DiscoTDI,
This Dealer of yours is rubbish. Obviously you don't have too many options with other authorised dealers. Even in Melbourne there aren't too many Dealers to choose from.
I share your frustrations. I've had my fair share of problems with the D3 and its got to a point where the wife doesn't want to go 4WDing and camping anymore. I expressed this concern with my Dealer's Service Team Leader and how we have little faith in reliability. It's been back to the dealer more than 10 times for warranty repairs - mostly electrical and most recently tailgate wouldn't open The time spent driving 80km to and from the dealer plus the wasted time when I should be at work just adds to the inconvenience of owning a LR.
Having spent more than $90K not including roof rack, wheels and tyres on the D3 and to use the D3 just as a daily commuter is just a huge waste of money. I didn't buy the D3 for this purpose. It was bought for touring but if it ain't reliable then how can you trust it for touring. I don't want to be stranded in a remote place as a result of poor quailty. If I was to get rid of it in less than 1 year I would loose heaps of money likewise you are in the same boat. The other question is what would you get - Toyota? Nissan? Jeep? They all seem to have problems but maybe not as many as LR.
It's all a bit disheartning and very costly.
Did I make a mistake in buying a LR? I know of 2 other D3 owners and one D3 seems not to have had any problems like me and the other has had a few problems with the compressor and other errors but not as many as me.
I've given my D3 one last chance. If it can get to the 1 year service in April 06 (or in 2000km time) without an unscheduled visit for another problem then I'll reconsider not making a major complaint to the Dealer and LRA. I have about 60 days to go! Wish my D3 luck.
Apart from this rant I love the D3 and love driving it but you can only take so much inconvenience before something gives.
Chris
