Price vs Age - D3 or D4?

Thanks Scott and Terry,

My main concerns with petrol are:
- Fuel costs
- Premium fuel availability in the outback

I was concerned about longevity vs the diesel but from everyone's responses the petrols last as long and are much simpler.

I've calculated that the petrol could be up to $1500 a year more expensive. At $9K less than the diesel (based on an 80k km car) that's 6 years before im even. As I plan to keep the car for longer there's no real saving there so I'm really weighing up outback hassles vs day to day running costs. As I'm probably only going to be truly outback for hopefully a 6 month stint in about 5 years I don't know how much weight that should carry...

I will definitely have to organise some test drives...

Thanks to everyone so far for taking the time to pass on your opinion! It's been really helpful!

Cheers

Dan

Hi Disco_tastic, im going through the same things in my head as you. With a growing family the trusty old Tdi D1 I have just isn't big enough. So im considering selling my D1 and my Xr8 and upgrading to a D3 or 4. I love the idea of the 3.0L 180kw 600nm D4 however I to don't think I can justify the coin. I don't really want a petrol as I will hopefully be commuting a bit further to work if things fall in to place so the diesel is really only what im looking at.


My only other concern is towing my camper, my D1 does it fine so im sure a D3 will have no worries at all, I just know the 3.0L D4 will do it standing on its head.


I've been looking online and there are lots of D3 with around the 200k km's mark for anywhere from 25-35k. That's within my budget. Decent D4's with the SDV6 are starting at around 50k with reasonable km's.


Its a big decision because I think im worried about the same things as you in terms of expensive diesel repair bills if things go wrong. I think if I did go the D3 I'd keep it for 3-5yrs and eventually upgrade to the D4. My wife has just had a bub and we plan to have more so she wont be on her full income for the next few years. Its all a consideration.


I am reading everyones comments with interest.


Sorry to hijack your post but its the first one I have found with good info.

Hi Ace,
I was in the same place as you are, I haven't changed my place of work however I have driven the diesel and petrol D3's to work, in all honesty I don't notice the difference. However the difference I do notice having now owned the V6 petrol D3 for 12 months near enough to the day 200k on the clock now. I have only opened the bonnet maybe four times and that has been by choice and not the need to.

The only issue you are comparing here is the engines not the general running gear, that is the same. I was diesel through and through prior too owning a petrol D3, now wouldn't go back. I'll soon be looking for a D3 4.4, driven one loved it.

Ace.
If you arent in a hurry,wait until the 8 speeds suit your price range.I have a bought new,almost 12 month old pov pack MY14 with extras.It has the lower spec 3.0lt TDV6.It kills my olde chipped TD5 D2 in performance and economy(and every thing else).The 8 speed auto is the best auto Ive ever driven.
Andrew

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ace

Hi Disco_tastic, im going through the same things in my head as you. With a growing family the trusty old Tdi D1 I have just isn't big enough. So im considering selling my D1 and my Xr8 and upgrading to a D3 or 4. I love the idea of the 3.0L 180kw 600nm D4 however I to don't think I can justify the coin. I don't really want a petrol as I will hopefully be commuting a bit further to work if things fall in to place so the diesel is really only what im looking at. My only other concern is towing my camper, my D1 does it fine so im sure a D3 will have no worries at all, I just know the 3.0L D4 will do it standing on its head. I've been looking online and there are lots of D3 with around the 200k km's mark for anywhere from 25-35k. That's within my budget. Decent D4's with the SDV6 are starting at around 50k with reasonable km's. Its a big decision because I think im worried about the same things as you in terms of expensive diesel repair bills if things go wrong. I think if I did go the D3 I'd keep it for 3-5yrs and eventually upgrade to the D4. My wife has just had a bub and we plan to have more so she wont be on her full income for the next few years. Its all a consideration. I am reading everyones comments with interest. Sorry to hijack your post but its the first one I have found with good info.

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To be honest, with a very young family, most won't be going too far a field. I think a D3/4 is an excellent vehicle. Air suspension and TR is truly impressive. However, it will probably be more expensive to run than both your current vehicles. If you buy a high km D3 you are more likely to take a hit with a high cost repair. For example I just did a tranny in my RRV with 240,000km. The original quote to refurb was $7-8,000. Thankfully I've managed to find a used tranny. But don't buy a high km vehicle unless you can face that type of risk.

Two years ago I would never be seen in anything other than a 110/130. I am a modern LR convert.

With your budget and apparent risk profile I would buy a medium km MY13 Freelander 2 with a view to buying a D4 sometime down the road. The Freelander 2, with revised interior, looks to be a very spouse friendly and capable vehicle, with TR, that does on/off road very well.

Hi Ace!

Ive found a few diesels with 100-130k km for up to $35k. My two biggest things with the diesel are the outback fuel and the general grunt of a torquey engine (my older D1 used to make things look easy and was tricky to stall! You had to be trying! :p )

As Nomad said though the petrols arw simpler and cheaper to service, thiugh thirstier. I was talking to my mechanic today and he has serviced a few diesels and loves them. Doesnt know heaps about the petrols and wasnt keen on the jag v8 (he reckons parts would be expensive, though doesnt really know)

Can anyone comment on parts costs for a 4.4L V8?

Its really hard to choose! I suppose if I didnt like it my backup would be selling the car and buying a new one, kinda like Ace is thinking, but I'm not heaps keen on swapping bits over to a new car (some mods will leave holes in the trim and bodywork), yet dont want to spend heaps modding something if im going to get rid of it. It gets worse if I have to rebuild a transmission...

Cheers

Dan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Ace.
If you arent in a hurry,wait until the 8 speeds suit your price range.I have a bought new,almost 12 month old pov pack MY14 with extras.It has the lower spec 3.0lt TDV6.It kills my olde chipped TD5 D2 in performance and economy(and every thing else).The 8 speed auto is the best auto Ive ever driven.
Andrew

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Hi Andy!

At this stage I'm just researching so that when our current car dies I will know what I want. Who knows how long its got left...

The D4's are currently $45k for TDV6 with 6 speed. my budget is about $30k else I wont be able to afford accessories. For the sake of all the D4 owners I hope the prices dont drop THAT quickly, though it would be nice for me :D

Cheers

Dan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco-tastic

Hi Ace!

Can anyone comment on parts costs for a 4.4L V8?



Cheers

Dan

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Since 2009 when I first joined Aulro I can't remember anyone having to rebuild / replace the 4.4, it would appear that they are that reliable, so you may have to wait a little while for feedback on that.
The V8 has the usual consumables like plugs, which should be changed more often then the manual says so, other than that the only thing I remember is a plastic T piece that gets brittle and fails which will cause a bad water leak, if you replace it every couple of years then it won't be a problem. As for diesels, well that's another story.

If you think your D1 is impressive off road then you are in for a revelation if you drive any D3 with any engine of road, even the S.

My D1 had front and rear lockers, 32" tyres and a 2" lift. I know the D3's are amazing for their levels of comfort but I dont see myself pushing one as hard as I pushed the D1 :p

I have been watching heaps of videos of D3/D4/RRS from the people on here. They are pretty amazing. I feel a little sorry for Black Betty. She gets pushed pretty hard ...

Cheers

Dan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco-tastic

My D1 had front and rear lockers, 32" tyres and a 2" lift. I know the D3's are amazing for their levels of comfort but I dont see myself pushing one as hard as I pushed the D1 :p

I have been watching heaps of videos of D3/D4/RRS from the people on here. They are pretty amazing. I feel a little sorry for Black Betty. She gets pushed pretty hard ...

Cheers

Dan

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What I love about my D4, apart from the comfort, is that I don't need to push it as hard to get pretty much everywhere others do with a LOT more effort. :D


Just came back from Cape York and it was amazing in all situations with no need to be recovered. I did however recover a few others on the trip.


Each to their own, but I prefer comfort wherever I go ;)