Advice please - Disco3 or XC90?

[mattman]

Looking to change the car, she who must be obeyed has dictated it must be a 4x4 and must have 7 seats.
Budget as usual has increased to around 15k.

I've narrowed it down to either a Disco 3 or a XC90, around 04/05 with approx 70-80,000 miles. Will be Diesel and an Automatic, must have leather....

So what's your opinion on them as on paper they look to deliver about the same - I hear a few stories of LR reliability but I guess every manufacturer will have this.

Anything else I can throw into the mix? want something nice as it will be the main family transport at the weekends, if i even suggest an MPV it will be parked somewhere on my anotomy I'm sure it won't fit.

Thanks in advance

[Stu R]

Volvo will be more reliable. I'd take a guess that in D5 form it'll be a bit quicker too. I think they're really nice motors, loved the one my folks had and very nearly bought one myself last week (albeit both were V8 petrols)

Disco 3 is a funny one, it seems to be completely hit or miss as to whether people can get comfortable driving them, personally I can't. Lovely car otherwise, but I don't trust them and I'd forever be wondering if it's going to go wrong. Probably highly unfounded, especially as we had 3 trouble free years with an FL2, but there's altogether too many stories, and every LR3 / 4 owner I know has had something go wrong. I'd only consider one with a warranty personally, even then I'd probably take the Volvo unless you plan on off roading.

[Petrol Only]

Having driven both.

For your requirements id suggest the Volvo. For me at least it is easier to drive around town etc. Which lets face it is where your going to use it a lot right? Interior was nicer and more comfortable than the Disco.

But as ever go drive them for your self.

If I HAD to make that choice it would be the Volvo.

Unfortunately I don't live somewhere I NEED a Disco because Id have one in a shot if I could justify it.

[excel monkey]

mattman said:

Anything else I can throw into the mix? want something nice as it will be the main family transport at the weekends, if i even suggest an MPV it will be parked somewhere on my anotomy I'm sure it won't fit.

Thanks in advance

Depending on how often you need to carry 7 people, how about some kind of 7-seater Merc estate? Lots of horror stories about the W210 model, but a newer W211 would be well within your budget.

[Dalto123]

Volvo may be a bit more comfortable, I'm biased though (my dad has a V70). The volvo has been extremely reliable, never broken down, reasonable cost to maintain, though you will find that post 100,000 miles the bills will go up quite a bit (the clutch went on the Volvo at 108,000 I think) other than that they are reliable, roomy and comfortable cars.

There are plenty of nice cars out there on Autotrader at the moment, here are some that meet your spec:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

I too have also heard about the LR's reliability issues, I've been in one, nowhere near as comfy as the Volvo though I would say its slightly better looking, and some options as better for the Landy.

I also found this Disco 3 on Autotrader, overbudget but nice spec:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
The choice is yours

[notax]

Check out 'honest John's' web page, very useful reviews of both cars

[mercGLowner]

My wife couldn't give a stuff about cars and regularly berates me for wasting money on them. However, the only two cars she says that she really liked and would want again are; Land Rover Disco3 Auto - we had one for three years from new; and her current Mini Cooper Auto.

To put it in context, we also had a Mercedes GL for two years, she prefered the Disco to that. The only thing that would put me off would be potential reliability issues. Get one from an LR dealer with warranty and you should be fine.

How about

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3092506.htm
(get an LPG conversion?)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3132463.htm
(you may be able to blag two years Main dealer warranty in the deal?

[ucb]

What about the Outlander/4007/C-crosser?
You can get 09reg C-crosser for under 15k in the Exlcusive trim. Quick autotrader search will bring them up. Might not be plush enough though.

[redgriff500]

Wife had a low mileage XC90 - bloody nightmare.

Lots of little bits went wrong as well as the electronics playing up.

It thought it had an problem with the airbag light, not the airbag, just the light - when actually it didn't have a problem. Cure according to volvo was £800 dash unit - I went for paint on the bulb.

Stereo wouldn't work properly - volvo cure £2k YES £2000 !!!

I found if I turned off all the Bose and surround etc it worked like a normal stereo ok.

Wore out directional tyres on the outside edge - inside had 5mm on !

Loads of other niggly issues

Then it started making turbo noises so at that I'd had enough and sold it.

Most expensive and worst car I've ever bought - read the reviews on the Volvo forums I'm far from alone on that.

[mattman]

Thanks Guys - doesn't look great for either does it!

She won't go for a citroen or mitsi - so i'll just have to try both, found a 57 plate Disco3 XS with 78k for 15,500 which will be my first viewing I think.

[Mr. Magoo]

Had Disco 3 HSE for over a year. Bought with FLRSH and 40K on clock for 24K. SUPERB car for the kids, the missus and when the outlaws come then they are perfectly comfortable on long road trips in the spare seats. Interior is not as lux as the FFRR but still very comfortable and doesn't feel look like a ford parts bin.

Draw back is once the back seats are up you don't have much boot space like the Volvo therefore for long roadtrips with 4 adults, and 2 kids you would probably need a roof box.

It is suprisingly nippy and happy to cruise at high speed.

[stevieb]

redgriff500 said:

Wife had a low mileage XC90 - bloody nightmare.

Lots of little bits went wrong as well as the electronics playing up.

It thought it had an problem with the airbag light, not the airbag, just the light - when actually it didn't have a problem. Cure according to volvo was £800 dash unit - I went for paint on the bulb.

Stereo wouldn't work properly - volvo cure £2k YES £2000 !!!

I found if I turned off all the Bose and surround etc it worked like a normal stereo ok.

Wore out directional tyres on the outside edge - inside had 5mm on !

Loads of other niggly issues

Then it started making turbo noises so at that I'd had enough and sold it.

Most expensive and worst car I've ever bought - read the reviews on the Volvo forums I'm far from alone on that.

I got one the same time as redgriff, and i had about 9k worth of repairs done in 12 months.. I was gone 2 weeks after the warranty expired.

Spline Gear Sheared (Meaning it was only 2wd). This was only found out when they had to repair a oil leak on the engine which involved the Gearbox being removed. The Fuel Line Cracked, 4 of the 5 Diesel injectors failed. And the LAst this was the the Stereo Failed. which Volvo said they would not repair!

Also its a pain in the arse to work on yourself as if you disconnect the any of the CAN-Bus sytem in the wrong sequence the SRS light comes on.

you will see that if you do a search for XC90 ICM, SPline, Injectors, Fuel Lines. These are all the big problems and they do and will go wrong. you may even come across mine of Redgriffs thread on the Volvo owners forums!

My Car was a 1 Owner from New Low Miler with Full Volvo Service history purchased from a Volvo Main Dealer!

If you have 15k you should be able to get a 06 plate volvo, which i am told most of the above issues have been resolved! you also get the better 185HP D5 Engine.

Edited by stevieb on Thursday 18th August 09:21

[dickyf]

If you need 7 seats and 4WD have a look at the Landcrusier LC3 which has 8 seats or the LC5.

[Biggles111]

We have had a Disco3 SE for 3 years, no breakdowns, only issues at service, have been adjusting handbrake and changing some bushes. Interior is ideal for kids as it is tough and easy to clean. My wife loves it, I like it too as gave me an excuse to buy a boat. Quite a good drive, reasonable acceleration once you are moving. Just get one with a good spec. You can add things like xenons later, the beauty of the disco is things are screwed rather than clipped together so is something you can work on.

[stevieb]

Just adding you can get an 07 plate with a few nice options for 15k (below), which should have all of main issues fixed from the first Generation XC90

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[Fish]

I've owned a Disco 3. Yes they have their issues mainly EGR valves. But generally they work fine. They are a big tank but very comfortable and capable if a little heavy! they will seat 7 in relative comfort, luggage space reduced.

Their are alot of independents who have the measure of the Disco 3 and if you don't mind using a spanner they are quite easy to work on. Have a look at www.disc3.co.uk

[mister.t]

Early D3's weren't the most reliable, but later ones were much improved. The later the one you buy, the more chance you have of getting a good'un. Don't be put off by high mileages either, they seem to shrug it off without so much as a murmur. A friend has a 56 Plate HSE Auto with over 150k on it, still runs like clockwork.

[redgriff500]

I've just added these pics to another thread but the XC90 was replaced by an F150 (6 seater and LOADS of space).

MUCH more fun (although a bit )

I'd love to say it was 100% reliable but it wasn't although it did have 100k more miles on it than the volvo and repairs cost pennies as its so simple.

Big V8 on LPG is far nicer than diesel.

[stevieb]

redgriff500 said:

I've just added these pics to another thread but the XC90 was replaced by an F150 (6 seater and LOADS of space).

I went back to Subaru after my Xc90 and got the leftfield Tribeca. The only thing that hurts is the fuel!!! Fuel bill for 12months is around £3k