Member Since: 27 Oct 2017
Location: South West Scotland
Posts: 9
Getting Ready to Buy - But Which???
I've had a few Landies over the years. 90 td and 200tdi, 110 300tdi, D1, D2 Pre and D2 post facelift. A few Isuzu and Daihaitsu in between.
Due to work, for two years I have been running a perfectly competent Insignia diesel. 55mpg and £0 tax. As capable as it is, I hate it. Havent had a car for more than 30 years before this. Always 4x4. And spending 6 years in the forces, for that period of time - thats all I drove that didnt have tracks.
But in ten months or so, I retire and wont be doing the mileage I currently am. I will be going back to a Landie.
But the question is, should it be a late D3 or an early D4. I will have about £10k to spend.
I did a lot of my own basic maintenance on my past motors. And hope to do a lot of the routine servicing etc on my future Disco.
So many horror stories. But then, people often come online to moan about problems, complimenting relatively trouble free running not so much.
Baring in mind I kept one D2 until I killed it, 14 years, I managed pretty well. Loved her to be honest. Kinversand.
For as trouble free Landie ownership (as much as that exists), would people recommend a D3 or D4.
Looking to purchase about November. Camping, overlanding, towing a RIB, every day use for me n ma dug.
Thoughts?
9th Feb 2021 12:08 pm
Dondiddy
Member Since: 26 Dec 2019
Location: Hamilton
Posts: 309
This question has been asked so many times and you will get the usual answers I suppose which will be buy the best D3 you can for the money rather than a rougher higher mileage D4. Then someone will chip in and say that the D4 8 speed is so much better than the D3 so you should save up and get a D4 with a bit more cash if you can. Then some one else will say avoid the D4 as the cranks snap! Whatever advice you get it should have good service history and evidence that the belts have been done. Good one`s do pop up on here for sale from time to time from forum members so keep an eye on the for sale section! Good luck!
9th Feb 2021 12:50 pm
pagoda
Member Since: 13 Aug 2009
Location: Not London Anymore (or the US for that matter)
Posts: 1929
^^^^ what he said, frankly. A very good encapsulation of what you'll be told.
Be patient and buy from here. Good ones with a full LR 'forum history' come up here often.PAGODA
9th Feb 2021 1:05 pm
G3Z
Member Since: 16 Dec 2018
Location: South Wales
Posts: 557
If you don’t need 7 seats, I’d recommend looking at a RRS so you can have the TDV8.Defender 110 2.4 TDCi Utility Station Wagon.
2007 Disco 3 GS TDV6 Manual
200,000+ mile club 😎
9th Feb 2021 2:31 pm
matgriff
Member Since: 16 Sep 2019
Location: Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffs
Posts: 171
I don't know about the D3-D4 thing... but what I can say is don't be in a rush to buy, it is totally a buyers market with D3/D4's.
I bought my D3 through this forum, and the previous owner also bought it through this forum, so the vehicle had a good online searchable history on here, with two enthusiastic owners as well as the full documented history and bills... so far it's paid off as it's been a good un 2005 TDV6 SE Auto
Cairns Blue
9th Feb 2021 2:31 pm
Motolab
Member Since: 18 Oct 2019
Location: Sleen
Posts: 1820
Re: Getting Ready to Buy - But Which???
Rh_Scotland wrote:
I've
Hi!
Welcome!Best regards
Harold
Always looking for Pre '55's & Pre war British Motorcycles! knowing or having one for sale? PM please. I visit the UK 6 times a year
Ps. I edit my texts quite often, english is not my native language, so I will edit My “typo’s” etc.
9th Feb 2021 5:50 pm
greg00
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
Dondiddy wrote:
This question has been asked so many times and you will get the usual answers I suppose which will be buy the best D3 you can for the money rather than a rougher higher mileage D4. Then someone will chip in and say that the D4 8 speed is so much better than the D3 so you should save up and get a D4 with a bit more cash if you can. Then some one else will say avoid the D4 as the cranks snap! Whatever advice you get it should have good service history and evidence that the belts have been done. Good one`s do pop up on here for sale from time to time from forum members so keep an eye on the for sale section! Good luck!
Great summing up ... but you forgot the great D3 V8 _,,,_______///________
/// LR3 SE V8 Java Black
9th Feb 2021 7:28 pm
kajtzu
Member Since: 10 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6744
And someone reminds the cargo truck (diesel) audience that humans should be transported using gasoline.
Peak thread reached.
8)
9th Feb 2021 7:34 pm
Juan Jose
Member Since: 21 Jan 2018
Location: Madrid
Posts: 35
I find that a good service record and the place of sale do not increase trust.
I think that the most appropriate thing is to buy a D3 or d4 that has been engine repaired by a company or competent person in the matter, since if you have not had the problem you will always have the concern
10th Feb 2021 2:37 am
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
i would wait and see how this year pans out, expensive old cars (d3 and early d4) with top rate road tax are going to have to come down in value.
I reckon 2021 is going to be tough for an awful lot of people
10th Feb 2021 7:06 am
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2463
Prices of cars is dropping all the time at the moment, its a good time to buy if your looking to keep it.
I personally would go for a good D3 and put some money away for unexpected problems.Andrew
D3 2.7tdv6 2005
D4 3.0 SDV6 Commercial died and gone to LR heaven
D5 3.0 SDV6 HSE
10th Feb 2021 8:21 am
G3Z
Member Since: 16 Dec 2018
Location: South Wales
Posts: 557
Once spring comes the ‘4X4 winter tax’ will also bring prices down.Defender 110 2.4 TDCi Utility Station Wagon.
2007 Disco 3 GS TDV6 Manual
200,000+ mile club 😎
10th Feb 2021 9:07 am
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
£10k will barely be enough unless you also have a decent annual four figure slush fund to hand to pay for repairs... Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
10th Feb 2021 9:14 am
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23819
lynalldiscovery wrote:
i would wait and see how this year pans out, expensive old cars (d3 and early d4) with top rate road tax are going to have to come down in value.
I reckon 2021 is going to be tough for an awful lot of people
The phasing in of ULEZ ‘s by councils won’t help either.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)
10th Feb 2021 9:26 am
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15263
But from the OPs perspective, this “ulez” stuff will take at least 50 years to impact on his (& my) part of the country. ...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
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