Member Since: 31 May 2021
Location: Hereford
Posts: 7
Escape to the country
Having moved to the country (think 1/2 mile narrow lane with grass growing up the middle and then a few miles of lanes before you get to a main road) a couple of years ago the rear wheel drive sports estate had to go. Being next to a brook that floods a couple of times a year and the River Wye at the end of the lane that also floods it was time to get something I can at least attempt to get out in during the floods and snow.
So new to me last month is a MY11 D4 SDV6 HSE with 6speed box.
155k miles but with only 2 previous owners and FULL service history.
Immaculate condition and all advisories sorted and new boots all round.
I viewed a few and there is some rubbish out there (one at a dealer where none of the suspension settings worked).
A few more miles than I wanted but service history and condition won.
Not sure how much use the TV is going to get though.....
Some light snow earlier this year:
The road over the brook outside our house:
Trying to get to the local pub to rescue their dogs that were trapped upstairs. We swam them out and they stayed for 2 weeks while the pub was made habitable:
Mine in the middle with the refugees:
Last edited by justind on 20th Oct 2021 8:24 am. Edited 1 time in total
19th Oct 2021 11:57 pm
Yargo
Member Since: 25 Dec 2020
Location: Europe
Posts: 326
I also moved to the countryside two years ago and this year bought my first ever proper 4x4 - D3.
My grandparents lived in a property immediately on the Wye. I remember flooding every year!
I now live on the top of a hill !
NJSS
20th Oct 2021 7:14 am
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4244
Welcome and good choice!
Just be very very careful driving through flood waters (even on roads you know really well), as a slip into a gully or ditch can leave you the opposite of "high and dry"
You might want to think about removing the towbar when not using it ?I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
20th Oct 2021 7:22 am
Barnetman
Member Since: 26 Mar 2020
Location: BARNET
Posts: 84
Well done justin. I grew up in Hereford so I know the conditions you have. I lived in putson which flooded from the Ross road up to the old bridge every year, I also had family in Wellington which always floods by the old mill.
20th Oct 2021 7:58 am
justind
Member Since: 31 May 2021
Location: Hereford
Posts: 7
nigethecat wrote:
You might want to think about removing the towbar when not using it ?
Unfortunately it didn't come with the key. That's now resolved so just have to get the WD40 and big hammer out to free it off as I don't think its been removed for some time.
20th Oct 2021 8:15 am
ianm27
Member Since: 02 Jun 2016
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 2154
Welcome Justin, cracking looking car and lovely area where you are.
I imagine the dogs (and ducks) really enjoy it Uncle Ray's spare wheel protector
Limo Tint
Blackvue front & rear dashcam
Cruise control switch pack
Bodsy's remote for FBH
20th Oct 2021 12:02 pm
galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
just what you need
20th Oct 2021 11:26 pm
justind
Member Since: 31 May 2021
Location: Hereford
Posts: 7
Re: Escape to the country
justind wrote:
Not sure how much use the TV is going to get though.....
Searching for something else I found the "secret" menu to enable the TV while driving..... I've notified a few neighbours that if I'm looking distracted it's cos I'm watching "Good Morning".
I have to drive a mile or 2 away from home anyway as we only get satellite in the valley where we are.
Then it was first repair, the tailgate failed to open with a couple of large dogs in the back and we had to get them out through the rear seats/doors.
The cable for the upper tailgate release had become detached from the actuator. Major pain to get to it (a couple of hours of lying in the back trying to prise things apart without breaking them). Minimal cost to repair (2 cable ties). 10 minutes to put back together.
25th Oct 2021 1:16 am
dandam
Member Since: 06 May 2019
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 60
Powerful have released a few YouTube videos recently on getting into the car with a broken actuator, fixing it cheaply, plus fitting a release handle to the inside of the car.
Possibly a bit late for you, but all handy for the future !2007 D3 2.7TD SE - Vienna Green
31st Oct 2021 6:55 am
justind
Member Since: 31 May 2021
Location: Hereford
Posts: 7
dandam wrote:
fixing it cheaply,
Fix cost me 2 cable ties and a few scrapped knuckles.
15th Nov 2021 1:16 am
dandam
Member Since: 06 May 2019
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 60
I think their fix was similar in terms of cost - though they did suggest if the actuator was broken that you could use a part from a Ford Fiesta, the same but a fraction of the price2007 D3 2.7TD SE - Vienna Green
15th Nov 2021 10:43 am
justind
Member Since: 31 May 2021
Location: Hereford
Posts: 7
My first major expense.... popped out for a pint of milk on a very cold morning and thought it sounded a bit sluggish starting.
Went down the road and various errors for suspension, gearbox and probably anything else you can think of came up.
Managed to get to civilisation (petrol station) and it wouldn't restart.
AA called, patrol attended, diagnosed alternator. No way it was going any where under its own steam.
Recovery was arranged to a local independent and a AA low loader attended and dragged it on to the recovery vehicle.
Alternator was stuffed as expected but bearings in belt tensioners were also knackered so they sorted that as well.
While at it they noticed a couple of minor issues that they corrected (dodgy o ring somewhere, hose not fitted properly from previous work).
I was shown the alternator they took off and the tensioners..... they were knackered.
I bought a high mileage D4 with full service history and expected a few issues. So far I'm happy. It was nice when they said it was very clean and had obviously had money spent on it, alternator just one of those things.
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73075
Alternator failure could have also done in the battery, with winter arriving tomorrow at 7:42am might be worth thinking about a replacement. Just think “it’s only money, I’d only go and spend it on something else”.
26th Nov 2021 8:08 am
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23819
As above, if it doesn’t already have a newish AGM battery I would fit one before it gets really cold. 2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
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