D3 problems?

[Timmo]

Hi,

Thinking about trading in the defender for something more comfortable.

Interested in the Disco TDV6 S, now that it has air suspension and terrain response standard.

From reading it sounds like the early D3s had a few ongoing issues with Air Suspension and also with Cruise control. Does anyone know if these issues have been sorted out satisfactorily?

Thanks, Tim

[stig0000]

Hi,

Thinking about trading in the defender for something more comfortable.

Interested in the Disco TDV6 S, now that it has air suspension and terrain response standard.

From reading it sounds like the early D3s had a few ongoing issues with Air Suspension and also with Cruise control. Does anyone know if these issues have been sorted out satisfactorily?

Thanks, Tim

yer mate there arnt to meny new ones with air sus probs,, an havent seen a crusie prob for ages,,, but idk why you would buy a d3 S, unless your getting second hand,, id go the SE, with the lether an that, its sooo much easyer to keep clean then the cloth,,, we love our 09 d3 SE tdv6,, an in selver with all the colour mached panels now it looks great, good time to buy a car to,,, our dealer ship has some MAD deals going

[Brick]

Timmo,

Have had my TDV6SE for 15 months. Clocked up 46,000+kms and the only thing I have had to replace was those POS tyres at 40,000kms. No problems with suspension or cruise control. Have previously had LC and Patrol and wont be going back.

[Timmo]

Thanks for the replies, sounds like those issues are sorted. Take your point about the leather stig, was really just looking at the S to keep the price down, and had considered optioning in leather (about $2650 extra, as opposed to about $8k extra for SE). Cheers!

[WhiteD3]

43,000k and no problems at all. 7 seats are nice in the SE. If you work for a large company with company cars, hit LR up for the corporate plan for which you get free mats (big deal) and free servicing for 3 years (very big deal).

[dmdigital]

Thinking about trading in the defender for something more comfortable.

What about a new Defender then? The seating has improved, the A/C and heating works well.

As for the subject of the D3 - because I did look at this as a replacement for my D2a - there were a few things I didn't like:
More difficult to set up for touring - this is something I've found with the Discos (D1, D2) already, the Defender is by design a lot simpler vehicle.
Heavy! I had enough issues with 2.2t of D2 and 3t of D3 would have been even worse.
Inability to get a reliable after market diagnostic system. I can't get to a dealer easily and from what I understand Rovacom is the only affordable diagnostic system and it is still buggy for the D3.

Don't get me wrong though I do like the D3 at the end of the day it just didn't suit our needs and the Defender did. If I had bought an 08 one it would have been the TDV6 SE.

[chuck]

I believe the Victoria Police may have recently bought an 09 TDV6 S.
They usally do a fair bit of research pror to buying vehicles.

Regards

Chuck

[CaverD3]

MY07 and later have most problems sorted.
Cruise control is a dealer fix. Rotary coupler adjustment.
If you are buying new the S now comes with air suspension. The leather has been standard on the whole range since MY06.

You had better get the face muscles in condition prior to buying.

[sniegy]

MY07 and later have most problems sorted.
Cruise control is a dealer fix. Rotary coupler adjustment.
If you are buying new the S now comes with air suspension. The leather has been standard on the whole range since MY06.

You had better get the face muscles in condition prior to buying.

CaverD3,
The 09my has gone back to cloth trim, to keep the price down.
But as said it does come with the Terrain Response & Air Suspension

[Forest]

I have a D3 and I wouldn't have anything else in my situation.

How is the dealership near where you live? I do believe this is an important consideration. I personally have had my electric park brake stuff up on me twice, once, totally jamming on and had to be dragged onto the tow truck (dishwashing detergent on the concrete worked a charm, slide onto the truck easy). Yes electrickery does have its downfall, but it also is the reason I like it. Makes the D3 the best all rounder available in my opinion. (The electric park brake wasn't very well thought through though I must say).

I have an 08.5, and it has taken me where ever I have wanted to go. I often use the back seats. Now not sure what the weather is like in Cairns, but if you intend to use the rear seats, how are you going to go without a rear aircon? I have a friend who has pondered the wisdom of not getting the rear air when he has 6-7 people in the car on a hot day. Maybe take one for a test drive on a hot day, and get someone to sit in the very back, and tell you how they go.

It is a heavy vehicle, but I don't feel it at all. So easy to drive. Great vehicle, as reliable as any new car, both I and the boss love it, kids love it, practical, useful, comfortable, great drive, and brilliantly packaged; but would I buy it (or indeed any new vehicle) without the relevant dealer nearby. Hmmmm, not sure. If you have a good dealer nearby - enjoy.