What D3 to buy?

**The Mighty Range Rover** · 13th June 2017, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by Disco-tastic

I paid just under $20k for a 4.0 V6 D3 SE with 150k km almost 2 years ago. My only complaint is the range! 80L will get me about 450km around town, and about 650km on the freeway. And it takes premium so im paying anywhere from $1.30 - 1.60 on the central coast.

I'd buy another petrol D3 because they are so cheap, and the motor is the cheapest to service. But I do wish I could afford a D4, as they are much nicer inside!

I've had to replace a door lock, a coolant overflow bottle, the air compressor dryer, a rear wheel bearing, both front hubs, the front ARB bushes and the front Lower Control Arms rear bushes. Its cost me just under $2k for the "repairs", but its all stuff youd replace on a similar mileage diesel.

Things i don't need to worry about are turbos, EGR coking up my engine, timing belts, expnsive injectors and a high pressure fuel system, which can all be expensive when they go wrong.

Hope that helps and happy hunting!

I didn't know it takes premium? The engine doesn't need the higher octane as far as i'm aware..

**Disco-tastic** · 13th June 2017, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by The Mighty Range Rover

I didn't know it takes premium? The engine doesn't need the higher octane as far as i'm aware..

To be honest i can't remember what the book says, but everything I read online said 95 octane or better.

**DI5CO** · 13th June 2017, 09:35 PM

Yep, 95!

**letherm** · 13th June 2017, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by The Mighty Range Rover

I didn't know it takes premium? The engine doesn't need the higher octane as far as i'm aware..

FWIW I did a test with my old Pajero a number of years ago comparing E10 to regular unleaded to premium (vortex 95/8 from memory) and found that the fuel consumption was better as you progressed from E10 to Vortex. The performance was noticeably better with the Vortex. Bottom line was that using the premium fuel saved money and the car performed better. Each test ran for 3 months so it was reasonably reliable.

Martin

**loanrangie** · 13th June 2017, 10:47 PM

I test drove a 4ltr d3 on Saturday and one look at the trip computer reading 22-24/100 is enough to put me off a petrol , pity because car was a very clean 07 with low k's and full service history.
Was advertised as a tdv6 which is why I went to look at it but seller stuffed up.

**DiscoJeffster** · 13th June 2017, 11:03 PM

I see 11.5/100 on my D4 3.0TDV6 on the city rat run doing kids school runs. Amazing in comparison

**The Mighty Range Rover** · 13th June 2017, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by letherm

FWIW I did a test with my old Pajero a number of years ago comparing E10 to regular unleaded to premium (vortex 95/8 from memory) and found that the fuel consumption was better as you progressed from E10 to Vortex. The performance was noticeably better with the Vortex. Bottom line was that using the premium fuel saved money and the car performed better. Each test ran for 3 months so it was reasonably reliable.

Martin

I Never use E10 but i didn't notice any difference between 91/95/98, despite all the branding on the more expensive fuels it's not really necessary to pay extra unless you have a performance car.

This is from the manual:

'Only use Unleaded 95 RON fuel to EN 228specification. Unleaded fuel no lower than 90RON may also be used.'

Just my opinion. I guess we disagree!

**Disco-tastic** · 14th June 2017, 07:32 AM

Huh! I never saw that in the manual. Will have to check again!

**Disco-tastic** · 14th June 2017, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by loanrangie

I test drove a 4ltr d3 on Saturday and one look at the trip computer reading 22-24/100 is enough to put me off a petrol , pity because car was a very clean 07 with low k's and full service history.
Was advertised as a tdv6 which is why I went to look at it but seller stuffed up.

Yeah i remember picking mine up after I'd bought it and the trip computer read 22L/100km. I was in sydney in stop start traffic though.

Up around the coast it averages about 17L/100km, though my wife does a lot of short 5min trips to the shops which dont help economy. The petrols apparently handle these short trips better than the diesels too.

Unless you're towing or touring frequently the petrol is good value

**loanrangie** · 14th June 2017, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Disco-tastic

Yeah i remember picking mine up after I'd bought it and the trip computer read 22L/100km. I was in sydney in stop start traffic though.

Up around the coast it averages about 17L/100km, though my wife does a lot of short 5min trips to the shops which dont help economy. The petrols apparently handle these short trips better than the diesels too.

Unless you're towing or touring frequently the petrol is good value

Yeah value for money is high especially when they can be bought for around 15-16k, just dont think i can live with the lack of range/ fuel usage.
My run to work will cost me $30 more/week and i'd hate to think what towing does to lack of economy.

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