When will you upgrade to a D3?

**Romulus** · 21st August 2008, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by tempestv8

Having bought one of the first ever Disco II V8s to come into Australia back in 1999, I've had a ball of a time in doing trips, modifying the Disco, fixing the things that have failed and generally developed a lifestyle to appreciate the outdoors for the last 9 years.

So this question of when would I consider it the right time to upgrade to a D3 is particularly tangible for me, because my Disco is getting on a bit, and my four wheel driving wish list has evolved and matured a bit.

In the early years, I was the Toolangi State Forest weekend warrior, but these days those challenges that stinky bog holes with abrasive mud that eats seals and pulleys no longer appeal to me. I long now to travel the outback more and instead of tenting it, I'd most likely be towing my campervan.

Also, I had a 5 seater and with the very clever 3rd row seat design on the D3, it's become a very compelling solution for the odd occasion when I have more than 5 people that would need transportation, e.g. overseas visitors staying with us.

So the D3 seems to be a good solution - I'd go for a TDV6 which is just so refined compared to the "angry" clatter of the TD5 in the DII. I really like the idea of a ZF 6 speed auto - the ZF 4 speed auto in my DII has been bullet proof but really needed an extra cog (or two), especially when towing.

I've spent some time with a D3 on a few different weekends and in different scenarios, and have to say that it has really grown on me because it just seems to fit my changing lifestyle and 4x4'ing requirements so much better.

It's definitely more spacious and comfortable for the sort of touring that our long and distant roads impose on us. It's so quiet and refined that the TDV6 is a far more desirable motor than the Rover V8 even if I factor out the fuel cost savings.

I'm certainly on the look out for a nice used HSE TDV6 example with a glass sunroof and rear diff lock.

Will I buy one soon? With all this fuss about "peak oil" and ridiculous diesel pricing structure in Australia, I'm just holding off for now. Maybe pay off more of my house and then reconsider once the US economy looks like it's beginning to turn around.

I think that it's still "dangerous" time currently ahead from a financial perspective, as there may well be more fall out from the slowing world economy, so it could be poor decision to buy something right now when I really don't have to.

That's my two bob's worth!

I see you still got the L/R bug Lawrance!

Cheers
Holger

**weeds** · 21st August 2008, 02:11 PM

if i had the $$$ i would buy one, not a bad shopping trolley i guess

.........it would stay second inline to my 95 defender

**westonben** · 21st August 2008, 05:19 PM

Made enquiries just this morning with the main dealer. I'm so sick of not being able to get my D1 working.

**Leo** · 21st August 2008, 05:56 PM

The D3 is a totally different beast to previous discos. For anyone having doubts - take a test drive.

On-road and off, it leaves the d1 and d2 for dead. Most initial problems have been sorted and the D3 is much less likely to leave you stranded than the previous generation.

The only issue is the dealers.......

**ozscott** · 21st August 2008, 06:40 PM

For now they might (might) be more reliable...wait til they have racked up 200,000 + ks and then we will see Leo. As for better off road, well in stock trim yes in the main...as for when modding...D1 and D2 leave the D3...and the D3 would break when trying to follow a well modded D1 or D2 (and you cant mod a D3 to anything worth doing because of the IRS all round).

As for one area of offroad - on sand - I would pit a D1/D2 with decent tyres against an LR3 with the biggest tyres you can sensibly fit on those big mags any day

PS. If your serious about reliability I will soon stop putting up so many ks on my D1 - its at 256,000 with totally original drive train, excellent compression etc and you can rack up those ks Leo, then we can give them a service and drive them round Australia on a super test and see which is the most reliable. Again I say, the only people who have such utter confidence in these trucks in the LONG term are those that have little knowledge of electronics and the sheer extent and complexity of the electronics that exists in/plagues the D3.

**Narangga** · 21st August 2008, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by Redback

A pink snatch strap, do we have matching gloves and bag too

Baz

Quinnyii · 21st August 2008, 07:53 PM

Will be upgrading to a D3 as soon as my old mans comes off his lease in 2 years. Fabulous machine, cant wait. But until then the d2 V8 is still a great toy.

Quinny

Tombie · 21st August 2008, 08:00 PM

Never !!!!!!

You wont see my fat ar... backside in a D3...

Rangie Sport yes, but never a D3.....

**timdo1** · 21st August 2008, 08:01 PM

I went out on the weekend to Toolangi with a D1, D2, a 200 Series, a Prado and a Pajero. The D1 and D2 were good but the 200 was awesome. It had road tyres on and got through everything except one muddy hill and it would have got up easy if it had real rubber. If the D3 is that good, i want one tomorrow. Now my wife has a V6 petrol D3 but i am not allowed to get it scratched.........yet. I must say, on the road its a great car, the airbag suspension (with the ability to raise), its a bit bigger and the 7 seats are fantastic. I suspect the terrain response 4WD system will be good (from my little bit of playing). The 200 Series is a very expensive car, and yet again the Disco is much better value for money (which is why i bought a D2 originally). Right now you can get a D3 with 100k's on it for around mid to high 50's. If it came down a bit more I might consider jumping. So I will watch and wait, for now.

MarknDeb · 21st August 2008, 08:08 PM

When they release it with the TD V8 in it and the 7 seater has all coils no airbags

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