Member Since: 22 Dec 2018
Location: Leek
Posts: 19
BigNickUK's 2009 HSE Journey
Having had VW's and Audis all my life mainly as company cars, I was sick and tired of speeding tickets...so needed something sensible to slow me down. We also live in the Peak District and regularly get snowed in so wanted a practical but comfortable 4x4. I had been looking at Q7's and Volvo's but they just seemed to be pretend 4x4's. My dad and sister have always loved landys and they have been a big part of the family. My dad owned a blue Safari in the 70's when we lived in Scotland, he bought the Virgin Airballoon support 101 in 1994 and converted it into a motor home, he also had a lightweight and trailer. My sister had a Disco 1 and now has a Freelander 2.
Having realised I was by default looking for a Disco, I was determined to stick to my budget of £10k but wanted a low mileage as new as possible. The Disco 4 was out of my range unless you were talking high miles so I narrowed my search down to the last of the 3's. I also wanted high spec so was searching for an HSE. I found it in a used garage in Lichfield, a stornoway grey 2009 HSE 2.7 V6 with 85,000 recently reduced from £10,995 to £10, 495 which according to Parkers was a good price. I went for a test drive and fell in love with it. I offered him £10k and he accepted.
We took it on our first long trip to the Gower, 2 days later my partner, mum and 2 puppies ensconced. It did very well, until we had just left the M4 when I got an alarming "Transmission Failure, supsension lowered, pull over when safe to do so alert". I did the right thing as an IT professional, I turned it off and back on again and hey presto all was well.
Knowing we were going to use it for kayaking, I ordered roof rails and the J bars and fitted those, and also a rear ladder.
Since then we use it all the time for trips out, I also noticed what I thought was a very loud fan noise and I have had at least 5 more occasions of the "Transmission Failure" message. I searched on the forums and web and advice seemed to point towards the battery or alternator.
I also hadnt noticed that the rear boot brake light at the top and clearly been damaged and it had cracks all across it.
I took it down to our local garage who specialises in LR and he had it for a day or 2 and fitted a new Britpart rear brake light I had purchased. Re the loud noice and errors, he narrowed it down to a non standard alternator that had been fitted fairly recently. So I have called the used car sales as it is just inside the 3 month RAC warranty and await their update
14th Apr 2019 10:14 am
BigNickUK
Member Since: 22 Dec 2018
Location: Leek
Posts: 19
So not a good start to my Disco journey. A few people on here warned me to get my credit card ready!
The garage I bought it from offered me £100 towards a new alternator so I accepted and had a Denso fitted by my local garage for £250 all in. Thinking that will sort out all the issues
Rattling stopped but still continued with the intermittent transmission failure alerts and now surging on acceleration and juddering up hill.
Garage had it in today and they have recommended the full gearbox flush...chi ching...another £200 down
On a plus note we had a great weekend in it , kayaking at Rudyard lake and touring round the peak district
28th May 2019 1:13 pm
BigNickUK
Member Since: 22 Dec 2018
Location: Leek
Posts: 19
Just picked it up from the garage following the gearbox flush and drove it down to Stoke, went like a dream in comparison.
Hopefully no reappearance of the transmission failure alert
Have ditched my BMW X1 company car today as was barely using it and changed my land rover insurance to Business use. My first business trip is all the way down to Swindon on Thursday so hopefully that will be smooth going
28th May 2019 4:25 pm
Grumpydog
Member Since: 10 Apr 2019
Location: Medway/ Mos Eisley
Posts: 151
Nice to see it easily take 2 kayaks on the roof. I have 3 and am a little short to be able to reach! What roof bars have you got? Not worried about the J bars as they will prevent me getting all 3 on (although I really should concentrate on finishing the engine so I can actually use it)2004 Disco 3 HSE TDV6
2015 Audi Q5 S Line plus
2008 Audi A4 Avant S Line Black Edition. Gone
2005 Chrysler Grand Voyger. Gone
28th May 2019 4:58 pm
BigNickUK
Member Since: 22 Dec 2018
Location: Leek
Posts: 19
Quote:
Nice to see it easily take 2 kayaks on the roof. I have 3 and am a little short to be able to reach! What roof bars have you got? Not worried about the J bars as they will prevent me getting all 3 on (although I really should concentrate on finishing the engine so I can actually use it)
Thankyou! I am fortunate I am 6ft 6 and my girlfriend is 6ft but even then we struggle. I will be getting side steps fitted next to help.
Whilst they are slightly curved the top part of the j bar brackets are straight but they do tighten up enough not to shift
29th May 2019 7:31 am
Mr Kington
Member Since: 12 Dec 2011
Location: Scottish Borders
Posts: 1549
Just make sure the judder and surging isn’t the TC on its way out. Very typical sign and they are not cheap to sort. A flush will help / mask the issue but it is likely to return. Hopefully isn’t but that’s what mine was like before I had to have a new TC.James favourite hobby is writing in the third person.
29th May 2019 7:41 am
BigNickUK
Member Since: 22 Dec 2018
Location: Leek
Posts: 19
Quote:
ust make sure the judder and surging isn’t the TC on its way out. Very typical sign and they are not cheap to sort. A flush will help / mask the issue but it is likely to return. Hopefully isn’t but that’s what mine was like before I had to have a new TC.
Thanks for the tip on this. I am reading up on it and will keep a careful eye. How much was the new TC?
29th May 2019 8:35 am
Mr Kington
Member Since: 12 Dec 2011
Location: Scottish Borders
Posts: 1549
Depends on who you use, also whether you go re-con or new. I drove to Keighley Yorkshire from the Scottish borders and stayed in a hotel over night. The actual re-con TC was £500. But i know they have put their prices up and also need to keep your car for at least 48 hours. There is a place in Devon (i think) that will do a new replacement for about £1300.
I am not a mechanic (though have had my D3 for 9 years so feel like one) but do think your TC could be on its way. May be the reason it was traded in ? There are products that will mask the problem and Dr Tranny is one of them and I am sure dealers know it will get them through the warranty period. I used a sachet of Dr Tranny on mine until I could get down to Yorkshire to get it done and it did help. But i knew it was still there and on big hills you could see a slight shudder on the revs.
Others on here have a hell of a lot more knowledge than me but my TC went about 2 years after Geoff did a mega flush on mine. He did say by looking at what he took out that my car had definitely had an easy life which was re-assuring.James favourite hobby is writing in the third person.
29th May 2019 8:55 am
BigNickUK
Member Since: 22 Dec 2018
Location: Leek
Posts: 19
Quote:
Depends on who you use, also whether you go re-con or new. I drove to Keighley Yorkshire from the Scottish borders and stayed in a hotel over night. The actual re-con TC was £500. But i know they have put their prices up and also need to keep your car for at least 48 hours. There is a place in Devon (i think) that will do a new replacement for about £1300.
I am not a mechanic (though have had my D3 for 9 years so feel like one) but do think your TC could be on its way. May be the reason it was traded in ? There are products that will mask the problem and Dr Tranny is one of them and I am sure dealers know it will get them through the warranty period. I used a sachet of Dr Tranny on mine until I could get down to Yorkshire to get it done and it did help. But i knew it was still there and on big hills you could see a slight shudder on the revs.
Others on here have a hell of a lot more knowledge than me but my TC went about 2 years after Geoff did a mega flush on mine. He did say by looking at what he took out that my car had definitely had an easy life which was re-assuring.
Thankyou for the tips , will start putting some money by for the inevitable ! Just as well I handed my company car back and am now saving a tidy sum in tax etc each month
29th May 2019 9:34 am
BigNickUK
Member Since: 22 Dec 2018
Location: Leek
Posts: 19
Quick update on the auto gearbox flush, seems to have nailed the problem. No more transmission failures at all and done about 600 miles since it was done.
Residual belt noise since the alternator was replaced so changed the belt and the air con gas was totally empty so a well spent £50 to get that regassed, essential when stuck on the M40 in 32 degrees!!
Britpart sidesteps have arrived so will be getting them fitted in a couple of weeks.
Next up is a tow bar and touring trailer. Totally clueless so if anyone has any suggestions?
Here is a pic of a 4 day break at Bala, Snowdonia. The Disco was essential for getting up and down the steep track to the slipway
10th Jul 2019 11:47 am
BigNickUK
Member Since: 22 Dec 2018
Location: Leek
Posts: 19
Tweaks still continue!
It is now clear there has been some front end damage in the recent past. All the belt, alternator and tensioner issues seem to be related. New tensioner fitted this week and all the noises seem to be on the mend. However we have now uncovered a leak/crack in the air con panel as I regassed 2 weeks ago and lost the lot thankfully my mechanic will do me a deal on the regass so we are going to fit an new panel from a broken disco 3.
On a plus note , fitted the side steps and I think it looks mint. Great for the shorties in the family and getting the kayaks on and off
Next on the shopping list is a remap to 250bhp
Also replacing a tyre today, getting a Pirelli Scorpion to match the other 3 (someone had fitted a cheap Michelin). Anyone have any views on these tyres?
29th Jul 2019 11:48 am
BigNickUK
Member Since: 22 Dec 2018
Location: Leek
Posts: 19
Another last minute weekend with the boys this time camping in Capel Curig near Betws-Y-Coed. Stunning spot and scenery. Mrs stayed at home to look after the pups so just the one kayak this time. Managed to get some sea kayaking on Sunday at Rhosneigr on Anglesey.
The car went in again today for the air con panel replacement but the one from the broken D3 was knackered so will need new, £200 so am going to park that til the new year as its getting cooler.
However, did have the remap done so am looking forward to putting it through its paces. The garage said increase from 190 to 250 bhp, not sure about the torque increase. Like others have said now when overtaking a lorry wont have to cross myself before doing so!
29th Aug 2019 4:53 pm
ANother
Member Since: 28 Jul 2018
Location: None
Posts: 179
Looking good !! what remap is it?Retro fitted
Heated seats. heated screen, F&R Parking sensors, auto wipers, auto lights, full leather. front fogs, D4 heated steering wheel, airbag and switches, Brembo RRS 4 pots and discs, Dave's aftermarket sat nav install, Aftermarket head unit, Rear parking cam, Powerful UK grill replacement, De-tangoed and painted head lights.
EGR Blanked oil pump & cam belts changed
29th Aug 2019 8:53 pm
BigNickUK
Member Since: 22 Dec 2018
Location: Leek
Posts: 19
Quote:
Looking good !! what remap is it?
Retro fitted
Heated seats. heated screen, F&R Parking sensors, auto wipers, auto lights, full leather. front fogs, D4 heated steering wheel, airbag and switches, Brembo RRS 4 pots and discs, Dave's aftermarket sat nav install, Aftermarket head unit, Rear parking cam, Powerful UK grill replacement, De-tangoed and painted head lights.
EGR Blanked oil pump & cam belts changed
Thankyou
Not sure which make but its a Stage 1 Remap. I am a bit puzzled as I cant really notice the difference too much as far as acceleration etc so am going to give it a good run about today
30th Aug 2019 3:51 am
charlietortoise
Member Since: 29 Oct 2011
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 502
BigNickUK wrote:
Tweaks still continue!
It is now clear there has been some front end damage in the recent past. All the belt, alternator and tensioner issues seem to be related. New tensioner fitted this week and all the noises seem to be on the mend. However we have now uncovered a leak/crack in the air con panel as I regassed 2 weeks ago and lost the lot thankfully my mechanic will do me a deal on the regass so we are going to fit an new panel from a broken disco 3.
On a plus note , fitted the side steps and I think it looks mint. Great for the shorties in the family and getting the kayaks on and off
Next on the shopping list is a remap to 250bhp
Also replacing a tyre today, getting a Pirelli Scorpion to match the other 3 (someone had fitted a cheap Michelin). Anyone have any views on these tyres?
scorpions are really good, never felt like they are going to loose grip on the road. I had them on my D2 for years then finally changed brand to a more modern pattern. Regretted it every day as it felt I was driving on ice. So sticking to My scorpions going forward.Discovery 4 3.0 HSE 2010 year. I like it a lot. Now with winch 😂
Last edited by charlietortoise on 30th Aug 2019 1:51 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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I am fortunate I am 6ft 6 and my girlfriend is 6ft but even then we struggle. I will be getting side steps fitted next to help.
thankfully my mechanic will do me a deal on the regass so we are going to fit an new panel from a broken disco 3.
