Member Since: 21 Aug 2017
Location: Devon
Posts: 3
Last of the D2 or first of the D3?
Hi all. I'm looking at a Discovery for towing horses and it needs to be a 'family' car for moderately long journeys. (Otherwise I'd have got a Defender!) what's the advice on getting a D2 from the final year of its manufacture in 04 or a D3 from the first year of its manufacture in 05? The two I'm looking at are both similar miles, FSH. Thanks in advance!
22nd Aug 2017 6:37 pm
Discogaz
Member Since: 17 Mar 2014
Location: Bracknell
Posts: 1399
A D2 is a tractor compared to a D3 but one mighty fine tractor.
It will be considerably cheaper to keep on the road and this is coming from someone who had a D2 for 13 years and moved up to a D3 almost 4 years ago.
If you can keep on top of the maintenance and have deep pockets (or are very lucky) then the D3 is a far better car but a little characterless compared to a D2, has much more space, is an easier drive and a much nicer place to be.
It all depends on the depth of your pockets to be quite honest.
I wouldn't turn my nose up at a late D2 but check the chassis for rust as this is the main D2 achilles heal. A D3 doesn't really have any major issues with chassis or bodywork but just about everthing else wears out around 100-120k miles so an early, high mileage one may not be the bargain you think.
I love my D3 and have been investing in it from about 6 months after buying so be warned.
22nd Aug 2017 7:37 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72742
I loved my D3, right up until the engine gave up. That's their Achilles Heel.
Last edited by DSL on 23rd Aug 2017 4:49 am. Edited 1 time in total
22nd Aug 2017 7:43 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
Discogaz wrote:
A D2 is a tractor compared to a D3 but one mighty fine tractor.
It will be considerably cheaper to keep on the road and this is coming from someone who had a D2 for 13 years and moved up to a D3 almost 4 years ago.
If you can keep on top of the maintenance and have deep pockets (or are very lucky) then the D3 is a far better car but a little characterless compared to a D2, has much more space, is an easier drive and a much nicer place to be.
It all depends on the depth of your pockets to be quite honest.
I wouldn't turn my nose up at a late D2 but check the chassis for rust as this is the main D2 achilles heal. A D3 doesn't really have any major issues with chassis or bodywork but just about everthing else wears out around 100-120k miles so an early, high mileage one may not be the bargain you think.
I love my D3 and have been investing in it from about 6 months after buying so be warned.
Sums it up perfectly Don't think I would go back though.==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
22nd Aug 2017 7:49 pm
6024KingEdward1
Member Since: 21 Aug 2017
Location: Devon
Posts: 3
Thanks guys. Pockets not so deep. Maybe it's a late D2 with lowest poss miles and minimal rust then..... another question: manual or auto? No preference in terms of driving, but is auto just adding to the list of potential problems. (Reading just now about shudder, bouncing rev counters and tubes of Dr. tranny!....)
22nd Aug 2017 8:09 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
My DII was a V8 auto (spot the theme) and never had any issues with the box at all.==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
22nd Aug 2017 8:14 pm
Discogaz
Member Since: 17 Mar 2014
Location: Bracknell
Posts: 1399
I only had a manual D2 so can't really comment on the auto aside from saying
that it sucked a lot of power.
My manual was 1999 XS and was mapped and could easilly stay ahead of a D3 auto up to the legal limit.
Mine was still on the original brakes and clutch at 120k miles but had them all changed, plus DMF as had decided to keep the old girl as she was in better nick than just about any 2004 model I had looked at.
If I had changed that oil pump bolt, it would stilll be fine to this day but the engine died at 195k and I already had the D3 and no available funds to replace the engine.
Be really picky about the chassis and buy as low mileage as you can find but they, if looked after. will run forever and will not cost you a fortune.
I cannot stress this enough, a rotten chassis will kill a D2, just about everything else can be replaced for not ridiculous money but you are in for £4k + to re-chassis a D2.
My D2 was the most reliable car I have ever owned, in 13 years it only let me down 2 or 3 times, one rear airbag. starter and FPR, that's it.
Look me up over there (discogaz) and you can read my thread on the car.
Gary
22nd Aug 2017 8:31 pm
6024KingEdward1
Member Since: 21 Aug 2017
Location: Devon
Posts: 3
Thanks for the experienced advice. And yes. I will check out the other forum. Just for info, I've got my eye on this one: eBay Item No. 162615644437
22nd Aug 2017 8:36 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
Quote:
I only had a manual D2 so can't really comment on the auto aside from saying
that it sucked a lot of power.
Overcame that with a 4.6 with ported heads instead of the stock 4.0 ==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
22nd Aug 2017 8:37 pm
Discogaz
Member Since: 17 Mar 2014
Location: Bracknell
Posts: 1399
Looks nice.
22nd Aug 2017 9:01 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
It went well but so did the fuel consumption, single digits was easily achievable ==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
22nd Aug 2017 9:17 pm
Alan B
Member Since: 12 Feb 2013
Location: Fife
Posts: 6528
As said well done dicogaz,
I also had both at the same time. D2 was a great workhorse for over 9 years,d3 was bought about 4 years ago to replace it but I couldn't just retire the d2 so kept running it until I got a good offer late last year.
Both are great in there own rights/ways. I'd love a d2 on a d1 or d3 chassis couldn't justify 4K ish to galvanise chassis it so as I said too good an offer to refuse.
If you go the d2 route, look for Heathy on the d2 boys club forum, great for spare parts and a pleasure to deal with.
Ps I've had both stuck in wet grass
D3 57 xs Stornaway grey
D2 02 commercial silver gone but a great servant and won't be forgotten
Iid Bluetooth
Last edited by Alan B on 22nd Aug 2017 9:32 pm. Edited 1 time in total
22nd Aug 2017 9:30 pm
Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
With a D2 you have to wear a leather hat, camouflage trousers and rigger boots. DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
DS3 TDV6 HSE- Silver with Alpaca (new one) Gone
D4 HSE Lux - Montalcino Red Gone
Porsche Cayenne V8 Diesel S
22nd Aug 2017 9:31 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
I still wear a leather hat Never had camo or riggers though!==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
22nd Aug 2017 9:37 pm
muddywheels4wd
Member Since: 16 Dec 2010
Location: East Riding of Yorkshire
Posts: 1659
I still miss my auto D2 Metropolis
Click image to enlarge
My brother had a manual D2 and hated it especially the rate it went through gearbox and clutches
I never bought a D3 or D4 because it didn't look right without the rear spare to me at the time but then again I bought 2 RRS and a DS later so what do I know Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW
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