Discovery 3 durability?
Discussion
Finally won the over the missus and convinced her that our £20k budget for next family car should go on a D3.
I want an HSE Auto which, by my reckoning, gets me into an '06 70-80k miles example from a reasonable non-franchise dealer.
I'm wondering whether a D3 of this vintage and mileage is likely to be reasonably reliable and still feel solid or whether I'm going to feel like I'm driving an 'old' car?
We're coming out of an ancient FL1 TD4 which has been great and I know the new car will be a huge improvement. However, the wife is hankering after spending our £20k on a FL2 and I don't want a 'told you so' moment when the D3 repeatedly breaks down.
So, does a £20k D3 still have plenty of life left in it?
I want an HSE Auto which, by my reckoning, gets me into an '06 70-80k miles example from a reasonable non-franchise dealer.
I'm wondering whether a D3 of this vintage and mileage is likely to be reasonably reliable and still feel solid or whether I'm going to feel like I'm driving an 'old' car?
We're coming out of an ancient FL1 TD4 which has been great and I know the new car will be a huge improvement. However, the wife is hankering after spending our £20k on a FL2 and I don't want a 'told you so' moment when the D3 repeatedly breaks down.
So, does a £20k D3 still have plenty of life left in it?
As a previous owner of D3 & now FL2 I would go for as new as poss. A D3 is a heavy lump, after 70-80k miles parts will start to wear. I'd go for a new FL2 SD4 HSE. They are doing 0% on these at the mo. £20k will be your deposit on a brand new one. That gives you 2+ years to save for the Final payment or swap out of it.
Roughly at that age, the ball joints and a few bushes can be past their best. You could ask if bought from a dealer to get them replaced.
Also, get the gearbox oil flushed. It's a "sealed for life" apparently but disco3.co.uk users say otherwise, double flush to get best results.
Blank the EGR as they gum up and play havoc with the engine. Not too dear and easy to do.
It's a £45k when new car so will always have £45k running costs. Even at 50% of that value.
Good luck.
Also, get the gearbox oil flushed. It's a "sealed for life" apparently but disco3.co.uk users say otherwise, double flush to get best results.
Blank the EGR as they gum up and play havoc with the engine. Not too dear and easy to do.
It's a £45k when new car so will always have £45k running costs. Even at 50% of that value.
Good luck.
I had a Disco 3 from new and got rid of it when the Warranty ran out. Loved it, a limo, a van, a MPV and a fun off roader all rolled into one but loads of electronic gremlins and as the above poster says, expect £45K car running costs.
Once out of warranty I was too worried about having to pay through the nose for the next bunch of gremlins and the fact that it had 2 major breakdowns both on family holidays, so it went but I sure miss it's versatility.
Maybe I just had a duff one.
Once out of warranty I was too worried about having to pay through the nose for the next bunch of gremlins and the fact that it had 2 major breakdowns both on family holidays, so it went but I sure miss it's versatility.
Maybe I just had a duff one.
alfaspiderman2 said:
Thanks for the views guys.
Looking at car this morning.
Good news - comes with 3yr 5* AA Warranty. Bad news - single claim limit of £1000.
If I was you I would try and find an 06 or younger car. The earlier cars tend to be the most troublesome although I guess these probs may in the main have related the newness of the model which may not be an issue now. Looking at car this morning.
Good news - comes with 3yr 5* AA Warranty. Bad news - single claim limit of £1000.
just need to work out what all the buttons do in ours. 
Good work getting one, I had a 2006 HSE fully optioned from new (95,000 miles) that I sold when I emmigrated to Australia and have now just brought a 2006 S.
The HSE by far is the better model, you do use all the features it offers. I haven't had a major issue with any of them outside consumerables but naturally regular servicing is a must.
Only change the transmission oil if it's either holding onto to gears while accelerating or de-accelerating.
Also, sign up for disco3.co.uk there's loads of useful stuff on there.
Here's my old and new:
The HSE by far is the better model, you do use all the features it offers. I haven't had a major issue with any of them outside consumerables but naturally regular servicing is a must.
Only change the transmission oil if it's either holding onto to gears while accelerating or de-accelerating.
Also, sign up for disco3.co.uk there's loads of useful stuff on there.
Here's my old and new:
A.J.M said:
Hows your's going?
Not sure I dare comment given the title of this thread 
Very pleased with it overall, no escaping the fact it's a monumental step down from our old Rangie, but ignoring that, it's a fantastically capable car. Had a TDV6 driver here the other day bemoaning his average of 24mpg. He was relieved to point and laugh at mine saying "I bet you barely get double figures". He went purple when I pointed out I was getting 20mpg...
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