D3, waddya reckon?

[JPI]

The new D3 has been attracting loads of accolades since its launch, but in the UK there's been a lot of stories about serious reliability issues. Is anyone aware of problems with Australian delivered D3's? I am torn between a D3 SE TDv6 (heart) vs a Toyota Landcruiser Sahara (head). Both are about the same price, but onroad the D3 seems far superior. Problem is what happens when I'm on a remote track out west with the 3 kids and something dies? The Toyota, whilst a bit primitive now, is at least reliable. Does anyone have any comments to make that might help me to make the best decision? :roll:

[Steinzy]

First of all JPI welcome to the site.

Now to answer your question the D3 is by far the better vehicle - go and take one for a test drive.

one of the guys in our club (Stevo68) has one and as a standard vehicle its more capable than anything else that I've seen.

now from the relability end of things I think that you will find that the old days of Land Rovers being unreliable has long gone and the D3 would be equal to if not better than the Sahara, simply because it's a smarter car with no expense spared.

IMHO :wink:

[drivesafe]

Hi JPI, welcome to the site and besides the fact that my wife has a D3 so I’m a bit one eyed, try reading not only post on this site but do a search on toyotas and you will very quickly see that although, up to a few years ago, where toyota reliability was unquestionable, this is by far no longer the case.

You are now far more likely to get stranded if you have a new toy as compered to ANY OTHER 4x4. Engines and front diffs seem to be a big problem with toyotas at present.

One more point, also check warranty problems relating to toyotas. There have been some horror stores about the problems people are having when trying to get major part failures fixed under warranty through toyota dealers but being honest this may be down to specific dealers rather than toyota in general.

While on the point of warranties, it seams toyota’s warranty for their off road vehicles pretty well precludes any vehicle that is taken off road. GO FIGURE.

As I posted, i am one eyed but the above info is showing up on other web sites as well, so do some searching.

[noddy]

Welcome JPI

Depending on whether you are buying new or second hand, you will still have a warranty as insurance. From experiences, it seems LRA are much better to deal with than Toyota when it comes to any warranty claims. The advantage Toyo have over LR with remote travel is their dealer network, as compared with LRA's ever shrinking network

As has been discussed, the LC100 is not as strong as people think. The IFS control arm issue and front diffs have demonstrated that. There are also many disgruntled Prado and Sahara owners having problems with their rear air suspensions.

Differentiate between 'reliability' and 'build quality'. Japs are best in terms of build quality, although BMW and Ford have made vast inroads on build quality (except for Defender :wink: ). Reliability, LRA is still struggling with past perceptions.

How long do you plan on keeping the vehicle?

From my perspective, I think the decision is pretty easy. D3 is unanimously seen as the most capable 4x4. LC100 is old technology which Toyo believes they can charge a premium for (there are many well-heeled 'sheep' out there!).

[PCH]

Hello JPI

Yes I have a D3 and had it almost 1 year now. I'm not one eyed but I think the D3 is the best 4WD on the market at the moment. I've had many brands of vehicles in the past so brand loyalty isn't a No. 1 priority. I look for what is the best at the time.

Mechaniacally the D3 is strong - you don't see many posts on mechanical failure. Most of what people have had problems with are related to poor electrical connections and faulty compressors. The odd software problem was mixed in with early models. These have been rectified and product improvement will always continue

The forums you read usually list problems and the readers are asking for advice or are trying to confirm if someone else has had the same problem. The dedicated forums for the D3 like Disco3.co.uk also include many great stories and people's positive experiences with their purchase.

Although I don't do outback travel (mainly no time) I do a reasonable amount of 4WDing and the D3 has never let me down once on any of my trips. My problems (electrical) have surfaces around town and were never show stoppers in any way.

Chris

[stevo68]

Hi John......again :wink: ,

Obviously you know of this website, I have responded to your email, if you want to know anything else please ask. As you can see the other D3 owners of which I have been out with Drivesafe ( member GCLRO) are happy with their choice. If you pm me with your email address i can send you some live vid of both vehicles in action. Maybe that will help to whet your appetite ,

Regards

Stevo

P.S. in the gallery for GCLRO you will find an album of my D3 at work and play and a thread for it in here

[Farnarkle]

Welcome JPI

Thanks for kicking this thread off This thread has boosted my confidence again - I'm about to place an order for a D3 hse tdv6 in the near future ( setllement on the house is in 34 days time ) Elsewhere in here are some scary threads on Dealers and LR service. It scared me a bit as this will be the first new vehicle I've bought in about 25 years. Boils down to just knowing who your dealing with I guess - but my confidence in the D3 itself is quite high after reading the threads here for a while.

[stevo68]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>This thread has boosted my confidence again - I'm about to place an order for a D3 hse tdv6 in the near future [/b][/quote] Dont want to sound like this is peer pressure :wink: , but do it Farnarkle, you wont regret it. Plus I will have someone to wave to if I pass you on my way to my sojourns to Brissie to pick up my bratskies from there mums place .

Regards

Stevo

[stevo68]

http://www.aulro.com/modules.php&#39;set...view_album.php For John and Farnarkle, here are some pics to help with your purchasing decisions,

Regards

Stevo

[stevo68]

http://www.aulro.com/modules.php&#39;set...view_album.php

Try again,

Regards

Stevo