Discrover
Member Since: 01 Nov 2009
Location: East London
Posts: 2
  
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| Last 09 D3's of lower build quality than earlier models? |
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I recently "upgraded" from a 06 D3 (TDV6 - S) to a 09 model. From the first day the vehicle has felt different and less "solid". More movement on door-hinges...panels don't align with precision...all kinds of noises and squeeks.
Is it my imagination or were the last D3 models pushed out of the factory with less care just to clear the floor for the D4's production line?
Maybe the best technicians were transferred to the D4 line?
Maybe the last D3 models were built somewhere else than the 06 models?
Does anybody know anything about this - or was mine just built on a friday afternoon?
(Interesting that some of the same problems I had with my previous model popped out within the first 10K on the new vehicle - handbrake light coming on...tailgate opening and closure problems - hmmmmmm)
Here goes... 
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 10th Jan 2010 6:57 am |
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Discofever
Member Since: 18 Dec 2008
Location: Norwich, Norfolk
Posts: 86
 
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Hmm an interesting point. I recently had to send in my D3 to the dealer for a failed headlight, which was covered under warranty. They lent me an 09 plate HSE D3, and I have to say I agree with you, the build quality was not of the same standard as my 06 D3. The dealer informed me that the later models are considerably lighter as well, though I don't know if this is true. The drivers door on the borrowed model didn't shut with the same thump as mine does, the whole car just felt less solid. As for the painted arches and bumpers, awful, it made the vehicle look less utilitarian which might appeal to some but I thought it lacked some of the character of the previous models. Seeing as I am still below 40k in mine I think I shall postpone an upgrade at the moment......... 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE auto, Cairns Blue, Lamp Guards, LR Roof Bars - Just love it!
Club AT2
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| 10th Jan 2010 7:18 am |
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foofighter
Member Since: 11 Mar 2006
Location: The OC
Posts: 100
  
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i do agree that when you paint the arches it becomes more civilized it kind of takes away from the rugged look of the D3 -Greetz, Duan
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| 10th Jan 2010 7:39 am |
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DG
Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
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My 09MY feels much tighter than my previous 06MY ..but I would say that the build quality in general is the same.
I have been around the factory a number of times seeing the D3, D4 and RRS in production and never once felt that there was an opportunity for a Friday motor TBH. There is only one line so technicians would have been the same and the way that a D4 is put together is almost identical to a D3 with very minor technical adaptations to the line setup for the differences between the two models. 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
Last edited by DG on 10th Jan 2010 11:43 am. Edited 1 time in total
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| 10th Jan 2010 11:21 am |
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mrandmrsh
Member Since: 25 Sep 2008
Location: Holmfirth
Posts: 487
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| Re: Last 09 D3's of lower build quality than earlier models? |
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Discrover wrote:Last 09 D3's of lower build quality than earlier models?
Is that possible?
Craig (frequent flyer of the LRA service) 2012 Defender 110 XS Utility 2.2
2012 D4 Commercial 255 8-speed, Active diff, lots of extras on order, comes Sept - ORDER CANCELLED (isn't divorce expensive....?)
2008/08 D3 HSE G4 - part exchanged for the 110
1987 110 CSW with 200 Tdi (now gone)
2007/57 D3 TDV6 HSE - NOW GONE owned 1/oct/08 to 31/dec/09
2007 Seat Altea Freetrack4 170 tdi (wife's car, wife now gone!)
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| 10th Jan 2010 11:42 am |
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4-Tech
Member Since: 08 Dec 2009
Location: None
Posts: 108
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As far as I`m aware not just D3`s but other LR`s have been coming through to the dealers with various problems such as wiring looms (Can bus!) trapped under seat runners!
Probably due in no small part to the numbers of staff laid off and now vehicles being built to order ie: under more pressure.
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| 10th Jan 2010 12:49 pm |
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digilox
Member Since: 13 Sep 2008
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 128
 
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Had the loan of a 59 reg D3 while mine was in the garage.
Admittedly it was manual but I thought it was really noisy (engine wise) compared with my 58 Auto.
I was glad to get back to the Auto ! Something that doesn't drink diesel and doesn't cost a bloody fortune everytime it needs serviced / fixed. But hey ....I got a deal from the leasing company on my D3 that you guys can only dream about !
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| 14th Jan 2010 10:23 am |
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heine
Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
Posts: 4054
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I got on of the last 09 V8's sold in SA . I think that compared to my 06 there have been quite a couple of nice enhancements e.g. better PTI , lights on indicator etc etc . While most of this is cosmetic , I believe the front radius arms and other little bits and pieces are also improved from earlier models 
To me the build quality seems no different
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| 14th Jan 2010 2:24 pm |
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