Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2757
Can’t Complain.
I purchased my D3HSE in March 2010 with 87K on it.
Yesterday it failed it’s MOT at the first attempt for the first time in years, even though it now has 218K on the clock.
And what did it fail on – sidelight bulbs that were definitely OK when I checked them last weekend.
I don’t think I can really complain about that.
My MOT guy couldn’t apologise enough, but of course had to stick to the rules and fail it before throwing new bulbs in and passing it.
A few advisories also came up this year after a hard summer of use, including CV gaiters, and annoyingly a small amount of play in a rear Tie Rod that is a Genuine LR replacement I fitted during the summer about 2000 miles ago.
Obviously you lot know just how much effort it’s taken over the eight years to have an MOT record like that.
Geoff did a gearbox flush for me in Aug 2013 at 136K miles and I had the Torque converter replaced in Jan 2016 at 175K miles, but everything else has been done by me in my garage with the help of this forum and a Nanocom Evolution.
I change the oil and filters every 7500 miles, and try to use genuine components when I can afford them unless I know for sure who manufactured the originals and buy them cheaper instead. Every couple of months I spend a Sunday morning going all over it to see if anything is wearing out etc.
Don’t get the wrong idea, it’s had a hard life, being used every day for work, as a builders wagon for home and garden projects, carting the dog about, and dismantled motorcycles, the seven seats have been up a lot, and it’s towed my boat around a lot that when loaded up with diving and camping gear is @3tn on it’s trailer.
It had a Mondeo first responder ambulance shunt it from behind in 2016, which I drove away from with a broken rear light and small dent, but the Mondeo was written off.
I’ve kept a service record in a spread sheet the whole time, showing what parts I’ve replaced at what mileage, except tyres as I’ve swapped and changed a lot over the years. Apart from service items the only thing I’ve had to change more than once in all that time is the intercooler hose that’s been done twice.
I’m thinking that the data in the spreadsheet could be a useful resource for potential owners, or those considering long term ownership, so am happy to send it out to anyone who wants it, or might recreate it as a PDF in my gallery.
And for the future.
It does everything I ask of it, but truthfully I’d love an 8 speed D4 HSE and have nearly taken out a big loan several times to scratch that itch.
It has to be the HSE to include the best ICE, and the armrests, and I even like the light from the sunroof(s)
What stops me is that a £20K D4 HSE with 130K on it might be in a worse state underneath than what I have.
But, it’s getting to that point where I will need to move it on and have something newer.
Some of my favourite images from the last 8 years.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
26th Oct 2018 11:34 am
Hot Tub
Member Since: 15 Aug 2017
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1071
I am a great believer in 'You Look After Them They Look After You' and think you prove the theory with MOT record well done
26th Oct 2018 11:47 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13894
Hi
Great news ref the MOT , apart from the slight hiccup
That would be awesome to see the spread sheet or if it’s easier to PM, that’s if u don’t mind please
Sounds like it’s done what it says on the tin, only had mine 2 x years and is defentely my favourite landy so far
Such an awesome vehicle that eats the miles in comfort
26th Oct 2018 11:52 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13894
Hot Tub wrote:
I am a great believer in 'You Look After Them They Look After You' and think you prove the theory with MOT record well done
How very true , also believe in preventative maintenance
26th Oct 2018 11:55 am
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20787
Funny you should mention this. I checked the history of my MY05 earlier this morning. It has only failed 1 MOT in its entire life, in 2011
Member Since: 01 Jun 2015
Location: Fife, Scotland
Posts: 284
Great wee write up!
You at least know what to look for when looking for it's replacement.
There are loads out there, just may take time finding the right one.
26th Oct 2018 1:23 pm
D&G
Member Since: 29 Jun 2017
Location: Charente 16480
Posts: 3483
Excellent mini write up, I would be grateful to see the spreadsheet.An honorable defeat is better than a dishonorable victory.” ― Millard Fillmore
2006 Disco 3
Gas Gas 300ec / Gas Gas tx249 / Bandit 1250
XR 650r / Pajero 2.8 Lifted and Safari Snorkel-gone.
26th Oct 2018 6:17 pm
ClassikFan
Member Since: 02 Nov 2016
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1045
Shame about those side light bulbs!! Great to read your story. After all those miles and 8 years of ownership you may as well keep it until the engine self distructs!
I’ve put my D3 through 2 mot’s was very disappointed to get an advisory for a cracked reflector, didn’t happen this year. Clean pass! I’m not a mechanic but I do keep an eye on it and read this forum so I can spot when things might be going wrong.
26th Oct 2018 6:25 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2757
Thanks guys.
I think I'll create a pdf from the excel file and drop it in my gallery.
I'll post here when I've done it.
It is a real dilemma.
At this point in time I don't have to worry about an MOT for a whole year, but on the other hand it's more attractive to potential purchasers and worth more with a years ticket on it.
Nasher.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
26th Oct 2018 7:21 pm
Hot Tub
Member Since: 15 Aug 2017
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1071
Nasher but what would you replace it with
26th Oct 2018 7:58 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Decent sensible miles 2012 8 speeders HDE are now under 20k and falling
Iirc theres one if the for sale section for not much over 18k and with 70/80k on the clock.
I keep umming and arring about one, but also say to myself what will a D4 do that my D3 wont for at least an axtra 15k inscrease in value?
26th Oct 2018 10:01 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3077
A lovely post and your D3 is a tribute to your care and attention for it - you obviously use it well and look after it very well
But can we please just acknowledge that 'tent' ... Or is that a marquee ?!? D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
26th Oct 2018 11:31 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2757
Chez Nasher for two weeks each year during the summer.
Two bedroom Outwell with 'Stacked' Awnings!
The first, inner one, with sides the second one without.
Gives us loads of room inside with plenty of outdoor covered space for inclement weather, cooking and storing the wet diving gear etc.
Got to have your luxuries you know!
There's a group of us, several families, all with similar set-ups and boats that holiday together each year.
Nasher.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
27th Oct 2018 12:10 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2757
Spent some time tidying up in the garden over the weekend, and loaded the back of the D3 with some Conifers I took out over the summer to take to the dump.
The irony of which was not lost on me.
I’ve been putting money away each month when possible to replace the D3 for as long as I’ve owned it.
18mths ago we were offered the chance to purchase a plot of land at the end of our garden which has made our back garden nearly 4 times its original size.
The price of the land was almost exactly what I’d saved up to replace the D3, and of course it was a complete no brainer to spend the money on the land and increase the value of our house by more than we’d paid for the land.
And there I was taking to the dump a small part of what we purchased in the back of the D3 that I still have because we brought the land.
NasherHeaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
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