Member Since: 13 Oct 2013
Location: Leicester
Posts: 35
Sean
I may just take you up on that, won't be this week though! I'll message you next week and maybe arrange something.
I've started looking for a 05/55/06 auto HSE. Just looking at the moment to get a take on what they are selling for.
Think I've accepted that a disco it will be even with the extra running costs! Nothing else even looks to come close and all the other 7 seaters, just seem small and squashed in comparison.
Steve
14th Oct 2013 11:49 am
Onejk
Member Since: 13 Oct 2013
Location: Leicester
Posts: 35
Ok so I'm thinking ahead now.
Does anyone know any good independent LR garages in Leicestershire. I found infield 4x4 after a quick search on the net but can't find any reviews and this is on the opposite side of Leicestershire to me so is a good hours drive away, which isn't a problem if they are any good. One the web site. They are quoting £624 for the 7 year of 105000 mile service. Is this a good price?
Steve
14th Oct 2013 1:58 pm
Jep
Member Since: 12 Jun 2013
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 45
Hi, your budget got me an 07 SE (manual with 75k on the clock) back at the end of June this year. It's got enough kit in to keep me happy: satnav with Wiggs 4x4 upgrade, full bluetooth connectivity (it had the phone controls already fitted), heated seats, Harmon Kardon etc.
The average mpg over the last 8k has been 26.3, although this included a 2k trip to the south of France, 5-up with tents and bikes. Costs so far have been a complete set of winter tyres, rear discs, brake pads all round and I'm budgeting c. £600 on the 105k service from an indie.
On the wishlist is a full rear tint, and another set of alloys (prob OEM HSE) to put my Grabbers back on to. Sometimes, and this is coming from an X5, I regret not going for an auto and its waftability, but that's not to take anything away from the manual as it's not a bad drive.
14th Oct 2013 3:53 pm
Onejk
Member Since: 13 Oct 2013
Location: Leicester
Posts: 35
Ok next thing I've realised I need to think about is tyres!
90% of driving will be on country roads! occasionally on the motorway (when I decide to steal it for a day) and the rest of the time will be on dirt tracks/horse yard!
I really don't want to change tyres each winter/summer as I have no garage to store them, so I'm thinking AT tyres.
What's recommended and what budget should I be thinking for a descent set, don't want to scrimp on tyres!
14th Oct 2013 4:26 pm
djcleckie
Member Since: 08 Feb 2010
Location: Highlands
Posts: 191
Tyres General Grabber AT. On 19" rims recon on £160 a corner 18" and 17" a bit less.
HSE? Check the sunroof for leaks.
SE spec is pretty good - no built in shower (sunroof) and no voice control/mobile phone connectivity.
And the "magic" date for the lower tax is before 23 March 2006
Dave2005 SE Manual Cairns Blue
Faultmate MSV2
Series 2 - long gone
RR Classic long gone.
Disco1 believe its still going as a farm vehicle in France.
14th Oct 2013 4:35 pm
blowpipe
Member Since: 07 May 2009
Location: lightwater
Posts: 1111
£624 is a good price if it includes belts/tensioners (which it should). Down here mine cost just over £900, and that was at a main dealer, competitively priced against a quote from a good local independant.
14th Oct 2013 4:56 pm
bigcarpchaser
Member Since: 13 Oct 2007
Location: Camberley
Posts: 2270
Blowpipe, try Lancaster in Reading if you want to use a main dealer, they'll haggle and did my belts for same price as my usual Indy who were too busy.
Failing that, a Rovertune, Challenger or Guava are all good lads.Welcome "Lola"
14th Oct 2013 6:33 pm
blowpipe
Member Since: 07 May 2009
Location: lightwater
Posts: 1111
Yup, did the ring-around and Guy Salmon Ascot won the day on price and convenience. Happy with the job and customer service. Thumbs up as well for Challenger who did my suspension, though they didn't mention the need for alignment after the job was done.
On topic, echo the vote for GG ATs on the tyre front. Leave these on all year, and provided you're not going to treat the vehicle like a sports car they'll give safety and economy in good measure. And last for ever
14th Oct 2013 10:02 pm
Onejk
Member Since: 13 Oct 2013
Location: Leicester
Posts: 35
Guys, I'm nearly ready to buy, most people have recommended a 05/55/06 plate !
What about 54 plates should I stay away from them?
23rd Nov 2013 1:31 pm
A.J.M
Member Since: 31 Oct 2009
Location: Carluke
Posts: 2847
Nothing wrong with a 54 plate.
Mine is a 54 plate and is very good.
Mine is a HSE with 3 previous owners, the low tax, i paid £12k for it with 98k. That was last August.
It's currently sitting at just under 115k.
Mine was at the age where all the common D3 faults needed done. I did get the previous owners to get 2 wheel bearings and an alternator fitted. The EGR's had already been blanked before i got it.
I've fitted the following.
Non genuine
Front lower arms, steering inner arms.
Genuine,
Drop links all round
ARB all round.
Tracking rod ends
Front upper arms
RRS rear upper arms
Rear lower arms.
I've also upgraded the brakes to Brembo's at the front with EPC yellow stuff pads and performance disc's. The rears have EPC pads, performance discs and new hand brake kit.
I've also got the sat nav unlocked, with 2012 disc, 3 flash indicators and clock on dash.
They are expensive car's to fuel and to keep right. Mine is bar the autobox flush and diff oils, pretty much sorted mechanically for the next 5 years or so. It wasn't terribly expensive to do, i got a very good discount at my local dealer when buying the parts.
I use Goodyear Duratrac's for my tyres, imho a better tyre than the GG AT. The Dura's have been designed to work in both deep mud and on snow/ice as well as having good road manners. They do cost a bit though.
My sunroof has never leaked and they are great for making it feel so vast and airy inside rather than a cave like the solid roofed ones. In loving memory of FA54WSK.
Rest well old friend, your work is done.
23rd Nov 2013 9:30 pm
Onejk
Member Since: 13 Oct 2013
Location: Leicester
Posts: 35
We'll last week finally did it!
Bought a 54 plate HSE in very nice condition, 79K miles, cambelt done, no faults that I can find (yet!), got a wad of invoices from its life and has had everything done that everyone has mentioned to look for. Only thing missing is the parcel shelf cover!
It drives great and I am really happy with it! Thanks for all the advice. Kind of want it for myself but I do about 100 miles a day computing so not practical. Took it to work 2 days and now have reluctantly handed it over to the other half. She loves it!
Will add some other pics when I get chance! Just got to decide what mods to do first and then save up for it! One thing is that it doesn't have Bluetooth hands free, any ideas for a cheap interim solution until I get Xmas out of the way and can then look at a more permanent solution.
14th Dec 2013 3:06 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20836
Cairns Blue. Best colour for a D3
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Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated My D3 Build Thread
Member Since: 22 Feb 2013
Location: Northants
Posts: 889
Nice one, happy motering. You remind me of a younger me, not much younger mind...perhaps even a little older!
14th Dec 2013 3:16 pm
disco5
Member Since: 23 Dec 2012
Location: birmingham
Posts: 1088
Hi there BUY my 2008 D3 auto has 215k on it ..
BUT just had a brand new engine fitted by LR this week .
Cost £9680 fitted so no worries about cam belts ect for 105k and got 12months warranty on it
Has had arms ect ,bushes
Had gearbox oil changed as well.
Loads of other bits as well only last 30k been done by indy rest main dealer
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