Discovery 3 buying advice
Discussion
I'm after a bit of advice guys.
Due to a relative preferring class A drugs to raising their child, I find myself in the market for a 7 seater and there are a couple of D3s locally.
They're at the higher end of the mileage range (125k+) and around the £9k mark.
They've both had the belts, new compressors and one has had the front suspension bushes done.
Other than the aforementioned items, which I know are biggies, are there any other things I should look out for?
I know these aren't cheap cars to run and maintain, so any advice would be useful.
Due to a relative preferring class A drugs to raising their child, I find myself in the market for a 7 seater and there are a couple of D3s locally.
They're at the higher end of the mileage range (125k+) and around the £9k mark.
They've both had the belts, new compressors and one has had the front suspension bushes done.
Other than the aforementioned items, which I know are biggies, are there any other things I should look out for?
I know these aren't cheap cars to run and maintain, so any advice would be useful.
You'll find all the information you can eat on disco3.com.
Two things are essential, in my opinion; first, a combination of age and mileage that doesn't preclude a good aftermarket warranty - ie one that doesn't take into account wear and tear and that allows you to negotiate away any betterment clause.
Second, a very competent local indy Land Rover specialist.
Two things are essential, in my opinion; first, a combination of age and mileage that doesn't preclude a good aftermarket warranty - ie one that doesn't take into account wear and tear and that allows you to negotiate away any betterment clause.
Second, a very competent local indy Land Rover specialist.
Look for lots of receipts. As you've pointed out, they aren't cheap to run but stay on top of maintenance and they are great cars. Go for an SE or HSE auto and look for invoices for the following on 100k + examples:
Lower front suspension arms
Cam belt (due at 105k miles)
rear anti-roll bars
Suspension air compressor
Suspension height sensors
Auto box oil flush
Blanked EGRs
Mileage is not important but maintenance most definitely is.
Lower front suspension arms
Cam belt (due at 105k miles)
rear anti-roll bars
Suspension air compressor
Suspension height sensors
Auto box oil flush
Blanked EGRs
Mileage is not important but maintenance most definitely is.
You mean ARB bushes, the bars are fine.
Check servicing receipts for evidence that the handbrake (EPB) has been maintained: only an enlightened independent will do it - it's not on the schedule - and without it there's a good chance of problems with the actuator, which is expensive and time-consuming to replace.
Check servicing receipts for evidence that the handbrake (EPB) has been maintained: only an enlightened independent will do it - it's not on the schedule - and without it there's a good chance of problems with the actuator, which is expensive and time-consuming to replace.
Anti roll bar bushes wear - fast enough that the design was changed - and the drop links should generally be replaced at the same time, but I've not come across the bars themselves needing to be replaced. It's often necessary - or at least more cost-effective - to cut out the lower wishbones and replace them completely when the bushes fail, though. The wishbones aren't expensive, but the bolts are usually terminally seized and the bushes are tough to extract and replace, so it's not worth the effort.
No matter. I'm very fond of mine, even if I am looking at an invoice for:
Cambelt change
105k mile service
Front discs/pads & V8 caliper carriers
Rear discs/pads & V8 caliper carriers
Bread and scrape for a few weeks in our house.
No matter. I'm very fond of mine, even if I am looking at an invoice for:
Cambelt change
105k mile service
Front discs/pads & V8 caliper carriers
Rear discs/pads & V8 caliper carriers
Bread and scrape for a few weeks in our house.
Compressors for the air suspension fail - £700
Check all electrics work properly - £???
If you can, use a voltmeter to check both the battery & the charge going into it as alternators do fail & their symptoms throw up various "faults" which when traced are caused by dodgy battery and/or alternator.
Wheel alignment
If it has the removable towbar, check how it fits & ther is no play at all in it. If it does play, take it to a LR delaer for a replacement under a recall!
Check all electrics work properly - £???
If you can, use a voltmeter to check both the battery & the charge going into it as alternators do fail & their symptoms throw up various "faults" which when traced are caused by dodgy battery and/or alternator.
Wheel alignment
If it has the removable towbar, check how it fits & ther is no play at all in it. If it does play, take it to a LR delaer for a replacement under a recall!
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