Air suspension miss or hit?

[Brendan1477]

Hi all, I'm looking to buy a second hand disco 3. I've noticed a couple for sale without the air suspension, given that the main problem with this car is the suspension I'm I wiser to buy one without?
The car will be going off road and towing a camper trailer.
Cheers

[DiscoJeffster]

Hi all, I'm looking to buy a second hand disco 3. I've noticed a couple for sale without the air suspension, given that the main problem with this car is the suspension I'm I wiser to buy one without?
The car will be going off road and towing a camper trailer.
Cheers

The air suspension is the best part of the car. Maintain it and it’s no problems.

[PerthDisco]

I've noticed a couple for sale without the air suspension, given that the main problem with this car is the suspension I'm I wiser to buy one without?

Fake news

This has been popping up a lot of late. Russian infiltration of the website perhaps.

With the slight chance of replacing a compressor problems are almost unheard of (and not hard or expensive to fix).

Mine still original everything at 10 years and 180k kms.

Did change the desiccant in the compressor though.

[weeds]

From what I read.....potential owner is

Compressor, easy fix prior to becoming an issue, probably already sorted on a D3

Bags seem to be bulletproof proof

Other than that it’s the bushes that I read most about, again easy maintenance item.

[DiscoJeffster]

I got 242,000km out of my original bags/shocks and have only changed them to guarantee reliability outback. They were still fine, though the shocks were a bit pogo-ish. Expected, same as on any car with that mileage.

I did a compressor rebuild on mine yesterday as well and it was in good condition and showing no issues. Desiccant was good. I decided I’d refresh it before it caused issues, again preventative maintenance only. I carry a spare front and rear suspension height sensor for remote travel, plus a front and rear abs sensor, but have never needed them. Again, for remote use.

They’re unquestionably more complex than a leaf spring or coil spring setup, but the ability for self levelling for weight change, the ability to raise and lower on the move, the extended height option when you’re bogged in sand, make it all worth it

[Brendan1477]

Cheers for the responses, I've always wanted a disco and since moving to Australia from the UK there now is a legitimate reason to buy one, but wife is ringing in my ear about reliability and getting stuck in the outback "can't you just buy a Prado!! All our friends have them" "ohhh a Land rover not here in Australia mate" is all I'm hearing

[Ean Austral]

I think you may find its an S model. Some D3's were made with coil suspension , but my understanding is they DONT have the terrain response system. - I may be corrected on this but think I am correct.

The D3's air suspension is a BIG step up from the D2. Personally I would go for the air suspension after doing several corrugated roads and seeing the difference to coil sprung suspension.

Cheers Ean

[cripesamighty]

I don't think I have ever seen a D3 coiler optioned with Terrain Response advertised anywhere. On the other hand most of the manual D3's were coilers, but occasionally you found one with Terrain Response. See recent carsales advert below.

We've taken a wrong turn (https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Land-Rover-Discovery-3-2006/OAG-AD-15416246/?Cr=0)

I recently bought a 2006 D3 TDV6 after test driving a coiler optioned D3 as well. Not much in it between the two onroad, but a bit of difference offroad. Depends what you want to do with it. One of the guys at the gym just bought a D3 4.0L petrol on coils and absolutely loves it. Granted, he won't be doing any offroading (so no 2" lift required), but the versatility of the D3 was for him a winner.

[Charliektm400exc]

"can't you just buy a Prado!! All our friends have them"

This sounds familiar. But I talked to the one friend who actually knows what he’s talking about. He’s on his third rebuild of injector system. He said whatever you do, don’t buy a Prado.

I’ve got a Disco 3. 😀

[RANDLOVER]

The D3 air suspension was so successful that LR didn't even offer coils on the D4's.

[Graeme]

JLRA didn't spec any coiler D4s but they were available in other countries.

[Lockee]

Best thing is to agree with the Prado fan boys. Means there are more Rovers for us and we can afford them

[Brendan1477]

Thanks for the responses, have a great Christmas

[DiscoMick]

Cheers for the responses, I've always wanted a disco and since moving to Australia from the UK there now is a legitimate reason to buy one, but wife is ringing in my ear about reliability and getting stuck in the outback "can't you just buy a Prado!! All our friends have them" "ohhh a Land rover not here in Australia mate" is all I'm hearing
Usual Toyota propaganda. Toyota's break down too.

[Spuds]

Hi all, I'm looking to buy a second hand disco 3. I've noticed a couple for sale without the air suspension, given that the main problem with this car is the suspension I'm I wiser to buy one without?
The car will be going off road and towing a camper trailer.
Cheers
Hi, there are issues with air suspension. If the air drying dessicant in the compressor got moisture saturated it can turn into fine dust that gets blown into pipes and valve blocks, they then do not seal properly and the car slowly sinks, then the compressor has to run a lot more, then the battery suffers because the compressor starts straight after the engine has just been started and if it’s hot the a/c gets cranked up and sucks more out of the battery. Then the fault bongs start and you grind to a hault with voltage related communication issues between modules.
Keep dessicant fresh, clean grit/dust from o’rings in valve blocks, o’ring kits for these are available.. if raising slowly and other problems get a compressor rebuild kit which is fairly easy to do and cheap.
P.s piece of mind coils would give less sleepless nights.
However I have air with llams and it is great. A very cheap suspension lift kit compared to coils and shocks.

[Discoagogo]

When I researched buying my 3 I thought just Like you and looked for an airless model but bought an air suspension version and am very glad I did, if you tow anything air levelling is brilliant, remember 3 s are getting on a bit in years maint is as always the key

[orville]

"can't you just buy a Prado!! My last 4wd was a Prado, I owned it long enough to know the Discovery is a better vehicle. I just drove around Australia. Broke a windscreen, wheel brake sensor (soldered it up) and wore out a set of tyres. Great car, best I 'be owned.

[leungp]

Hi, there are issues with air suspension. If the air drying dessicant in the compressor got moisture saturated it can turn into fine dust that gets blown into pipes and valve blocks, they then do not seal properly and the car slowly sinks, then the compressor has to run a lot more, then the battery suffers because the compressor starts straight after the engine has just been started and if it’s hot the a/c gets cranked up and sucks more out of the battery. Then the fault bongs start and you grind to a hault with voltage related communication issues between modules.
Keep dessicant fresh, clean grit/dust from o’rings in valve blocks, o’ring kits for these are available.. if raising slowly and other problems get a compressor rebuild kit which is fairly easy to do and cheap.
P.s piece of mind coils would give less sleepless nights.
However I have air with llams and it is great. A very cheap suspension lift kit compared to coils and shocks.

Thanks for the comment. I absolutely agreed that the air suspension is a must have on the Discovery. Do you think I could do this maintainence work of the compressor in the parking lot？Do you have more information to share with us？

[vee8auto]

Thanks for the responses, have a great Christmas

the responses are a bit misleading as they are glossing over the known faults, some of them are showstoppers. User 'Spuds' has given some good advice.

Do more research, on this forum and the Disco3.co.uk forum and make an informed decision. For instance, why do people fit LLAMS systems?, or go to the trouble of putting in different height offset calibrations for off-road?

The D3 / D4 air suspension is one of the best and one of the worst aspects of the car. You now have only one realistic choice of shock absorbers, and if the air suspension drops its bundle you are not moving anywhere. Coils will never do that to you.

And if you are planning a big trip, get a diagnostic tool and get familiar with it...... regardless, buy one anyway.

[DiscoJeffster]

Do you think I could do this maintainence work of the compressor in the parking lot？Do you have more information to share with us？

You could replace it in a parking lot, but a recondition requires a vice etc.

[101RRS]

the responses are a bit misleading

and if the air suspension drops its bundle you are not moving anywhere.

Yes responses are misleading. If the suspension does drop its bundle you can still drive - an plenty of people have - yes ride is awful and most uncomfortable but if needed you can still move. There is a post a couple of years back where a guy drove 500km in the outback on the bumpstops - yep ground clearance is an issue but carefuldriving fixes that.

A GOE EAS inflation kit is cheap insurance this issue.

[ken wallace]

Thanks for the responses, have a great Christmas

Even though we have changed all 4 air bags ( struts ) at 200K and lived with an intermittent fault with the suspension for several years until Land Rover finally tracked it down to a wire in the rear. ( $6000 later ) it is now great to have the car performing as it should again.
As I side issue we now have a brake booster problem which they want another $5000 to fix so we are replacing the vehicle with a 2012 SDV6 with air suspension ( because nothing beats the comfort of it )

2005 2.7L TDV6 SE
250,000kms

[Tins]

"can't you just buy a Prado!! All our friends have them"

You got kids? You and SWMBO need to go for a drive in a Prado. Get someone else to drive, and you sit in the back. Don't drive on a new road, find one that is a little bit rough. See what you will put your kids through if you get a Prado. The ride in the back is appalling. I went 250k there and 250k back in my stepson's 2105 Prado, and I swear I'll never get in the back again.

[Tins]

Y

A GOE EAS inflation kit is cheap insurance this issue.

$330 ( large kit ) makes it a no brainer.

[vee8auto]

Yes responses are misleading. If the suspension does drop its bundle you can still drive - an plenty of people have - yes ride is awful and most uncomfortable but if needed you can still move. There is a post a couple of years back where a guy drove 500km in the outback on the bumpstops - yep ground clearance is an issue but carefuldriving fixes that.

A GOE EAS inflation kit is cheap insurance this issue.

Yes, careful driving will help sometimes, but other times it wont.

What I'm referring to are tracks that demand high clearance such as rocky ground, badly wheel rutted tracks. Or just deep beach sand or sandy coastal tracks.

And that reminds me... must fit an emergency inflation system.

edit: just spent a week down south, WA. towed camper trailer down and explored some coastal tracks into surf spots. With all new air struts, all new control arms with bushes etc, = what a lovely ride.

But I wouldnt liked having to pay someone to supply and fit all the stuff.

[kreecha]

I'd like to add to this thread. I hope it influences OP for the best [emoji106]

Just last week, before I had my engine issues, on the original shocks and bags (2nd compressor),
I had myself and wife in front row,
baby, 2 y.o, mum and MIL In second row,
5 y.o and 3 y.o in third row and we selected "off-road" height.

Crossed a couple of rivers and went swimming.

I bought a D3 following my experiences with an R51 pathfinder (IRS) chopping out rear tyres due to load (towball weight and GCM/GVM under Nissan limits) and a superb wheel alignment guru in Darwin setting up the suspension.

We have used the D3/D4 weight calculator to ensure we will always stay under GVM (I am a nerd/stickler for following most rules set by our (moderately capable) government bodies)

Please get a D3 with SLS

[oldbloke]

My son in law has a D4 2011 and the front air system leaks and LR want $5000 to repair. The park brake is faulty $3000 to repair, now the rear hatch door won't open. I wouldn't have one on my mind, ive got an old PATROL and it just keeps going. [bighmmm]

[DiscoJeffster]

My son in law has a D4 2011 and the front air system leaks and LR want $5000 to repair. The park brake is faulty $3000 to repair, now the rear hatch door won't open. I wouldn't have one on my mind, ive got an old PATROL and it just keeps going. [bighmmm]

Thanks for your fourth post contribution to the forum. As has been said, yes they’re more complicated, yes they require ongoing maintenance, and yes it’s more costly than some makes. You don’t have to use a main dealer for repairs, with excellent independent agents operating delivering greater value and ingenious repairs that a main dealer won’t offer. The prices you’ve been quoted are mains dealer prices. I would expect they could be done for a third through an independent, or even cheaper DIY. I know out of an old patrol or a Disco, which I’d prefer to ride in, but maybe I’m biased and not averse to maintenance.

[oldbloke]

Thanks for your fourth post contribution to the forum. As has been said, yes they’re more complicated, yes they require ongoing maintenance, and yes it’s more costly than some makes. You don’t have to use a main dealer for repairs, with excellent independent agents operating delivering greater value and ingenious repairs that a main dealer won’t offer. The prices you’ve been quoted are mains dealer prices. I would expect they could be done for a third through an independent, or even cheaper DIY. I know out of an old patrol or a Disco, which I’d prefer to ride in, but maybe I’m biased and not averse to maintenance.
Problem with DIY, he doesn't know a screwdriver from a shifter. Doesn't like to get his hands dirty

[rar110]

You really need to test drive both, preferably on the same day and with your wife.

My BIL who has no interest in cars was given the job of buying a 4WD. My sister had wanted one for years. When she booked holiday and a hire 4WD and was told on pickup she couldn’t take it on a beach, the just hire one argument was lost and a car had to be sourced pronto. He was keen on a main stream 4WD like a new Prado Kakadu or Paj Exceed. He happened to be driving past a Land Rover dealer and bought a D4. He couldn’t believe how differently it drove. He described the others as like a tractor.

[northiam]

My son in law has a D4 2011 and the front air system leaks and LR want $5000 to repair. The park brake is faulty $3000 to repair, now the rear hatch door won't open. I wouldn't have one on my mind, ive got an old PATROL and it just keeps going. [bighmmm]


What does a ZD30 Di patrol grenade engine replacement cost at a nissan dealer these days?[bigsmile1]

[PerthDisco]

My son in law has a D4 2011 and the front air system leaks and LR want $5000 to repair. The park brake is faulty $3000 to repair, now the rear hatch door won't open. I wouldn't have one on my mind, ive got an old PATROL and it just keeps going. [bighmmm]

$5000 would replace all the air shocks, a good part of the suspension and a new compressor. There’s just not that much to it and (if you have the right tools) not that complicated for any mechanic time wise.

[DiscoTwoV8]

Hi all, I'm looking to buy a second hand disco 3. I've noticed a couple for sale without the air suspension, given that the main problem with this car is the suspension I'm I wiser to buy one without?
The car will be going off road and towing a camper trailer.
Cheers

I've got a Disco 2 with air bag suspension and ACE ... Replacing the air bags is an easy job, heaps of video's on YouTube about it. Don't forget to also replace the compressor filter. Works REALLY well. Also replace the fluids in the power steering, and ACE system (there is a filter), with PAS fluid (not too expensive). You do those filters and air bags about every 100,000km and forget about them. If going on a big trip (ie round Australia) a spare air bag might be a handy thing for off road. A change of oil and filter rejuvenates the ACE system!

The air suspension will assist with towing, the ACE assists with cornering, and if you've got an automatic don't forget to drop the pan, and replace the filter, and give it good quality synthetic oil!

The ride is great, the ability to adjust the ride height can be handy, and I've done a lot of time on secondary roads and tracks, without incident. The biggest issue with the air suspension is lack of preventative maintenance... and there are a lot of little issues that can catch you out, like breaking the level sensor etc. Overall it is an excellent system, which is probably why it has been used over so many models.

As long as you do your maintenance, it will give many km's of service.[bigsmile]

[donh54]

My son in law has a D4 2011 and the front air system leaks and LR want $5000 to repair. The park brake is faulty $3000 to repair, now the rear hatch door won't open. I wouldn't have one on my mind, ive got an old PATROL and it just keeps going. [bighmmm]
Do you take the patrol to the dealer for every issue? Bet you won't get stealer work done any cheaper.
Moral of story, don't use dealers! Find a good indy, and save lots.

[scarry]

Usual Toyota propaganda. Toyota's break down too.

After 18yrs of Land Rovers,all bought new,and having travelled all over this country,i am still waiting to have one let me down......

[NavyDiver]

Hi all, I'm looking to buy a second hand disco 3. I've noticed a couple for sale without the air suspension, given that the main problem with this car is the suspension I'm I wiser to buy one without?
The car will be going off road and towing a camper trailer.
Cheers
No way. Air sus is one of our strengths once tamed by one or two tweaks

[NavyDiver]

Hi all, I'm looking to buy a second hand disco 3. I've noticed a couple for sale without the air suspension, given that the main problem with this car is the suspension I'm I wiser to buy one without?
The car will be going off road and towing a camper trailer.
Cheers
No way. Air sus is one of our strengths once tamed by one or two tweaks