To D3 or not to D3

[John W]

Going through one of my many periods of indecision about a new car. The additional 50% tax depreciation to small business is very tempting I must say! I live about 1hr away from a part time dealer (great guy) but just now he does not even have a mechanic and I don't think he services D3s anyway. I am waiting on parts to get my D2 back on the road. If I get a new D3 it will be a good 90 min to the nearest full dealership up the highway - about 130 Km one way. The thought is like a cold shower. Just look up dealers on the LR web page for NSW b....r all to be found. How can they be serious about selling their product as capable off road with no rural back up. I am not keen on a Playdo or Pajero but at least you can get a service where I live. How do the rest of you new car owners cope?

[geckos]

pain in the rear i know, sad for a brand that has such a passionate following, especially about serious 4wding.

i know this dosnt help. this will be in the back of my mind when i head to the cape in september.

geck

[Pedro_The_Swift]

The D3 has turned out a very reliable vehicle.
Many of our D3 owners live in far away places and travel DAYS to get serviced.
130klm is a very short distance in the overall scheme of things.
mate I'd drive 130 kays for a nice meal!
I'd be more inclined to find a good dealer regardless of distance.;)

[drivesafe]

Hi John, as pedro posted, the D3 is proving to be an extremely reliable vehicle, so other than your services, you shouldn’t need to worry to much.

That 130 km drive is also worth it because Bruce Lynton Land Rover service staff are about the best you can get.

I’ve dealt with 8 different LR dealers in 3 states and the best have been MLC in Melbourne and Bruce Lynton in SEQ, so if you you can plan to make a shopping day out of it, be well worth the 130 km drive.

[rmp]

I live in Melbourne, and travel from one side to the other to get my Defender serviced at a specialist. I suspect your 130km trip would be around the same time ;-)

I don't consider 130km very far to drive though.

[neophyteguy]

I'm thinking that once you start riding around on the D3's suspension that you will look forward to the commute!!

We've had ours for 16 months or so now and it is a brilliant vehicle. We have had a couple of niggly bits that needed to be fixed, but we were able to easily wait until the service came up to have them fixed.

[WhiteD3]

2 years, 54,000k, no issues or breakdowns to date. Go the D3:D

[drivesafe]

I'm thinking that once you start riding around on the D3's suspension that you will look forward to the commute!!

Good point neophyteguy.

John, once you get your D3, ( not if you get a D3 ) you will look for any and every excuse to drive it.

[harlie]

John has a good point about parts – my D2 was off the road for 4 days over Easter – tiny plastic pin in wiper blade broke and I couldn’t even get a wiper blade assembly for 4 days over the wet Easter weekend – and I live in Brisbane :eek:… Admittedly that was quite unusual event but still - 4 days :mad:…. Even with the outstand reliability of the D3 – what’s the availability of basic consumables for the D3, RRS and L322?


Really sorry to continue the negativity but I wouldn’t purchase anything based on Kev’s 50% promise until it passes the Senate – his original 30% claimable promise that was part of the stimulus package was rejected – a lot of people have parted with a lot of cash based on what was "promised" in the media, including some who purchased 600k charter boats – they must be praying on this one after the meeting with their Tax Agent. I nearly spent big – until I spoke with my accountant, got a "just because businesses are advertising it does not mean it is all done and dusted! You must wait for the official legislation fine print." lecture.

[drivesafe]

John has a good point about parts – my D2 was off the road for 4 days over Easter – tiny plastic pin in wiper blade broke and I couldn’t even get a wiper blade assembly for 4 days over the wet Easter weekend – and I live in Brisbane :eek:… Admittedly that was quite unusual event but still - 4 days :mad:…. Even with the outstand reliability of the D3 – what’s the availability of basic consumables for the D3, RRS and L322?

Well lets see, you have a yota and do a part thats not available in Oz, you will be waiting 3 months and it won’t matter if your in the middle of the Never Never or live next door to a yota deal.

My last RR did a front diff, none in the country at the time. 12 days after my diff failed, my RR was back on the road.

It really doesn’t matter what make of vehicle you have, if something major goes wrong, LR will get you back on the road the same as most jap makes, except Toyota who will only ship urgent parts by sea. Now thats looking after your loyal customers.

[harlie]

Well lets see, you have a yota and do a part thats not available in Oz, you will be waiting 3 months and it won’t matter if your in the middle of the Never Never or live next door to a yota deal.

My last RR did a front diff, none in the country at the time. 12 days after my diff failed, my RR was back on the road.

It really doesn’t matter what make of vehicle you have, if something major goes wrong, LR will get you back on the road the same as most jap makes, except Toyota who will only ship urgent parts by sea. Now thats looking after your loyal customers.


Agree completely – but that was not my Question.


If you have a yota (don’t get me wrong I love the LR vehicles and will never have a yota) you can go to Repco, Auto Barn or even Supacheap on a Saturday for basic consumables like for example wiper blades. What gets me down with my example from Easter is that with a D2 you can’t – they all had a listing for the D2 and stock – but it was different to the gen assembly and wouldn’t fit. Funny thing was they were all different to each other as well…

Think about it 4 days no go because of a basic item like a wiper blade

[CaverD3]

As others have said 90mins is not too bad compared to some. Agree the LR service network could be better. I cannot understand why they don'y have franchised service centres in areas where there are no dealers or the nearest dealer won't open one. It would help sell the brand.
I think though we are too small a market for them to take a lot of interest.
D3 is great and you'll enjoy the drive anyway.

[JND72]

Harlie, I too was waiting for this to pass into legislation before proceeding, but it has been passed by the Senate, as of 27th May. You should of course still seek your own professional advice, caveat emptor!

To quote information sent to me:
"As foreshadowed over the past few months, the senate has finally passed the legislation allowing businesses to claim the 30% investment allowance.

Additionally it has passed the legislation for the 50% investment allowance for small businesses (broadly those with a turnover of less than $2,000,000).

The final step for the legislation is for it to receive Royal Assent from the Governor General (which is effectively a rubber stamp so it is now in effect law).

The investment allowance is available for certain depreciating assets.

For small business the minimum investment required to take advantage of the investment allowance is $1,000

For other businesses, the minimum investment required to take advantage of the investment allowance is $10,000

The 30% investment allowance is for acquisitions between 13 December 2008 to 30 June 2009. After 1 July, the rate falls to 10%.

For those of you wanting to take advantage of the 30% rate must make your acquisition before 30 June 2009.

The 50% investment allowance for small businesses runs until 31 December 2009.

Justin

[CaverD3]

Can't see senate stopping that one.
Remember the 50% is only up to the luxury car tax limit. The difference is at normal depreciation levels.

[Graeme]

Can't see senate stopping that one.
Remember the 50% is only up to the luxury car tax limit. The difference is at normal depreciation levels.
Not quite - depreciation limit is the luxury car tax limit.

[gps-au]

Whatever, if you are looking at buy a new D3, better do it quick, if you are lucky to find any stock anywhere...

Seem LR has some not nice increases instore for D4 buyers, in fact even for Late D3 buyers, which is why it seems few dealers have any new stock...

[ozscott]

Come on Pedro - Weises is still the place to get a good meal isnt it?

Mate - the new Pajero (from ground up) comes out next year...having said that the D3 is always going to whip it for looks and off road ability and class if nothing else.

Cheers

[CaverD3]

Not quite - depreciation limit is the luxury car tax limit.

Oops, true but you could get more advatage leasing though, depending on the business sructure. Chat to your accountant.

[amtravic1]

As for parts being hard to get. I suspect most imported vehicles may be the same. Our Subaru Liberty did a power steering pump a while back. I rang Subaru to buy a new one. The answer was we never sell any of those, has to come from Japan and will be around $900. I went to the wreckers and got one straight away for $150.

Ian

[ozscott]

Ian - they probably were not lying. Its hard to get more reliable than a liberty...


Cheers

PS. I dont have one BTW but I have always admired them

[jonesfam]

Mate
I have recently ordered a D3 & live 1300k from the nearest service center or dealer.
I must admit, it was a concern but I have read all I can about the D3 & it seems to be as reliable as any other 4WD I would buy. So I would have the same problem in most cases 'cause you don't get your cars serviced in Mt Isa.
And being a Land Rover it probably won't break down anyway.:D

BTW I was speaking to our dealer last week & he said that new D3's were getting as hard to get as rocking horse poo. So if you want a new one be quick.
Mine is still getting built & is one of the last of the D3 production runs.
Jonesfam

[cap8959]

I don't think 130k is far either. I drive 210k each day to work and back. Looking to get a D3 in the next few weeks just getting the list of extras to instal before I get it home. Will be travelling 200k to service as I would not let the local stealer service my my sons bike let alone my D3.

[Searover]

918 km round trip for me, I choose not to use the 2 metro dealers in WA.
The added bonus is I have a 3 or 4 day weekend in beautiful Albany.

[Desert Traveller]

My trip used to be 1400 kms round trip (for the first 2 1/2 years), now the LR service centre is 500 metres away. Don't use it much now, averaged only 7.9 kms a day from the last tank of diesel.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

My trip used to be 1400 kms round trip (for the first 2 1/2 years), now the LR service centre is 500 metres away. Don't use it much now, averaged only 7.9 kms a day from the last tank of diesel.

Hmm,, 7.9 a day wouldnt charge the battery(or close)
500m from a - oops sorry,,

recently moved to Brizzy?:D