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miccheck1516
Member Since: 17 Aug 2021
Location: N. Ireland
Posts: 4
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Thinking of buying a disco 3-advice for a newbie?good deal? |
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Looking at a 2007 discovery 3 GS with 120k miles on the clock and full service history.
Assuming its had its 105k mile service and belts done does just over £5k sound about right?
If I go to look at it ill be looking for;
Leaky sunroof/wet foot wells.
Confirm timing belt done from service history.
Confirm air con working.
Confirm air suspension raising/lowering to all heights.
Check history for parking brake work.
Anything else I should be worried about?
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19th Aug 2021 7:29 am |
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Sea Raider
Member Since: 01 Nov 2016
Location: None
Posts: 4450
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Forget everything else until you establish that the oil pump has been replaced, if its not been done at the same time as the timing belt, the motor could be on borrowed time.
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19th Aug 2021 7:48 am |
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NJSS
Member Since: 06 May 2009
Location: Catherington, Hampshire.
Posts: 10463
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miccheck1516 - Welcome; good luck.
Sea Raider is dead right
NJSS
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19th Aug 2021 8:14 am |
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Admirable
Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Fife
Posts: 1007
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Is it Manual or Auto
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19th Aug 2021 8:20 am |
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miccheck1516
Member Since: 17 Aug 2021
Location: N. Ireland
Posts: 4
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Sea Raider wrote:Forget everything else until you establish that the oil pump has been replaced, if its not been done at the same time as the timing belt, the motor could be on borrowed time.
Excellent that’s exactly the sort of thing I was after, thanks very much.
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19th Aug 2021 8:23 am |
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miccheck1516
Member Since: 17 Aug 2021
Location: N. Ireland
Posts: 4
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Admirable wrote:Is it Manual or Auto
Auto. Not expecting it to have the fluid changed given the mileage but would be looking at having that done within 10k miles of buying.
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19th Aug 2021 8:26 am |
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NJSS
Member Since: 06 May 2009
Location: Catherington, Hampshire.
Posts: 10463
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I suggest you should change the fluid without delay - search the forums for "Megaflush"
Quote:There are plenty of opinions and supporters of all of the following methods:
- drop pan, new filter, change oil (dilutes, does not replace it all)
- megaflush (properly done replaces all ATF, adds conditioners, etc.)
- filo flush (home made flushing)
Personally I’d do a megaflush but that’s just me.
Source: https://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/automatic-g...=megaflush
If you want a decent outcome like many here I would recommend you contact
Bodsy (Ian Bodsworth) who is highly recommended & the man for the job.
NJSS
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19th Aug 2021 8:45 am |
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miccheck1516
Member Since: 17 Aug 2021
Location: N. Ireland
Posts: 4
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I’m in Ireland but I hear a local specialist will do a mega flush and that improvements are noticeable so would go for that for sure.
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19th Aug 2021 12:17 pm |
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Hardware
Member Since: 28 Jun 2016
Location: Hiding under the M60
Posts: 12676
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if you can find a suitable hill, try out the HDC ... it should sound a bit aggressive as it works the brakes but not overly so and should be no strange noises from the suspension.
creaks and the like when turning on full lock should be easily resolved with grease on the end-stops on the suspension. .
Dean
====================================
2011 D4 XS - OBD port protection, RLD spare wheel protector, All LED interiors lights, Timed Climate enabled, iiD tool paired.
2011 D4 Landmark - Stolen from same dealer before I paid for it
2011 D4 GS - Stolen whilst at dealer ... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
1996 300Tdi - Eaten by tin worms
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19th Aug 2021 12:57 pm |
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Dave T
Member Since: 03 Jul 2009
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 6902
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Remember that will be belts done for the second time, on age, every 7 years, if they weren’t done after first 7 years, what other maintenance hasn’t been done? Joined the BMWX5 45e group
1994 Defender 90
2015 RRS Corris Grey/Black roof
2016 D4 Graphite Santorini Black
2012 D4 XS Orkney Grey
2005 D3 S Maya Gold
Convoy for Heroes 2011
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19th Aug 2021 1:55 pm |
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motorworks
Member Since: 14 Nov 2019
Location: Usk
Posts: 401
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You may have read similar questions on the forum posed by prospective buyers, and the answers. However good the car looks and drives, even with service history, it will incur unexpected costs sooner or later.
I had a customer's recently purchased 2007 RRS (120k miles) in the workshop for oil pump and belts. The car was in excellent cosmetic condition, had service history and drove with no faults. A quick look over and underneath revealed a somewhat different view.
The rear axle was wet and leaking oil, rear propshaft bush perished, engine oil level low, service overdue, leak on power steering pump, ac not working, three failed glow plugs ... Customer not overly concerned, but I would be if it was my regular transport. Chris
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19th Aug 2021 2:48 pm |
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jc_uk
Member Since: 19 Apr 2007
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 314
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Hi,
From owning my D3 from new up to 10 years old I would also say check the following:
1- Check the fault codes - get an IIDTool..... - they all have faults unless they have been cleared....
2. Front lower suspension arms and bushings
3. Front and rear track rod ends and bars
4. Wheels - for dents and buckles and inside rim damage/wear
Worth while getting the 4 wheel tracking checked - Hunter system
5. Removable tow bar - crevice corrosion
6. Belts, water pump and oil pump
7. Air Compressor - has it already been replaced?
8. Rusty rear brake pipes
9. Rear automatic hand break
10. Air conditioning - if fitted
11. Audio system - does it work as it should.....
12. Gearbox capacitor/suppressor - cheap fix hard to find..... disables the car......
13. Electric heating seats
14. See if you can buy a warranty.......
Cheers
JC
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19th Aug 2021 3:04 pm |
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motorworks
Member Since: 14 Nov 2019
Location: Usk
Posts: 401
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To keep this in context, Discos are wonderful machines but they need good maintenance to be reliable. It is a good idea to set aside a four figure contingency fund, to deal with major expense. With a total £10 budget, others have suggested £5k to buy the car and the remaining £5k as a reserve.
I am encouraged by the durability of D3's and that many examples receiving poor maintenance still achieve high mileage. For owners who are able to do their own servicing and repairs, running costs can be reduced considerably.
The important part is to know what you are buying, in terms of vehicle condition. It is probably best to ignore what a sellers tells you and make your own assessment, based on viewing, service records, MOT history and a VDI or similar check. Chris
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19th Aug 2021 5:43 pm |
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jc_uk
Member Since: 19 Apr 2007
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 314
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Hi again,
If you get a good one, like the one I traded up for a D4, then you might get away with the oil/brake services plus new tyres, etc. - budget for £1,000 / year....
If you get a not so good one, then £5k will be a start, but probably won't cover the repair/maintenance list........
The £5k won't touch the sides at the LR Dealerships for the repairs/maintenance.
When I had my detachable tow bar replaced on recall (free of charge), the helpful LR dealership that did the recall, also took the opportunity to do a video healthcare check over the car and came up with a shopping list of nearly £10k of recommended work to be done!!!
On the plus side when I took the vehicle to KwikFit each year (6 or 7 in total) for the low cost MOT (£20/£25) the worse fail I received was a blown rear number plate bulb.......
The most expensive repair bill I had was for the front lower arms, track rod ends, etc.
Also elected to get the rear brake pipes replaced at the same time.
Fortunate to have a Warranty Direct policy at the time which included betterment and it covered a large part of the costs......
Thanks
JC
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19th Aug 2021 8:06 pm |
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