Pre purchase D3 questions.

[hpal]

Hi Guys,
I am thinking about selling my td5 Defender which I love, but with a child it's not so good with the "air conditioning" being as good as it is and the road noise, try as I may to remedy it. So I'm looking at a D3. Some things I want are rear air conditioner, leather seats. tow bar. A nice to have would be diff lock (hard to find) and bull bar but really, the defender went everywhere with just the traction control so I should be fine and I'm not doing too many hard tracks lately just bush camping.

*The defender air con has made me put priority on D3 rear air, how do people find it over standard? Is it needed given it sometimes gets in the low 40's here. Does it have it's own compressor or one compressor and two evaporators?
*Things to look for? Timing belt done and oil pump housing mod
*steel auto pan
*upgraded air comressor or replaced airbags
* thing to look for while test driving? never driven one before

thanks

[goofyr]

I got a V8 D3 HSE, it comes with dual zone ac. Works really well. 2nd row passengers can control it if allowed from the front. I did the lower control arms and tranny pan as soon as I got it. I won’t be touching the compressor or air suspension until I need to or I do a big trip.

[LRD414]

.... priority on D3 rear air, how do people find it over standard? Is it needed given it sometimes gets in the low 40's here. Does it have it's own compressor or one compressor and two evaporators?

You've possibly answered your own question if it's a priority. I have rear ac and think it is worth it for warmer climates, it's a pretty big cabin.
There is one compressor with an extra fan unit in the rear left storage compartment for rear air.

Scott

[loanrangie]

Check that the auto is smooth and changes up/down correctly with no noises or rumbling under foot.

[Arapiles]

If you're going to use the third row seats then I'd strongly suggest getting the third row aircon. Being in the third row of a vehicle without direct vents is not pleasant on hot days.

[DI5CO]

I have a D4 without rear air and could have searched for one with rear, but decided not to. I went with other options. 7 seats aren’t used that much and the chances of using it on a 40 deg day are extremely slim. Then, we survived when we were kids even without air cond! Lol
Anyway, with just normal air, I haven’t had any complaints that it is too hot in the back. Std ac works fine. Having said that, I’m not sure if there are any differences between the ac units on a D3 and 4.
I would be more inclined to look for the well looked after car than one with rear air. If you find one with both then bonus!
Dave

[DiscoJeffster]

I have a D4 without rear air and could have searched for one with rear, but decided not to. I went with other options. 7 seats aren’t used that much and the chances of using it on a 40 deg day are extremely slim. Then, we survived when we were kids even without air cond! Lol
Anyway, with just normal air, I haven’t had any complaints that it is too hot in the back. Std ac works fine. Having said that, I’m not sure if there are any differences between the ac units on a D3 and 4.
I would be more inclined to look for the well looked after car than one with rear air. If you find one with both then bonus!
Dave

I have rear air and can never use it as the kids always tell me they’re too cold when it’s on. They’re happier with the temp that comes off the front system. Go figure. And yes, I could turn it to a custom temp to appease them, but they never want it. It might be different for the third row but they’re rarely in that row.

[hpal]

Cheers,I just dont want to get caught out with it being too hot on hot days which are more and more frequent now. But standard air is probably fine and much better than the defender by far. Would love the diff lock too, do people find it a big help when the going gets tough?
I also have enquired about one for sale, he has given me th following info "Approx. 10 months ago there was a slight shudder on acceleration so the transmission fluid was replaced and an additive added which has fixed the issue." It has 223000km on it, would this be an issue? It's got all the gear, rear air and diff lock etc.
also looking at a 2005 HSE with air and diff lock and 180000km, better choice maybe?

[goofyr]

Get it checked by an indy LR specialist if possible.

[LRD414]

Sometimes the oil change and additive (Dr Tranny) provides many km of trouble free usage and sometimes it’s a short term fix before a transmission rebuild. Read the relevant sticky thread for more details. Rebuild is now reasonably common just so long as you’ve considered the possibility in your budgeting.

Scott