Looking to buy a D3. Anything to know?

[Pedro_depacas]

I'm pretty new to the 4wd scene, having owned mostly subaru's over the years, I am yet to own a true 4 wheel drive.
So was thinking about getting a D3 to take out and get dirty.
have been looking at a HSE since having a few luxuries woulnnt go astray.
Anything in particular to look for when checking out D3's?
Also is there any major difference between the S, SE and HSE apart from the luxuries?

[WhiteD3]

Pedro,

Have a browse through the D3/D4 section as there's some recent posts about this. In answer to your questions though:

What are you looking at? V6, V8 or TDV6?

S has coils and no fruit.
SE are air suspension, TR, 7 seats, bi xenons, dual climate air, leather, etc.
HSE is as per the SE but with more fruit.
E-diff is an option and good if you can get a car with it.

Look at the service history. In the SE or HSE, does the air suspension go up and down in < 10 sec.

Cheers.

[Pedro_depacas]

Pedro,

Have a browse through the D3/D4 section as there's some recent posts about this. In answer to your questions though:

What are you looking at? V6, V8 or TDV6?

S has coils and no fruit.
SE are air suspension, TR, 7 seats, bi xenons, dual climate air, leather, etc.
HSE is as per the SE but with more fruit.
E-diff is an option and good if you can get a car with it.

Look at the service history. In the SE or HSE, does the air suspension go up and down in < 10 sec.

Cheers.

cheers mate. was thinking TDV6 possibly HSE or SE. E-diff. Is that electronic diff? good info on the air susp. will check for that.

[AnD3rew]

HSE's I think all came with 19" wheels, which are great on the highway but have limitations in the rough stuff. SE's mainly come with 18" which is still a bit of a compromise but better allround than the 19"s. The SE's particulalry the later ones are still fairly well appointed, if buying second hand I would still spend the same budget but probably go for a younger or lower km SE in preference to a slightly older or higher km HSE specially if you are serious about going bush.

[Pedro_depacas]

HSE's I think all came with 19" wheels, which are great on the highway but have limitations in the rough stuff. SE's mainly come with 18" which is still a bit of a compromise but better allround than the 19"s. The SE's particulalry the later ones are still fairly well appointed, if buying second hand I would still spend the same budget but probably go for a younger or lower km SE in preference to a slightly older or higher km HSE specially if you are serious about going bush.

Definately getting a 2nd hand model, even the 2nd hand HSE's and SE's are still pretty pricey. seems like those 2 models are a reasonable choice. rather than getting a lower spec S.

[garryc]

Definately getting a 2nd hand model, even the 2nd hand HSE's and SE's are still pretty pricey. seems like those 2 models are a reasonable choice. rather than getting a lower spec S.

I have an S with air suspension. I don't think there were many S with coil spring suspension sold. It depends if you want to add accessories such as long range tank, front and rear steel bars etc. My S is 2490kg standard and 2800 with all the above accessories. If I fill my tanks and put in the camping gear, water and a passenger or two I am close to the Gross Vehicle Mass of just over 3200kg. You can't add all that stuff to an HSE and still carry passengers

[sniegy]

HSE's I think all came with 19" wheels, which are great on the highway but have limitations in the rough stuff. SE's mainly come with 18" which is still a bit of a compromise but better allround than the 19"s. The SE's particulalry the later ones are still fairly well appointed, if buying second hand I would still spend the same budget but probably go for a younger or lower km SE in preference to a slightly older or higher km HSE specially if you are serious about going bush.

AnD3rew,
All the HSE TDV6's also came with 18" rims. The V8 HSE came with 19's.

[Pedro_depacas]

are wheels and tyres the best things to change for proper off road driving? Most D3's ive seen have had the 18's with road rubber.

[sniegy]

With these vehicles, thats really all u need is a good set of tyres. The vehicle will do the rest. They are a remarkable vehicle.
18" tyres are becoming more popular now. refer search engine for tyre discussions, there have been many.
Cheers

[Jordos D2]

my boss has a 1 of the first hse`s and the only problem he has had is the air-con first it was the flap that dirrects the air got stuck then the rear stopped working