Thread: D3 Looking to buy, what to look for

The next major one will be the 168,000 it is a major service where the timing chain gets done oil and water pumps can get done and the oil pump is a definite if the older type which was prone to breaking. Mine all up with a front wheel bearing was just over $3000.00.

First would be the timing and fuel pump belts which should be replaced at 168k or 7years, auto should have been serviced and mega flushed as well. The rest is mainly maintenance items like bushes, air compressor, air struts etc.
EPB should have been serviced and adjusted to keep it functioning correctly.

Ok checklist of sorts, I think the service records should indicate that:

timing belt and fuel pump belt changed at 7 years ( should the oil pump housing also have been replaced)

Possible replacement of water pump

EPB serviced and adjusted

Transmission serviced

Suspect at least front rotors should have been replaced by 140,000klms

Its an S model so would probably just be coil spring suspension??

What is there to check suspension wise, believe front bushes can be a concern.

Anything else worth closer inspection.

From what I’ve read if you intend to do some serious off-roading you will need a body lift if it hasn’t had one already.

So are set against air suspension?

A D3 without EAS is only half a D3 in my opinion.The OEM air springs from the UK are no more expensive than good quality 4x4 shocks here. Don’t wait for failure before replacing components. The compressor for example has done say 150 000km. That’s a good run replace it and you have a spare. The max lift in Queensland is 15 cm. The vehicles with this max lift must be pretty ordinary on road. I can get the big lift (espically with LLAMS) when I need it and then drive home on the highway at high speed height which is 2cm under normal on road height.

Went for a drive the other day and it felt all wrong. Discovered it was in off road height.

Maybe I’m just seeing things through rose coloured glasses as I have never had an issue. But I do replace before failure. Just my 2 cents worth.

Sean

Not sure if it had EAS will take first look at it tomorrow, I believe EAS was an optional extra on the S model but not sure.
I would mainly use it on the beach so having 17-inch wheels means a better chose in tires with high profile.
The old D1 I now drive goes fine in the sand would I be right in thinking the D3 would be superior???.

Originally Posted by sparky34

Sean

Not sure if it had EAS will take first look at it tomorrow, I believe EAS was an optional extra on the S model but not sure.
I would mainly use it on the beach so having 17-inch wheels means a better chose in tires with high profile.
The old D1 I now drive goes fine in the sand would I be right in thinking the D3 would be superior???.

I donn’t know if the D3 would be surperior but I am happy with it’s ability in the sand.
I have 17inch tyres. I start at 16psi and go down from there. I have an aftermarket TPMS and I can run from Hook Point to Happy Valley (50 kms) on Fraser Island along the hard sand at about 70kph with no overheating or pressure increase over 4psi. In the soft stuff the terrain control helps but I really think tyre pressure is the secret. People just don’t go low enough. And repeat to yourself 100 times DSC off, DSC off.....

Here is a link to a lighthearted look at a recent trip to Moreton Island but with a couple of good examples of what correct tyre pressure and maybe the terrain control can achieve in comparison to some others experiences. My Discovery is ruining my fun. Now you have got me thinking. Going to have to go and drive a few soft tracks with and without the terrain control on to see what difference makes.

Originally Posted by SeanC

I donn’t know if the D3 would be surperior but I am happy with it’s ability in the sand.
I have 17inch tyres. I start at 16psi and go down from there. I have an aftermarket TPMS and I can run from Hook Point to Happy Valley (50 kms) on Fraser Island along the hard sand at about 70kph with no overheating or pressure increase over 4psi. In the soft stuff the terrain control helps but I really think tyre pressure is the secret. People just don’t go low enough. And repeat to yourself 100 times DSC off, DSC off.....

Here is a link to a lighthearted look at a recent trip to Moreton Island but with a couple of good examples of what correct tyre pressure and maybe the terrain control can achieve in comparison to some others experiences. My Discovery is ruining my fun. Now you have got me thinking. Going to have to go and drive a few soft tracks with and without the terrain control on to see what difference makes.

Funny you should mention Fraser Island, we were staying at Eurong in 2015 when cyclone Marcia struck the Fraser Coast, was driving the old D1 at this stage, after discussion with the locals we decided to self evacuate to catch the last ferry from Hook Point before it got real nasty the normally placid waters on the east coast turned into a nasty swell one huge set came through and hit the D1 above the rubber strip on the doors buried the front wheels down to the bumper in the sand, God, and a set of sand tracks got us out alive, long story but I kissed the sand at Rainbow Beach when we finally got to dry land. That's one reason I luv Discos

Had a test drive and inspection this morning, the good :

Transmission has been serviced and after market sump fitted by Davis at Windsor
Log book is full of stamps from a genuine land rover service centre but the actual sheets with the details are missing.
Body looks straight very clean underneath, no obvious oil leaks, has never been far of road not even red dust in the door seals.
Drives great tranny has nice smooth shifts overall very clean inside.
New rotors and pads all round in last 20,000 klms front and bushes replaced.

The bad:

drivers side CV joint spewing grease.
One line in the service report from Davis states "vehicle has been in salt water", dont know what to make of that.
Otherwise nice low klms Disco for its age
have made an offer I am comfortable with so just wait and see.

What would an approximate cost to replace CV joint be, also should both be replaced.?