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mattjames
Member Since: 26 Mar 2014
Location: wales
Posts: 7
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Hi ,
I am looking to join th club and was thinking about making my entry with a Disco 3
I am looking at 04/05 models with around 90,000 miles ( will have had the 100,000k service done). I am no mechanic but would have a go where possible with a friend that was ok with cars from yesteryear. Having read around the forum for a while I am wondering whether this year of vehicle with that kind of mileage is just asking for trouble. The cars all have a full service history. Am I buying trouble or will I be more likely to get a car that has already had the worst of it and the big problems sorted/serviced out by the previous owners? I know its not an exact science and each car is different so I guess I am looking for a steer and a general idea. It wont be doing big mileage with me but it will be getting a few mods for some off road use/abuse.
Many thanks for your help.
Matt
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 26th Mar 2014 5:47 pm |
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chalky
Member Since: 22 Aug 2008
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 3145
  
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What car are you driving currently ? Only dead fish go with the Flow !
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| 26th Mar 2014 6:30 pm |
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mattjames
Member Since: 26 Mar 2014
Location: wales
Posts: 7
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Normal everyday car (Volvo)but I drove a defender a few times in the army and I want to off road but have a car that I can use everyday as well n
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| 26th Mar 2014 6:50 pm |
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waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2887
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They are not a car to run 'on a budget' as you generally need to have a contingency fund 'just in case'. However, the same applies to most 10 year old/100k vehicles - the difference is that the D3 is worth maintaining beyond this. If you take your time you should find a well maintained example even from 04/05, and there is a school of thought that the early ones were better than the later ones (guess who bought an 09 before finding this out  ).
At the age you are looking at the 7 year/105k service should have been done. It would thus become a case of service history and condition - bushes/suspension arms can be an eye-watering cost for example, but then again Advanced Factors (site sponsor) supply most parts at a good price. No doubt others will be around to give their opinion, but I'd certainly suggest you need to keep some funds back from the original purchase. Where in Wales are you based? Some of the site 'specialists' may not be that far away - Flack is Preston Area, and I think Bodsy is west of the M6 too (standing by to be corrected). Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
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| 26th Mar 2014 7:01 pm |
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dubbs
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 3626
 
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What school of thought is that? There's one around some 07 cars having problems but I reckon aside from the tax an 09 is best of the lot.
 MY15 DIY Black Pack (Better than factory and half the price!)
Prospeed rock/tree sliders w/steps
HSE Winter wheels
TransK9 B24
Travall Cargo Guard
Hatchbag
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| 26th Mar 2014 7:48 pm |
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Moo
D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 14188
 
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You're wrong. 05 is best. 
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| 26th Mar 2014 7:54 pm |
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waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2887
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Oil pump casing, auto gearbox (stator bush - have had to have my gearbox replaced) and EGR valves (less straightforward to blank); also, earlier specifications seemed to get more 'bang for buck'
All opinion, but othere have previously reported similar views after I bought an 09! Anyhow, OP is planning to purchase an 04/05 model  Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
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| 26th Mar 2014 7:56 pm |
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mattjames
Member Since: 26 Mar 2014
Location: wales
Posts: 7
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Do the known problems exist for the life of the car or is it likely that if has had them and been fixed by a previous owner I may not have them again? (Handbrake sticking, suspension egr etc). I have heard many horror stories and a friend who worked for land rover said he wouldn't go near them!! Is there anything g I should walk away from immediately? Thanks for the replies.
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| 27th Mar 2014 4:49 pm |
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Bobs
Member Since: 29 Oct 2013
Location: Manchester
Posts: 2330
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The more you learn the more you will relax as handbrake fault when I first read up on it 
Then seeing Flack work his magic and explain it first hand 
Its pretty simple and also listed on here what to do .....
So yeah a general member of the public these things would be a nightmare ... forum member help is always at hand to save you and your wallet....
http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic108403....anks+flack
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| 27th Mar 2014 4:57 pm |
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mattjames
Member Since: 26 Mar 2014
Location: wales
Posts: 7
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I guess I am wondering whether I should start with a d2 and try and learn some of the basics of maintenance etc or perhaps just get a land cruiser so reliability isn't such an issue. How much maintenance can be done at home by an unskilled person with some basic tools and a Haynes manual?
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| 27th Mar 2014 5:21 pm |
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mattjames
Member Since: 26 Mar 2014
Location: wales
Posts: 7
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Sorry one thing I forgot to ask as another forum member said reliability was better post 05 models. Is this true and is so would a 55 be considered ok or should I look at an 06?
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| 28th Mar 2014 4:57 pm |
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Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
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Matt, 55 is fine if it's got a decent history and it sounds like the cars you're looking at have that.
With 06 vehicles, if you buy before the beginning of March 06 ( I think ) you'll get the cheaper road tax, after that and you're in for near on £500 per year road tax so be aware, one day can make a huge costly difference.
They are a labour of love though. You'll need deepish pockets to run one and deeper pockets to maintain one, but in my opinion, most of the problems are now understood and are detailed on the forum so you should always find decent advice if you find yourself with an issue.
One other thing, don't let the bad news posts put you off ownership, they are a hugely capable vehicle and this forum contains many very satisfied owners. Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
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| 28th Mar 2014 6:01 pm |
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discovery3ski
Member Since: 25 Dec 2012
Location: leicester
Posts: 735
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my wife runs a 2005 d3 that we bought to dip below the big road tax hike. we just pay to have it maintained-at independents- to schedule and it did 16,000 miles last year. trouble free without break down. all the money we spent was on maintenance. just clocked 131,000 miles and it runs like a sewing machine. they just need servicing properly.
my 911 has 200,000 plus miles on the clock and is a daily driver. don't skimp on the maintenance and the miles are so much less important. Discovery 3 tdv6 HSE 2007
Alfa GTV CUP
Alfa 156 JTS
Alfa Spider TS
Alfa GT Cloverleaf
Volvo XC70
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| 29th Mar 2014 9:10 am |
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