What to expect as a D4 ages

[ghoti]

Our 2010 D4 TDV6 3.0 HSE comes out of novated lease soon and will have close to 200,000km on it. Normally I'd just pay out the lease and keep it, but fear expensive repairs may be awaiting us.

Done a bit of poking around in the forum and it would seem that the Auto trans might be the main cause of concern. The car has always been dealer serviced, so I expect the gearbox oil would not have been changed (perhaps get the pan done before the lease ends).

So, other than the gearbox, what might I need to contend with over the next 100,000km? Just trying to consider the ongoing cost of ownership vs cost of upgrading.

Cheers,
Scott

[Geedublya]

Cooling system ie. Water pump, hoses, thermostat, radiator.
Suspension including struts and bushes.

[gotaflat]

Our 2010 D4 TDV6 3.0 HSE comes out of novated lease soon and will have close to 200,000km on it. Normally I'd just pay out the lease and keep it, but fear expensive repairs may be awaiting us.

Done a bit of poking around in the forum and it would seem that the Auto trans might be the main cause of concern. The car has always been dealer serviced, so I expect the gearbox oil would not have been changed (perhaps get the pan done before the lease ends).

So, other than the gearbox, what might I need to contend with over the next 100,000km? Just trying to consider the ongoing cost of ownership vs cost of upgrading.

Cheers,
Scott

Timing belts (if not already done ) - due 180,000kms

I have 163,000 on my 2011 3.0 HSE.

- Done front lower control arms
- Will do Auto in next week or two - Flush and new pan ($1,100)
- next service $2,000 timing belts with service
- (had air con compressor done under warranty - extended warranty FYI it was just getting noisy so LR replaced
-

[BobD]

Mine has done 210,000km, many 10's of thousands of km on tracks and the roughest roads all over Australia from Perth to Cape York and Albany to Darwin.


I just replaced the lower control arms for the second time, the upper control arm and a lot of other suspension bits on the left front after the original shock absorber failed internally and let the suspension hyperextend downwards. I'm on my third set of rear struts and the fronts have just been replaced, which was well overdue as per above. We also did most of the wheel bearings at that time.


My inlet manifold cracked at very big expense, over $7000 to replace both. That is the one really unexpected expense and inconvenience. Straight after that the second turbo actuator valve vacuum pipe split at the top of the engine and I had limp home mode again. we also did the turbo drain mod as it was smoking when first accelerated after sitting for a while.


If you don't clean the rear drums the EPB will fail if you use it in dust and mud. I have replaced one (around $2000) and cleaning it fixed it a second time and it's still going after another 20,000km.


I replaced the water pump and main belts when they did the timing belt.


Since I want mine reliable in the bush we replaced all hoses and belts when they did the manifolds. I wanted to replace the alternator but you can't readily buy them for the 3l and they don't seem to have the same problems as the 2.7 alternator.


I service the auto every 50,000km but I am concerned that it may give up in a remote area. The transmission experts say it is fine and will give plenty of warning if it lets go. That was not my experience on my VW Multivan transmission that failed at 110,000km without any warning, however. They also say it would be stuffed if not for the regular services and steel pan.


At the same as all the other stuff the tailgate release failed. I also had a major oil leak from the engine which turned out to be a leaking O Ring in a pipe running into the sump and a massive power stearing leak straight after returning from a run from Brisbane to Perth via Birdsville, Coober Pedy, Uluru and the Great Central Rd towing a Kimberley Karavan. This was another O Ring failure due to the steering rack pipes being loose and vibrating on the rough roads. These cost nothing much to fix but add to the time cost and worries about reliability in the bush.


I am keeping mine as it is pre scratched and pre dented underneath, has all my mods for touring and off road and drives perfectly. I have done and will just spend the necessary money at my Indie to keep it reliable rather than losing heaps on a newer car.

[ghoti]

Wow Bob...quite a list!

Ors has 186194 on the odo right now. Stock standard except for the caravan brakes and andersen plug for the van we never bought lol.

Dealer serviced exclusively so I doubt tranny oil ever changed. Lower control arms were done recently. Rocker covers and suspension pump replaced under warranty some time back. Next service due at 190000 so I guess toming belts will be done then.

Might follow your lead gotaflat and get the tranny pan done.

Car hasnt been used off road but does tow a 2 ton boat

Cheers,
Scott .

[LandyAndy]

Scott.
Are you in a position to upgrade to a new D4???
The thought being you will be getting the best of a D4 before the new D5 is introduced with possible teething issues.
The downfall would be the possible extra depreciation on a new D4 due to a new model being released.
Andrew

[scarry]

Scott.
Are you in a position to upgrade to a new D4???
The thought being you will be getting the best of a D4 before the new D5 is introduced with possible teething issues.
The downfall would be the possible extra depreciation on a new D4 due to a new model being released.
Andrew

I did that with the D2,bought the very last of the D2a,sold it eight yrs later for ridiculous money,the phone didn't stop ringing.
I recon it had better resale than a similar priced/condition/mileage LC100.

It was one of the best cars i ever owned.

Don't know if you would be so lucky with the last of the D4,but they are a very well sorted vehicle.

[rar110]

With the Km you do I would buy another. Simply because of value drop once you hit really high km.

[Ozzy119]

Hi BobD

I think we met in Birdsville last May. We camped next to you, with a KK. I remember you telling me all the things you've had to do with yours. It sounded so expensive. As it happens, no issues so far. It took me about a week to start using the EPB after your story......ha ha.

Your setup must be running heavy ? Maybe partly the reason so many components are going?

Lower control arms are the only things I've replaced (ball joint issue), so far with 95K on it.

cheers

[BobD]

Ozzy,


Mine was fine at 100,000km. Remember I have done over 200,000km on lots of very rough roads. I think I remember having a chat. My son was with us with his white Discovery 1, which has had far more spent on it than mine. Just last week he spent $3000 getting all his door handles and electric windows fixed, plus all new bushes and engine mounts, A/C repairs and a lot of other stuff ready for our trip in May. His TDI 300 auto has done 360,000km.


Most of my expensive stuff happened after that trip, such as the manifolds and new suspension components etc. Not as a result of the trip but just ready to happen at around 200,000km. Apart from my transmission, which I always worry about and seems OK, I think my car is ready for its next 200,000km! Also a bit of a worry seeing the front crank oil seal pop out on the RRS!


We are heading back through Birdsville again this May with the Kimberley Karavan and heading for Lawn Hill and Darwin. This will be our fourth trip up the Great Central Road and 7th trip across to the eastern states from Perth in the D4.


By the way, we always use the EPB. The best thing is to keep the EPB drums clean. Topix says they should be cleaned every day in off road driving but that is certainly not going to happen.