would then control whatever relay the E diff needs for power etc.Of course one would need to turn on the E diff option to make it all work.
I started building a can bus system in my boat.Unfortunately since Deb got sick it hasn't been used.I fitted a Lowrance HDS9 Touch sounder.It runs a Can Bus system to monitor engines etc.You simply keep piggybacking what ever you wanted to add to the can bus.I started with the fuel monitor,basically just a fuel flow monitor on the fuel line.It gave fuel used,LPH,distance to empty etc.You could also add temp,oil pressure,RPM,trim tabs,water tank level,etc etc etc.
Andrew

[TuffRR]

ah ok. Bit more to it than that for a vehicle not originally fitted. I have the full instructions to do it, but chasing up all the parts and then time to get it done has been prohibitive. Besides, not convinced the extra 5% in capability is worth it given vehicles existing ability. That's what the winch is for. :)

[~Rich~]

Buy 2 x airlockers instead ;)

[TuffRR]

Buy 2 x airlockers instead ;)

I'd buy just one if ARB ever pull their finger out and sort out one for the rear of a D4.

[~Rich~]

Yeah D4 no rear :(
But Dan who asked the question has a D3!

[Disco-tastic]

Rich, after seeing yours with an ediff and previously owning a twin locked D1, I'd prefer the ediff i think. No air lines and whatnot, and yours never seemed to lack traction.