Thread: D3 or Other !!!

hi pete

not sure if this is relevant, but i reckon you could walk into a landrover dealer and get a brand new base model 2.7 D4 for very close to $70K - not far off where you are now.

given that, i would have thought there would be a few later model discos out there than a 2008 for $60K, and maybe not very far off some base model D4s ????

just a thought, i haven't looked at second hand prices...
lucas

get yourself the extended warranty on the D3 and have many years of happy motoring.

You will need to get the non serviceable transmission serviced by 100,000 preferably a bit earlier. A fluid change alone will be about $400 and to do it properly with an aftermarket pan (to make future fluid changes cheaper) will be about 48 - $900.

In terms of the specific q's

A. The seats in the D3 are sooooooo comfortable. It is the only car you get out of, feeling better than when you got in. They would be nice if they were heated though.

B. I haven't done any outback trips in mine yet but plenty of others have. Will let them answer this one. It would be advisable to fit a LR tank if doing lots of touring which then means a rear wheel carrier as well. tank ~ $1200. Carrier ~ 800 - $4000 for a Kaymar bar with dual carriers

C. Will let someone respond who has towed big vans. An ECU flash will help.

D. ??? Mine hasn't broken down in 12 months of ownership and now has 155K on it. Seems some break down more than others. But I have replaced ball joints and steering rack because they were starting to show singns of wear as well as transmission service leading to an expensive first 12 months.

Pete,
Like you we had a D2 and just about everything went wrong with it. Got to the stage where we didnt trust it to take beyond the city limits.
So it was with some trepidation we got a D3. Have to say it has been very reliable (minor issue with EPB ) but nothing like the issues on the D2.
Andrew

We just brought a early D3 to replace the D2a. Why? mainly for towing as we also have a 18' off road pop top caravan and with the extra water tanks and independant suspension etc the D2a was struggling wise.

By the way our caravan could not be towed by a Pajero legally even the new one with the increased 3000kg towing limit, once you go above a 2500 kg on the Paj the max ball weight comes down to about 150 kg from memory. The Pajero is not a bad bit of gear but they are definately not in the league on nearly any front of a D3/4.

To say I'm pleasantly surprized at how good the D3 is an understatement.

Good luck with what ever direction you go in.

cheers,
Terry

LCT does not apply to used vehicles and for new vehicles it does not apply to on-road costs (dealer delivery charges & registration).

I fitted new 2009 D3 shocks and sway bars to my D4 mostly because the D3's suspension is so much more pliable than the D4's for my wife's injured back but also because I didn't like the ride either. It needs a bit more bumps-top clearance on rougher roads but I have a fix for that.

Originally Posted by trobbo

.... But I have replaced ball joints and steering rack because they were starting to show singns of wear as well as transmission service leading to an expensive first 12 months.

Could you post up the cost of both of those repairs please mate?

As for the seats in the Paj - they are ok but a bit flat. Discovery has always been better than Paj in seating. The D2 seats are better than the Paj Nx IMHO having had an NX Exceed for a week.

The Paj tows well but the D3 from all accounts is certainly better and really sets the standard for heavy towing when comparing diesels in that year bracket.

As for reliability the Paj has had the odd problem but generally very reliable. The finish in them is nowhere near as nice as LandRover. My D2 was quiet cabin rattle rise compared to the NX Exceed and the tyre roar on the NX will drive you nuts.

Cheers

Originally Posted by trobbo

get yourself the extended warranty on the D3 and have many years of happy motoring.

You will need to get the non serviceable transmission serviced by 100,000 preferably a bit earlier. A fluid change alone will be about $400 and to do it properly with an aftermarket pan (to make future fluid changes cheaper) will be about 48 - $900.

In terms of the specific q's

A. The seats in the D3 are sooooooo comfortable. It is the only car you get out of, feeling better than when you got in. They would be nice if they were heated though.

B. I haven't done any outback trips in mine yet but plenty of others have. Will let them answer this one. It would be advisable to fit a LR tank if doing lots of touring which then means a rear wheel carrier as well. tank ~ $1200. Carrier ~ 800 - $4000 for a Kaymar bar with dual carriers

C. Will let someone respond who has towed big vans. An ECU flash will help.

D. ??? Mine hasn't broken down in 12 months of ownership and now has 155K on it. Seems some break down more than others. But I have replaced ball joints and steering rack because they were starting to show singns of wear as well as transmission service leading to an expensive first 12 months.

Gday...

Extended warranties are great in saving $$$s if it does break down..... However, it is the breaking down that really irritates - It won't save the inconveniece of being stranded before it is fixed. That said it gives some confidence.

I have a 2006 D3 TDV6 SE Auto and concur with the auto transmission oil change before 100,000km - I did mine at 80,000km. This was not because it was causing any problems, but because I tow a large van and am travelling full-time ... I call it insurance. The auto box is smooth and lovely both before and after the ATF change.

I also concur fully regarding the comfort of the D3 seats. I love them. My wife is a disability pensioner due to her back and joint & muscle problems. She LOVES the D3 compared to anything else we have owned.

As I said, I tow a 23ft 2600kg van full time. The D3 does it excellently. I cruise on 1900rpm @ 88-90kph in cruise control on the flat. I hold 2000rpm in hilly country without cruise. I get an average of 13.8ltr/100km towing the van - 12.6ltr/100km the best (freeway from NSW down to Benalla) and 15.9ltr/100kph (headwind from Mildura to Broken Hill).

I could not see how a Pajero would be anything as good as the D3 and I doubt the dealer/service network for a Pajero would be any better than the D3.

Make sure you get LR Roadside Assist as well .... good value although it may not help you way out in the sandy sticks.

Cheers
John

Originally Posted by Graeme

LCT does not apply to used vehicles and for new vehicles it does not apply to on-road costs (dealer delivery charges & registration).

LCT does actually apply to the sale of a used vehicle that is less than 2 years old from the date of first registration that is being sold by someone (or a business) registered for GST.