A curiosity question for D3 owners

[Ace]

Hi guys, im slowly putting the cash away to buy another vehicle in about 18months to 2yrs time. So far im thinking a rangie or D3 for around the 40k mark when the time comes.

Have just been looking on carsales and the like and there seems to be alot of the 4.0L petrols selling but bugger all 2.7L TDV6 models, it will need to be an SE of HSE unless someone is selling an S with the terrain response option.

But my question is for all you D3 owners how is it holding up. Alot of the mags were sceptical about all the electrics etc when it was released but it has been around for few years now and there are plenty around with a decent amount of km's on them. Just wondering how people are going with their D3's. Are they proving to be a reliable vehicle, has anyone had niggling issues etc.

Some feeback would be good, just out of curiosity. The D3's seem to be holding their value pretty well, there arent many TDV6 models, so people must be keeping them.

[jonesy63]

Hi Ace,
My 2006 was one of the first MY07 TDV6 - with EURO4 diesel motors. I had all sorts of problems with the fuel system - kept chewing up and spitting out high pressure fuel pumps. Had it replaced three times - resulting in a couple of months off the road. This finally resulted in a factory recall for them (last year - along with a brake recall). I never received a letter from LR, as I had already had the new pump fitted... twice! The first time the new pump failed - it was due to faulty installation by the dealer. Been on a complete new fuel system for a year now - so far, so good.<touch wood!> Anything that fuel is stored in, or flows through - was replaced. Yes - very exxy - but warranty covered it.

I suggest you look at one that still has a little factory warranty left - so you can extend it with aftermarket warranty. It is a very expensive exercise if the turbo/gearbox/fuel system fails!

I still love it... I just went down to Basinview last weekend and got 7.8L/100km (on the optomistic trip computer). Towed my brother's 2t boat back and it went up to 10.0L/100km! Not bad - never even knew it was being towed! :D

Cheers,
Rob

[jonesy63]

BTW - I now have about 90,000km on it. The only time I've had an electrical fault - was when the dealer installed the steering angle sensor in back to front! Oh... and the other time that they zapped the security system - when installing a replacement clock spring in steering wheel (for cruise control and stereo controls).

I hope you're seeing a trend... find a good dealer and stick to them!

[Ace]

Thanks for the feedback Jonesy, i will have to wait and see what the budget will allow when the time comes as to how old the vehicle will be. If i buy one that is a few years old technically speaking all of the sorts of issues you have experienced should have been sorted out under warranty. But we will see.

From what i have heard they are proving to be a top truck and very reliable. I have looked at the V8 model but not sure on the fuel consumption. But then when you look at the lower second hand values because of the popularity of the diesel and the lower servicing and parts costs that come with a petrol compared to diesel over say 5yrs of ownership it probably balances out.

I have considered the range rover aswell, might just be a case of test drive everything when im ready and buy what i like. From what i have heard the 3.0L TD6 in the rangies is a top engine aswell.

[rmp]

D3s are reliable in all engine guises. The V6 petrol would be the cheapest.

[WhiteD3]

I've had my V6 for 3 years, 70,000km. The only issues I've had were a noisy AC compressor, dodgy fuel sensor and a wheel alignment issue. No probs with the drive train at all. The only vehicle I'll be looking at when I trade up is the D4.

[jtonline]

I have a 06 V6 Petrol SE. Love it. Had compressor (for suspension) replaced, Temp sensor for engine and boot cable broke. All of these replaced under extended warranty! So Extended Warranty worth the dollars. Have about 64000kms and loving it. So save those dollars!

[rovers1952]

MY 07 (build Dec 06) here TDv6. Almost faultless, front diff pinion seal weeping...to be replaced under warranty. Run Sydney to Orange last week returned 10 L/100k and 13 L/100k in continual peak hour driving. This is actual.... measuring tank fill to tank fill.

[DiscoSaffa]

I have an 08 4.0 V6. It is my 4th Land Rover. I have had an RRC, Freelander, Disco 2 and now this. Having owned the previous ones I understand your concerns. So far (touch wood) the D3 has given no hassles. Like WhiteD3 the only vehicle I will change it for is a D4 (although I will have to hang on to the D3 a bit longer with the pricing of the D4 :o)

As far as fuel consumption goes, the money you save buying the V6 will more than cover the (relatively minor) fuel saving with the diesel. If you can find a good V8, they actually use less fuel than the V6. That said depending on what you want the vehicle for, there are other good resons for the diesel. If you are towing serious weight for long distances the diesel is the way to go.

Personally, if reliability is a concern, the V6 has got to be the safer option. This is only my opinion and take it as such, but the V6 is a very old motor used by ford for many years and I know many examples of where it is still going 20 years down the line.

[wyperfield]

I have a 2009 (build 2008) TDV6 S.
I towed a jetski to Brisbane in January and averaged 10 l/100, which is excellent. Not towing I get < 9 l/100 normally.
Having had a petrol previously, I just love filling up less and the extra mileage. I used to carry spare fuel on camping trips with petrol, but on diesel it's seldom necessary.
I wish you well with your purchase., no matter whet you decide on.