Tigerlime
Member Since: 24 Jan 2016
Location: Lausanne
Posts: 4
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Guys, need your advice.
I'm buying a 4x4 in Switzerland on a limited budget.
Do I go for a 2008 Pathfinder with 175,000 km on the clock or a 2005 Disco 3 with 220,000 km on the clock?
I think I know what you will say but your honest opinion will be much appreciated.
I have never owned either and I have no clue about mechanics / engineering.
Both have full service history but it's a bit harder to find out what's been replaced on both of them due to the language barriers.
If I do go for the Disco, what should I be looking out for when I go to view it and test drive it?
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 24th Jan 2016 11:26 am |
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lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
  
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Im sure if you google each model of car and add the words engine faults you will have lots of reading to do!
I would say which you buy depends on what you want the car for, serious work or some comfort.
Both quite high miles, so maybe worth pricing up some wear parts ie wheel bearings, brake callipers, I would wager the land rover will be a lot cheaper.
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| 24th Jan 2016 11:32 am |
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trainmanone
Member Since: 19 Dec 2014
Location: stockport
Posts: 366
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send oldhandtaylor a message he had a pathfinder and hes just got a d3 might be able to tell you about them both 
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| 24th Jan 2016 11:35 am |
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Tigerlime
Member Since: 24 Jan 2016
Location: Lausanne
Posts: 4
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It's just going to be used as a family car. Most extreme usage will be to go on long distance camping trips. Cant imagine I will use off-road but the snow does get quite bad where we are, although we will have winter tyres.
From other threads I've read both cars can do up to 500,000km but not sure how much personal maintenence such cars require? As I say, I'm useless with cars!
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| 24th Jan 2016 12:17 pm |
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geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3170
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Path finders are a bit more tractor like compared to a D3/4 as they are based on the navara so if you want comfort go for the Disco just make sure you check the history for correct belt changes and to see if it has been serviced properly also check for any knocking/bumping coming from the front and make sure all the switches work Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
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| 24th Jan 2016 12:25 pm |
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conman69
Member Since: 11 Aug 2012
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 431
 
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+1 for what geoffsnook above states,
If you need the 6+7 seats there is no comparison to the Disco Discovery3 TDV6 GS
Disco3.co.uk front orange +white tailgate stickers
Belts, pulleys, oil pump replaced, double tow-bar electrics
Land Rover rubber mats throughout, tinted windows, wind deflectors, smoked side repeaters, retro fitted Garmin, smooth leather steering wheel, cruise control + radio switches, 19" HSE wheels, Bearmech side-tubes, BAS IFBH module, roofbars.
LML Star Deluxe
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| 24th Jan 2016 1:24 pm |
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Leesbay
Member Since: 19 Dec 2011
Location: rainford
Posts: 1581
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I've had both, and would say the D3 would be my choice. Both have big miles so it will be more about the maintenance and ensuring that all the weak links for each car have been addressed or will be. When you buy one.
D3 definitely has a more luxurious ambience, my apathy in auto felt underpowered and tinny in comparison ....................................................................................................
If my wife ever sells my stuff for what she thinks I paid for them, you lot are gonna get some bargains!
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| 24th Jan 2016 1:39 pm |
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Tigerlime
Member Since: 24 Jan 2016
Location: Lausanne
Posts: 4
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Thanks all. So the main issues to check for are the timing belt? Anything else?
I understand it's currently getting its gearbox replaced, is that a good thing?
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| 24th Jan 2016 2:20 pm |
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geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3170
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+1 for leesbay says but its up to you hopefully at that mileage someone else has paid for all the little nigglely bits to be sorted Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
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| 24th Jan 2016 2:28 pm |
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Leesbay
Member Since: 19 Dec 2011
Location: rainford
Posts: 1581
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Im sure theres more qualified members that can point out obvious areas but heres a few from me
That i have read about and experienced
Timing belt and oil pump housing replacement
Waterpump
Egr blanked or replaced
Air suspension and compressor
Suspension arms and bushes areparticularly prone
Wheel bearings
Exhaust given the mileage
Electric handbrake quiet and working
Pads and discs ok
Break pipes replaced over the years?
A new gearbox is a good thing generally, and you would assume its vetter than the one theyve taken off? It may even have a warranty? ....................................................................................................
If my wife ever sells my stuff for what she thinks I paid for them, you lot are gonna get some bargains!
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| 24th Jan 2016 2:29 pm |
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Grunders
Member Since: 30 Apr 2011
Location: Manchester
Posts: 2334
 
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I had a pathfinder for a short time, the spec was good but it felt a lot more agricultural than the D3 and it was terrible on fuel... I would definately go for the D3 If it ain't broke... Take it apart anyway, how else you gonna find out how it works
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| 24th Jan 2016 2:47 pm |
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Hairy Dan
Member Since: 19 Jan 2011
Location: Co. Durham
Posts: 12319
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Don't go for the Pathfinder, had one for a year and that was enough, like driving a tractor  Cheers Ian
--------------------
Club N.E.R.D.S
Kielder 4x4 Safari
Discoless
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| 24th Jan 2016 3:12 pm |
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gordonm
Member Since: 24 Sep 2014
Location: aberdeenshire
Posts: 171
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I've had both,pathfinder is no comparison to the d3.
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| 24th Jan 2016 3:23 pm |
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Captain Slog
Member Since: 02 Feb 2014
Location: Parallel Universe
Posts: 228
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Yep, no contest on comfort and ability but Pathfinder costs lower overall. 2010 D4 HSE Ipanema Sand on GY DTs (was on GG ATs)
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| 24th Jan 2016 3:46 pm |
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lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
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I didnt mention when I posted above, but where I used to work had the nissan franchise for commercial vehicles.
The van guys often had navaras in with engine issues.
I can remember one with rattly camchain, even though the chain was at the front they had to remove the gearbox to get the sump/block extension off to access the lower chain sprocket, they were not impressed.
Another had rear hub seal failure which contaminated the brake shoes, iirc axle set of shoes was 200 odd quid and the seal was not a seperate part and came complete with bearing (not unusual nowadays) AND the halfshaft, was a very expensive seal failure.
Apart from the navaras they always had nissan vans in again with engine issues, engines were renault or so they told me.
My next door neighbour has a navara, hes had no issues but I reckon he doesnt do 5k a year and drives it like hes balancing a glass of water in his lap 
Lady up the road has an 08 navara the engine makes some terrible sounding noises and I keep waiting for it to die!
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| 24th Jan 2016 5:52 pm |
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