Thread: Hoping to buy my first D3

Originally Posted by Disco4SE

...My theory is that if you have the coin to buy one, you should have the coin to maintain one................ Wife that is, not vehicle .

What's that old phrase about marriage Craig ; Ten Bob down
and your wages for the rest of your life !

PS When a Marriage License was 10 Bob .......... '50's as I recall

Originally Posted by Disco4SE

As far as servicing costs, my D4 at 57K has cost less than my LC100 TD at the same Klm's.Cheers, Craig

Over here, the LC100 is some kind of Lexus luxury SUV that is considered more upscale than the Ford Explorer SUV and may compete with the Tahoe or perhaps the Escalade.

That you say maintenance costs are higher than your D4 really surprises me. What goes wrong?

Is is just the shop labour costs for routine service, as that is very possible, but to suggest that anything could mechanically go wrong is just unheard of in the local lore. Certainly no one speaks of any sort of problem - well yes, the newspapers have lately been full of stories, but that is not the accepted norm, so should be discounted.

A relative of mine recently purchased a 4Runner and there was some fuss about the official Toyota oil not being available, (no reason provided), for some routine task so a more expensive? non Toyota product was used. Hence the oil change or whatever cost more than normal. I also recall that routine stuff on my Moms FWD Camry seemed to be even more costly than routine service costs on my Wifes 4Motion Passat but ....

The impression I have here is that most Toyota products are so technologically ancient that about the only thing that can go mechanically wrong is a shortage of old mechanics who understand their time tested systems.

Electrically, an AM/FM radio with search tuning seems still to be a big deal on a Toyota and I must say the navigation system will never fail on the top of the line 4Runner as there is none - well a portable Garmin plugged into the cigarette lighter that seems to work very well.

Originally Posted by bbyer

Is is just the shop labour costs for routine service, as that is very possible, but to suggest that anything could mechanically go wrong is just unheard of in the local lore. Certainly no one speaks of any sort of problem - well yes, the newspapers have lately been full of stories, but that is not the accepted norm, so should be discounted.

Toyota Landcruiser 200 Series- "Oh what a lemon......"

Originally Posted by garrycol

Toyota Landcruiser 200 Series- "Oh what a lemon......"

I can see why Toyota has banned that guy from the "Love a Toyota" website. Somehow, I do not think he will be a repeat customer.

That actually is the key item. Given all the wailing re our Land Rovers, for the most part, we seem to keep fixing or buying new ones. Somehow I do not think it out of sympathy or a "pain makes me feel good", complex, but rather a sense that there is something unique about Land Rover. As such, there are costs and concerns not usually associated with normal vehicles.

If I were a fleet buyer of vehicles for other people to drive, I might purchase Defenders, but never anything like the Discovery or Range Rover, or for that matter, any car from Mercedes; trucks yes, but cars, no. Some vehicles are just not suitable for the multitudes.

It is pretty easy, (or should be), to build new reliable technologically old vehicles. That reality is probably my biggest problem with Toyota product. The new 4Runner here does not even have the tried and tested General Motors rear air shock design any longer available. This rear suspension was available on the previous 4Runner, (standard on my 1992 Buick Roadmaster), but with the advent of the new 4Runner, well it is Defender style coil springs all around and a solid rear axle.

At least Land Rover does not claim or infer that the Defender represents the peak of the corporations achievements; with the Discovery, they are too busy fixing to even dare to say anything. And you know what, with us doing the real world testing, I think they are ending up with a pretty reliable cutting edge 4x4.

Originally Posted by TerryO

So Mully I'm getting a bit confused here, are early D3's the real dud as you have said or not?

As for having doubt about the Land Rover brand from 2005 onwards, have you owned pre 2005 Landies because they are not perfect or better than a early D3 either at any stretch of the imagination.

Terry

Hi Terry, I am definitely saying the 2005 D3 has confirmed design issues. I don't think these are under any doubt. Don't take it as flaming and I should probably stay away from these forums when trying to make some of these decisions because my intention is never to bag Landies.

I've had several early Series, a 2005 diesel Freelander, '99 TD5 Disco, '98 300TDi Disco and the daughter drives a diesel Freelander so you could say we are Land Rover people and apart from my Freelander which liked to kill fuel pumps, we have enjoyed all of them. Only the D3 however has had this level of grief. A 5 year old top of the range vehicle can not justify the expense for these repairs either, if that seems ok to someone, then have lost rational thought and are clouded by their love of the brand. Understand that I am not saying that is a bad thing and I certainly have no problem with that.

There are some fundamentals that an objective mind can only be confused by:
1. A sealed for life transmission that will fail if you do not unseal it and service it.
2. A front end that is grossly not up to task...You are best advised to replace the wishbones in order to get bigger ball joints in.
3. An electric handbrake that likes to growl and fail.
4. A diff issue that only makes you shake your head in wonder.
5. Other items mine has possibly yet to experience but documented by others....'search' is your friend.

So yes, Land Rover dropped the ball on the 2005 D3 and yes it is an extreme vehicle but that doesn't somehow make it ok to get basics so wrong and so what if it's the first release... Doesn't make it ok when buyers have to fork out for these costs.. and they are serious costs.

I'll back out of the thread and apologize if I've given any wrong impression or have seemed anything other than objective. If a person is ok with the ongoing costs then great, enjoy this capable vehicle. I will be spending that money on upgrades (not ongoing repairs) to my capable 300TDi (no smart alec tone intended).

Cheers for now.

Mully,
You are not being objective when you cast a slur on ALL 2005 vehicles based on your single experience.

My experierience couldn't be more different (replaced transfer case ecu and brake switch, oh and luggage space cover, all under warranty).

Why is your experience more valid than mine?

Best Wishes,
Peter

Originally Posted by bbyer

That you say maintenance costs are higher than your D4 really surprises me. What goes wrong?

bbyer, this is based on costs from the dealership for servicing, maintenance etc. Mind you, the LC100 service intervals are more frequent than LR.
Cheers, Craig