Need some advice on buying a D3

[lewishim1988]

Hi everyone

I am new to this forum and would like to greet all of you viewing this post. I have a heart pretty much set on a Landy and I am deciding to buy one for touring Australia.

I found one selling at $10,000 @315000km. It got full service history from experienced Landy mechanic. Body is very straight paint is near perfect no rust etc. The owner had it since 130000km.

Is it worth $10000 for it? Any opinions will be highly appreciated.

Lewis

[loanrangie]

It wouldn't be my choice. I paid double that for a 1 owner 08 D3 with 140k on the clock.
Saying that if you go in fully aware they are an awesome vehicle and have a huge and flexible cargo space, plenty of room to sleep in comfortably.

[lewishim1988]

It wouldn't be my choice. I paid double that for a 1 owner 08 D3 with 140k on the clock.
Saying that if you go in fully aware they are an awesome vehicle and have a huge and flexible cargo space, plenty of room to sleep in comfortably.

Thanks for your sharing.

I am wondering if this motor will keep going amd able to rack up to 500,000km provided I keep servicing it in time? Since it’s only $10000 and with a good service record I think I can bet on it? Or negotiate to somewhere between $8000 and $9000?

Lewis

[loanrangie]

There are a few here with over 500k, gearbox are their weakness.

[ozscott]

Some have issues blowing up the turbo diesel. But given the miles there you would think if it was going to blow it would have happened already.

Suspension bushes chop out and are.expensive.

Many things to go wrong but if you are mechanically minded, and get a Nanocom and dont sink too much money into it with aftermarket gear should be a bit of fun. Personally I would go a very low mileage D2 with fruit.

Cheers

[timax]

No experience with a D3 but you can get a D2 with half the km for less money.
The TD5 engine is a good one.

[PeterOZ]

It's a lot of Km and while the $$ might be lowish be prepared to do a fair bit of heavy maintenance and repairs along the way.

Do you know it's off road if any history? Get underneath ahd have bash plates removed to have a look for oil leaks, especailly on the engine as rear seals can be an issue.

assume it's a TDV6?

- newish engine from a territory can be had fitted for around $13k or less these days
- what is the history on the transmission? Does it have the steel pan fitted and has it had regular fluid flushes? Rebuild ZF 6HP26 around $6 - 7 k though depends on whether you are getting new torque convertor and also the mechat ronic valve body done at same time.
- service history on the diffs and transfer case? Does it have e-diff fitted?
- expect to replace lower control arms or their bushes regularly. If you are handy on the tools you can do this yourself
- Are the air struts original? If so they will need replacing - approx $3500 for the truts, you can fit yourself
- Air compressor can give trouble, about $1200
- High pressure fuel pump & oil pump. Do some research on these.
- Timing belts, when were they done last?
- Does the engine have the upgraded oil housing cover with upgraded belt tensioner bracket? Earlier D3 TDV6 engine had an issue with weak bracket that sheared off after the timing belts had been replaced, usualy caused by gorilla mechanics over torquing the bolts. I know as it happened to mine by the indie LR gorillas at Redcliffe.

Bottom line is that its an old vehcile with very high KM so don't expect smooth seas all the time.

[lewishim1988]

It's a lot of Km and while the $$ might be lowish be prepared to do a fair bit of heavy maintenance and repairs along the way.

Do you know it's off road if any history? Get underneath ahd have bash plates removed to have a look for oil leaks, especailly on the engine as rear seals can be an issue.

assume it's a TDV6?

- newish engine from a territory can be had fitted for around $13k or less these days
- what is the history on the transmission? Does it have the steel pan fitted and has it had regular fluid flushes? Rebuild ZF 6HP26 around $6 - 7 k though depends on whether you are getting new torque convertor and also the mechat ronic valve body done at same time.
- service history on the diffs and transfer case? Does it have e-diff fitted?
- expect to replace lower control arms or their bushes regularly. If you are handy on the tools you can do this yourself
- Are the air struts original? If so they will need replacing - approx $3500 for the truts, you can fit yourself
- Air compressor can give trouble, about $1200
- High pressure fuel pump & oil pump. Do some research on these.
- Timing belts, when were they done last?
- Does the engine have the upgraded oil housing cover with upgraded belt tensioner bracket? Earlier D3 TDV6 engine had an issue with weak bracket that sheared off after the timing belts had been replaced, usualy caused by gorilla mechanics over torquing the bolts. I know as it happened to mine by the indie LR gorillas at Redcliffe.

Bottom line is that its an old vehcile with very high KM so don't expect smooth seas all the time.

Timing belt 15000km to be changed
Look like a bit of betting here. I have seen some D2a @$7000-$8000, with 200k, td5 is easily to work on than the D3 for sure.

Still can’t make up my mind yet😫 planning to cross Simpson desert once in the future, hope my choice wouldn’t let me down though.

[NavyDiver]

My 2005 D3 killed by hail and a bloody insurance company had more than those KM on it and was looking very good. replacement Steering rack, gear box and very good maintenance would have seen me happily try the Simpson and Cape in it. It is still running around as the guy who brought it for parts said it drive much better than all the other cars he had.

My replacement d3 has over 250,000km on it now and like my first I am after servicing, checking and minor tweaks taking it to Perth and back later this year with little worry at all. Both mine were diesel and I could not comment on a petrol engine!

Get a full and complete check by a trusted Disco Mechanic. 10k or a bit less give your many thousands of saved $$$ to cover maintenance and possible ignore me if your looking at a petrol version.

That said drop a reconditioned diesel engine in might only be about 6k anyway.

[cripesamighty]

I picked up my 2006 D3 TDV6 a year ago for $6k with just under 510,000km on the clock and in VGC. It is up over 524,000km now without much issue. This was a vehicle mainly used for running tourist groups out bush so did mostly taxi kms (big trips, not city driving) and was serviced/repaired as required. Mine also came with a long range tank (~190L useable), bull bar and swing out rear bar for the spare tyre. Up till now, so far, so good!

Although the V6 & V8 Petrols use more fuel than the TDV6 diesel, that is largely offset by less servicing requirements and simpler engines. Depending on your requirements, you also have the option of coil suspension or EAS. Check out the relevant D3/D4/RRs sections and FAQ’s for more info. Whatever D3 model you choose, they are a complex though robust vehicle with maybe a bit more maintenance required than a few other types, but the driving experience is well worth it. Lots to think about!

[lewishim1988]

I picked up my 2006 D3 TDV6 a year ago for $6k with just under 510,000km on the clock and in VGC. It is up over 524,000km now without much issue. This was a vehicle mainly used for running tourist groups out bush so did mostly taxi kms (big trips, not city driving) and was serviced/repaired as required. Mine also came with a long range tank (~190L useable), bull bar and swing out rear bar for the spare tyre. Up till now, so far, so good!

Although the V6 & V8 Petrols use more fuel than the TDV6 diesel, that is largely offset by less servicing requirements and simpler engines. Depending on your requirements, you also have the option of coil suspension or EAS. Check out the relevant D3/D4/RRs sections and FAQ’s for more info. Whatever D3 model you choose, they are a complex though robust vehicle with maybe a bit more maintenance required than a few other types, but the driving experience is well worth it. Lots to think about!

Thanks for your info. I am having a hard time making decision between the D3 and defender now. Use to own a GQ patrol and quite like the truck like driving experience.

Lewis

[loanrangie]

Lewis I think a 2 door defender hardtop wagon would suit your purpose over a D3, I love mine but I don't use it as you intend to.

[weeds]

Lewis I think a 2 door defender hardtop wagon would suit your purpose over a D3, I love mine but I don't use it as you intend to.

110HT don’t come up all that often....although the last few months a couple of popped up....not that I look that hard.

[ozscott]

Thanks for your info. I am having a hard time making decision between the D3 and defender now. Use to own a GQ patrol and quite like the truck like driving experience.

LewisThen a 5 speed TD5 or more refined V8 D2 is for you!

Cheers

[Russrobe]

I picked up my 2006 D3 TDV6 a year ago for $6k with just under 510,000km on the clock and in VGC. It is up over 524,000km now without much issue. This was a vehicle mainly used for running tourist groups out bush so did mostly taxi kms (big trips, not city driving) and was serviced/repaired as required. Mine also came with a long range tank (~190L useable), bull bar and swing out rear bar for the spare tyre. Up till now, so far, so good!

Although the V6 & V8 Petrols use more fuel than the TDV6 diesel, that is largely offset by less servicing requirements and simpler engines. Depending on your requirements, you also have the option of coil suspension or EAS. Check out the relevant D3/D4/RRs sections and FAQ’s for more info. Whatever D3 model you choose, they are a complex though robust vehicle with maybe a bit more maintenance required than a few other types, but the driving experience is well worth it. Lots to think about!

I'm not sure the servicing cost does offset the fuel difference. I use 25% less fuel in the TDV6 than i did the v8 (which uses the same as the petrol v6). And fuel prices are at an all time high here in Perth right now, with diesel only 10c a litre more expensive. On our 6 week 11,000 km trip i saved 330L or $550 alone. Fuel filters do need to be replaced every 12 months on the diesel, but after seeing the state of my fuel lines on our 2011 petrol Forester, i'm replaced the fuel filter on that every 2 years too. . .

Front and Rear air struts are $2230 delivered within 3 business days from duckworths. That's what i paid anyway.
Air Compressors can be had for $630 if you go for the standard original Hitachi. $1100 is AMK price, both delivered.

Nothing too expensive by 4x4 standards.