Discovery 3.. advice and pointers pls.
Discussion
Trying to get my head around some things related to the Discovery 3.
Although I have owned 2 new Discos in the past, that was way back in 1995 and again in 1997 and I am perhaps a bit more familiar with cars that are maybe more mileage sensitive so would appreciate a bit of advice...
Mileage: Looking around the £15/£20k level there seems to be a huge variation in the mileage of various cars... from about 25k miles up to 100k++, with most around the 40-60k. Generally speaking there doesn't appear to be any massive allowance for the higher mileage. I find myself filtering things on the basis that over 60k is more than I fancy and less than 40k would be good, but ... am I being a bit blinkered here? Is my perception of "high" miles a bit skewed?
Spec: Instinctively I like the "fully loaded" HSE spec with light leather and all the toys, but in reality I won't ever need 7 seats and am unlikely to miss anything that I don't get. The test drive I had today had cloth seats and was the base model and seemed reasonably plush. Is there anything in the spec worth considering as a "must have"? Anything that is more hassle than it is worth? Any spec that has all the good bits and none of the bad bits?
Colour. In the pics, I like Rimini Red, Mrs R has seen a car she likes on PH Classifieds in Sahara Gold. I haven't really seen many of either colour in the metal on the road. Is there a good reason that there aren't many of these colours out and about?
Other than here (of course).. is there a "best" forum for picking other folks brains on the subject?
Although I have owned 2 new Discos in the past, that was way back in 1995 and again in 1997 and I am perhaps a bit more familiar with cars that are maybe more mileage sensitive so would appreciate a bit of advice...
Mileage: Looking around the £15/£20k level there seems to be a huge variation in the mileage of various cars... from about 25k miles up to 100k++, with most around the 40-60k. Generally speaking there doesn't appear to be any massive allowance for the higher mileage. I find myself filtering things on the basis that over 60k is more than I fancy and less than 40k would be good, but ... am I being a bit blinkered here? Is my perception of "high" miles a bit skewed?
Spec: Instinctively I like the "fully loaded" HSE spec with light leather and all the toys, but in reality I won't ever need 7 seats and am unlikely to miss anything that I don't get. The test drive I had today had cloth seats and was the base model and seemed reasonably plush. Is there anything in the spec worth considering as a "must have"? Anything that is more hassle than it is worth? Any spec that has all the good bits and none of the bad bits?
Colour. In the pics, I like Rimini Red, Mrs R has seen a car she likes on PH Classifieds in Sahara Gold. I haven't really seen many of either colour in the metal on the road. Is there a good reason that there aren't many of these colours out and about?
Other than here (of course).. is there a "best" forum for picking other folks brains on the subject?
HSE and auto is the best combo imo. My boss has a manual and a 2.8 ton car with a manual box doesnt suit it.
The rear 2 seats are folded flat into the boot when your not using them so dont take up any boot space.
The timing belts get changed at 7 years/105k and is a £5-700 job depending on where you go for it, auto box flushes at the same time could be a good idea as well.
Disco3.co.uk is the best forum as it's been running since 2004 and basically every issue/problem/breakdown that has ever happened to a disco is on there with the cure to fix it.
There is a guy on there with an ex HA (wombles) 55 plate with over 430k on the clock.
If you go for one, pre 07 models can get the EGR's blanked for better mpg, they are hard on bearings, ball joints and bushes but they are reasonable to get changed.
Find a good indy to look after it and enjoy it.
The rear 2 seats are folded flat into the boot when your not using them so dont take up any boot space.
The timing belts get changed at 7 years/105k and is a £5-700 job depending on where you go for it, auto box flushes at the same time could be a good idea as well.
Disco3.co.uk is the best forum as it's been running since 2004 and basically every issue/problem/breakdown that has ever happened to a disco is on there with the cure to fix it.
There is a guy on there with an ex HA (wombles) 55 plate with over 430k on the clock.
If you go for one, pre 07 models can get the EGR's blanked for better mpg, they are hard on bearings, ball joints and bushes but they are reasonable to get changed.
Find a good indy to look after it and enjoy it.
Generally, the D3 is very reliable and if well maintained, it'll be good for intergalactic miles!
As a bare minimum, you should be looking at a TDV6 Auto with air suspension. Ideally, get yourself a HSE TDV6 Auto but failing that, the SE.
However... If you don't need quite as much space as a Disco offers (they are massive inside), why not check out a TDV6 Range Rover Sport? They are built on the same chassis (well, 6" shorter), handle slightly better on the road but with a similar level of toys. Again, get yourself a TDV6 HSE Auto...
M
As a bare minimum, you should be looking at a TDV6 Auto with air suspension. Ideally, get yourself a HSE TDV6 Auto but failing that, the SE.
However... If you don't need quite as much space as a Disco offers (they are massive inside), why not check out a TDV6 Range Rover Sport? They are built on the same chassis (well, 6" shorter), handle slightly better on the road but with a similar level of toys. Again, get yourself a TDV6 HSE Auto...
M
camel_landy said:
However... If you don't need quite as much space as a Disco offers (they are massive inside), why not check out a TDV6 Range Rover Sport?
We did look at them but one of our requirements is to transport a couple of Great Danes as/when needed which means that anything with a sloping rear window isn't really that good. The height in the back of the Disco is perfect. Disco 3 is Perfect for Great Danes. Thats what we bought after getting our Oaf (Dane).
He loves it, plenty of space and he can watch the world go by with the tailgate glass being slopped.
Go for the HSE as they come with all the toys.
Infact im that impressed with it Iv'e just orderd a Disco 4 HSE.
On another note. If I add up all that I've had to get for this animal he must be the most expensive Hound I,ve ever had.
He loves it, plenty of space and he can watch the world go by with the tailgate glass being slopped.
Go for the HSE as they come with all the toys.
Infact im that impressed with it Iv'e just orderd a Disco 4 HSE.
On another note. If I add up all that I've had to get for this animal he must be the most expensive Hound I,ve ever had.
99% of what is on the HSE could be added to a lower-spec D3 as an option, with one notable exception: the 3 sunroofs. Having sat in a car with, and then one without, it was HSE all the way for me.
Oh, and depending on your mileage, don't write off the rare V8s - lighter, quieter, and way, way, waaaaayyyy quicker.
Oh, and depending on your mileage, don't write off the rare V8s - lighter, quieter, and way, way, waaaaayyyy quicker.
RedLeicester said:
99% of what is on the HSE could be added to a lower-spec D3 as an option..
Yeah, that's one of the things which I have realised the more I have looked into it. Some folk obviously went to town on the options meaning it is quite hard to filter cars purely by trim level. All good fun at the moment tho, and there are enough of interest to keep me busy 
Some D3 HSE models in some years had a nice cool box added ... 4 cans of cold coke ... nice
I have a 56 plate with 56K great car for transportation of Pyrennes Mountain dogs ...dog guards split into 2 compartments rubber mats ...needed for easy cleaning
Might be for sale in a couple of weeks .. suits you sir
I have a 56 plate with 56K great car for transportation of Pyrennes Mountain dogs ...dog guards split into 2 compartments rubber mats ...needed for easy cleaning
Might be for sale in a couple of weeks .. suits you sir
It has taken me a few days to get my head around my mileage issue, but having chatted to a local specialist I am a bit more comfortable with the idea of buying something with > 50k miles. Don't think I have ever owned anything that went as high as 50/60k never mind bought one at that but it certainly opens up the field a bit more.
Test drove an Auto and a Manual this week (both SE spec) and perhaps surprisingly preferred the manual, but no deal-breaker if the right car is auto. Agree with above that the sunroofs make the interior lighter and a nice place so would now consider black leather with sunroofs where as I originally only fancied the Alpaca interior.
Trying to arrange to see something this weekend which may for the bill.
Test drove an Auto and a Manual this week (both SE spec) and perhaps surprisingly preferred the manual, but no deal-breaker if the right car is auto. Agree with above that the sunroofs make the interior lighter and a nice place so would now consider black leather with sunroofs where as I originally only fancied the Alpaca interior.
Trying to arrange to see something this weekend which may for the bill.
I have a 2008 TDV6 XS manual for work. I had an auto Merc before and was worried I may have regretted changing to a manual, especially as I do a lot of driving in central London - traffic -, but surprisingly I don't miss it. I think auto can be a bit boring the majority of the time.
The XS has quite a good spec, including electric fold mirrors, leather etc.....
The 2.7 TDV6 is no rocket ship, but it's nice and smooth and a re-map is worthwhile
The XS has quite a good spec, including electric fold mirrors, leather etc.....
The 2.7 TDV6 is no rocket ship, but it's nice and smooth and a re-map is worthwhile
We have a 2007.5 model year HSE Auto 2.7. Bought at 19K miles in 2008, now on 75,000 miles.Been wonderful, and teh only thing my wife would swap it for is a Disco 4. Unfortuately the price to change with the 4 going even further upmarket means that won't be happening for some time! In my experience don't bother with MD servicing, we use "Off-road essentials"(Iain) on the Disco3 forum, and he's top notch and very reasonable. Take your time getting a good one, and the ownership experience will really grow on you.
Zumbruk said:
Experience (and being dripped on a lot) teaches me that sunroofs are a very bad idea on Land Rovers. I specifically bought a D3 without one.
HaHa. I'm currently looking at buying a disco 1 and I can confirm that most of the sunroof models that I look at leak!When funds allow, I will be on the hunt for a D3, but it will be the only car that I run.
Thanks to everyone.
As of 2 days ago I can now add to the list of cars in the garage, a lovely 07 plate D3 XS with 48k miles and full SH. Tonga Green, 7 seats, auto, custom RR Alpaca leather, 6 disc cd thingy, sat nav, cruise, voice command, bluetooth, privacy glass, roof rails, twin electrics for towing and loads of electric bits n bobs inside. Currently having light protectors, mud flaps and side runners fitted.
Have to say... it is very comfortable
As of 2 days ago I can now add to the list of cars in the garage, a lovely 07 plate D3 XS with 48k miles and full SH. Tonga Green, 7 seats, auto, custom RR Alpaca leather, 6 disc cd thingy, sat nav, cruise, voice command, bluetooth, privacy glass, roof rails, twin electrics for towing and loads of electric bits n bobs inside. Currently having light protectors, mud flaps and side runners fitted.
Have to say... it is very comfortable
Edited by renmure on Tuesday 24th April 19:53
renmure said:
Thanks to everyone.
As of 2 days ago I can now add to the list of cars in the garage, a lovely 07 plate D3 XS with 48k miles and full SH. Tonga Green, 7 seats, auto, custom RR Alpaca leather, 6 disc cd thingy, sat nav, cruise, voice command, bluetooth, privacy glass, roof rails, twin electrics for towing and loads of electric bits n bobs inside. Currently having light protectors, mud flaps and side runners fitted.
Have to say... it is very comfortable
Good man. I must admit I was so impresed with my Disco 3 that I went out and got the Disco 4 As of 2 days ago I can now add to the list of cars in the garage, a lovely 07 plate D3 XS with 48k miles and full SH. Tonga Green, 7 seats, auto, custom RR Alpaca leather, 6 disc cd thingy, sat nav, cruise, voice command, bluetooth, privacy glass, roof rails, twin electrics for towing and loads of electric bits n bobs inside. Currently having light protectors, mud flaps and side runners fitted.
Have to say... it is very comfortable
Find yourself a nice D3 G4.
HSE spec plus a lot more, including the full height dog guard if you can find one with the original G4 kit fitted.
The gf's has a few extras on top of that - the centre console coolbox, heated steering wheel and SIM-enabled pre heater so you can telephone the car on a cold morning and switch the heater on. You just need to cope with the conspiciousness of it, and strangers coming up and asking questions.
It's worth joining the disco3 forum as mentioned above. A mine of useful information, including what "secret codes" to punch in to the video screen so that you can watch the digital free to air tv whilst on the move, or get some detailed system diagnostics on the display.
HSE spec plus a lot more, including the full height dog guard if you can find one with the original G4 kit fitted.
The gf's has a few extras on top of that - the centre console coolbox, heated steering wheel and SIM-enabled pre heater so you can telephone the car on a cold morning and switch the heater on. You just need to cope with the conspiciousness of it, and strangers coming up and asking questions.
It's worth joining the disco3 forum as mentioned above. A mine of useful information, including what "secret codes" to punch in to the video screen so that you can watch the digital free to air tv whilst on the move, or get some detailed system diagnostics on the display.
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