Why I love my D3, and why I drive a Landy

[DiscoSaffa]

Why I love my D3…….

Well. I love the fact that it is a Land Rover, but more on that later, but it is the V6 Petrol which I love, it has to be one of the nicest sounding engines around…… I hazard to say it sounds nicer than my DII V8, and is just such a lovely motor to drive :burnrubber:……. I love the way the vehicle looks, black plastic trim and all, I am still not sold on the colour coded wheel arches and bumpers of the late D3s and D4s. I especially love the way it looks with it’s ARB bar now……. I could go on and on but I will now get to the point…….

Last week I had the chore of moving house, from Sydney to Ballina a trip of about 750km. I put Safari Barbie and my two little girls on a plane, packed up the house and filled the car with what Safari Barbie had deemed necessary to survive the interim time without all our stuff. This meant that with the seats folded the D3 was packed to the roof with no space left bar a spot for me to sit and drive the vehicle.

Thursday morning I set off…… a total of 753km, just shy of ten hours driving time (at an average speed of 78.9km/h) and an average fuel consumption of 11.6l/100km. So far nothing special. But the D3, despite the load, just ate the kilometres, no hassles sticking to the speed limits, in fact I struggled to notice it was there unless I looked in the rear view mirror…… I would challenge the driver of any other make to find a better long distance cruiser! BUT there is something special about this long distance cruiser…… after arriving at my destination and unloading, it was straight onto site, and that in the Northern Rivers means that it is steep, muddy, slippery and great and fun. Find me another long distance cruiser that can shed it’s sheep’s clothing and do that! I have had the vehicle for two years now and the perma grin is still well and truly attached! :D

So why do I love my Landy? Well I pulled up behind another D3 in Kempsey, parked at a traffic light the driver waved at me. Shock of horrors….. a D3 waved, could it be a real Land Rover driver in a D3!?! Anyway we followed each other for about 40km until I pulled over in a rest stop, and low and behold the other D3 stopped…… At this point I had the pleasure of meeting Jim. It was a wonderful break to the long trip. I met a new friend, we traded Land Rover stories and contact details and I know we will meet again in the future, all thanks to my Land Rover….. (does that happen in Toyota?)…….

So forgive my indulgence, but that is why I love my D3…… and in particular why I drive a Land Rover!

[big guy]

If you weren't married I be worried that you are in love and cheating on your wife.

Hehehehehee

[DiscoSaffa]

If you weren't married I be worried that you are in love and cheating on your wife.

Hehehehehee

Safari Barbie knows where she stands in relation to the Landy..... and I can safely say that because she is not a member of this forum...... :D

[DiscoSaffa]

Right…… after side tracking (not entirely on my own :wasntme: ) a few technical threads I thought maybe I should revive this topic….. this way we can stay focused the lighter side of Land Rovers….. and in this case D3s……. and not interrupt the very useful technical content out there….. for those of you that aren’t sure what I am talking about…… go and have a look at:

I broke it - should I replace it? (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-zone/97255-i-broke-should-i-replace.html)

and

Sand driving in a D3, what am I doing wrong? (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-zone/97108-sand-driving-d3-what-am-i-doing-wrong.html)</SPAN>

So to kick off, over the course of late last week and the weekend there were a few occasions where I found myself saying “Dang, I love this car”. So here goes…….

More of why I love my D3:

The vehicle is well and truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing…… I often find myself puttering very comfortably and casually around town and Audrey (my D3) just loves that, but when you need to (a P plater gets cocky on his little scooby, or you just need to get yourself out of trouble) simply plant your right foot and the vehicle becomes a different animal, surprisingly quick and agile for not only what it is, but just about any vehicle…… not too many others are as good as both……. When done…… insert “Dang I love my car” here……

Last week I was walking up to the vehicle on site, and got to thinking…… This car is about the best looking vehicle on the market whether covered in mud (as Audrey was at the time) or sparkling clean sitting in the driveway…… What other vehicle goes from being able to crash it’s way around a construction site during the week, and with a little baby wash (Thanks Jonesfam ;) ) and the addition of two child seats, becomes the most comfortable family car that can run the four of us (plus Granny and Grandpa if needed) around in air conditioned comfort? insert another “Dang I love my car” here…….

Last for today……. I know not of any other brand on the market that inspires the sort of banter that resulted in the two threads above……. insert the last “Dang I love my car” for the day here……

As an aside……

Fifi, if you are reading this…… more of Police Girl and less of the tooth fairy please……

WhiteD3, based on your pic in the Sand Driving thread…… you looked awfully familiar, and that was when I realised we must have met each other before…… I am the guy on the right…..

22114

[WhiteD3]

WhiteD3, based on your pic in the Sand Driving thread…… you looked awfully familiar, and that was when I realised we must have met each other before…… I am the guy on the right…..

22114

Nice suit. So what's the story with Angelina, is she really dumping you?

[DiscoSaffa]

Nice suit. So what's the story with Angelina, is she really dumping you?

I wish I knew..... haven't read the glad rags this week and they seem to know before I do...... should never have left Jen!! :(

[WhiteD3]

....should never have left Jen!! :(

aahhhhh..............well, she's always the bridesmaid:(.






























PS: Obviously I'm working from home today hence the time to post this drivel!

[DiscoSaffa]

PS: Obviously I'm working from home today hence the time to post this drivel!

sadly tis this drivel that keeps me sane....... :(

[WhiteD3]

sadly tis this drivel that keeps me sane....... :(

This from a guy who thinks he looks like Brad Pitt?:angel:

[DiscoSaffa]

This from a guy who thinks he looks like Brad Pitt?:angel:

And this from Mr Clooney himself...... :wasntme:

This really is drivel now, isn't it.........

[WhiteD3]

Yes, I'll go and do some work now I think.

[DiscoSaffa]

Today’s instalment……..

Why I love my D3……

I love the fact that when you get behind the wheel, you feel about two inches taller and the only things bigger are F250s and Trucks…… I dare say driving a Land Rover becomes part of yoru identity...... Brad Pitt and George Clooney can only dream of feeling this good (insert permagrin here) :D

I love the fact that my D3 is the only local one in the small town I now live in….. (holidaying Queenslanders excluded)

I love the fact that it is the only Land Rover on site in amongst a sea of Prados and HiLuxes……. :clap2:

Cheers for today

DS

[DiscoSaffa]

For today’s instalment on why I love my D3/Land Rover I am going to borrow a post from another thread:

Is it true that D3 TDV6 can catch fire? (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-zone/97540-true-d3-tdv6-can-catch-fire.html)

Thanks Nomad9!

“For me this incident was a one off, I wouldn't have said this was a regular thing. All vehicles have their problems some more serious than others. I had a 200 Nissan Patrol for about five years living under the cloud that the 2000 ZD30 engine was going to blow up. I maintained my Patrol with regular preventative maintenance, I chipped it , I towed with it, had bigger tyres etc plus it was close to it's load limit with all the gadgets and gizmos, never missed a beat from the day I bought it until I sold it, great vehicle. My D3 is the same, great vehicle, when mine toasted itself I searched forums, I made contact with LR in the UK trying to find out if this was a regular thing. Nothing alarming came back from anywhere, to be honest this is the first time I've heard about the fuel pump issue, will I be selling mine tomorrow because of this? No I won't, the pros far out weigh the cons. Didn't get to be 4WD of the year for eva by being overpriced and unreliable did it.
On forums you will find the majority of people have got problems or who have had problems, you will also find people who've got a genuine interest in helping people. Some forums I've been on look at suspension and tyres and lift kits and how far you can push something until it breaks. This LR forum for me has been great, the majority of assistance and comments have been of a constructive nature which sits well with me, the comaradary (spelling) is 100% fits with the marque.
If you update buy wisely, look to the forum for assistance, if you do get into strife I'm sure someone out there in Land Rover land can and will help you.”

There are a few points made in this post (you need to read the entire thread above for context) that are some key reasons as to why I love my Landy

The first being that the D3 (and the D4 is fast following) is the most awarded 4x4 on the market, and there is a certain ownership pride that comes with that…. But the key issue here is that it took some serious balls on the part of Land Rover to take the D2, and the years of, call it what you will, under the skin that made it a true Land Rover and start with a clean slate. What they came up with was the D3, which not only changed the minds of the motoring fraternity with respect to Land Rover, but kept all of us skeptics (in our D2s at the time, and shaking our heads at the independently sprung, computerised, behemoth that was presented to us) true to the marque, at the same time winning over countless new converts. All of this in addition to producing one of the best 4x4s of all time. I dare say, they managed to please all the people….. I love my D3!

Another point Nomad makes is about the people that drive Land Rovers, both here in the forum, and out there on and off the road. I have not met a true Land Rover driver (RRS pimp mobiles excluded) that wouldn’t drop everything to help another. Land Rover drivers are special people, why I am not sure…. Perhaps brought together by adversity J, but they are! I love the fact that Safari Barbie considers us Land Rover people, and I love what that makes us…… I love my Landy!

And last for today, the point about buying wisely….. I have said this before, but dollar for dollar, rand for rand, pound for pound, wherever you are spending your money, you can’t beat a Land Rover for value, you just get so much more vehicle for your money…. A few years ago in South Africa, a mate of mine bought a 2nd hand Prado, at about the same time I bought my 2nd hand D2. He paid a 25% premium for an older, higher mileage vehicle. A year later he sold it because he couldn’t live with it. I had my D2 until we left a year later and could not have been happier with it. The point here is, if you remove the “only buy Toyota or you will have trouble” blinkers, do a bit of research, make use of these forums and the countless people out there who are willing to help, and as a result buy wisely, you will not go wrong with a Land Rover and will have years of happy motoring and 4x4ing with it. Not to mention the smug permagrin every time you overtake a Prado…….. :D I love my Landy.

That’s it for today folks, let me know when you get sick of my ramblings and I will stop.

DS

[gghaggis]

I have not met a true Land Rover driver (RRS pimp mobiles excluded) that wouldn’t drop everything to help another.

DS

I shall certainly try not to morph into said sunglassed drug-smuggling pimp-dressed RRS driver when the time arrives :eek:

Cheers,

Gordon

[DiscoSaffa]

I shall certainly try not to morph into said sunglassed drug-smuggling pimp-dressed RRS driver when the time arrives :eek:

Cheers,

Gordon

Never forgetting the tinted windows (this is forgivable) and 23 inch chromed wheels....... :D

[trobbo]

DS I love your installments and if you keep this up LR may put you on their pr payroll. :D

The funniest thing I have ever seen from a land rover driver was about 11 years ago when I was driving on the beach at Robe. I had left my beloved range rover classic at home because it had broken down and I wasn't interested in fixing it and be faced with the fuel bill generated by the 350 I had under the bonnet. So I hired a rav 4 soft top and had a wonderfull time blasting on top of the sand. Anyway we were driving along the beach and an unfortunate LR driver had managed to get himself bogged in the semi soft sand (as many were doing in their new computer controlled cars). I drove around him a couple of times to see what was going on and stopped to lend a hand and assistance by shovelling some sand away from his axles and sills because he had managed to bury it that much. The hapless LR driver was using one of the little fold up shovels whilst his barbie doll sat on the foot mat on the sand waiting patiently for her man to sort out the problem. With a long handled shovel and tires aired down we quickly had him freed. Barbie doll hops back in the car and lol and behold 10 meters on, he has bogged himself just as bad again by not knowing when to stop using the right foot. We dug him out and got him going again. He was determined not to get bogged again and continued on up the beach and out of sight.... leaving his barbie doll behind. She sure did have a long walk up the beach to where ever they had come from carrying that floor mat.


I might also add that at least when the D3 went up in smoke it was covered by insurance not like that time bomb ticking under the nissan bonnet where you are left high and dry by everyone and importantly Nissan.
:wasntme:

[rovers1952]

.....I have to agree with you all the way (having read the full thread)....having driven 5 Landies in the last 50 years, four of which I owned and the last three being Discos. Locally here, D3 owners all seem to wave ('cept a few soccer mums).
But a little test today in the wet on a round-about involved a vehicle entering the round-about on my left whilst I had already entered. Doing about 25 km/h, I hit the skids, ABS cutting in, relatively new Coopers, and I stopped, my bull bar within an inch of his drivers door. Any lesser vehicle would have resulted in his two right doors being taken out.
Yes, another D3 tragic.
Witness...
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 3 - www.drive.com.au (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=61566&vf=1)

[DiscoSaffa]

DS I love your installments and if you keep this up LR may put you on their pr payroll. :D

*sigh* if only I could earn a living doing this!! :(

Anyway, I am sorry but I have missed a few instalments..... what with moving house towards the end of last week, and month end reporting..... have to work some time I guess.....

I will get the next instalment underway today….. plenty to tell after the weekend I have had! But in the mean time please feel free to jump in with your own stories like trobbo, and rovers1952……. I am not the only one that feels the way I do about Land Rovers, and I know I would love to hear other stories, and I am sure there are more out there that would love to hear em……..

Till later

DS

[DiscoSaffa]

Right, today’s instalment….. (gonna take advantage of a few spare minutes in my morning)

Why I love my Land Rover. I love it’s ability to make friends…… :ehand: towards the end of last week I had a training session at work…. You know the kind….. at the beginning you all have to introduce yourself, name, where you from, what are your interests blah blah blah….. offcourse Land Rovers came up under the interest section when I introduced myself. Come the morning tea break, this kicked off two conversations and resulted in making contact with two people I would otherwise never have met….. my favourite was a young guy who has just started work with us and his opening remark was something like, “So mate, you got any other Land Rovers or just the shiny one you drive every day?” made me chuckle……. Love my D3!

As mentioned earlier, we had the pleasure of moving house last week……. Somehow while in transit our goods seem to have expanded, and we had a surplus of furniture etc etc…… no problem, there is a local place that offers storage, and they even have a trailer you can borrow for free, bonus. Friday morning I went along, signed up and picked up the trailer…… not the little box trailer I was expected, but a two ton horsebox type thing…… “no worries” I thought, I drive a D3. That said I was a bit concerned, in that I only drive the V6 petrol……. Anyway I hitched it up (thanks for all the advice from all of you out there!) and off I went…… the vehicle didn’t even feel it, at one point I had to negotiate a right turn across traffic on the Pacific highway, a manoeuvre that requires lightning quick reflexes on the part of the driver and the vehicle, forgot about trailer, saw a gap, took it….. :burnrubber: no drama…… I love my D3!

I love the fact that my eldest daughter (all of 2 years and 4 months old) has a relationship with my Land Rover. You should know by now that my Land Rover’s name is Audrey….. My daughter after commenting that Audrey looked funny with a bright orange trailer, was helping me unpack……. At which point she turns to the car and says. “look at me Audrey, I am carrying boxes”. Later in the day, she was paddling in her pool in the garden, and turned to the driveway and said, “look at me Audrey, I’m swimming”…… My family loves my D3!

That's it for today.....

DS

[WhiteD3]

Here's my reason for today:o

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/98127-d3-vs-commodore-ute-winner.html#post1176465

[DiscoSaffa]

Here's my reason for today:o

OUCH......

Thanks WhiteD3 for reminding me of another reason….. I had a similar experience in London…… was driving my Freelander at the time. I got shunted from behind by a Citroën of sorts…. Both of his headlights were smashed, bumper torn off, and radiator re-located…. Until the day I sold that vehicle I could not find a scratch on the Freelander…….. I love my Land Rovers!!!

[DiscoSaffa]

.... leaving his barbie doll behind. She sure did have a long walk up the beach to where ever they had come from carrying that floor mat.

:Rolling:This sounds remarkably like a post by rmp in the following thread.....

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/10/96.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-zone/index2.html#) Sand driving in a D3, what am I doing wrong? (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-zone/97108-sand-driving-d3-what-am-i-doing-wrong.html)

I had no idea people took his advice so seriously......... I reckon the dude in your story was in for the serious high jump when she caught up with him!! :D

[DiscoSaffa]

I might also add that at least when the D3 went up in smoke it was covered by insurance not like that time bomb ticking under the nissan bonnet where you are left high and dry by everyone and importantly Nissan.
:wasntme:

Tell me more...... :confused:

[trobbo]

Nissan refuse to acknowledge the problem with the early 3.0 GU patrols which are referred to as the hand grenade. Why? Cause you never know when they are going to go bang. To meet emmissions the fuel is run so lean that No 4 cylinder (i think) gets to hot and the engine self destructs. The lucky ones get a parts replacement and have to pay labour.

A vehicle burnt to a crisp is covered by insurance. a catastrophic mechanical failure which will cost you around 15K is not.

[DiscoSaffa]

Short and sweet today.

A pic taken in the site parking lot this morning, see if you can spot the odd one out........ I love being that one!

22385

DS

[DiscoSaffa]

Hi All

Life at work and home has been chaotic of late so have not had a chance to write my bit.......

So for today I am gonna post a link to one of Jonesfam's posts, a great story, and a great reason to love your D3! Love your work Jonesfam!

Almost Boring! (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-zone/99177-almost-boring.html)

The babywash musta got a workout after that!

For my part, the thing I love about landys for today is...... I love the fact that I genuinely miss this forum and the people on here when (like at the moment) I don't get to log on too frequently........ :)

[DiscoSaffa]

A quiet day on the job for a change, so time for another post me thinks……….

What do I love about my Landy today?

As you know by now, I work on a construction site…… it is 12.5km of major earthworks and structures that in 2 years time will be a highway……… in short (at the moment anyway) a muddy mess….. I have noticed over the past few weeks that whenever we get visitors to site….. I get asked to take them round, in short I love the way that my D3 is the (VIP:cool:[tonguewink]) vehicle of choice on site…… I love my D3

Engines……. Now I have said before that I love the 4.0 petrol V6 in the D3. It drives nicely, it sounds awesome, and when considering that it is asked to move a 3 ton 4x4, with the aerodynamics of a brick, around…. it is actually pretty good in the fuel consumption stakes….. all that said there is nothing to beat a Land Rover V8………. Safari Barbie and I tend to sit on our veranda in the evenings and have a drink. There is a D2 V8 that lives across the road from us, and when he turns into the top of the street, you can hear it. I love the sound, I love the fact that amongst all the Holden and Ford V6 and V8s around the Land Rover V8 stands out. It is such a distinctive sound. I love that despite having had my D3 for near enough two years now, I still miss my D2 V8. I love a Land Rover V8!

Last for today, and we have the D3 alone to thank for this. I love the fact that there appear to be more and more Land Rover converts around (you just have to look at this forum). This I believe is as a result of the number of 2nd hand D3s on the market increasing. With the arrival of the D4, this is only going to increase. I love the fact that previous Toyota and Pajero owners are converting to Land Rover as they realise that the D3 has so much to offer and that the vehicle has gone a long way to dealing with the reliability issues that have plagued Land Rover for so long. I love the D3!

That’s it for today folks……

DS

[rmp]

I still smile every time I read 'Safari Barbie'. That is so apt for so many women I know! Much better than SWMBO or Handbrake.

[DiscoSaffa]

I still smile every time I read 'Safari Barbie'. That is so apt for so many women I know! Much better than SWMBO or Handbrake.

It was a phrase coined long ago. She has spent so much time in the passenger or drivers seat of my various Land Rovers, and most of our early trips were around Southern Africa on "Safari". My (mostly single) mates at the time gave her the nickname, which fits, she is blonde, with blue eyes and IMHO anyway makes me and my Land Rover look good, she aslo took the catering on our trips to a new level, and generally looked after us all........

So then perhaps what I love most about my Land Rover is her in the passenegr seat with me..... I love Safari Barbie!

[rmp]

So then perhaps what I love most about my Land Rover is her in the passenger seat with me..... I love Safari Barbie!

Why aren't you in the driver's seat? Oh, hang on...never mind. :redface:

[DiscoSaffa]

Oh, hang on...never mind. :redface:

Just try and keep her out of it!! :D

[jonesfam]

This about Discoveries in general, not just mine.

The local police sergeant (Boss) who has always been a "Toyota Man" saw us roll back into town last October in the D3, asked for a look & also asked how we liked it. So we sung the D3's praises & his only comment was that we were asking for trouble with all the electronics.
Now I have know this bloke many years & we do like taking the mickey regarding cars, driving skill & our dogs. He has Belgian Shepards we have a Belgian Melenos, mines meaner

So the Sargent went off on leave a few weeks ago with the comment he might buy a new car, my comment was when he got bogged in the 200 series coming back to give me a call.

Well, he got back from leave & came in to sing the D3/D4's praises.
Seems he test drove every different 4WD while he was on leave & after driving a D4 everything else seemed ordinary, very ordinary. He could not afford a D4 so he also drove a 2nd hand D3 V6. Still better than anything else though he liked the D4 interior a bit better.
So now he is trying to figure a way to buy a 2nd hand TDV6 with a few options.
I suggested graft & corruption but he reckoned there wasn't any point in Doomadgee, besides he wants to drive it, not see it from a cell window.

So I love the D3 because it has another convert.

BTW The sarg was chasing some kids around the school grounds (Vandals) in his new Toyota Troopie V8TD police car when she sank in the mud to the side steps. Had to get an exivator in to pull it out.:p
I told him that the police should invest in some D4's.
Jonesfam

[Staggers]

D3 owners wave? Unreal. I've had a 2002 Defender for the last 8 years, and a 1972 series 3 88 SWB ragtop before that so I've been waving pretty much the whole time for the last 20 years. Just in the process of looking for a TDV6 D3 and thought I'd have to say goodbye to the wave (selling the Defender) - Haven't seen any D3's waving at me in the Defender? I guess I never thought of waving at a D3.... I'll change my habits now.

[DiscoSaffa]

D3 owners wave? Unreal. I've had a 2002 Defender for the last 8 years, and a 1972 series 3 88 SWB ragtop before that so I've been waving pretty much the whole time for the last 20 years. Just in the process of looking for a TDV6 D3 and thought I'd have to say goodbye to the wave (selling the Defender) - Haven't seen any D3's waving at me in the Defender? I guess I never thought of waving at a D3.... I'll change my habits now.

Good call....... I love the Land Rover wave........ I am almost certain it is unique to Land Rovers....... but it doesn’t matter where in the world you are, what Land Rover you drive, you wave. It is almost written in the :rulez:…….. I will admit to getting strange looks from posh soccer mums when I wave at them but I don’t plan to change my habits……. Come to think of it I got a strange look from a D2 today when I waved, but I think they are just not used to D3s waving……. But have faith as more real Land Rover drivers start driving D3s the wave will catch on…. refer to an earlier post all about Jim (mighta been my first actually)…… so yeah….. Love the Land Rover wave!!

Also love the way people are starting to post their own stories here (thanks Jonesfam)

rmp what are our chances of a sticky thread? ;)

[DiscoSaffa]

oh...... I almost forgot...... I love the way Audrey looks in her new boots...... got me a set of Continental Cross Contact ATs today....... :burnrubber:

[mildred]

Good call....... I love the Land Rover wave........ I am almost certain it is unique to Land Rovers....... but it doesn’t matter where in the world you are, what Land Rover you drive, you wave it is almost written in the :rulez:…….. I will admit to getting strange looks from posh soccer mums when I wave at them but I don’t plan to change my habits……. Come to think of it I got a strange look from a D2 today when I waved, but I think they are just not used to D3s waving……. But have faith as more real Land Rover drivers start driving D3s the wave will catch on…. refer to an earlier post all about Jim (mighta been my first actually)…… so yeah….. Love the Land Rover wave!!



Also love the way people are starting to post their own stories here (thanks Jonesfam)

rmp what are our chances of a sticky thread? ;)

I usually do the "Royal wave" , a light flick of the wrist, fingers twitching at the tips, rotating the wrist alternately with the fingers. gets them going every time, funny looks, cheesy grin and we pass like ships in the night.....such is life :spudnikwaving:

[rmp]

rmp what are our chances of a sticky thread? ;)

Good idea. Look up top.

[DiscoSaffa]

Good idea. Look up top.

What am I looking for? :confused:

[DiscoSaffa]

What am I looking for? :confused:

Never mind...... bit early in the morning..... thanks for that!!

[oldsalt]

Because I just had a lovely couple of days up around Mt Buller.....the D3 ran like a swiss watch and I just had to point it to where I wanted to go and off I went....no dramas.....and my friend who owns a Toyota couldn't get over how supple the ride was and how effortlessly it covered all sorts of terrain.......then this morning I bought a sample pot of paint and it fitted in the cup holder in the drivers door so I could drive home without worrying where the can was ....it's the little things in life that bring the most joy.
:D

[Graeme]

....and my friend... couldn't get over how supple the ride was
I'm jealous, but hopefully D3 shocks will fit my D4 to make it the same.

[trobbo]

went shopping for my D3 today. First up took a v8 for a drive and then two tdv6's - all HSE's.

My wife is suffering from a bit of a sore back today. She said after riding in the D3 it was starting to feel better because the seats were sooooo supportive and comfortable.

Show me another car which you can sit in and actually feel better in than before you sat in the seat, not the same as, but better. So I love the D3 because it has healing properties.




Got to chatting to the dealer's on price for the tdv6's. Both claimed there was no margin in their prices and the most I could get them to budge was $1500, so we couldn't reach an agreement on price.

[jtonline]

Was at my dads today to borrow the trailer. While hooking it up my dad had his head in the back window talking to my kids when what he thought was the suspesion moving was actually the concrete cracking that I had parked on. Now this is a good thing as he has been meaning to break it up and grow the grass there for some time as it was a slab for and old milking shed he had. So love the D3 as it even helps us when we don't even ask.

[DiscoSaffa]

went shopping for my D3 today. First up took a v8 for a drive and then two tdv6's - all HSE's.

Very nice..... V8 or TDV6, bith lovely vehicles, good luck and enjoy once the purchase is made!


My wife is suffering from a bit of a sore back today. She said after riding in the D3 it was starting to feel better because the seats were sooooo supportive and comfortable.

Show me another car which you can sit in and actually feel better in than before you sat in the seat, not the same as, but better. So I love the D3 because it has healing properties.

I reckon I should have mentioned this before, so thanks trobbo..... the D3 has THE nicest seats, and seating position of any vehicle I have ever owned! At the ripe old age of 35, I suffer from a gammy hip and right knee.... :wheelchair: the D3 is the only vehicle I have ever been able to drive long distances (and by that I mean anything over an hour) without having to get out and stretch my legs..... I can happily sit in it and drive it for literally hours on end with no hassles....... Love my D3's seats!!

[DiscoSaffa]

AnD3Rew, apologies for hi-jacking your thread, but it is too good a post not to put the link here.......

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/100746-rice-rocket.html

Is one of the things I love about my D3....... despite it only being the V6, it has plenty get up and go, more than most P Plate, Coffee Can Exhaust driving teenagers expect........ Whenever I am parked first up at a set of lights, they pull up along side me with this look in their eyes...... "gonna show this old codger in his brick a thing or two" light goes green...... simply plant your right foot (and even then not all the way) and the disbeleiving look on their faces as they are left behind is a thing to behold....... Love my D3!

[trobbo]

Here is my installment for today.

If you have been trawlling here for a little while you will have noticed that I have been looking for a D3 for a couple of months. A couple of dealer cars were looked at but a deal couldn't be struck, a wanted ad was placed in markets without success and things were looking desperate. I even missed out on a kitted out car at the desired price because I waited about 14 hours before making an enquiry.

Well at the beginning of this week a private vehicle appeared on car sales. Without trying to look desperate I phoned the guy within 2 - 3 hours of the add appearing (yes I was looking that hard). I was the first to call him, but certainly not the last, so he gave me first call on it. It's a tdv6 hse. The dealer had insulted him with a trade in of 37K when he upped to a 5ltr RR Sport. He bought it to me to test drive the following day and a deal was struck.

Now there are two more happy people in this world. :D

A rwc is obtained within 24 hours and yesterday he delivered the car to me. Does it get any better?

So of course I took it for a drive last night and showed him off. As we are driving around my youngest asks me what it's name is. We have mums car (the forester) the truck (my D1) the black duck (my VW Jetta), but what are we going to call this one?

Tod it's time to wake up now, we put in the key and start the engine, Tod opens his eyes, has a look to the sides and up and down and then is ready for action. Tod has adaptive eyes err um I mean head lights, which, when you havent had them before are a great gimmick and of course very functional. His name was simple TOD is on his number plate. The voice on the sat guidance has been changed cause Prudence talking (that's the posh voice on my old sat nav) just didn't sound right for Tod.

What I like about him is after just 4 hours he has a personality and a name! I like my gadgets and buttons and love my D3.

[DiscoSaffa]

Nice one trobbo!

Thanks for jumping on the band wagon, and enjoy the D3! You are fast going to learn the definintion of permagrin! :D After nearly two years in one, I still look forward to every opportunity to take Audrey for a drive........ (short history behind her name, she is a big girl and English, the name just fits)

I love my D3!

DS

[DiscoSaffa]

Been far too long...... and this is probably more a “Why I love my Landy” story that a pukka story, hence the reason for posting here, and not the “Stories Thread”…..

Week before last Audrey, my beloved D3, was due a service. On the advice of those here, I headed for Southport and dropped her off in Bruce Lynton’s capable hands for the day and picked up my loan car for the day. A lovely little diesel FL2, but more on that in a bit.

I had just parked my vehicle, and was heading for service reception when the boys were clearing the garage of all the vehicles that had been parked up for the night. Out of the garage comes a Stornoway Grey 3.0SE D4, with almond leather…… It was love at first sight…. Hells bells I want one!! I would love a D4! :BigThumb:

Anyway, I digress…… I dropped off my keys and hopped into the Flandy….. I imagine that the feeling is akin to a 747 pilot jumping into a 737….. although there are slight differences, you can start it up and head off, without having to familiarise yourself with all the controls, because to all intents and purposes the important stuff is all in the same place, you are definitely in a Land Rover. Now the Flandy I had been given is the TD4, and what a little motor, pulls like train and (especially for someone who is not a huge fan of diesels) drives very nicely. I would hate to know what the new 3.0 TDV6 is like!?! :eek: The fuel consumption was also pretty incredible…… didn’t get into double figures all day, and I drove it most of the day, in fact ended up at averaging 9.1l/100km over 350km. On the subject of fuel consumption, the computer on the Flandy has one extra option that my D3 doesn’t have, that being instantaneous fuel consumption, a figure that I always find amusing to watch. I got to thinking about it, and figured it is a function that they probably remove from the Petrol V6 computers to save the owners undue stress……. I do love Land Rovers

So come to the end of the day, drop of the loaner, and hop back into Audrey. Now the Free Lander is a lovely vehicle, but it is no D3, it was like coming home after staying in a hotel for a few days. One sits that little bit higher, the seat and steering wheel are adjusted just right, hit the starter and that V6 jumps to life. I have said it before, and I will say it again, if it was possible to improve on the sound of a D2 V8, they did it with the D3 V6. I just love driving my D3, I will take a drive, just for the sake of taking the vehicle for a drive, but it is always that little bit better when you have been in something else all day. In short, I love my D3, and it was good to have her back!! :)

[Watpub]

Jeez fellas, this is the only forum I've been on where I've teared up! Tod and Audrey...

Mine arrives in June - I might have to have a naming competition.

Enjoy your rides, regards,

Ron

[WhiteD3]

The fuel consumption was also pretty incredible…… didn’t get into double figures all day, and I drove it most of the day, in fact ended up at averaging 9.1l/100km over 350km.

The FL2 V6 I'm loaned from SSLR get's worse economy (according to the carputer) than my D3 V6:o

[rmp]

Reads like a good story in the classic DS style we have all come to know and love.

So I've utilised my magic powers and copied it to the Stories thread.

That's enough magic for one day, it makes me tired.

[DiscoSaffa]

Reads like a good story in the classic DS style we have all come to know and love.

So I've utilised my magic powers and copied it to the Stories thread.

That's enough magic for one day, it makes me tired.

I fought with this long and hard, and in the end knew that someone out there with the power would help.... thanks rmp!

[DiscoSaffa]

....I might have to have a naming competition......

Gotta be done........ :D

[DiscoSaffa]

The FL2 V6 I'm loaned from SSLR get's worse economy (according to the carputer) than my D3 V6:o

Sorry WhiteD3, missed this post when I was reading the others at 2am this morning (long story).

Anyway, that is scary..... if you are anything like me, it might result from the fact that I tend to drive smaller cars more…. erm…… enthusiastically…….. :burnrubber:

Otherwise something must be wrong with the car, or it’s pooter……. :(

[d2dave]

I don't own a D3 but what I like about them is this thread. Brilliant!! Without a D3 this thread would not exist.

I am tossing up between a Puma and a D3 for my next vehicle, a decision I am finding hard. I love both but this thread is helping the decision.

Dave.

[DiscoSaffa]

I don't own a D3 but what I like about them is this thread. Brilliant!! Without a D3 this thread would not exist.

I am tossing up between a Puma and a D3 for my next vehicle, a decision I am finding hard. I love both but this thread is helping the decision.

Dave.

You wouldn't think it would be tough with them both being such different animals..... but each in great in their own right, and as you point out, by no means an easy decision..... for me it boiled down to wanting to (having to really :)) drive a Landy, and having to lug a family around......

Good luck with the decision making!

[DiscoSaffa]

What do I love about my D3 today? I am still here, as in on this earth in one piece, thanks to Audrey……..

Heading to work this morning along the Pacific Highway through Ballina, come to turn right at a traffic light heading south. At this point I should point out that it has been bucketing down since about 1am this morning.

Anyway, I turn right, but the front wheels go straight……. just for a split second I have an OH #$&@ moment, but the computer kicks in, Audrey is back on the straight and narrow and I made it to work all rather unfussed…….. love my traction control, LOVE my D3!

[Bushwanderer]

:BigThumb:

[Watpub]

I am still here, as in on this earth in one piece, thanks to Audrey……..

...short history behind her name, she is a big girl and English, the name just fits....



Nothing like a big English girl to keep you on the straight and narrow!:p

Regards, Ron

[Disco4SE]

Hey Ron, I presume that your wife is either not English or does not read this forum :)
Oh and remember...........Happy wife, Happy life

[Watpub]

Hey Ron, I presume that your wife is either not English or does not read this forum :)
Oh and remember...........Happy wife, Happy life

Correct on both counts! And dead right about the Happy wife, Happy life! I had to get the cold climate pack with the heated seats in the D4 to keep the missus happy!

Regards, Ron

[rmp]

What do I love about my D3 today? I am still here, as in on this earth in one piece, thanks to Audrey……..

Heading to work this morning along the Pacific Highway through Ballina, come to turn right at a traffic light heading south. At this point I should point out that it has been bucketing down since about 1am this morning.

Anyway, I turn right, but the front wheels go straight……. just for a split second I have an OH #$&@ moment, but the computer kicks in, Audrey is back on the straight and narrow and I made it to work all rather unfussed…….. love my traction control, LOVE my D3!

that would be stability control more than traction control, but yes it's a good little computer!

[DiscoSaffa]

Nothing like a big English girl to keep you on the straight and narrow!:p

Nicely put!! :BigThumb: :D

That's how Safari Barbie and I decided on Audrey's name..... she is big, she is English (the D3) and Audrey just fit...... for the record..... Safari Barbie is English as well..... also to the best of her ability, she keeps me on the straight and narrow, but would certainly not call her big...... ever!!


that would be stability control more than traction control, but yes it's a good little computer!

The front wheels were definately sliding for part of that OH @#$% moment so there was probably a good mix of both in there.... :eek: