Buying V8 Discovery 3

[Declan]

Hi
New to the forum I am thinking of buying D3 2005HSE V8 i would like a bit of feed back as to what the people who have one think off them plus is there any problems that they know off any i have heard they are better on fuel than the V6

[WhiteD3]

Welcome Declan.

Yep, I've heard the V8 is more economical than the V6 but can't swear to it. Stevo, your thoughts?

[stevo68]

Thanks for the PM Mark, hey Declan, I recently sold a D3 HSE V8, very sad day, was a brilliant vehicle. I used it off and on road (obviously) and it performed very well. Fuel economy for a V8 is pretty good, I averaged around 13.5-14.5 L / 100kms, combo of highway driving and the "burbs", it has great grunt if you like that and a nice burble, though that could be improved with some exhaust work :cool:. I think if fuel isn't an issue I would take the V8 over the V6, as generally it is more economical and the power transition is smoother having driven both. Off road would be neither here nor there. Other than that, minimum sized tyres are 18's, so I had General Grabbers on mine which were leaps and bounds over the HP's and there are more tyres coming out in an 18. I also had a Kaymar Rear bar and wheel carrier as is a pain to get tyre out from underneath when off road. Other than, loved it, any questions feel free to fire away,

Regards

Stevo

[Declan]

Stevo thanks for the information just a couple of questions, 1 Whats is it like to get spare parts for the D3 do you have to wait long
2 Service intervals 12000km or 6 months seems very short is there a reason and do landrover rip you off on services cost
3 had you any niggle problems ( like TD5 have )
4 Why did you sell your D3 ( if its not to bold to ask )

Thanks Declan

[stevo68]

Stevo thanks for the information just a couple of questions, 1 Whats is it like to get spare parts for the D3 do you have to wait long
2 Service intervals 12000km or 6 months seems very short is there a reason and do landrover rip you off on services cost
3 had you any niggle problems ( like TD5 have )
4 Why did you sell your D3 ( if its not to bold to ask )

Thanks Declan Hey Declan, in terms of spare parts, most I ever waited was 24hrs even then they gave me a loan car...so no biggie. Not sure on the reason for the intervals, but when I sold it at 100,000kms the next service wasnt due till 120,000. I found my dealer on the coast pretty reasonable, plus no one else could service it anyway. In terms of niggles, no issues with engine or anything interior.

When I first had it, it had 2 suspension faults which was a glitch fixed by a software download after that no probs. There was one electric brake issue from a build up of mud, got that sorted. Other than that was pretty trouble free.

Reason for selling it was I got it when I was a director of a large business and I left there and started up my own business. With the increase in petrol and amount of k's I was doing, when I paid $250 in one week for fuel plus another bub on the way ( we have 5 between us), $2k + p.m was a luxury I didnt want to afford any longer. Plus a burden on a start up business so I wore the depreciation :mad: and bought a 03 TD5. Will now wait in the wings and in a year or 2 will snaffle up a nice soccer mums D3 :),

Regards

Stevo

[stevo68]

Here's some pics as well, stroll down memory lane for me :(:

Last Time we went off road:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/11/1600.jpg

Rear Bar
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/06/396.jpg

I did love that car my word :wub:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1448.jpg

Good Load Space even for tuckered out beer protectors :D
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1447.jpg

PLaying

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/05/972.jpg

Not a shopping trolley

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/11/1082.jpg

Hmmm, now I feel bummed out, miss that bloody car, luckily I sold it to a relly so she may come back to me in years to come :cool:

Regards

Stevo

[CaverD3]

If it has been serviced by a dealer it should have had it's updates done. make sure it has had the enhancement program done.
If it is still under warranty get down to the dealers and get them to also check: rear tail struts are tight, ball joints, lower control arm bushes, ARB bushes as these are known issues on early builds.
You can get V8s for a good price and it makes for gret value.:D

[RonMcGr]

I was reading a 4X4 magazine in a surgery today.
It mentioned Discovery V8 with a 37% depreciation value.
The good news is the D3 V8, has the worst depreciation on the market :D
You should be able to get one really cheap!

Like most of us, don't expect to sell it and make a profit.:D:D

[Declan]

Thanks Stevo for all the info,the D3 looks brilliant it must have broke you heart to sell your baby at least you got good fun out of it the amount of people who have 4WD and never take them off road do not known what they are missing.
one last question does it run on 91 or 95 or 98 petrol if you run the D3 on 91 petrol do you notice the loss in power.

Thanks Declan:twisted:

[Declan]

Lads if any of you tried to sell you D3 V8 to a dealer what did they offer you i am not sure what i should pay for a D3 V8 say 2005/2006 between 50000km to 90000km i would be greatful if you have any info.

Thanks Declan:confused:

[stevo68]

Hey Declan..........yep it broke my heart, but better to have loved and lost than to have never had a D3 :D. Fuel wise takes premium unleaded. Ok as for sale prices, I bought mine at $105k with discounts. When I went to sell it at one stage with 30k on the clock was offered around $70k.....it was less than a yr old. I ended up selling mine with 100k on the clock for $58k :eek:, so it was just over 2 yrs old. Dealer offered me under $50k. For a low k HSE, I'd be looking under $70k for an 05/06 model,

Regards

Stevo

[Declan]

Lads
I have been looking out at reviews for the D3 all over the world and i came across this site below.

The Truth about the Land Rover Discovery 3: No isolated incident: Disco 3 is a failure and I am throwing it away (http://landrover.haveyoursay.com/2005/07/no_isolated_inc.html)

It has made me realy look at weather I should buy a D3 or not i would like some feed back if possible (I just wrote in the web site so you might have to put it in yourself to go there.)

Cheers Declan

[djhampson]

Lads
I have been looking out at reviews for the D3 all over the world and i came across this site below.

The Truth about the Land Rover Discovery 3: No isolated incident: Disco 3 is a failure and I am throwing it away (http://landrover.haveyoursay.com/2005/07/no_isolated_inc.html)

It has made me realy look at weather I should buy a D3 or not i would like some feed back if possible (I just wrote in the web site so you might have to put it in yourself to go there.)

Cheers Declan

I'd take that page with a grain of salt... or 40. Despite what it says its one isolated experience. Look at the list of topics here (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-zone/)and you'll see most problems are few and far between. Also look here (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/)at Disco3.

In my opinion basing your decision to buy off that website would be a mistake... You are going to get a better idea by browing forums such as this one.

Alternatively you could just buy a Freelander 2 HSE for a lot less and get a much nicer vehicle :wasntme:

[WhiteD3]

Declan,

The choice of course is yours and I can only give you my own experience:

I've had my D3 V6 for 18 months, from new.
Up hill, down dale, beach work, mud, steep ascent/descents, the lot.
It has never let me down.
Yes, its a complex vehicle and you can forget about fixing any computer issues yourself.
The D3 is a unbelievably competent 4WD, a great town car and there is nothing else on the market that come's close to it.

If you search the net you'll find sob stories re troubles but you'll find 100's more positive, glowing reports from happy owners.

[stevo68]

Ditto what Dj said bar the comment on the FL2 HSE...Pfffttt ... Ive owned the D3 HSE and driven the FL2 HSE, chalk and cheese :p. That said, find me any car, any make, any model and you will find a lemon........you will also rightly so find someone having a whinge about it. I'm not going to try and sell you on the D3, you either want it or you don't :D. For me it surpasses anything out there in its market, I have driven it hard off road, scratched, dinged it, ripped tyres off it and on the bitumen it handled like a dream. There were a few glitches with the 05 models which for most were handled under warranty and been ironed out in later models. The majority of D3 owners here and on other sites ie Disco3 love their D3 to bits. They are the ones to listen to,

Regards

Stevo

[CaverD3]

The guy on that web site is a tosser. He has posted no comment (good or bad) about the Q7 he was going to get instead. A lot vitriol from one man. Unfornunately the way search engines opereate it shows up a lot.
As said the disco3.co.uk site highlights a lot of issues but also shows what a great car it is.
e.g. well known issue Electronic parking brake screamers; 50% have never had a problem at all.
Look at any dedicated model site and you will find it will attract those with problems and those who do not have any will generally not bother.

[Declan]

Thanks for the replys lads i still want to buy a D3 but i am doing the research so it is good to here from the people whom own them ,just after all the troubles that were assocated with the D2 it just want to know as much as possible before i buy one, I think they are a brilliant looking 4X4 and they drive realy well i suspposed i am just looking for reasurence , i know all car makers have ther problems as the old saying goes forearmed is forewarned.

Cheers Declan

[WhiteD3]

Declan,

The choice of course is yours and I can only give you my own experience:

I've had my D3 V6 for 18 months, from new.
Up hill, down dale, beach work, mud, steep ascent/descents, the lot.
It has never let me down.
Yes, its a complex vehicle and you can forget about fixing any computer issues yourself.
The D3 is a unbelievably competent 4WD, a great town car and there is nothing else on the market that come's close to it.

If you search the net you'll find sob stories re troubles but you'll find 100's more positive, glowing reports from happy owners.

[Timothy D]

Stevo,
Did you ever have problems with your Reverse sensor mounted in the Kaymar rear bar being triggered by the wheel carrier? Mine beeps every time I go into reverse but its not an issue if I lock the wheel carrier open. Is there a solution? eg. disconnecting the sensor immediately below the wheel carrier??
Regards Tim D.

[stevo68]

Stevo,
Did you ever have problems with your Reverse sensor mounted in the Kaymar rear bar being triggered by the wheel carrier? Mine beeps every time I go into reverse but its not an issue if I lock the wheel carrier open. Is there a solution? eg. disconnecting the sensor immediately below the wheel carrier??
Regards Tim D. Hey Tim..................answer is Yes. It has something to do with where the sensors are pointing. I think Jamo or PCH had a solution to the problem, just can't remember what it was. I think it was too technical for me :angel:, so I just got used to it or would hit the off button, though kind of defeated the use of having sensors. Try DISCO3.CO.UK - Dedicated to Discovery 3 and LR3 Owners and Enthusiasts (http://www.disco3.co.uk) you might find a solution there as well,

Regards

Stevo

[Bushwanderer]

Hi Declan,
I feel no need to defend the D3.

If you're uncertain, go and buy something else!

Whoever buys the the D3 that you're considering will love it.:D

Best of luck for whatever future you choose.

[SuperMono]

Has been a low km V8 HSE for sale in Albury for a while, seem to recall it was pretty well priced if you considered how much they went for new.
Check carsales.com.au and see what comes up.

[300+]

I've also got a V8 and I'm only aware of a few things that are different from any other D3.

1: 18 inch only wheels as mentioned
2: LR only raised air intake - the safari one won't fit. I can't remember them now but there are one or two other bolt on goodies which were TDV6 only as well (so no V6 petrol)
3: The depreciation line is an interesting one. I got a 25% discount on mine new off the forecourt. So yes the depreciation rate from retail is scary, but nobody pays retail...
4: From talking with V6 owners the consumption is down to how you drive it. Some get better than me, some are worse.
5: I got 3 years free servicing in as I work for a company that LR(ford) have an agreement with. The bills I've seen (but not paid) don't scare me, so I think they said the deal was worth a couple of K.
6: The grin you get when you knock it into sport mode and floor it. :twisted:

Pay the right price and you won't go wrong.
Steve

[Declan]

Thanks for all the feedback i am looking out at the moment for a V8 so i will let you know how i go with a deal and hopefully have a big grin on my face when i buy one

Cheers Declan

[disco3leigh]

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