Finally won the over the missus and convinced her that our £20k budget for next family car should go on a D3.
I want an HSE Auto which, by my reckoning, gets me into an '06 70-80k miles example from a reasonable non-franchise dealer.
I'm wondering whether a D3 of this vintage and mileage is likely to be reasonably reliable and still feel solid or whether I'm going to feel like I'm driving an 'old' car?
We're coming out of an ancient FL1 TD4 which has been great and I know the new car will be a huge improvement. However, the wife is hankering after spending our £20k on a FL2 and I don't want a 'told you so' moment when the D3 repeatedly breaks down.
So, does a £20k D3 still have plenty of life left in it?
23rd Feb 2011 7:27 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6394
my passenger door fell off on the way from work what a that vehicle is!!!! telling you get a volvo
23rd Feb 2011 7:28 pm
andychelt
Member Since: 24 Mar 2008
Location: Cheltenham
Posts: 344
Well last summer I took my '54 plate round Europe at about 80k. 2450 miles through 7 countries and *OVER* the Alps twice!
Wonderful vehicle, even managed a perfect emergency stop from about 80mph when the lady in lane 3 outside Paris tried to cut across all 3 lanes and ended up careering back into the 406 estate directly in front of me in the middle lane!
Then also managed to accelerate just as quick down the hard shoulder avoiding the accident and the HGV bearing down on me in the rear view!
Only thing I bothered with before the trip was a generic £45ish breakdown cover for the trip and then sat back and enjoyed!!
23rd Feb 2011 7:38 pm
dave291
Member Since: 23 Feb 2011
Location: uk
Posts: 242
andychelt wrote:
my '54 plate round Europe at about 80k
How's it running now? Is it starting to feel it's age?
23rd Feb 2011 8:35 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73071
My body shell has rotted away!!!
Click image to enlarge
23rd Feb 2011 8:40 pm
dave291
Member Since: 23 Feb 2011
Location: uk
Posts: 242
DSL wrote:
My body shell has rotted away!!!
Click image to enlarge
Well, that's certainly put me off
23rd Feb 2011 8:46 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73071
Nah, don't let it!! Less body to carry means better mpg!
23rd Feb 2011 8:48 pm
uncle fester
Member Since: 19 Jan 2011
Location: lancashire
Posts: 22
mines a 54 plate hse with 96k and it drives like a new car just expect a few anoying bits and bats like sunroof leaks and the seat warmers burning your a all things that are part of owning a landrover
23rd Feb 2011 8:49 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73071
Go for an SE, most of the toys on a HSE and no leaking sunroof.
23rd Feb 2011 8:51 pm
NJF
Member Since: 05 Oct 2007
Location: Gone
Posts: 2466
Is a £20k D3 worth it?
Yes, I would say, if you're prepared to accept that the vehicle needs maintenance and that on a modern 4x4 it will cost more than your typical eurobox saloon. "Normal rules apply," take due care when you buy to satisfy yourself that the car is mechanically and electrically sound.
One of the BIG benefits of a MY06 car is that you can have the EGRs blanked. I'd recommend it, even if they're not malfunctioning.
I drive a 4-year old, MY07 100,000km D3 and I intend to keep it. I drive one of the best cars on the road.
23rd Feb 2011 8:53 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
DSL, is that a on old Full English Breakfast Ration pack I see hiding behind the gearbox
go for it - my 2006 HSE has done 130K and I still use it when I have a 2010 D4 HSE sat on the drive Duncan
-----------------------------------------------------
If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
23rd Feb 2011 9:39 pm
norto
Member Since: 10 Apr 2006
Location: batemans bay
Posts: 1605
Only buy one if you can get a warranty that covers the diffs, gearbox, turbo etc.
These parts are very expensive when you have to replace themPete
23rd Feb 2011 9:54 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73071
DD curried lamb!
23rd Feb 2011 9:56 pm
TOMDOB
Member Since: 09 Dec 2010
Location: Midlands
Posts: 91
Hi dave
Same as you, we had a td4 freelander for 5 yrs from new. It was a good car, wifey loved it, I was never that keen. We were looking to replace with a freelander2 but when looking at the prices we decided to go for the D3. Got it just after Christmas. It's a 56 plate hse, love it to bits. Bought it from a dealer just for the warranty, just as well it's in having a new autobox at the moment, so in my opinion it's been worth paying that bit more.(my budget was similar to yours) Don't let the problems you see on this site put you off though, anything will breakdown. If you go for an early 06 the tax is cheaper. Just taxed mine £435, ouch! Best of luck hope you find a good un
23rd Feb 2011 9:56 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73071
There's a good 06 (low tax) SE Auto with 68k sitting on Yeovil LR's forecourt at the mo. Very nice car it is too.
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that vehicle is!!!! telling you get a volvo 
