Owning a Discovery 3, Running Costs Etc

[danyeates]

Hi,

I work in the marine trade and currently drive a tuned Audi S4. I'm considering getting something a bit larger and more capable when it comes to towing. My boat isn't particularly heavy, around 1500kg, but I would like to be able to do deliveries for people around the UK and could tow anything up to 3.5 tonnes.

This is all a bit up in the air at the moment as I love my car and it's going to be a really hard decision to part with it. I'm considering the Discovery 3 as it seems to have a few luxurious touches to the interior, it look comfy, I like the look of the exterior, it tows up to 3.5 tonnes and looks brilliant off road too! The air suspension will help when towing too, when hitching and unhitching big trailers.

In brief, what's the running costs like? Realistic MPG, servicing costs, are they reliable? It won't get used much on a day to day basis as I only live 5 miles from work, but it will be very useful when we tow the boat to Cornwall (200 miles or so each way) and when I do deliveries. PS. I have around £12k to spend so will be looking at an 05 or 55 plate V6 diesel.

Thanks for any advice and comments you may have.

Dan

[Gazzab]

Hi - 12K is stretching it a little. The prices have really firmed up over the last yr.
As for the car... I love my D3.. 2 years of trouble free motoring. It is the only car I have ever owned where I really cant fault the car and have no desire to part with it.
MPG = 24 (diesel)
Servicing - dunno about £300 pa?
Tax = quite pricey
Tyres - once a year at up to £600 a set?
I am going to buy an extended warranty this yr when the car reaches 3 yrs old - so I guess that will be maybe a grand or more.
They arent cheap to run but are amazing to own.

[danyeates]

Thanks for that. Very informative. I am used to fairly high running costs with the Audi, but didn't want something that was going to cost a fortune to run if I'm doing more miles.

At least diesel is cheaper than V-Power petrol!

[Jem0911]

I would say add Three to the budget for a middle mileage 05/55 plate 2.7 TDV6 S or SE spec.

[ian964]

I've been running a TdV6 HSE for the last 3 years and about 30K miles, and it's been brilliant. The only non-routine servicing required was the replacement of the EGR valves (under warranty) and a recent recall to do with the water pump. It does get through tyres a bit - 10-15K miles a set, about £800 if you stick with the original fit Scorpions (on 19" wheels). Servicing has been a bit more than the poster above, about £600 a year. Brake pads are about £200 per axle - I had the fronts replaced a year ago and the rears last week. I've just taken out the extended warranty, and that was £815 without Landrover Assist. Average fuel consumption about 23 mpg (lots of short trips)

[Gazzab]

You can negotiate the servicing prices right down. Plead poverty, shop around, price match etc..

[danyeates]

We're also looking at getting on of these at work too, so the more information on running costs the better. We would be using it to deliver boats, up to 3.5 tonnes and it would primarily be used for towing.

Thanks,

Dan

[David911RSR]

I have just looked at the service invoices for our Disco 3. All maintenance was carried out by the official LR supplying dealer.

1st Service @ 12,000 miles FOC
Front Brake Disc's & Pads @ 17,000 248.86 Inc Vat
2nd Service @ 24,000 329.92 Inc Vat and Brake Fluid change
3rd Service @ 36,000 277.97 Inc Vat, MOT and brake Fluid
Front Brake Pads @ 36,000 114.64 Inc Vat

The last set of Pirelli Scorpion Zero 19" tyres cost 175 each including Vat, fitting, balancing etc

RFL - 400 Per year
Warranty Direct offer a good warranty for 400 quid per year
We average 23-24MPG on short trips and 28-30MPG long distance (motorway)

Edited by David911RSR on Tuesday 9th February 21:04

[David911RSR]

ian964 said:

I've been running a TdV6 HSE for the last 3 years and about 30K miles, and it's been brilliant. The only non-routine servicing required was the replacement of the EGR valves (under warranty) and a recent recall to do with the water pump. It does get through tyres a bit - 10-15K miles a set, about £800 if you stick with the original fit Scorpions (on 19" wheels). Servicing has been a bit more than the poster above, about £600 a year. Brake pads are about £200 per axle - I had the fronts replaced a year ago and the rears last week. I've just taken out the extended warranty, and that was £815 without Landrover Assist. Average fuel consumption about 23 mpg (lots of short trips)

I suggest you shop around for better servicing quotes as you are being over charged!

[Andy Sargeant]

I know a man how can help with tyres.

Andy.

[character]

D'you know what, just found you lot ere skulking around !!!

2005/55 D3 TDV6, auto, analogue tacho fitted, we pull a 3500gross enclosed trailer delivering supercars, mileage just shy of 320,000, yep that's right, highest mileage D3 in the world!!

Mpg towing a 3m high enclosed trailer - around 19 miles per gallon
Servicing - main one is at 105k for you low milers, around £600
Tyres, get around 60k miles on OEM Goodyear Wranglers M&S (as used by Highways Agency)
EGR value failed Nov 08, gearbox judder (so flush and refill/re-calibrate) £450 (as you can only use SHELL spec gearbox oil), EPB screamer - cleaned (constant problem with D3) at least twice, around £90 a time, OEM pads changed at around 90k miles (do buy OEM pads/discs/etc you'll save in the long term.

Love him to death, do buy one, great fun, alot of us around to advise BUT BUY AUTO for towing and with cruise.

[Andy Sargeant]

That engine can't ever get cold, nice one, so you got the reliable one then.

Andy.

[brenflys777]

Get a warranty !