Thread: What D3 to buy?

Originally Posted by Russrobe

By comparison I tried to open the boot on our Forester whilst on a sand dune once and it wouldn't open due to body flex. A Discovery is nothing like that.

The 5 might be..

I remember Gordon mentioning at the GOE seminar I attended that the D3/4 chassis was VERY strong. One of the few cars that could be jacked at one corner up to change a tyre, and all 4 doors and rear tailgate could open and close without effort due to the structural rigidity of the car. That's pretty much unheard of in any other vehicle in its class. Check out "LR3 the big lift" on YouTube when you get bored for another demo of its strength. Me thinks that mechanic was either telling porkies, or just plain ignorant.

Originally Posted by cripesamighty

I remember Gordon mentioning at the GOE seminar I attended that the D3/4 chassis was VERY strong. One of the few cars that could be jacked at one corner up to change a tyre, and all 4 doors and rear tailgate could open and close without effort due to the structural rigidity of the car. That's pretty much unheard of in any other vehicle in its class. Check out "LR3 the big lift" on YouTube when you get bored for another demo of its strength. Me thinks that mechanic was either telling porkies, or just plain ignorant.

Well, he was a salesman and I think that he was probably trying to be helpful. But yes, I wouldn't expect there to be any body twisting going on. Thanks all.

Regarding fuel consumption on the petrols, don't rule out the fantastic D3 V8 petrol. On a country run ours gets less than 12l/100km, which is better than my heavy and modified D4 3l diesel. We did a run to Capel and back yesterday with me in our Disco Sport and my son in his D3 V8. The V8 used 52l for 445km and the DS used 31l for the same distance. My D4 would take around 55 to 60 litres on the same run. The D3 trip computer said 11.5 and the DS said 6.6, both of which are not too far off the mark. The D3 computer is much more optimistic and less accurate around town though.

The D3 V8 is by far the quietest and most refined car I have ever driven and for a 2006 built car that is pretty amazing. The D4 diesel is noisy in comparison even though it is also a very quiet and refined car on its own. We paid $14,000 for the D3. We just gave the transmission its second service with a full flush and the shop said it was all perfect at 220,000 km.

My 2 pence worth,
I bought an MY09 tdv6 SE with 120km and fsh last month for $28000. I was weighing up between a D3 and a D4 however being a traditionalist, I could not get past the D4 facelift with the less than landrover esque headlights, and to be honest everything that has been produced since the d3, is distinctively Victoria Beckham.
So I bought the D3, the only negatives I have, is the lack of Bluetooth, the rest of the experience has been excellent. 9l/100km around town and 7.8 on a run, fantastic driving position, smooth, quiet, 7 seats, pulls 3.5 ton, and exceptional off-road.
I have just done the transmission fluid, and about to do the timing belt.
I highly recommend the D3, for me it is a labour of love, and well worth waiting for...

Originally Posted by jazzopuk

and to be honest everything that has been produced since the d3, is distinctively Victoria Beckham.

A Top Gear man, I see... Although Wayne Rooney gets my vote.

Originally Posted by johntins

A Top Gear man, I see... Although Wayne Rooney gets my vote.

"Usually, a Range Rover would be beaten away from the lights by a diesel powered wheelbarrow."

Originally Posted by jazzopuk

"Usually, a Range Rover would be beaten away from the lights by a diesel powered wheelbarrow."

On the discovery 5 Quote
"And a better-looking alternative to the standard Discovery, which, as we know, is mostly driven by murderers."