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Rjf1990
Member Since: 17 Jun 2024
Location: Banbury
Posts: 4
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| Disco3 predicament - help! |
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Hello, this is my first post and a very long story short I own a ford focus diesel 1.8, manual (OV08BHU) I use it to go Sainsbury's and every now and then to caversham from Banbury once a month, tax is 17 quid a month and is pretty cheap to run, but sills got flagged in last MOT, this was gifted to me by my stepfather in law, so has sentimental value.
Fast forward 1 year my father in law has passed and owned a disco3, automatic, 104 on the clock and whenever there has been a problem he has got it fixed, haven't seen an 18 year old car in such good nick (EY06OJN).
My predicament is do I keep the disco3, I know they cost a lot to maintain but I won't use it loads, only 3000 miles a year, good repair history and obviously again, sentimental value. How much are we actually talking when people say these are expensive to run, will it help that I won't use it much, or will that hinder it?
Any help to make my decision of which one to keep would be great as I'm struggling here!
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 17th Jun 2024 2:47 pm |
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Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10659
  
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If you have no need for a big car, off road etc. I’d say pass on it !
Tax is pricy too
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| 17th Jun 2024 5:26 pm |
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Carabraxis
Member Since: 30 Dec 2007
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 221
 
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If it was me I'd keep both at this point. Park the Focus up and run the Disco for 6 months and see how you go and then you'll know.
If you find the Disco too expensive or you don't like it sell it then.
I've had 2 x series 3 and 2 x series 4 Discos - best cars I've had.
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| 19th Jun 2024 9:36 am |
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jaqoda
Member Since: 23 Jan 2019
Location: Manchester
Posts: 163
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I used to only run mine 3-5k miles a year and I assure you the running costs don't go down 
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| 19th Jun 2024 9:58 am |
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disco chris
Member Since: 25 Apr 2022
Location: London
Posts: 276
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I'd personally definitely run the Disco, agree with the above that you could keep the Focus parked up while you see how you find the Disco.
They're fantastic cars, best car I've ever had in its capabilities. Yes ok not the cheapest to run although mine has had a couple of cheap years recently despite being a 2005 with 255k on the clock. (I've said it now haven't I...  )
Completely different league to a Focus in terms of comfort, presence, driving position, capabilities etc.
Free shot at experiencing Disco life. 
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| 19th Jun 2024 10:26 am |
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disco chris
Member Since: 25 Apr 2022
Location: London
Posts: 276
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In terms of costs...
I'd say around £1000 per year would be on the higher side of what you could expect it to cost to maintain and repair depending on what troublesome parts have been dealt with already by your FIL. Could be a lot less than that on a good year. Or worse if it needed a gearbox or torque convertor etc.
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| 19th Jun 2024 10:31 am |
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jaqoda
Member Since: 23 Jan 2019
Location: Manchester
Posts: 163
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To give an indication of cost, I never had a job done at the (LR indy specialist) garage that didn't cost at least £500.
If you're handy with spanners then that obviously comes down.
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| 19th Jun 2024 11:03 am |
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Moo
D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14338
 
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These beasties prefer to be used. They aren't great at being left sitting around.
On 3000 miles a year with the costs associated with them, I'd sell it. Sadly you won't get much but it will save you a whole host of potential pain. New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner 
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
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| 19th Jun 2024 12:45 pm |
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HairyFool
Member Since: 04 Jan 2023
Location: North Essex
Posts: 651
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I have to agree with Moo, the "pence per mile " is only going to be bigger the less you use it.
As suggested give it a try as a straight replacement for the Focus for a month to see if you like driving it, it is a different mindset. I miss the visibility and height when not in it, something else could be your "key" or there isn't one.
I actually bought my 1st LR for towing the tin tent but that bird has long gone. A visitor from the dark side, my other vehicle is an is still an EV. Strictly speaking its SWMBO.
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| 19th Jun 2024 12:56 pm |
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Rjf1990
Member Since: 17 Jun 2024
Location: Banbury
Posts: 4
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Thank you all for your responses, been very busy lately and have made the decision to stick with the D3 for a year, see what the costs are and if I have an absolute stinker with it, I'll repair it and sell it to recoup my money.
It's a brilliant drive and I love being higher up (I'm short!), the focus has gone to a lad in the village down the road as his first car so all's well ends well, I do have a few concerns already with the LR after driving it down to Totnes but going to make a separate post for that.
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| 15th Jul 2024 9:16 am |
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Rjf1990
Member Since: 17 Jun 2024
Location: Banbury
Posts: 4
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disco chris wrote:I'd personally definitely run the Disco, agree with the above that you could keep the Focus parked up while you see how you find the Disco.
They're fantastic cars, best car I've ever had in its capabilities. Yes ok not the cheapest to run although mine has had a couple of cheap years recently despite being a 2005 with 255k on the clock. (I've said it now haven't I... )
Completely different league to a Focus in terms of comfort, presence, driving position, capabilities etc.
Free shot at experiencing Disco life.
Thanks Chris, yes this will be my take on it I think, I've always driven around old hatchback bangers until they blow so will be nice to travel in slightly more luxury, even the automatic is new to me!
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| 15th Jul 2024 9:34 am |
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Icarus
Member Since: 15 Jul 2023
Location: Essex
Posts: 86
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| Re: Disco3 predicament - help! |
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Rjf1990 wrote:Hello, this is my first post and a very long story short I own a ford focus diesel 1.8, manual (OV08BHU) I use it to go Sainsbury's and every now and then to caversham from Banbury once a month, tax is 17 quid a month and is pretty cheap to run, but sills got flagged in last MOT, this was gifted to me by my stepfather in law, so has sentimental value.
Fast forward 1 year my father in law has passed and owned a disco3, automatic, 104 on the clock and whenever there has been a problem he has got it fixed, haven't seen an 18 year old car in such good nick (EY06OJN).
My predicament is do I keep the disco3, I know they cost a lot to maintain but I won't use it loads, only 3000 miles a year, good repair history and obviously again, sentimental value. How much are we actually talking when people say these are expensive to run, will it help that I won't use it much, or will that hinder it?
Any help to make my decision of which one to keep would be great as I'm struggling here!
It may be helpful to have some actual figures. These are my current annual "Standing Costs" alone for my Disco 4.
VED £710
Insurance £820
Fuel £1020 (based on 3600 miles per year)
MOT & a Simple Service £200
That's a total of £2,750 - around £230 a month.
More comprehensive servicing, tyres, and any serious faults will very quickly increase that sum.
You need fairly deep pockets to run these cars properly, unless you are a very competent home mechanic, and are prepared and able to devote the time required to keep them in safe running order.
Even if you are fortunate enough to have a very good LR Independent, these are expensive and complicated luxury 4X4 cars, but they are also terrific at what they were designed to do. Which is just about any possible task you could expect of a vehicle...... I’m a Disco 4 believer. What a vehicle!
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| 15th Jul 2024 9:50 am |
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Rjf1990
Member Since: 17 Jun 2024
Location: Banbury
Posts: 4
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Thanks @Icarus, that is roughly what I calculated as well so good to know were in the same boat.
I've already had the boot stuck while travelling down to Totnes 2 weeks ago, makes a sound when the boot button is pressed on the key, on the tailgate and also pressing unlock/lock inside, but no movement, booked in to a garage on 24th.
A tyre will need changing in the next 6 months as well, low tread.
Noticed it smokes hell of a lot when accelerating as well despite passing MOT and emissions etc last month, I know it's a diesel but I fully couldn't see a car behind me due to a plume of black smoke. I am an absolute novice when it comes to cars, I can just about change a wiper blade  so will get the garage to check that out at the same time.
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| 15th Jul 2024 10:10 am |
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