Thread: Once bitten...

Welcome, you've come to the right place.

You don't hear much bad of a D3.

Cheers
Simon

Hi Chris, I have a late 05 manufactured 06 purchased TDV6 SE, and have done just over 80,000km. This has definitely been one of the cheapest vehicles to operate I have ever owned. The only issues have been a blown turbo hose at about 50,000k and I had an issue with oil in the brake booster just recently which Land Rover rectified completely free of charge even though the vehicle was out of warranty. Some of the real early 05 D3's have had issues with compressors and other things but these issues appear to have been mostly sorted by 06. They are not the lemon the early Freelanders had the capacity to be, although you will probably find some owners have had problems, but thats a possibility with no matter what you buy. Would I buy one again - sure thing.
Best of luck.

Land Rovers are strange things, I had a 300TDI Disco which threw a timing belt just out of warranty and destroyed the engine due to a known but not admiited manufacturing fault, and Land Rover were (Golly Gee Whizz) to deal with over that.

But then stupidly I went back and bought a TD5, which just about everything imaginable went wrong with and once again Land Rover were (Golly Gee Whizz.)

Now after another break I have just bought a new D3. Everyone tells me they are great now, but by all rights I should never ever go back to the brand, but I did. They must be addictive.

(Thank you moderators for editing my intemperate language)

My experience is similar to AnD3rew's ..had a 300 TDI which was a great vehicle to use but quite unreliable. I have had my TDV6 SE 06 for 12 months (purchased for $48K with 48K on the clock) and it has been the very model of reliablity, style etc. It is, by far, the best vehicle I have ever owned.... around town, in the rough stuff and towing it is great.

The D3 is a different beast. Go for the MY07 if you can as they changed the CANBUS to prevent cascde faults.

However anything will be better than the old Freelander.

my MY07 52,000 klms and 2.5 years (from new) and not a fault (touch wood)
....oh...a weeping front pinion seal...warranty fix (after 3000 ks of grueling dirt roads). Neither did I have a fault with my "03 TD5. But my '94 300TDi was a bit of a nightmare....but it took some punishment!

Good to see you can put your FL1 experience in context.

I actively advise people away from these vehicles, and judging by another thread, so do most others.

D3 is a different matter, I do recommend it and don't consider it unreliable at all.

Enjoy.

Thanks for all your comments Gents,

I have to agree with you AnD3rew, they must be addictive, my wife thinks that I must have rocks in my head to even consider forking over my hard earned for another LR.

My sensible side tells me that I should just buy a demonstrator Hyundai Santa Fe for the same amount and lap up the security of the 5 year warranty, but they are uninspiring to drive, don't have the space that I want, only fit 7 at a squeeze and can't be taken too far off road.

Considering I try to avoid being sensible at all costs, I will probably start the search for a used D3 soon (though we are not in a huge rush noting that bubba #3 isn't due until the end of the year, so it is tempting to wait and see if the D3 prices go down when the D4 is released...anyone know when that is likely to be??)

Standby for some foul langauge though if I cough up the dough again and get another lemon!!

Cheers,
Chris in Canberra