Disco 3 TdV6 Reliability?

[sampson3199]

Disco 3 TdV6 Reliability?

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Can anyone tell me how the Diesel Disco 3 has stacked up for reliability over the past 3 years? I know there were major electronic concerns when it was launched. Have these been dealt with? And the motor....does it have any problems? I am interested in the manual 6 speed gearbox. Is it OK?

I have owned four Tdi Disco 1's and one Td5. The Td5 was a disaster :( so I went back to the old model '99 which is getting long in the tooth now but has been great. What experience have owners had with the new model. I am loathe to spend $85k on a lemon.

I would like to buy the manual model with air suspension and diff lock. Is this possible? Are they OK?

Thanks in advance for any help. All experiences are much appreciated. :)

David N
Western Australia

[WhiteD3]

David,

There's a few guys on the forum who'll settle your concerns re the diesel.

But FYI you can only get the air suspension in the SE/HSE models, and that comes with the TR so you get the auto, 7 seats and all the fruit. The only manual is the S version with springs, no TR, 5 seats, etc.

You can buy the petrol V6 SE for 64k, which is less than the S diesel, or pay an additional 10k+ for the TDV6 SE.

There were some issues with a few of the 2005 cars but like most here I've had no problems with mine to date. Do a search on the forum for some earlier threads.

Cheers.

[sampson3199]

Thanks for that info. I am only interested in the Diesel manual. I have been following the development of the graphite block 2.7 diesel motor for about 5 years now. I want one but want to be sure there are no bugs in it. Automatics and I just don't get along. If I can't stir the box myself then I don't feel in control.:cool:

TR? Not sure what that means. So I can't get air suspension on the manual diesel? Are the springs OK? Can I still get the diff lock? I am a country vet so it gets a bit of a hammering. Don't need 7 seats. The Td5 spent most of its short life either waiting for a recovery vehicle or in the repair shop. So I am wary of electronics. :confused:

Cheers!

[Tote]

Manual S models are optionable with air suspension and seven seats but the cost is the same as buying a SE which has them and a few other goodies as standard. (but no manual trans )

Regards,
Tote

[rovers1952]

I've had a tdv6s for 12 months now and has been faultless. I promise you, you wont need dif locks with electronic traction control, especially with DSC disabled!!!

[cdrtravis]

Why get a manual when the auto allows you to manually select gears (all six of them), and remains in your chosen gear until you decide otherwise (known as CommandShift)?

Seriously, the TDV6 SE with the auto box is the best thing since sliced bread. Smooth, comfortable, luxurious, economical, powerful, practical and it can go off road! I reckon a manual box would spoil the way the vehicle drives.

If you want the active rear diff lock, you can select that as an option when you buy (new, of course), but it requires air-suspension.

[stuart]

yep mine is a TDV6 SE (Auto) done 66K had suspension comp problem early...between 1k-3k...but it is just a great car to drive...it really is...i would most def now get air sus option over coils if it's in the budget...cause it is if ya a vet i known how they charge...:eek: just a joke:D...engine have never had a problem with and mine works hard...but a look after it! and that's what you need to do with a lot of late mod veh...you look after it it'll look after you!

Stu



I've had a tdv6s for 12 months now and has been faultless. I promise you, you wont need dif locks with electronic traction control, especially with DSC disabled!!!

[discomaniac]

Hi,
I have had my SE TDV6 since July 2005. Had various suspension and electronic faults early on. None of the issues ever stopped me from getting home, just annoying. All fixed now. No problems in more than a year now. The Auto gear box is 6 speed and can be used as a manual. No need to even consider a manual for extreme off roading or towing for that matter. The auto gives you the best of both worlds. The auto in Low range locked in 1st will hold in that gear at idle speeds for all but the absolute steapest of downward inclines, then you can use the Hill Descent Control (which works so much better on the D3 than it did on the D2) No problems at all with the motor or gear box. Now done 89000km. Have Towed a camper through the Kimberley and back and been on many local Land Rover Club trips doing amazing things in this vehicle. As others have said, not much difference in upgrading an S model to TR and Air Suspension or just getting an SE. I have the Electronic rear diff lock. With the TR, you never really know when it is working, but I know I have got through some very difficult tracks without any problems at all. (Open diff D2's just couldn't make it through some of these tracks)

Discomaniac

[WhiteD3]

TR?

Terrain Response. That little dial between the gear shift and the arm rest. Brilliant bit of kit once you work out how it all works. Adjusts the throttle response, traction control, air suspension and god knows what else. A D3 in stock form (like mine) will go a long long way compared to other 4WDs.

The added bonus is standard road travel is quiet and effortless.

Cheers.

[Jamo]

116000km and no problems at all with the TDV6. Barely run in!

The rear diff lock is only an option with the Terrain Response, which only comes with air suspension.

I understood the manual was available with air susp and TR, but only with the TDV6. (But I could be wrong).

IMO, the manual is superfluous. The auto box is the best in the business. (Plus I'm inherently lazy)

[Tote]

116000km and no problems at all with the TDV6. Barely run in!

The rear diff lock is only an option with the Terrain Response, which only comes with air suspension.

I understood the manual was available with air susp and TR, but only with the TDV6. (But I could be wrong).

IMO, the manual is superfluous. The auto box is the best in the business. (Plus I'm inherently lazy)

Yep,
you're right, TDV6 only with a manual.
Regards,
Tote

[Desert Traveller]

I will add to the TDV6 SE Auto debate. 94k on the clock and just over 2 years old. Done Fraser, Simpson, Byfield and a number of other tracks. You just can't beat the ZF and TR (I have the rear electronic diff also) offroad or onroad. Never even a hint of any problems.
I wouldn't get a manual with any TD especially if you plan doning any sand work.

[lrdef110]

Only issue I have had in 55,000km is a crack developing in the top of the turbo pipe at Tumut on the way to the Cooma 60th. Hugh clouds of black smoke and significant loss in power particularly under load going up hills. This can't be a regular problem as there was not a replacement pipe to be found in Aus. If this did happen in the desert or somewhere remote it would be a problem and you certainly would not get over Simpson Desert dunes or up steep hills without a fix. Wrapping it in tape does not work due to the high pressure. We got around the problem by shoving a piece of exhaust pipe up the hose and clamping it from the outside. Done over 3,000 km since with the bush fix so this peice of pipe is staying in my tool kit when LRA finally get a replacement pipe to Aus.
Regards,
Barry

[malleemike]

Hello to you all, this is my first post/reply ever, i have just placed an order for a Discovery 3 TDV6 SE, and i plan to drag a 23 ft van around behind it, all up about 2.7 tonne. I have a question, how do you think the air suspension will stand up to the variable loads such a use will place on it?

[CaverD3]

There are plenty of folk who drive them towing more weight and carrying more extras and weight in the vehicle. Only know of one broken bag and that was when it landed nose first after a short :oflight.

[peterpam]

Hello to you all, this is my first post/reply ever, i have just placed an order for a Discovery 3 TDV6 SE, and i plan to drag a 23 ft van around behind it, all up about 2.7 tonne. I have a question, how do you think the air suspension will stand up to the variable loads such a use will place on it?

We tow a similar size van with our D3 TDV6 SE and it's the best tow vehicle I've had. Land Rover recommend to not use a weight distribution hitch and after much debate we don't, and it's as good as if you had one (on another make of vehicle ofcourse). The air suspension does a great job.

Regards

[discomaniac]

Hello to you all, this is my first post/reply ever, i have just placed an order for a Discovery 3 TDV6 SE, and i plan to drag a 23 ft van around behind it, all up about 2.7 tonne. I have a question, how do you think the air suspension will stand up to the variable loads such a use will place on it?
Hi,
I tow a 17ft van around, with Air Suspension. No problems at all. By far the best tow vehicle I have ever used. No need and no hassel with WDH.

Discomaniac

[PCH]

TDV6 - great little donk. No problems with it after 3 years an 72K km.
Auto - fantastic and works well in "Command Shift". Get lazy and let the computer think for you. Manual is really redundant and would limit resale later on IMHO since most will want an auto and the are really good off and on road. Take one for a drive and surprise yourself.

I tow a 2 tonne van and the self levelling air suspension is the way to go. Lets you also option the diff lock as well.

Chris

[Diego Luego]

You are all very encouraging, I hope all of the above applies equally to the TDV6 RRS I jhave just bought.