G3Z
Member Since: 16 Dec 2018
Location: South Wales
Posts: 557
  
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Evening all 
I am new here and am in the process of finding the right D3.
I’m viewing one in the morning. 2005 (55) SE, 122,000, Auto, well documented specialist service history.
It looks really clean, inside and out, apart from the underside...the previous MOT has got me viewing it with caution. Rear brake pipes have been picked up as an advisory and also the sills for corrosion. However, the garage it is for sale in has had it up on a ramp (so will I on viewing) has said they cannot see any signs of corrosion anywhere on the body. They believe the MOT tester may have advised it out of caution because the vehicle has sill covers on?
I’ve been reading plenty on here to make me feel moderately confident to have a good look over the D3. However, is there any advice you all can give, any MUST NOT forget checks?
Thank you all
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 20th Dec 2018 9:55 pm |
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Discomadness
Member Since: 19 Jan 2015
Location: Caerphilly
Posts: 2256
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Welcome along !
Rear brake pipes are very common. They can be replaced with the body on. It’s not impossible just not easy. You can buy the rear half’s and graft them in half way down but be warned the originals are steel and you will need a serious flaring tool.
Corrosion I haven’t heard of people having to weld them yet but that’s not to say the early ones might start cropping up.
After all the bad experience I’ve had...
I’d want to know the belts have been done including the oil pump !
Has the torque converter been done ? If it has try to check the cross over pipe brackets are present.
At 122000 miles it’s well overdue a gearbox flush. See if it’s been done.
I’m sure there’s lots of things to look for I’m just suffering a mental block. Sure the guru’s will be along with a list. Good luck.  Jarrod
Current : D3 2007 HSE - AKA the lemon
-beanie grille
-detango with led bulbs
-club body off rebuild. TWICE.
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| 20th Dec 2018 10:08 pm |
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Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10673
 
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gearbox issues are a real concern on these.
If the rev counter is jumping around when it shouldn't
or there is a cattle grid effect. I would walk away
see example on BMW
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| 20th Dec 2018 10:09 pm |
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G3Z
Member Since: 16 Dec 2018
Location: South Wales
Posts: 557
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Thank you for the fast inputs
I’ve got a list written down as a reminder. Just having a last minute wobble to make sure I don’t forget anything.
I’ve got all the big things written down; ie box flush, cambelt with oil pump, lower arms etc.
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| 20th Dec 2018 10:18 pm |
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Moo
D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14371
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You for got the deep wallet.  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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| 20th Dec 2018 11:03 pm |
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Shendley78
Member Since: 29 May 2017
Location: Kenilworth
Posts: 56
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Gearbox
Brakes specifically incorrectly adjusted EPB
Fuel burning heater
Electrical faults - general
That said mine had all the above (£1000) later and all the mechanicals for now fixed and all is looking good.
I plan to have a cam chain and oil pump change in the new year with a general service.
Work on the fact it’ll break at some point in time and all you can do is offer some preventative delaying improvements and you’ll be fine.
I’m hooked as a 1mth old owner.
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| 20th Dec 2018 11:13 pm |
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lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
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Be aware the mot tester would not have advised corrosion because he could not see the sill, if that were the case the would have written sills covered and unable to inspect, or words to that effect, basically covering his rear end, saying its rotten is not covering his rear end, hes saying that because it is rotten!
D3 sills do rot and especially where the inner and outer sills meet right at the very bottom.
I predict with come certainty this is going to be the D3s future achilles heel.
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| 21st Dec 2018 6:56 am |
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G3Z
Member Since: 16 Dec 2018
Location: South Wales
Posts: 557
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This is my thoughts/worry. I’m still going to view it, because it’ll get me familiar with what I’m looking for.
I’ll be going over it with a fine toothpick and unfortunately, probably walking away..
If this is the case, that they are starting to suffer with corrosion - I’ll probably hold out for a D4 and get preventative measures done straight away.
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| 21st Dec 2018 7:05 am |
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vanpeebles
Member Since: 20 Mar 2018
Location: North East
Posts: 150
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I think with the age of these cars now, they will all need a clean up underneath and fresh chassis protection. I'll be doing mine this summer, and it's a 2005.
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| 21st Dec 2018 8:38 am |
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WW88
Member Since: 19 Aug 2017
Location: Northants
Posts: 250
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A friend of mine bought a D3 and it had similar MOT history, corrosion etc, but he didn’t realise until it failed the following MOT because of this. The cost of repair was huge, so he quickly traded it in for a new jeep at a main dealer.
The specialist thought it had been used to launch a boat from a trailer perhaps, so it could be slightly worse than what you’re looking at, but I wouldn’t take too many chances personally.
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| 21st Dec 2018 9:31 am |
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G3Z
Member Since: 16 Dec 2018
Location: South Wales
Posts: 557
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Thanks all for the advice. I viewed it, I’ve walked away...rear sills are rotten and after some more questions, it’s also been by the sea most of its life.
The search continues..
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| 21st Dec 2018 12:02 pm |
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lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
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On the plus side its not like there is a shortage of them
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| 21st Dec 2018 1:28 pm |
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G3Z
Member Since: 16 Dec 2018
Location: South Wales
Posts: 557
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Completely, it wasn’t a waste of time at all. I like seeing what’s out there and the more I view, I’ll be getting better at deciding what’s a good one and what’s a not so good example.
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| 21st Dec 2018 6:05 pm |
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Discomadness
Member Since: 19 Jan 2015
Location: Caerphilly
Posts: 2256
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There’s usually a good selection in the for sale ads on here Jarrod
Current : D3 2007 HSE - AKA the lemon
-beanie grille
-detango with led bulbs
-club body off rebuild. TWICE.
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| 21st Dec 2018 6:07 pm |
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G3Z
Member Since: 16 Dec 2018
Location: South Wales
Posts: 557
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I have started looking through here, now I’m familiar with the site.
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| 21st Dec 2018 7:26 pm |
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