Thread: Pre purchase D3 questions.

Look for one that has been up and down Private school driveways, past coffee shops and to and from soccer.

Originally Posted by rar110

If you can stretch to at least a 2.7 D4. Very similar to a D3 but more modern. Unless you compare it to a D5. Newer the better.

Thats good info, i have found a 2010 d4 220,000 very tidy in good city buckle. no mods, looks neat. Price is good too, but 5 grand less would get me a nice D3 albeit older and not as flash but with some accessories. I still want to do some intermediate level off roading, not often though. You guys have half convinced me that I can live without the rear AC and diff lock. I know my defender went everywhere without the diff lock just traction control and good tyres.
I would possibly lean toward the new d4 even if the km were higher than a good D3

If its in the budget go the D4, my D3 was 15k less than i could find a good D4 for so it was a no brainer. Plus it was a 1 owner with low k's and well optioned.

I was looking for a D4. Then I found a D3 that was a lot less than my budget. With the savings I can fix known issues, preventative maintenance and accessories. My other car is a D2 so the D3 is a huge step up and I don’t know what I’m missing with a D4 . BTW I’d prefer one that has spent most of its life on the highway rather than start/stop short runs.

Mate this is how mine started.. I know each situation is different but I suggest steering clear if any 2nd hand Disco with transmission shudders. After a gazillion $$ on “fixes” including dr tranny the whole time I really just needed a reco or new box.

To help you out a bit more mate the following is what you need to look for in a second hand D3 based on my 2008SE.. I’ve been bouncing around whether to sell it or not lately so I’ve had all this bouncing around in my head:

• New or reco box done with transmission pan (absolute must ($6-10k)
• air suspension replaced (must)
• park brake system replaced ($2k)
• fuel line system replaced ($3-4k)
• ask when alignments were being done did they have it put in “alignment” mode prior.. this creates a ton of issues with front and rear if they haven’t and will shock you how many don’t get specialist alignments.

These are the main ones mate.. my engine blows people away cos it’s got 250k on the clock but I’ve akways done long distances, never towed and used it like god intended too off-road with oil & filter religiously replaced every 10k. There’s a thousand $500 fixes that come with the D3 but I can tell you apart from the omg majors that come with it, it’s one helluva rig and I’ve never not been able to complete my mission off road ☝️
On road I have never driven a better 4wd, even had a brand new paj in 2016 for 12 months and was just counting the weeks until I had the cash to reco my box... driven a ton of different top range dual cabs and wagons and they don’t get near it! So much so with my new job I’ve been offered any 4wd I want and I’m like... can’t I just do some touch ups on my own rig 😂
anyways I digress...main point is do not buy a 2nd hand disco which does not have a reco or new box in it mate!! It’s not worth the pain mate!!

Oh and engine timing belts replaced 😌

A soccer Mum D3 /D4 is only going to be an issue due to all the short distance driving. A clogged up inlet tract due to the carbon not being burnt off. Egrs especially!