Discovery 3?
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Discussion

Fattyfat

Original Poster:

3,310 posts

226 months

Thursday 6th August 2015
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Well I've just bought one!

2005 Base model, manual 7 seater with cloth interior. 54K genuine miles and just fully serviced with new timing belt etc.

So, what should I expect? Major issues etc? What should I expect general running costs to be?

I checked everything i could think of and it looks to be a tight car with only a few age related knocks and dings.

jep

1,183 posts

239 months

Thursday 6th August 2015
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Congrats, had my '07 D3 for just over 2 years and 40k now, and it's still a lovely motor. I've averaged 30.4mpg over that time too.

Others will add a lot more flesh to the bone, but look out for clonking front suspension and failing EGR valves. I'm not sure if the S has the air suspension pump, but they are the bigger problem areas amongst other things. Also try and waggle your upper boot lid struts. If they are loose, tighten the nuts up as they will fall down inside the tailgate and you won't get them back very easily!

Loads of advice on disco3.co.uk too, so have a good mooch through the posts over there,

bakerstreet

5,050 posts

195 months

Monday 10th August 2015
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Fattyfat said:
Well I've just bought one!

2005 Base model, manual 7 seater with cloth interior. 54K genuine miles and just fully serviced with new timing belt etc.

So, what should I expect? Major issues etc? What should I expect general running costs to be?

I checked everything i could think of and it looks to be a tight car with only a few age related knocks and dings.
This is baffling! So you have bought the car and now you are asking about major issues and running costs...Bit weird.

D3 forum is worth a read and lists loads of these 'easy fixes' on there.

I've been looking at buying one for years, so I've read loads of guides on the forums as well as owners reviews.

The D3s are heavy, so go though bushes and brakes quite quickly.
25mpg tops. Manual won't make much difference. I test drove a manual and I must confess I thought it was terrible.
Cambelt change is 100k, but you clearly have a fair way to go on that. Quite a complex job and the mechanic needs small hands!
Use decent bulbs as when they go, they can cause issues with the eclectrice.
Tail gate switch can fail along with several other electrical gremlins.
Air suspension can fail (Compressor and air bags)
Usual diesel EGR issues.
Electric hand brake needs a good clean with an airline, so stop it clogging up and then failing.

Base model will opefully mean no toys, so that should at least remove the list of things that can go wrong wink

D3 is a lovely looking car though. I will own one one day smile

Fattyfat

Original Poster:

3,310 posts

226 months

Monday 10th August 2015
quotequote all
bakerstreet said:
This is baffling! So you have bought the car and now you are asking about major issues and running costs...Bit weird.

D3 forum is worth a read and lists loads of these 'easy fixes' on there.

Not really, a low mileage 1 owner car at the right price, couldn't walk past it and I wasn't even looking for a D3.

Looking forward to using it as my work hack.

bakerstreet

5,050 posts

195 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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Fattyfat said:
Not really, a low mileage 1 owner car at the right price, couldn't walk past it and I wasn't even looking for a D3.

Looking forward to using it as my work hack.
Foolhardy IMO. Not known to be the most reliable cars, Go and see how busy the D3 forum is...

jep

1,183 posts

239 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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I'm sure it'll perform hacking duties admirably, Fatty. Mine coped really well with a daily 100+mile commute over the Pennines, and whilst it struggled to get over 27mpg, now I've stopped doing that, it's risen up to 30.

One other thing to be aware of with manual boxes, is the propensity for the XY sensor to go tits up. It doesn't like the clutch being slipped or the driver being too aggressive with the changes. There is a soft cheat if you notice the in-display gear number flashing, (usually one of 2, 4 or 6 that goes first), or an error message regarding the parking brake pops up.

That is 1) to find a nice quiet bit of road and engage low range. 2) Put it in reverse until you see the little 'R' in the display then stop. 3) Now go forward through the gears, only changing up after you see the gear number reflected in the display. 4) When you've gone through the 'box, come to a stop and turn the ignition off. That should work and reset the sensor, but if it keeps doing it then you may have something a little more expensive on your hands....

Otherwise, it's a cracking motor, brilliantly versatile and really comfy over long distances. thumbup

RedLeicester

6,869 posts

275 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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bakerstreet said:
Cambelt change is 100k, but you clearly have a fair way to go on that. Quite a complex job and the mechanic needs small hands!
Usual diesel EGR issues.
Not with the V8. wink

Fattyfat

Original Poster:

3,310 posts

226 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
quotequote all
bakerstreet said:
Foolhardy IMO. Not known to be the most reliable cars, Go and see how busy the D3 forum is...
I have an Alfa 166 V6 as well, a few problems won't worry me too much.

IroningMan

10,598 posts

276 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
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RedLeicester said:
bakerstreet said:
Cambelt change is 100k, but you clearly have a fair way to go on that. Quite a complex job and the mechanic needs small hands!
Usual diesel EGR issues.
Not with the V8. wink
Not with a 2005 log burner that's already had it done at 7 years old, either...

OP: were any Llamas harmed in the manufacture of your car, by any chance? Thought not.

RedLeicester

6,869 posts

275 months

Sunday 16th August 2015
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Several in fact.

Fattyfat

Original Poster:

3,310 posts

226 months

Sunday 20th September 2015
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Just a quick update now I'm a month or so in.

Good car so far, needed a couple of front airbags a few days into ownership but that was no biggie. Seems to be returning high 20's mpg and is doing the daily slog very admirably.

Very happy so far.