Thread: Possible D3 purchase

As much as I like my LR's I am looking hard at long term reliability and am considering an NT Pajero 7 seater 3.2 DiD for the same price...I know that say in State Forrest trails the D3 with air suspension will eat the Paj for breakfast and its quieter and more comfortable than the Pajero, but the Pajero is very reliable and proven and its 3.2 is very economical and a great tow machine (I know from using them, and having mates who used them to tow heavy loads - 3tonns). On sand the Pajero is very handy too - they can easily run 31-32 inch tyres and heaps of low down torque for the sand and not as heavy as the D3. So I have a pretty big decision to make in terms of staying with the mark or not. The Paj is a bit smaller I think in the cargo area, but there isnt much in it.

Cheers

Ozscott,
A mate of mine had a Pajero. Great on the road, but we were forever snatching him out because of the lack of ground clearance. I would suggest a suspension lift for sure.
I found the 3.2 motor noisy and truck like. Probably an OK donk though.

Cheers, Craig

I'm sure the Paj comes standard with 32s, they are a nice car, as is the new Challenger, but it may be a tad too small.

From what has been said about the petrol D3, they are not a very good tow vehicle, what about a V8 D3, they are going fairly cheap as well, I have seen them cheaper than the TDV6.

Good luck with whatever you choose,

Baz.

With patience you can pick up Diesels and V8s for the right price. The big problem I had when searching is getting an E-diff included. I found a lovely Diesel SE for a very good price but without an E-diff. I also think rear aircon is important and hard to obtain.
Consider also that front and rear bars add about 5k on top if you want them so finding a car with them fitted is also a bonus.

Even though I replaced the air suspension when I got mine I had for the most part factored it in to the purchase price. Now that I have had it for a while there is no way I could have a vehicle fitted with coils only.
The air suspension was one of the reasons why I went for the D3, the Nissans and Toyotas would not have fitted where I need to go once they had been slightly lifted. The D3 makes it easy I just hit the button and I fit everywhere so far.

If I could have waited I would have paid a lot less for new airbags if I had imported them from the UK.

I attended a driver training day on the sand at Stockton Beach, I was surprised how well the D3 performed it did everything I tried to do and succeeded where quite a few defenders failed, the other D3 had a few problems and it wasn't until the end of the day we realised that he hadn't turned of the DSC.

Originally Posted by Geedublya

Even though I replaced the air suspension when I got mine I had for the most part factored it in to the purchase price. Now that I have had it for a while there is no way I could have a vehicle fitted with coils only.

If I could have waited I would have paid a lot less for new airbags if I had imported them from the UK.

Why did you replace the air suspension? While there are some issues with the air compressor the rest of the system is remarkably reliable in the D3 with very few failures of airbags.

Garry

Thank fellas - yep the DSC seems to hamper them if not turned off. The 3.2 is pretty agricultural but in NT and NW is a lot quieter than before.

On forestry trails they would get hung up but on the beach the diffs are tucked up high and the clearance is good enough - with the large standard tyres (with ability to go a little higher) and the grunt they do very well on the beach.

I know that me head says Pajero for what I want it for, but my heart says LR (of course...).

Cheers

For mainly sand and tow work, you won't need (or miss) the rear eDiff, so that opens up the choice a little. Towing or deep/soft sand - you'd be better off with the V8 or TDV6. There were quite a few D3 S models that were specc'd with the EAS as an option. That might be a cheaper way to go, rather than the SE.

Cheers,

Gordon

Thanks Gordon - I could always add a locker later (aftermarket) I suppose if I wanted one.

I will broaden the search for S with EAS.

Cheers