Member Since: 23 Dec 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3
Can they really be that bad?
Hello to the forum.
As a long time Landy lover with an expanding family I am looking for something with more seats. I am lucky enough to own a new'ish Defender and a new'ish Range Rover. It seems a little bit OTT to have two cars when perhaps the Disco would cover both needs.
The need I have is to have a Defender type truck to pull a 2.5 tonne mini digger (3.5T with the trailer, buckets and some mud) between the UK and central France and then when in France it will get worked hard towing a 3.5t ifor tipper doing general building duties and working off roads doing some fencing etc. Once this is done and I am back in the UK it needs a general dust down so I can load two precious pieces of cargo into the rear seats and become a familiy car.
Having two cars allows me the luxury of doing this and with the Defender being bullet proof it's been fantastic, however post credit crunch and a wife that now wants to give up the daily grind, needs must.
Anyway the upshot is the Defender goes the first week of Jan and the Rangie in the summer, I have had plans to then get a Disco 3 (so am starting some research) but everyone I know who is into Landys I mention this to looks at me as if I mentally unstable. I know of one person who had so many faults it went back to the dealer and stayed there but otherwise I see many people happily driving theirs about on the roads.
As I am somewhat limited in my choice due to the 3.5T towing requirement, is a Disco 3 a sensible choice?
Thanks for any advice.
23rd Dec 2008 8:28 am
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
Welcome Clearly you have been asking the wrong people Do they drive defenders Sorry but the D3 will fit you needs very well
Yes there have been issues mostly sorted and certainly fewer than other cars I could mention go and enjoy
23rd Dec 2008 8:33 am
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
Go for it
I use my D3 as an executive car for work, visiting customers, taking them out for dinner etc (the D3 replaces the E Class merc for this), I then use it to tow the boat/caravan and finally use for muddy play rather than muddy work. The D3 will clean up completely covered in mud to the executive car again in about an hour.
The sre many other who do tow heavy equipment, take it off road and then use as a family car etc. Im sure they'll be aalong soon.
It is a shame than many think you are mad , But, you will probably find that they are old defender and disco drivers who have never driven a D3 and are advising you based on a total lack of experience or knowledge. Apologies to you, and them, if this is not the case Duncan
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23rd Dec 2008 8:39 am
countrywide
Member Since: 16 Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 6019
Sam
Same here, use my car for taking out customers etc and also for getting muddy and towing things. I would normally never replace a car with the same model, when the time comes I will buy another D3 as it is good at pretty much everything.
I have had a few minor faults, but NOTHING which stopped me using the car and to be honest they were all pretty minor. There are a handful of people who have had nightmares with D3's but as it is a complex car this is bound to happen. I had a brand new Fiat Punto which I ended up rejecting as it was always in the garage, the replacement Punto was an identical model and not one thing went wrong with it.
Buy one you won't be disappointed.
Last edited by countrywide on 23rd Dec 2008 9:12 am. Edited 1 time in total
23rd Dec 2008 8:52 am
captain_sugar
Member Since: 05 Sep 2006
Location: Hradec Kralove
Posts: 1095
DiscoDunc wrote:
The D3 will clean up completely covered in mud to the executive car again in about an hour.
Jeesus.... How do you manage? One hour with 4 people?
I have a mud covered executive car and only focus on a clean interior. One hour wouldn't hurt but I can't manage cleaning it in one hour. So pleze, tell me your secret.Some people get by
With a little understanding
Some people get by
With a whole lot more
I don�t know
Why you gotta be so undemanding
Hi Nick,
I've been running my Disco for 20 months now and I still think it's great and has been utterly reliable. I "sort-of" had the same dilema that you have in that I needed a vehicle to do more than one job. The Disco now acts as a load lugger, people carrier, cross-country plaything, exec transporter, motorway cruiser and performs all functions fantastically. 58,000 miles on the clock now and still smiling...
Good luck with your choice! The MTR's are finally ON - you beautiful beast you!!!
23rd Dec 2008 9:10 am
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
You really shouldn't be dissapointed with a D3, I use it for many things although I don't tow much in it, it always manages whatever I attach, including about 4t of rubble in a 2.4t trailer.....
I've had mine for about 21 months, had the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) scream at me twice, when I changed the Brake pads, I adjusted the EPB and it's been fine ever since.
Some of the cars has lower ball joints wearing prematurely (I had one replaced at 30k service), but there's a new Heavy Duty lower ball joint available to fix that. All new cars are coming with the new joint.
Mine's an MY07 year, so is the EuIV engine. Haven't had any electrical gremlins with mine, in fact it's been the second most reliable car I've owned (the first most reliable being a VW Passat back in 96-2000) Certainly it was more reliable than my Merc it replaced.
To be honest, if you go to ANY brand focused forum, you will always find people who have had problems. Certainly over on the defender2 forum, there's been more than a fair share of failed diffs and oil pipe leaks!
I'm guessing you probably prefer Manual for the towing/manuevoring(sp) work, but you should give the Auto a test as it just makes everything so much easier & is designed perfectly for the cars capabilities.
The other people who are looking at you in distaste when you mentioned the D3, will of course also not be impressed at an Auto...... But have they ever ACTUALLY driven a D3.......?
There are a lot of people who are scared of all the electrical gizmos on the D3, but once you've tried it, really there'll be no turning back.
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23rd Dec 2008 9:44 am
SPOTTER
Member Since: 06 Dec 2006
Location: Adrift........
Posts: 3095
Mine has had warranty issues and niggles and is in the garage more often than my wifes merc......
however it does about 4 times as many miles and is used for EVERYTHING day in and day out and leads a far from pampered life (well I do wash it a lot I suppose )end of an era ....... maybe a Defender when it appears.......
23rd Dec 2008 10:02 am
CFB
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posts: 6100
I have owned 6 different D3's over the last few years and have never had any major issue, few minor niggles that have all been quickly sorted by the dealer. There really is no other car that does everything as well as the D3.
Go for a newish model auto (for towing) and find a good dealership and you will be very happy 2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
23rd Dec 2008 10:05 am
NickW
Member Since: 23 Dec 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3
Thanks for the positive replies.
I will actually be going for the Auto box as TBH whilst I love the Defender I spend a hell of a lot more time in the RR and will be using it for 70% of the time as a family/exec car but need to give it a hard time as and when needed. I once swore that I'd never get an auto and they were for old men, now that I am not so far off 40 an auto box suits me just fine.
I was always told my X2 Defenders that I've owned would break down every 5 minutes but so far the worst I have had is the rear mudguards detaching themselves thats in about 85K. I did once breakdown in France after filling up with a tank of unleaded (I was very tired!!) so I can't really blame a mechanical fault there. I am pleased to hear that the "It will breakdown every 5 seconds" isn't accurate for the D3 also.
I have noticed on the D3 the tow bar appears to be in the middle of the bumper, when towing a large heavy item (like a mini digger) I have the hitch on the lowest setting on the defender and even then it pulls the rear of the truck down, how is this handled in the D3 does the air compressor compensate or do you need to fit a Dixon Bate adjustable and cut away the rear bumper??
23rd Dec 2008 10:11 am
CFB
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posts: 6100
Only the recovery eye is in the middle of the bumper, the towbar sits below as you would expect. There are 2 types though, a clip in detachable fixed height ball and a multi height one which is more substantial. I suspect the latter will suit your needs better.2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
23rd Dec 2008 10:14 am
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
I've recently changed my removable towbar for a fixed towbar & will soon be getting the Dixon Bate adjustable frame so I can swap between a Nato hitch and a std ball. About £85 and should fit direct onto the towbar fixing without cutting the bumper away. I may need to get some slightly longer HT bolts to attach it to the frame. There was a photo somewhere of someone else with it fitted & it just clears the bumper. Bodsys Brake Bible
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23rd Dec 2008 10:15 am
SPOTTER
Member Since: 06 Dec 2006
Location: Adrift........
Posts: 3095
To add to Andys comment, the air suspension will of course self level giving you a constant ball height.end of an era ....... maybe a Defender when it appears.......
23rd Dec 2008 10:16 am
NickW
Member Since: 23 Dec 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3
CFB wrote:
Only the recovery eye is in the middle of the bumper, the towbar sits below as you would expect. There are 2 types though, a clip in detachable fixed height ball and a multi height one which is more substantial. I suspect the latter will suit your needs better.
Thanks, I have often seen the middle blanking panel taken out of the bumper on D3's and assumed it was for the tow bar, slightly worrying it's the recovery eye I have been seeing, lets hope they are pulling rather than being pulled!
23rd Dec 2008 10:29 am
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and the Rangie in the summer, I have had plans to then get a Disco 3 (so am starting some research) but everyone I know who is into Landys I mention this to looks at me as if I mentally unstable. I know of one person who had so many faults it went back to the dealer and stayed there but otherwise I see many people happily driving theirs about on the roads.
Do they drive defenders 
Sorry but the D3 will fit you needs very well
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