Thread: Top buy or not to buy - 2007 Discovery 3 (HSE 2.7DT with 145,000kms)

The 150 prado alternative you have would be $35k plus for that you can get a Discovery 4
The D3 HSE 2007 with that mileage should be around $20K

Originally Posted by northiam

The 150 prado alternative you have would be $35k plus for that you can get a Discovery 4
The D3 HSE 2007 with that mileage should be around $20K

Prado alternatives I am looking at are about $40k (2012 Altitude editions) with 100,000kms on it; price wise is close to a Disco 4 SE, but Prado will prob hold it's value a bit better.

This Disco 3 I'm looking at is just over $20k and more comfortable than the 150 Prado IMO. I'm more than happy to save the $20k and have something a bit older, I just don't want to end up shelling out big $$$$$ for major repairs.

service history, inc auto trans service history, timing belts done, less major, lower control arms , epb etc if all good , the asking price is about right

Alice has a very good landy service place - suttons I think its called - im sure someone will correct me if not. The timesI used them they were a great help , and have read of many happy customers who have used them.

Check and see if its had a gearbox service and hopefully steel pan conversion, also at that age you are overdue for timing belts, if not budget for that and an oil pump housing change - its very well documented about the housing failing on some TDV6 engines after timing belts and 2007 is about the main year. long story short - it needs a beefed up oil pump housing where the timing belt tensioner bolts to the housing. a search will give you heaps of reading.

Good luck with your choice.

Cheers Ean

hey Sirriuben,
Worse case scenario with a D3 with those miles
Timing belt at 168K with upgrades cost you about $2-2.5K {this is a must}
Front lower control arms allow about $1500
EAS compressor replacement with AMG compressor about $1800
one or both diffs @ $1500ish each
Absolute worse case scenario
complete gearbox about $6.5-7K { you should research the histrory to find out if it has the steel pan and has had an oil change}.

The 2.7 TDV6 motor is awesome , I have over 320K on mine and hasn't missed a beat, so that should not be a concern.
Suttons in Alice does have a good reputation, unfortunately that wasn't my experience but that seems to have been an anomaly and I have ony been there once.
D3/4's are awesome over long distances. 1500+k's/day and feeling good at the end of it. Yes you are right they beat the pants off a prado for comfort.
good luck

Originally Posted by northiam

The 150 prado alternative you have would be $35k plus for that you can get a Discovery 4
The D3 HSE 2007 with that mileage should be around $20K

The only HSE i cound find below 30k was one with 174K on the clock for 28k and a nice clean stocky for 29.5k plus on roads.

We've taken a wrong turn

We've taken a wrong turn

No offence intended

Ive just spent months researching prior to my purchase.

Originally Posted by sirreuben

Looking at a Disco 3 (2007 Discovery HSE 2.7DT with 145,000kms). Good idea?? Have had plenty of other 4wds (all jap, Toyota and Nissan) and have gotten most of the really tough 4wding out of my system. My wife will drive this day to day, we'll use it for long hauls towing our Jayco Swan outback and it'll get to the odd 4wd track.

I like: build quality, comfort, features, (this one has plenty of options), off-road capability.

Concerns: are the kms (at 145,000kms) getting high and am I risking some major faults? fuel consumption on the school run? servicing costs and parts as I live in Alice Springs. Electrics..I'm handy with a multi-meter and a soldering iron but how complex are these to work on and how often are electrical faults?

Alternatives are Prado (2009 onwards) or a Isuzu Mux. Neither of those options excite me but I also don't want to burn my $$$$$ buying a liability.

Thanks for any advice.

My 2005 with getting close to 370000km might be a bit long in the tooth for you perhaps- its not for sale for another few years at least anyway. There is maintenance and it does cost to keep running. Get LED brake lights in it and deal with the Front Control arms every 100,000km. Timing belt and I guess a few k of other bits and it might be the most comfortable buy you can make. IMO Good Servicing is needed as is a knowledge base but you have one here I could have a D4 or the new things but why? With my roof rack off I am easily sub 10l per 100km again (About 13l with the stuff up top on the highway)

Economy almost is the same as when I brought mine but with added long range tanks, rock sliders....... I am the impact not the Discos age. I think there is always a risk of a new or old car blowing up. I have seen or heard of both several times.

If you drive it and it feels right you know what to do.