My New D3 V8 HSE ... & a couple of question

[D90]

I have been lurking on here for a few months recently, I have been paying close attention to all the recent posts regarding the purchasing of 2nd hand D3's and also inevitable Petrol/Diesel debate.

A Discovery has always been on my wish list and with the need for some extra space and comfort ( bye bye defender 90 ) it was time to start looking.

I'm very happy with my new black HSE V8, it has done a few kms but has been very well looked after.
Loving the sound of the V8. Might have to start collecting petrol vouchers now though!

Few questions after 1 week with the car.

Aux input is terrible? Mine doesn't sound amplified. The volume is very low and the stereo must but at full volume to heard + lots of static. This is with an iPhone plugged in with full volume on the phone.

I want to fit a bluetooth hands free kit for phone and music playback. What are the best options for the HSE with harmon kardon amplified stereo? I was thinking a parrot system which I have in our golf and works great.
Thanks guys

[Epic pooh]

Yep the line level of the aux in is pretty low. I am about to start a project on mine to install a wifi music streaming thingo and an adjustable inline amp to boost / improve the input signal. I'm installing a few other things (GVIF and surround cameras and attempting iPad mirroring on the nav screen etc) so "about to" might be a while but I'll post when done !

I have a parrot in mine there is a straightforward cable to do it - my parrot is old and I see that newer ones have some nifty features which may provide an alternate music input source (not sure of the fidelity).

Happy V8 driving and, on another topic, don't forget to scope out the condition of your coolant bleeder valve ... and replace it sooner rather than later ...

[the_preacher1973]

Happy V8 driving and, on another topic, don't forget to scope out the condition of your coolant bleeder valve ... and replace it sooner rather than later ...

Yep. Do this now please. Mine was leaking very slowly through a small crack but when I touched it to replace it, it completely fell apart in my hands. Very lucky. I replaced mine with a metal one as this is one of the few known weaknesses of the V8.

[D90]

Thanks to you guys that was the first thing checked when we inspected the car before purchase. Looks in good nic, so must have been replaced at some stage. Will keep an eye on it for sure.
The only other thing which you guys have mentioned which might need doing is the struts. I hwvent driven a D3 before so it's hard for me to tell if the ride is worse than it should be. It feels a lot nicer than the defender that's for sure!
If I was to source 4 new struts and have fitted at independent am I looking at around 3k? I remember reading that the delphi's were pretty good.

[the_preacher1973]

Thanks to you guys that was the first thing checked when we inspected the car before purchase. Looks in good nic, so must have been replaced at some stage. Will keep an eye on it for sure.
The only other thing which you guys have mentioned which might need doing is the struts. I hwvent driven a D3 before so it's hard for me to tell if the ride is worse than it should be. It feels a lot nicer than the defender that's for sure!
If I was to source 4 new struts and have fitted at independent am I looking at around 3k? I remember reading that the delphi's were pretty good.

Find a Low KM 2009 at a dealers and take it for a spin.

[D90]

Just spoke to a car stereo install place and they quoted $700-800 for a Parrot MKi9200 installed in the HSE with a Harman Kardon system. Normal price is $400 installed in plug and play system with no amp.
Seems expensive will look at a few other places for a price.
There are kits on ebay from the uk for around $400.. not sure id be up for the install process though. Parrot MKI9200 Bluetooth CAR KIT Land Rover Kram 67687s X499V1 DA201 | eBay

[Epic pooh]

Does that quote include installation so that it streams at high quality to all speakers and sub ? If so, maybe worth considering if they guarantee the result.

Struts, Delphi are the OEM and views are mixed on the non LR branded ones. I have allmakes (Delphi shocks and Dunlop bags) which I am satisfied with given the price. If you supply them any competent LR mech should be able to do the swap out in 4-5 hours tops. Probably a lot less.

Even if the bleeder looks good, don't trust them ... Change to a known age one next time you do a coolant change ... Not to install paranoia but rotten part.

Preacher, what metal one did you use ?

[D90]

Does that quote include installation so that it streams at high quality to all speakers and sub ? If so, maybe worth considering if they guarantee the result.

Yep he said it would stream to all speakers. From what i have read though the system still uses the aux input on the back of the stereo for streaming audio. I hope the dodgy aux connection I have now using the 3.5mm socket won't cause problems.
Did they improve the aux connection in later models? Mine is that bad I feel like mine might have a faulty connection. My brother in laws aux connection in his RR Vogue is fine.

[D90]

On closer inspection I think my rear aux is faulty. I think it's playing in mono with a lot of static. Volume must be at the highest setting as well. I'll look into getting a new aux cable fitted. Thanks guys.

[Epic pooh]

Mine is very sensitive to what cable is in use. I have a spiffy one with gold contacts and a right angle plug that works nicely. I've had issues with crackling and mono with other lesser cables. Maybe yours is similarly sensitive. Or alternatively try to clean it out with some contact spray in case it's corroded a bit from lack of use.