Member Since: 15 Mar 2011
Location: Not here
Posts: 206
Are Disco 3s really that bad?????
I'm 1 week in with my lovely 2004 Auto Diesel. Already have faulty/wrong low coolant level warning and one mid row seat that wont lower fully. But, so far so good and I was very lucky getting this low miler genuine and well LR serviced example from a local dealer who didn't realise what he was (under) selling. I was first to view, bought it immediately and they later registered over 60 calls from the advert!
So I get 3 months basic warranty from the dealer. But, while I've researched to death from all angles about the great D3, this forum does scare me to be honest!... I'm becoming worried. It's a bit like having a health symptom, looking on Google to find them suggesting you only have 6 months to live!.... reading half of your views the general consensus seems to be:
Don't get one out of warranty, or expect hefty repair bills, mine's just having a new auto box etc etc...
I look at these 3rd party warranties, AA etc but for £500-1500 plus for what I hear is a very suspect warranty anyway, I'm thinking I got my Disco at least 2k less than I could have paid for it so if I get a bad £1k or £2k nasty go wrong down the line then I'm still not hugely out of pocket.
My question though is, can I ask your real genuine views?.... do such a large proportion of these cars go badly/expensively wrong?, or is it more of a case of them having lots of small niggly problems, a bit like the 2 I already have with the warning and seat?
I'd just be really interested to hear more views on this. Just curious.
23rd Mar 2011 9:55 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72797
We've had ours 4 years (54 plate) and touch wood no major problems (EGR's replaced, parking sensors failed etc). We don't have a warranty but put the money aside for a any repairs instead, besides the guys on here are incredibly helpful if you have a problem.
I guess some people get unlucky with cars and they cost a fortune to repair.
And, after all it is a Land Rover so don't expect things to run smoothly all the time One Wife.......Livid
BAS Remap, RLD Sumpguard Side Steps, A-Bar and LR Driving Lights - Just a start but more to come
1984 Series III SWB on the mend and getting better
23rd Mar 2011 10:08 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
Re: Are Disco 3s really that bad?????
DSL wrote:
VanTheNewMan wrote:
Are Disco 3s really that bad?????
That bad?? Nah worse!
agreed! 2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
23rd Mar 2011 10:08 pm
VanTheNewMan
Member Since: 15 Mar 2011
Location: Not here
Posts: 206
DLS.... a man of few but harsh words! with a big tongue in cheek!
23rd Mar 2011 10:08 pm
VanTheNewMan
Member Since: 15 Mar 2011
Location: Not here
Posts: 206
Maybe it's a British car thing... the quirks you have to live with. I remember my old boss in the late 80s when we were out in his XJS Jag. He was running through all the odd things, bad design features and quirky faults, but said how he loved it and (against his wife's wishes) would never have a Merc instead.
Maybe it's that similar kind of thing. Just not expecting it to be Japanese and characterless with it!
I've just got to grit my teeth, keep it maintained and always expect the worse then I'll never be disappointed. At least I didn't spend £45k on it!.... I think £14995 for a one local owner 57k mile HSE with full LRSH is a bargain.
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23rd Mar 2011 10:14 pm
disco_steve
Member Since: 25 Aug 2009
Location: Are you sure this is the M5 ?
Posts: 1498
Hi 'VTNM' - welcome to the mad house
The D3 has it's problems, like any other car, but with regular TLC it will serve you well. The engines are good for well in excess of 400k, if looked after, the body and chassis will last for years, gearboxes, especially the 6sp auto is reliable and durable.
The electronics can be troublesome (sometimes), and it will eat tyres, brake pads and discs, but what other car can go where it can, travel like it can, carry what it can, and still look great parked outside your favorite pub ? (apart from a upmarket tank )
Don't read too into what you'll find posted in here, apart from the advice and knowledge, but like me, when your a newish owner you'll think you've bought a real nightmare, then you'll learn to love and cherish your D3/4, as it is quite simply like no other vehicle on the road (except another D3) Never get mad - get even !!
06 D3 now gone to family member and still going strong at 265k
previous vehicles:
04 D2 TD5 - (clocked 189k from new)
52 X-Trail 2.2 SVE
various euro boxes !
you have a 7 year old vehicle - I would expect there to be some little problems with any vehicle that age.The next American ex-pat that calls it a "truck" is going to find out what 2.7 tons feels like on their foot...
Club "yes, I too have had the EGR's replaced..."
Club "yes, I too have had the compressor replaced..."
Club "yes, I too once had the car at the dealer for a couple of weeksnearly 4 weeksover 4 weeks...5 weeks"
Club "yes, I too have had EPB failure..."
Club "yes, I too get mysterious bings and bongs..."
23rd Mar 2011 10:15 pm
VanTheNewMan
Member Since: 15 Mar 2011
Location: Not here
Posts: 206
Cheers Disco Steve.... now I feel better
23rd Mar 2011 10:16 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26705
If all you can find is a dicky seat, and sunken float in the coolant bottle, you have a bargain.
23rd Mar 2011 10:21 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72797
VanTheNewMan wrote:
DLS.... a man of few but harsh words! with a big tongue in cheek!
Big in cheek coz I wouldn't run one of these without a proper warranty, just look at my avatar. That sort of fixing doesn't come cheap, new turbo, again!
PS lots of held on here, especially if you are handy with those things some call socket sets!
23rd Mar 2011 10:31 pm
VanTheNewMan
Member Since: 15 Mar 2011
Location: Not here
Posts: 206
The problem is warranties don't come cheap either so sometimes the gamble is worth it maybe.
23rd Mar 2011 10:33 pm
character
Member Since: 01 Jan 2008
Location: wiltshire
Posts: 5781
and now a view from one who knows
TBH yes mine does work hard for a living, infact I recon he's the hardest working d3 on this site. Past 20k miles have taken there toll but having made the decision not to load my buisness with a loan at 7.9%APR along with depreciation of £700 per 1000 miles in excess of what might be called "typical" miles per joe public, I recon the inward invest of a new transfer box, full auto box, radiator/intercooler and other bits and bobs outside of others on the forum of which I too have changed, its still the best value for money per mile.
oh by the way, its comin up to .........................
400,000 MILES NEXT WEEK
23rd Mar 2011 10:41 pm
disco_steve
Member Since: 25 Aug 2009
Location: Are you sure this is the M5 ?
Posts: 1498
I would highly recommend taking the DIY route, the D3 is nowhere near as complicated as some would lead you to believe, Ldealers will do their best to scare you into paying them vast sums of £'s, but if your an average DIY home mechanic, it really isn't that back.
But if the very thought of putting a spanner anywhere near yours fills you with fear, then find a good independant, ideally one who has D3 experience, and you'll save, plenty of help in here, and some really excellent 'how to do it' write ups.Never get mad - get even !!
06 D3 now gone to family member and still going strong at 265k
previous vehicles:
04 D2 TD5 - (clocked 189k from new)
52 X-Trail 2.2 SVE
various euro boxes !
23rd Mar 2011 10:45 pm
VanTheNewMan
Member Since: 15 Mar 2011
Location: Not here
Posts: 206
Cheers again chaps. I'm not going to sweat, I may be one of the luck ones.
My wife and kids love it, everyone is impressed with it and what car can you spend £14k on and have a school mum say to your wife "wow, fantastic car, have you won the lottery?!"
It's gleaming black with cream leather and looks very handsome too.
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