Member Since: 23 Jul 2013
Location: North lincs
Posts: 124
D3 buying advice
Hi all, I'm looking at changing my td5 2 for a tdv6 3 I have a budget of about 13 k.
Been looking on autotrader and found a few nice looking examples at around that budget. One was a 5 seat on springs it looks mint but I feel if spending that a mount I would prefer a 7 seat option with higher spec.
I've also found a nice Stornaway grey 57 plate with 67 k on the clock, it's a gs and looks nice, it's slightly over budget but guessing the dealer may move on price a little.
I've been reading on the forum all day through numeriious posts and one issue has got me concerned, on a couple of posts people have mentioned steering clear of an 07 model, also and possibly linked is mention of oil pump housings failing on 07 models, should I be worried or have there been recalls.
I know as cars get more complicated some shy away from electrics etc. etc, I remember the stories of early td5's but I've never had many problems with mine in the 7 years I've had it, I'm now looking for a similar life out if a D3...,is this a realistic expectation.
Ideally I'd like to buy as lower mileage as possible, although I'm sure like the disco 1, 2 and defenders they are quite capable of a huge mileage.
Any advice greatly received.
Regards
Mark
I have a 55 SE with 133k on the clock, feels tight as a nut. Its done the big service but needed some bits an pieces. I think on here no ones worried about big miles.
Get the photos on when you do buy though Mark
Remember its only an obsession....
Mods:
Original Beanie Narpy Grill, Black lettering, De-Tango'ed, Side steps, Hids LEDs upgrade, Halo DRL, Smoked side repeaters, D4 Bluetooth upgrade, Flacks magic with the fault mate, Upgraded D4 compressor, ERG's blanked, Tints, D4 rear lights, Short rails & cross bars, LR Ladder. Reversing camera (needs activating!!)
I have had an 07 XS model which I purchased around a year and a half ago with 26K on the clock. Subsequently after the purchase I came across this site and joined, and found the help invaluable. It was only then that I realised that their may be a potential issue with the 07 model. Prior to collecting it I had the Dealer replace some worn front suspension parts (which is also something to look out for as the Disco's are heavy!) There are numerous posts on this subject.
To date, I have not had any issues with my Disco. It had a full service history which is an important part of the purchase criteria of a Disco 3. Make sure you have this from any seller or I would strongly recommend walking away irrespective of how nice it may look. I am not recommending that you purchase an 07 model, I am just giving you my experience of having purchased one and living with it! The only other item you may want to be cogniscant of is the 5 year or 100,000 mile service where belts are due. Factor this in to the purchase price if this has not been carried out. Again, there are numerous posts on the subject.
Since the purchase I have made quite a few modifications all of which have been very easy to perform which includes some electrical work. There are quite a few guys on the site with Faultmates who are willing to help out as and when asked (normally for a beer or two!)
From a mileage perspective there are a lot of high milers around which should give you some comfort and confidence. I hope that helps.
Rob
25th Jul 2013 12:09 pm
Mark-w
Member Since: 23 Jul 2013
Location: North lincs
Posts: 124
Thanks for that, I'm thinking I might be better going for an earlier example as it would be in the cheaper tax bracket and also hopefully save me a bit on purchase price, although I know there are a lot of high mileage vehicles around as I have kept my disco 2 for 7 years I'm hoping to do similar again so lower mileage would be good long term.
I guess there are a lot of 07 models around without problems, but sometimes reading too much gets you worried, I had found a nice 07 model in grey but I've been put off looking because of what I've read here. I really could not afford an engine should the worst happen.
Theres so many D3's out there for sale its a minefield even picking the ones to go and look at.
Regards
Mark
In that case, look for an 06 HSE with a full service history which includes the big service. That gives you the peace of mind, complete history and all the extra's with a lower tax bracket? I am not sure if you can post yet in the for Sale / Wanted section, but if you can highlight what you are looking for and members who have Disco's for sale will respond! The benefit is that the vehicle will invariably be known to many on the site.
25th Jul 2013 1:25 pm
toberwine
Member Since: 28 Jun 2013
Location: Ballymena
Posts: 9
Hi Mark, I am coming from a similar angle with my D3 purchase. I am running a '97 300tdi which I have had for 8 years, it now has 150K on the clock. When I got it it was 8 years old and had one owner, with under 60K miles. I converted to a 7-seater and it has been used a lot for carting children around, all of whom are now getting too big for the rearmost seats! Until rust started being a problem a couple of years ago the only major repair / replacement was a new clutch at about 120000 miles. I used to use it as my everyday car but since January 2012 it has been a little-used second car,now approaching probable MOT failure I would have been interested in buying a TD5 to replace it with but by now the newest ones are knocking on 10 years old so I doubt I could get such reliable service from one for as long as I'd like.
So yes, I have been (reluctantly) convinced of the merits of a Disco 3 and after some looking around I decided on a manual 7-seater (I don't really want the terrain control but all the 7-seaters have it). I really don't like driving autos, despite what many on here have said about being "converted" from being dyed-in-the-wool manual drivers into auto fans by their Disco's auto box! It has to have no more than around 60k miles, and I wouldn't want one of the early models as I'm worried all LRs seem to have teething troubles when they first come out. I like the ones with body coloured wheelarch mouldings as I don't like all the black plastic most seem to have. And I really dislike silver, which so many seem to be! I had a budget in mind like yours, around £13K, but I have been unable to find a car for this money which I am confident in.
After a visit to an independent specialist yesterday (which involved a flight to S England from N Ireland) I have taken the plunge and plumped for an 07 XS in Stornaway Grey with lots of chrome bits (it was registered to a LR dealer manager when new so had a few options..) which I could do without but they certainly help to lift the inherently fairly featureless slab sides. It has black leather which is a nice bonus, a full service history, one private owner, and 64000 miles. It is going to cost me £16650 plus the cost of getting it to Northern Ireland which is significantly over budget but I decided I could spend the extra for what seems to be the perfect car - or at least as perfect as I will find. I hope it holds its value and gives me a similar amount of trouble-free Disco ownership as my last one (which I intend to keep as a farm runabout...maybe one day it'll be worth a lot of money like my Dad's 72 Rangie which he has had from new... )
I would be very interested to hear what car you end up with and how you get on with it!
15th Aug 2013 12:43 am
Mark-w
Member Since: 23 Jul 2013
Location: North lincs
Posts: 124
What I am ending up with is quite simply going to be the TD5 Disco 2 we have owned for the last 7 years, we know the car inside out it has always been well looked after with no major faults and we do not anticipate any major expense on it in the foreseeable future.
I looked at various Disco 3's there a very nice car and my heart was set on one.
But...........
I was offered 2k for my disco 2, I had found a nice 3 xs 2007 with 86 k on the clock for £12500 and found myself asking was it really £10500 better than what I have.
The road tax was higher.
Horror stories on running and repair costs had me worried.
Then I read about oil pump housing failures...........
They are very complex vehicles, as everything is now and it seems everything for them is expensive.
I'm sure you will love your new purchase ( I'm not happy I'm not changing to a newer car) however I'll get the remaining life out of my D2 before I'm forced to take the plunge into a D3, maybe by which time I might of saved up a bit more to allow me to go for a newer vehicle.
15th Aug 2013 7:58 am
toberwine
Member Since: 28 Jun 2013
Location: Ballymena
Posts: 9
Good for you for keeping the old Disco 2 going Mark! I totally get where you're coming from about a car you know inside out. Remember my Series 1 is now 16 years old so it hasn't done too badly. I genuinely hope I will be able to hang onto it and maybe one day restore it and run it as a classic...
I too am very concerned about reliability and the expense of running a Disco 3 (my road tax on the Series 1 is only £225, although this seems steep compared to my runabout Kia which is £30). I am hoping I have minimised the risk of problems by sourcing a very clean, one owner, late-ish car with fsh. Also I have the runabout for the school run etc so it will not be used a great deal and will be garaged and hopefully pampered! If the worst comes to the worst I have a good local specialist just down the road. I have already priced the first major cost which will be timing belts during next year's service which will cost over £500!
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
I would have been interested in buying a TD5 to replace it with but by now the newest ones are knocking on 10 years old so I doubt I could get such reliable service from one for as long as I'd like.
)
