Needing some suggestions

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Originally Posted by d1disco

Ok, so i am thinking of a D3 or D4.
I know there are more electrics, but i'm going to have the same issues with any "new" car anyway.
I like the idea of a bit more grunt if i'm going to be towing, and it at least appears the D3/D4 has a bit more space in the back than my old D1. Although the things I could fit in there vertically was amazing.
I was concerened about the crank issue with the D3/D4. I suppose less with the fact it could happen, but more the cost of a replacement engine. Although I have heard Nissan are now at $40k for replacement diesel engine for their earlier Patrols... so LR doesn't seem quite as bad.
The other thing I had, was wheel size, I never wanted to go out there and run 35s etc like others do on their biggers wagons, i did like the idea of a bit more tyre wall, and presumably the ability to run lower pressures in the tyres.
I made the assumption that the D3/4 didn't need to run pressures quite as low?

I suppose, if i'm getting one, it's going through the log book of the previous owner/s, seeing what has been done, and make sure i stay on a strict 5-10k service interval.
I know a 2 guys at work have them, and one in particular loves his. He's onto his 2nd, gave the first to the inlaws after he put petrol in the diesel. that was a few years ago, got it going and it still hasn't missed a beat.
While i'm concerned, i'm also thinking that maybe these are a little bit precious, and regular TLC rather than neglect and they will run a treat.

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I went from 98 TDI auto D1 to TDV6 D3 and i did lots of research before i took the plunge, i was initially concerned about the electrics and other complex systems but the more i read the better i understood them.
Space in the D3/4 is amazing and they really do swallow a whole lot of gear especially with the middle row seats folded flat.
You still want to lower the pressures if going off-road and at least you can get decent rubber in 18" and if you get a petrol V6 or TDV6 you can run 17" rims and fit a 70 profile tire.

Mum had a 93 D1 Tdi which I loved, but drove a bit like an oil tanker and wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding. She had that until 2010 when it snapped the locating pin on the crank nose. We bought our D3 in 2017. There's no comparison. The D3 is a better car in every possible metric except reliability.

If I knew in 2017 what I've learned in the last 8 years we'd have bought a V8 HSE instead. Having said that, the 2.7 in the D3 isn't known for snapping cranks (well, maybe except ours) and the 2.7 in the D4 has a well deserved reputation for reliability.

The D3 hasn't broken down on us since 2019 (when I took over servicing it). Up to that point it had done both EGR's, DPF, Turbo, the HPFP, handbrake module, crankshaft and then the misc maintenance items (suspension and all that).

The only major item I've had done in the last 6 years was the clutch earlier this year, and that's because it was shagged after 250kks of abuse and I felt too old, fat and lazy to pull the gearbox/transfer case myself.

You'd be hard pushed to beat a 3/4, but personally I'd stay away from the 3.0. I reckon if you can find a relatively low k's 4 with the 2.7, go for it. They're worth **** all now and getting more plentiful by the month.

I was having a gander at carsales last night. It was actually quite amazing the price range for the D4. From low teens all the way up to 50-60k.
Some were decked out with camping gear, and less than 100k on the clock.
in the 10-20k mark there were a good mixture of everything.
I think I have a plan, just need to get it past the minister of war and finance.
Which ever model i get, is it going to be worth, for peace of mind, getting someone to pull the motor apart and do a rebuild?
Along with doing the greasing of the input and output shafts from the TC.

Are there any other suggestions of things I should do regardless of what the previous owner says they have done?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by d1disco

I was having a gander at carsales last night. It was actually quite amazing the price range for the D4. From low teens all the way up to 50-60k.
Some were decked out with camping gear, and less than 100k on the clock.
in the 10-20k mark there were a good mixture of everything.
I think I have a plan, just need to get it past the minister of war and finance.
Which ever model i get, is it going to be worth, for peace of mind, getting someone to pull the motor apart and do a rebuild?
Along with doing the greasing of the input and output shafts from the TC.

Are there any other suggestions of things I should do regardless of what the previous owner says they have done?

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Why not buy one with low milage rather than rebuilding a motor that could be good? I just think, the more someone works on a car, often the more issues you have until its all sorted.

If I had to buy a modern car, I'd probably find the most reliable version of the range rover from around 2010 -> 2015..... I'd go for the most reliable, lowest milage version I can find. If that turns out to be a V8 petrol, well I guess my running costs will be high .... but I don't want modern diesel with all the complication of add blue .... or the Citroen/Poogoe/Ford V6 diesel that is a problem waiting to happen.

I would also need to cater for the servicing requirements. A lot of these modern cars appear to need the body lifted for some normal maintenance tasks. So I would also add the cost of installing a 2post hoist into my shed as a part of the cost of the car.

seeya
Shane L.