Member Since: 18 Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 18
My imaginary Disco 3 - should I make it a reality?
This may not be the right place for this, apologies if so.
A few weeks back I agreed to by a Disco 3 from from a friend. It would have been my first, but I was prepared for the high tax, poor economy etc.. and looking forward to owning something immensely capable and fun, even if it felt like it might be a continual project car with various faults and issues. I'm no mechanic, but am not averse to a bit of tinkering and troubleshooting when needed, though would be paying a specialist for any serious servicing and repairs.
Anyway, that sale fell through. So having built myself up to it, the sensible half of me (which has no real need for a disco) is now saying I should go buy something dull like a Nissan or a Mitsubishi soft-roader, which will do most everything I need and and probably cost less in time/money.
I joined this forum a few weeks back to research what I was getting myself into, and I'm now back, I guess, to get you guys to convince me to go hunting for another Disco 3, as well as get general buying advice I don't think I'll take much convincing though...
So, should I take the leap? I think I'm looking for a late model, ideally XS or HSE, with as few miles as I can find for around £12k. Is it realistic to get a good one for that?
From my previous research, it sounds like the sort of things I should watch out for when shopping are:
- EGR valves, either replaced or closed with a remap done
- A recent major service completed, since that's £££
- Recent belt changes, since that's also £££ and requires the cab separated?! (is this for all the belts?)
- Something about the air suspension compressor being damaged by misplaced jacking
- What are other big things I should look out for/avoid?
I welcome all views on whether I should run a mile, or join the club... plus any buying advice you care to share!
5th May 2017 10:37 am
mini8334
Member Since: 17 Jul 2014
Location: Tonbridge
Posts: 707
I didn't do any research before buying mine 4+ years ago, got stung with big repair bills to begin with, but now use a mechanic from the forum and just loving ownership....yes it comes with the need for deep pockets, but you also end up having a great big permanent grin on your face
Have a look at the above link, there is a 2005 one in Kent for £5k ish, but needs work, but very cheap for the car you'll be getting.Iggy/Ieuan
Current LR =
2015 RR Sport Autobiography
&
1992 Land Rover Defender Camper
- Gone but not forgotten:
MY10 D4 GS
MY05 Disco 3 'S'
MY14 FL2 HSE manual in Blue
MY15 Disco 4 HSE Lux in Santorini Black
MY08 Disco 3 SE manual in Buck Blue
1960 Series 2 88" (No idea why I sold it!)
5th May 2017 11:55 am
marscolony
Member Since: 18 Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 18
Good to hear your experience Iguana. I do need something that isn't going to need a ton of work up front, and happy to pay a bit more up front (within my limits) to try and get a well looked after one. What are the things you got stung by?
Mini8334 - ta for the link, that one is very clean looking! I need an auto though (tbh didn't realise you could get a manual D3? Still learning!).
Part of the reason for me looking for a new car is because I want something SUV/MPV height, that is easier to get in and out of than a car. I have arthritis in various places and sinking down to car level involves groaning and creaking. Stepping into, or even up to a higher car is much easier - especially with a grin on your face.
5th May 2017 12:15 pm
Iguana
Member Since: 14 Oct 2013
Location: 'Sunny' Zomerset
Posts: 9402
Wheel bearing, arms on both sides and front and back - I should have noticed the wear on side of tyres Rear propshaft and a few more bits - about £3000 in first few months (Oh yes new tyres also due to not looking close enough )
So if I were try and get a warranty if buying from a garage (or get aftermarket, something like warranty direct). Get a well maintained one, with full service history and a stack of invoices - don't just believe what the stamp in the service book says.
Take a good drive, check for any knocking, check tyre wear (especially on one side) - could be tracking, but also could be suspension arms or bushes
If all the arms, bushes etc have been done, then they will last for a few years - I spent £3000 in first 3 months, but all I've had to do in last year is 1 x wheel bearing, service costs and a new Fuel Burn Heater
Iggy/Ieuan
Current LR =
2015 RR Sport Autobiography
&
1992 Land Rover Defender Camper
- Gone but not forgotten:
MY10 D4 GS
MY05 Disco 3 'S'
MY14 FL2 HSE manual in Blue
MY15 Disco 4 HSE Lux in Santorini Black
MY08 Disco 3 SE manual in Buck Blue
1960 Series 2 88" (No idea why I sold it!)
5th May 2017 12:44 pm
marscolony
Member Since: 18 Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 18
Thanks for the info, very helpful. Sorry you had to suffer those costs though. I think we have all probably bought cars with issues we think we should have spotted with hindsight though!
I'm looking at aftermarket warranties, I'm not sure they are usually worth it, but maybe with a disco they are, depending on what they cover.
I bought a 2008 HSE 3 weeks ago for £11,750 with 103k on the clock. It was the 4th one I went to look at and walked away from the first 3 (all HSEs same age/mileage) as they were either tatty, had 4 different tyre brands on (on the one vehicle) and not looked after in my opinion and one of them had EML light on and no power on test drive and was told needed EGR valve which he would do if I bought it.
The one I bought was tidy, clean, in excellent condition with 3 previous owners and service history.
Be prepared to walk away if it doesn't feel right and take your time to find a good, clean one.
Once I bought it, I had it serviced and checked over by a LR independent specialist. I asked them to fit a new oil pump (after reading horror stories of failures) which also required having new cam belt fitted.
I am under no illusions that it will cost me money to maintain so be prepared for that.
You've been wise the way you've gone about the it & got a good D3
Hang to it - classic vehicle.BREXIT - done properly.
Right now ...We need Government - not Politics
Save the Dipstick Flagbearer-keep it simple, less likely to fail campaign-agenda items:Starting Handles, Acetylene Lamps.
Founder: Dipsticks-R-Us Inc
D3 HSE-perfectly formed, passenger friendly...has real DIPSTICK
Jag XK-but sadly no DIPSTICK...HUGE design fault
FL2 has DIPSTICK..."real comfort in rear seats"
VW Golf wondermobile (?)..has real DIPSTICK
Morris Minor..original DIPSTICK technology..and a real KEY.
5th May 2017 7:29 pm
marscolony
Member Since: 18 Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 18
Looks lovely Sivsy.
I have 3 or 4 I am hoping to look at today, so hopefully find a good one. But if not as you say, walk away. I have a slight deadline in that I am hoping to get one in time to take to the Le Mans 24hrs race in mid June... But hopefully can find a nice one before then.
I hadn't heard about oil pump problems. More reading required.
6th May 2017 6:19 am
Hocks172
Member Since: 29 Mar 2014
Location: Brighton
Posts: 556
Id forget the supposed reliability of Nissan/Mitsubishi too i know a few people who have them and have spent thousands on them too.
Plus the D3 is by far a better place to be in than anything else for the same money.
previous LR D3 HSE, RRS HST, RR Evoque Dynamic Lux.
Current D5 HSE Lux
The oil pump issue is to due with reported failures of the oil pump where the belt tensioner shears off due to a suspected weak point on the casing. I think this only applies to 07/08 model years and if you go for a 8.5 MY (late 08, 58 plates) onwards they have the newer stronger casing. I didn't want to take my chance of having a seized engine so for peace of mind had a new pump fitted.
With Nissan/Mitsubishi reliability - I have owned a Nissan Pathfinder in the past (06 plate) and after 7k miles, the clutch went and had to have clutch and flywheel replaced under warranty (eventually - that's another story). My cousin has a mk3 Mitsubishi Shogun with approx 120k on the clock and his auto gearbox has just gone and will cost him over 2.5k for rebuild.
However I run a fleet of off-the-road MK2 Shogun Pajeros (we have 7) that are all around 20 years old and are pretty reliable for their age (I run the simulation element of Hostile Environment and Awareness security training courses for NGOs and Aid Workers deploying overseas). We also have an old Nissan Patrol, Isuzu Trooper and LR Defender that just go on and on with minimal maintenance.
I think that all marques can/will have issues - it's just that if the issues are with a Discovery 3 they can cost a little more to fix. Like I said before, find a good LR independent garage who charges a reasonable labour rate.
The Discovery is the best family vehicle I have ever owned and now that I have one again I will be looking after her for many many miles to come (hopefully !)D3 HSE Zermatt Silver (08MY)
Peugeot 5008 (60)
Vauxhall Zafira (57)
D3 HSE Zermatt Silver (08.5MY)
Nissan Pathfinder T-Spec (06)
Range Rover P38
6th May 2017 9:27 am
marscolony
Member Since: 18 Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 18
@sivsy thanks for your considered response - you're right, all makes can have their issues.
So today I found what I seems like a well cared for 09 HSE, and put down a deposit. From what you say about the oil pump, this car shouldn't suffer? I do plan to take it along to a local independant when I get it and have them look it over and will see what they say too.
Once I know if anything serious needs sorted on it, I will start planning the various non-urgent bits I want to do on it. I want to add running boards for starters.
Amusingly, I was at our local stables this morning and one of the staff was telling me not to go near LR due to all the issues she'd had with her Disco 2. She now has a Nissan Navara and claims it's bulletproof
6th May 2017 10:06 pm
mechtrev
Member Since: 05 Mar 2017
Location: N Notts
Posts: 70
I've just come away from a Navara due to Nissan buying it back from me due to rusty chassis.
Hopefully looks like I have a good D3 had for 6 weeks now and a ok so far still need to get oil pump checked which is due in next few weeks at service.
I love driving mine, I have been an against LR for years until I was looking to replace my 4x4 now already looking for a 4
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I don't think I'll take much convincing though...
Rear propshaft and a few more bits - about £3000 in first few months (Oh yes new tyres also due to not looking close enough 
)
