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spdterence
23rd September 2008, 01:17 AM
I have a dilemma. Now this possibly could be the best place to ask this question or the worst - lets see what happens.

I have on old 1984 Rangie. Great old bus - excellent condition, on gas, goes a treat. Low stress financially, low concern when scratched or dinged etc etc

However I have to get a new car in January and wondered about the D3.
I know they are good - but I hear all sorts of things around reliability - some forums comments here and there around the odd 'dud' cars being closely related to citrus fruit - all that.

What I can't quite quantify is how often this happens - 1 in 10 - 1 in 20 or 1 in 5. Has someone out there got a feel for this? or am I asking too much on a Disco 3 forum.:)

Thanks Terry

Graeme
23rd September 2008, 05:20 AM
I think more about the normal servicing costs, particularly with the long warranty period. Its a big shock going from a self-serviced older vehicle.

Tote
25th September 2008, 01:21 AM
My D3 is my 3rd Land Rover and the first to have no oil leaks by 25000 KM, If you read the posts on this section of the forums you will come away with the impression that the Disco 3s are a giant leap forward in reliability.
I'm very happy with mine, 26000Km since April, absolutely awesome offroad and the most comfortable vehicle on a trip I have owned.
The usual caveats apply though, if you are in the market for a Patrol with 200000 Km on it you are probably going to be dissapointed with a new disco's servicing costs. If you are comparing to a new Cruiser don't even waste your time at the Toyota dealer.

Regards,
Tote

markb
25th September 2008, 08:40 AM
We have 3 Disco 3's in the family 2 have done over 60000 km and 1 has done 30000km. Nothing but praise for them. I am still impressed when I drive it how well it does everything. Do yourself a favour and get one is my opinion.

CaverD3
25th September 2008, 02:09 PM
Get the D3 if you can afford it. You will not regret it, massive improvement on previous models.

It comes standard with..................Permagrin! :D

Check out DISCO3.CO.UK - Dedicated to Discovery 3 and LR3 Owners and Enthusiasts (http://www.disco3.co.uk) for more info on the D3.

sniegy
25th September 2008, 07:28 PM
There is also a price reduction to the Range of D3'S & Sports to clear 08.5my's. As the 09my's are arriving squeeze ya local dealer.
The $64,990 (V6 SE) drive away deal has been further reduced. So now is a great time to buy as dealers want to move stock & LR want to clear the holding yards of the 08.5 my's & make room for the new update.
Cheers;)

Forest
25th September 2008, 10:57 PM
30000 ks so far - Best car I have ever had.

Go off road whenever I can, only issue that I have had is rear heater hose (I have the rear air con) came loose.

Yep, servicing is pricey, but what new car that is decent doesn't cost to get serviced?

If you want a well designed, comfortable, practical, versatile vehicle that is totally capable off road, yep, D3 is the way to go.

spdterence
29th September 2008, 09:54 AM
Thanks to one and all for those very reassuring comments.
From my research I think this vehicle will do everything that I want and more. So I will take the plunge I think and go this direction.
An SE with rear air should about do it for me - I don't think that I would need anything more.

Thanks Terry

TDV6
29th September 2008, 05:24 PM
Only had one show stopper when the battery failed while in Catherin NT on our way around the big island also had a noisy air compressor replaced in Cairns and the steering wheel in Perth.

3.5 years and 100K and still happy. It tows our 3 ton van with ease.

Have fun in it, its a great car, takes you there and back in comfort.

Ryall

big guy
29th September 2008, 07:02 PM
Hmmm
Funny how we think having a steering wheel replaced and air-con and battery and still think its very reliable.

Lets face it, we are blinded by the marque and will only see positives even when blatantly they are not.

Who ever heard of a almost new car having its steering wheel replaced???

I am looking at a new D3 or L322 Rangie myself, I am blinded as well so no good me trying to hide it. Am on my 7th Landy so who am I to talk.

I have driven the D3 a bit and absolutely think its fantastic.
Drove the V6 but will probably get the TD6 or seeing I am a rev head the V8.

So any-one looking at a D3, they do still have their faults and probably always will but thats just their beauty, Getting in the car in the morning and in the back of our mind we think "Is it going to start".

Best of luck though, I can't wait till I take the plunge.

Neil P
1st October 2008, 07:11 AM
Terry,

It's very difficult to know what the "fault rate" is for a vehicle.
Owners/drivers don't post on Forums when there is nothing to complain.
We have the same problem here as in the USA - it's a boutique brand
with little distribution/backup campared to major importers.
Now in its 4 th year of production,the reliability appears to be as
good as the rest. My L100 Sahara had several electrical faults in 2 years
,but people give their right-arm for Toyota.
For those who don't trust air suspension,there is the coiler S.
Canbus faults are few with MY08+ production.
Ride quality is very good and stable. I've no complaints about build.
The tyres don't have enough tread--but they're road tyres really.
If you intend to sell it soon,the depreciation will be considerable because
dealers make most of their profit from selling your trade,and other Brands don't want LR trades.
Don't buy a "run out" D3 ....... you'll regret it at changeover.
The discount is never as good as the previous-model trade price offset in Oz. It is in the UK and USA, but not here.

Neil.

spdterence
1st October 2008, 11:03 PM
Yeh - got to laugh at the steering wheel. Why was that exactly? Did the airbag deploy without needing to? I bet there is more to that story :)

My wife wants a Prado - the power of marketing I guess and that being very rational she knows that all the other Director of Home Affairs - decision makers out there also have a very strong brand affection for Toyota.

But second hand 1 year old D3 v's the same Prado - I just can't see why you would buy a Prado. To get even close on spec you need to go to the Grande model which is just crazy money and then even this doesn't have the technology where it matters such as the suspension.

I am sure this discussion will roll along in our house for some time to come.
Perhaps I just keep my old bus and get a Golf instead. Decisions Decisions.

Terry

CaverD3
2nd October 2008, 12:13 AM
Steering wheel is just the treatment on the leather getting rough. I know someone who had a Toyota and it did that, asked for a new one under warranty; " that is wear and tear sir not covered under warranty."
LR are changing them for new ones without a fuss.

Agree that Toyota have it all over LR with marketing. Get a loaner for a couple of days from a LR dealer and get your wife to drive one. Then take her back to the Prado and see if she still wants one. :D

ghoti
3rd October 2008, 12:34 PM
My wife wants a Prado - the power of marketing I guess and that being very rational she knows that all the other Director of Home Affairs - decision makers out there also have a very strong brand affection for Toyota.

But second hand 1 year old D3 v's the same Prado - I just can't see why you would buy a Prado. To get even close on spec you need to go to the Grande model which is just crazy money and then even this doesn't have the technology where it matters such as the suspension.

Terry

I wanted to buy a Prado Grande, but at my wife's insistence I went to look at a petrol Disco 3 SE which at the time was the same price (new). Ended up buying a D3 TDV6 HSE.

The D3 is more comfortable, handles better, is more responsive, has real 3rd row seats, and much much more. It really is chalk and cheese. Get your wife to drive one!

The Prado Diesel has similar service costs (they get servces every 5000k's), but gets better use of brakes (replaced D3 front rotors at 36,000 and rears at 48,000) and has arguably better resale. The only trouble we had in 50,000k's was a software glitch that prevented the pertrol filler from opening. Fortunately we had enough fuel to get to a delaer and it was fixed in 40 minutes.

Boris
3rd October 2008, 08:28 PM
I have a dilemma. Now this possibly could be the best place to ask this question or the worst - lets see what happens.

I have on old 1984 Rangie. Great old bus - excellent condition, on gas, goes a treat. Low stress financially, low concern when scratched or dinged etc etc

However I have to get a new car in January and wondered about the D3.
I know they are good - but I hear all sorts of things around reliability - some forums comments here and there around the odd 'dud' cars being closely related to citrus fruit - all that.

What I can't quite quantify is how often this happens - 1 in 10 - 1 in 20 or 1 in 5. Has someone out there got a feel for this? or am I asking too much on a Disco 3 forum.:)

Thanks Terry

I have a bad one ..... for which I am taking Land Rover to VCAT in Victoria. That said I dont think that there are many that are really bad, in fact the RACV Inspection Place who have done the report commented that they had not seen one with the problems my one has and that they had seen a few.

The later ones also have the benefit of many parts upgrades especially in the front end however I have lost any faith in either Land Rover as an organisation and the particular vehicle. When the case is concluded it is my intention to make the documents available but until that happens I cant really comment further.

Neil P
7th October 2008, 06:57 PM
What spec. of D3 is your vehicle Boris ?

CaverD3
7th October 2008, 07:07 PM
I have a bad one ..... for which I am taking Land Rover to VCAT in Victoria. That said I dont think that there are many that are really bad, in fact the RACV Inspection Place who have done the report commented that they had not seen one with the problems my one has and that they had seen a few.

The later ones also have the benefit of many parts upgrades especially in the front end however I have lost any faith in either Land Rover as an organisation and the particular vehicle. When the case is concluded it is my intention to make the documents available but until that happens I cant really comment further.


I had a bad VW Golf, replaced once I said i had a solicitor on the case. :mad:

Boris
10th October 2008, 09:10 PM
Its MY06 TDV6 SE.

Don' really want to say too much more atm but proceedings have been issued against both Land Rover and the Dealer.

Boofrmb
20th October 2008, 07:56 PM
Hi Terry.

I have owned 4 Rangies with no problems, But since going to the Disco3, I have had more faults then normally, the Dealer at the Valley at Brissy hasnt been great. Tire probs are my big problem. If I was you, go to a late disco D2, only probs with them are the hoodllining falling.

Rob

ozscott
20th October 2008, 08:01 PM
What the hell is wrong at Solihull...falling hood lining I thought was a never to be repeated D1 problem...I have got to know the hot melt glue gun well with my 95 D1...the D2's hood lining does not suffer the same problems as far as I know. It is inexcusable to have it happen to a D3.

Cheers

Boofrmb
20th October 2008, 08:28 PM
Sorry to say the D2 do have the same problem, My brother 2003 hood hits him on the the head, my niece is ok late 2003, and my nephew, early 2004, same hood let go, D3 appear to be ok, but lets see..

Rob

ozscott
20th October 2008, 08:45 PM
Bloody hell Rob - learn something new (and disturbing) each day. I thought gravity and lack of glue had been cured in the D2. Mine is 6 years old and no signs at all of falling roof despite kids hanging off the netting on the roof! I just cannot believe that they could continue to get that wrong...at least the D2 dashes dont curl.............................................. .................................................. .................................................. ....

.......

....


...do they!

CaverD3
20th October 2008, 09:15 PM
What the hell is wrong at Solihull...falling hood lining I thought was a never to be repeated D1 problem...I have got to know the hot melt glue gun well with my 95 D1...the D2's hood lining does not suffer the same problems as far as I know. It is inexcusable to have it happen to a D3.

Cheers

He said the D2 not D3.


Hi Terry.

Tire probs are my big problem. If I was you, go to a late disco D2, only probs with them are the hoodllining falling.

Rob




The experience of owning any new vehicle is determined more by the dealer than by the vehicle. I can handle a problem provided the dealer has a good attitude and it is fixed.
I love the D3 and will keep mine a bit longer or get another one.

Boofrmb, are you talking about the uneven tyre wear or the crap Wranglers?

ATH
21st October 2008, 02:15 PM
I've just gone through the same exercise and really really wanted a D3, BUT having no back up in the bush is what turned me (and the cooks nagging "No more LRs!!!) to a Prado diesel.
I know it won't go as far into the bush or as well as a D3 and I don't like it as much BUT if it breaks down it won't have to be returned to Perth for the stealer to fix.
My son's doing the same thing, L200 instead of a V8 Rangie and we won't be going back to LR until they fix the lack of dealers in the country.
I don't want to drive a damn Toyota but there's no choice...... apart from a Nisscan of course.
Alan.

ozscott
21st October 2008, 07:11 PM
Ever since Blue Ribbon took down its LR sign, we are left with Austral and Austral in Brissy (ie same owner for Austral and Southside). Both, in my experience and others that i know do not meet expectations at a number of levels for LR servicing.

I just went down recently to Austral spare parts to get some bits...I wont be getting a D3 as much as I would like it over a Toyo because I cannot see myself taking it to the dealers in Bris for warranty servicing. I will hold onto the D2 for a long time yet I reckon...took it to Bribie today and played in the soft cut up sand and it never fails to do the business. One day I might have to go to the dark side just for the servicing side of things. And that dark side might well be Mitsu given that Blue Ribbon are still the dealers for that brand - although I would probably then limit my offroading to sand and light forestry trails.

Cheers

CaverD3
21st October 2008, 09:11 PM
The D3 is such a brilliant vehicle it is still worth it.

LR need tho get their act together on servicing. It is the attitude that is the problem with many dealers, there is no competition. They should stop protecting the main dealers and authorise LandRover secialists to do service and warranty work. Give training and equipement, they would end up with a larger and better quality service network than the Japs.

Mick-Kelly
21st October 2008, 09:35 PM
I wouldnt touch anything built later than the 300tdi.

cockie55
21st October 2008, 10:06 PM
I a have 14 year old changeover D1 V8 I purchased new. There is probably not one panel that has not been attacked with a drill or hole saw, a motor I have taken as far as I can without a rebuild from the bottom up, little of original drive train is left and has a hand built computer/nav system the envy of all. Not much has gone wrong that I couldn't fix myself inc a engine bay fire.

It will probably get a new 4.6 L Cosworth long motor before I call it a day and come good with the promise....One day son this will be yours.

I simply cannot imagine ever doing the equivalent to a hi tech PopeMobile...or being skilled to do it for that matter.

PhilipA
22nd October 2008, 09:08 AM
I just returned from 14Kk to Darwin in my 92 RRC.
After going through a couple of deep 60-70CM water crossings , 2 things happened, my headlights and spots filled with water and my transmission overheat light came on.
The transmission sensor is an on-off switch that depends on expansion of a stainless disc pushing on a terminal which makjes a circuit.
In short probably the simplest switch in the world and fully potted and apparently sealed, yet water got in and it failed.
The only outcome was an annoying red light on the dash.
I would be very loath to take a modern car with numerous sensors that stop the car in these circumstances. I read recently about a D2 (4WD Australia article) which stopped after a crossing on the GRR with a transmission fault and had to be towed several hundred Ks.
There seems little point in having a very capable car if you cannot be sure it is not going to stop and refuse to proceed with some hitherto minor fault, and as they age sensors and connectors will also age and become less waterproof.
Regards Philip A

DirtyDawg
23rd October 2008, 07:23 AM
Nobody hates electrics in 4wd's than me, my wife chose for her new car an MY06 L322 Vogue.......it doesn't compare to any other vehicle I have ever driven..state of the art stuff but in saying that I had the factory warranty extended through the dealer for a further 3 years.
So take the plunge with the brick, but cover your Azz with the warranty;)