Thread: D3: How many Kms is too many, without FSH

Be careful and check things out thoroughly, but no need to be paranoid either. Being able to see a bargain when others freak out is the trick. Careful attention to detail is the answer. Get to know the vehicles so that you know what to look for and you will be able to recognise what are real issues and what are things that can be relatively easy to work through.

Willem

I wouldn't be too scared about the km but I would be concerned about the lack f service history. The surging and the Tacho moving at a constant speed sounds to me very much like the lockup torque converter slipping and then trying to lock up. Factor in approx $6k for a new transmission. Other things to expect to have been replaced at 220,000km would be the suspension compressor, the front lower control arms, and sway bar bushes. As alluded to above if the trans hasn't been serviced then the engine may not have had oil changes at the appropriate times leading to the possibility of an expensive and total engine failure.
I also self service and after I filled up the factory log book I keep records of the parts replaced and when I did the services, it's not that hard really.
If this is your first experience with a D3 go and drive a few more as well, even if you can't afford them. The vehicle is so good that even a worn one will impress.

Regards,
Tote

Be sure it hasn't had a dose of petrol. I understand that diagnostics can detect faulty injectors that indicate such an event. A new HP pump and injectors is an expensive repair.

Our tdv6 has a surge when going up hills with a pretty pronounced shudder.. But full service history too!

A full gearbox service fixed rang issue and car is driving like brand new again. At 200+km I bet the gbox hasn't had a service which I think everyone here would agree is needed as the LR advertised 'lifetime' oil is all BS.

And ours had a full service history - no gbox service.

The only thing I made sure I knew was done at 168000 was the timing belt and I confirmed that with the previous owner after finding his contact details in the service book.

Service history - it's become a gospel that these days you have to buy a car with full service history, but is FSH worth the paper it's on when it's been proven dealers sometimes don't fulfill their 'obligations' and often cars/owners don't get the service they are paying for?
My fathers work car went in for a service and after my dad pulled out the dipstick and the oil was black and only half way up - exactly how it went into the dealer... ??? Needless to say the car never went to that dealer for a service again but it does happen.

I tend to service my cars myself (except if it's under warranty) or with our LR I trust the mechanics I know... So the record is made in the book, but with my Hondas - you'll never find its official service history. Even when I bought my 91 crx in 01 didn't have a book (106km).. Now with 240k on the clock it's still not recorded but I've serviced the car every 5000km.

It can be a peace of mind, but doesn't have to be... However 20k isn't cheap so if it's a peace of mind your after - look for the service history. In my eyes it doesn't matter if it's had a full service history recorded or not, (get an inspection done). Even a dealer with a FSH won't cover the engine if it goes boom outside the car yard so why should a private seller.

Two sides to the FSH in my opinion.