Member Since: 21 Jun 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 355
So Long, and thanks
Hi All,
It's with a heavy heart I say goodbye to my much loved Disco next week. It's been just over 4 years since I bought my Disco, and I have not once regretted it (ok so that's a sentimental reflection), but in the last 3 months things have started to fall apart.
This week I discovered that my extended (Land Rover endorsed) warranty isn't worth the paper it's written on, and i simply wasn't willing to shell out another $3.5k to repair something I wasn't even aware needed fixing. (I'll post something separately on that because I'm genuinely concerned about a couple of things).
Anyway the purpose of my post is not to gripe, it is actually to thank all mods, site owners, and above all contributors to the site. I used this site as research before buying a Disco - because like many Land Rover virgins all I ever heard were people saying they were unreliable, and on here what I heard was actually something that turned out to be the truth. No the car isn't perfect, but with the community that exists in Land Rover world you can overcome, or find ways of comfortably co-existing with it's downsides. There isn't that blind "my brand is god, and the others are crap" assertion with every single response, and as a result you people have built up a brilliant, practical, and useful resource for Disco owners.
Collectively you are all a resourceful, positive, and innovative bunch, and I can honestly say you have contributed to my enjoyment of the car, and in turn helped our family visit many parts of this great country we would not have otherwise had the confidence to see.
So to all of you, a sincere thank you, and I genuinely hope to see you back her one day (maybe around Disco 6 time)
Safe Travels
Dan2012 MY13 SDV6 SE D4 Ipanema Sand with Almond leather
2012 TDI Passat - they reckon the DSG is crap, I reckon it's awesome
2010 MY11 Mitsubishi Challenger - Gone (it was a "Challenging Year")
2007 MY08 TDV6 SE - gone
Sorry that you have been driven (no pun intended) to this decision especially since you had the extended warranty and could not make any use of it.
What will replace the D3?
Better luck in the future.
Chris2011 Discovery 4 (MY12) SDV6 HSE with General Grabber AT's, Traxide Aux Battery system, custom rear drawers and Autosafe half height cargo barrier
Gone - 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE
ARB Bull Bar, Warn 9.5XP Winch, IPF D/Lights, Cooper STT's, LR Raised Air Intake, Traxide aux battery system, custom drawers and half height Autosafe cargo barrier, Mitchell Bros 4x4 tow hitch
17th Feb 2012 10:48 am
Dan W
Member Since: 21 Jun 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 355
We're picking up a TDI Passat Wagon which will become the new family car.
At some point I'll sell our SP23 (great car with only 40,000km on the clock is anyone's interested ), and then I'll get a second hand 4x4 - Probably a dual cab ute (triton/hilux/BT50 etc) or a simple wagon (Pathfinder/Challenger).
That way we can still escape to Moreton Island, and I can still have something to sleep in/transport bikes for mountain bike races2012 MY13 SDV6 SE D4 Ipanema Sand with Almond leather
2012 TDI Passat - they reckon the DSG is crap, I reckon it's awesome
2010 MY11 Mitsubishi Challenger - Gone (it was a "Challenging Year")
2007 MY08 TDV6 SE - gone
17th Feb 2012 11:09 am
caverD3
Member Since: 03 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
Posts: 6922
Thinking ogf getting a D4 with the warranty.
Dan, what wouldn't they pay for?“There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely gamesâ€
Ernest Hemmingway
D4 3.0 Active Diff, Adaptive Lights, High Beam Assist, Surround Cameras, Privacy Glass.
D3 2.7:Adaptive Headlights,Electronic Rear Diff,ARB Bar,Blaupunkt Speakers,JVC Powered Subwoofer,Removable Snorkel,Mitch Hitch,Pioneer After Market Head Unit,Steering Wheel Control Adaptor,Remote Adjustable Supension Rod System, Taxside Dual Battery System.
17th Feb 2012 12:00 pm
Neil Pettersen
Member Since: 23 Nov 2007
Location: Cutting the grass
Posts: 1254
The Passat is a nice car . I like the coupe ( CC ) shape myself
Neil - I sat in the CC at the Sydney car show a couple of years ago. It had the Dynaudio audio upgrade - and was the best sounding system from any factory car I've ever heard. Really nice shape too - but at the time, IIRC, they only had 4 seats. The latest model now has 5.
Dan - sorry to see another owner go, especially under those circumstances.
I'm pretty happy with my D4 2.7... slowly modding it to the way I want it.
I still think it is pretty strange, to buy a new D3 and then buy a new D4 almost 5 years later - and it had the very same style 18" wheels.
18th Feb 2012 10:46 am
90 Rangie
Member Since: 17 Dec 2007
Location: Central Queensland
Posts: 121
Yes Dan sorry to see you go, it is a pity that some cars have had so many problems.
It is great having such a good web site and people willing to help with advise.
I know I check so many things on the car because of this web site.
e.g. have just bought a sillicone hose for the aftercooler.
Your car wories me as mine is same year and touch wood no issuies.
I still see the biggest problem being no dealers and poor service from some of the ones we do have.
A lot of cars are getting wrong oils used which long term will give problems.
I am lucky that I can do my own servicing and use the right ones but a lot can not.
Anyway good luck with future purchases.Do not take life too seriously no one gets out alive anyway!
MY 8.5 Izmir Blue HSE Disco 3, ARB Bullbar, IPF HID spot lights, GME TX3440 all in mic UHF, Tripple batteries (2 x Yellow top aux under bonnet), Prodigy brake control, tinted widows, ARB compressor (under bonnet), Prem sound, Prem Nav, Electronic steering column, Adaptive lights, Center fridge, Active diff, Hybrid TV, Side moulds.
23rd Feb 2012 1:16 am
StornowaySA
Member Since: 23 Sep 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 406
I guess no manufacturer is perfect - we have a D4 having previously had a 06 D3 we did 80,000 pretty trouble free km's (usual D3 minor issues but nothing too stressful). Ironically now we have the d4 our other car is a Passat TDi wagon. Brilliant economy and very comfortable - pity that in 50k so far it's been at the dealers more than the d3and d4combined. Excellent forum - water cooled vw - gives good summary of woes with principal one for the 125kw diesel being failed injectors -a $4000 plus fix; we also had a failed engine mount and a failed fuel pump. Vw oz have been outstanding with all issues sorted - outside warranty period. Amazing but true.MY2010 D4 HSE 3.0, e-diff, 19inch MTR's; LLAMS Height adjustor, LR f & r light guards, LR side steps, LR bright finish side door mouldings; LR/Mantec G4 front bash plate, LR G4 Winch kit, Warn 9500lb Winch; GOE compressor guard, Uniden UHF, LR bright finish roof rails, LR G4 driving light kit, LR G4 ladder, 4 x extra rear compartment 12V sockets, Traxide dual battery system and Optima Yellowtop battery, ORS drawer system / fridge slide, LED rear compartment lighting.
25th Feb 2012 10:00 am
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26701
Thanks Dan, and good luck.
25th Feb 2012 10:02 am
Dan W
Member Since: 21 Jun 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 355
I agree no manufacturers are perfect, and I have no beef with the car. Our D3 didn't have any more issues than our Mazda3, but it appears any issue on a D3 costs a lot of money, and my issues were becoming more frequent, more expensive, and more obscure.
So I came to the conclusion that a D3 out of factory warranty carries a lot of risk, and with no real way of mitigating that risk, it wasn't something I was prepared to hang on to even though I loved it.2012 MY13 SDV6 SE D4 Ipanema Sand with Almond leather
2012 TDI Passat - they reckon the DSG is crap, I reckon it's awesome
2010 MY11 Mitsubishi Challenger - Gone (it was a "Challenging Year")
2007 MY08 TDV6 SE - gone
25th Feb 2012 11:11 pm
PerthDisco
Member Since: 21 Jun 2010
Location: Perth
Posts: 85
For the sake of a bit of balance in the argument can I just say - at the enormous risk of jinxing myself - that my Disco3 has just clocked 80,000ks and no troubles, no dramas etc. Have changed brake pads and resurfaced discs that's all. It has had one tyre change in that time.
I pushed the dealer hard at the end of warranty and they fixed a steering 'clunk' that was present at that time plus gave me a new leather steering wheel.
The tyres seem to wear evenly and not need wheel alignment every 5 minutes.
I am seriously considering doing the gearbox oil change and will do diffs next service.
Sorry to hear there are people out there with problems but without the happy owners speaking up I fear the argument gets biased unfairly.
My previous Subaru Forrester Turbo developed a computer light just out of warranty that dealer "had never heard of before" which cost a heap to fix. A quick Google search showed it was a pretty common gremlin.
I know a Rangie Sport owner of the same year and TDV6 as my Disco. He has just developed the slipping torque converter but has towed a trailer with racing car onboard across the nullabor on several occassions. He has been told by the independant gearbox specialist he should tow with the car in Sports mode as this locks out top gear and is easier on the gearbox. I pass this on for consideration by those planning long towing holidays.
24th May 2012 2:46 am
Dan W
Member Since: 21 Jun 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 355
Update
Hi All,
Just reporting back - I ended up buying a My2011 LS Challenger. I've had it for a couple of months now and taken it on a 3000km round trip to Thredbo, and a weekend on Moreton Island.
Overall I'm happy with it, but you can really tell the difference between a $48k (when new) Challenger, and a $75k Disco!
Sure the Challenger takes me everywhere the Disco did, but lets just say I've felt more of our country since owning the Challenger!
I'm planning a Simpson Crossing for next year so will be on here doing a bit of research, so hope to "see" you all around!
Cheers
Dan
Click image to enlarge
Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated 2012 MY13 SDV6 SE D4 Ipanema Sand with Almond leather
2012 TDI Passat - they reckon the DSG is crap, I reckon it's awesome
2010 MY11 Mitsubishi Challenger - Gone (it was a "Challenging Year")
2007 MY08 TDV6 SE - gone
24th Sep 2012 1:17 pm
caverD3
Member Since: 03 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
Posts: 6922
You'll be back.
Test drove but I have been spoilt by the D3. So hence coughed up for the D4.
Challenger is good value but very agricultural.“There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely gamesâ€
Ernest Hemmingway
D4 3.0 Active Diff, Adaptive Lights, High Beam Assist, Surround Cameras, Privacy Glass.
D3 2.7:Adaptive Headlights,Electronic Rear Diff,ARB Bar,Blaupunkt Speakers,JVC Powered Subwoofer,Removable Snorkel,Mitch Hitch,Pioneer After Market Head Unit,Steering Wheel Control Adaptor,Remote Adjustable Supension Rod System, Taxside Dual Battery System.
24th Sep 2012 1:24 pm
Dan W
Member Since: 21 Jun 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 355
caverD3 wrote:
You'll be back.
Yes, I'm sure i will - as sad as it is we still call out "Disco" whenever we spot one, and even my 10 year old told me the Disco was her favourite car...
caverD3 wrote:
Challenger is good value but very agricultural.
...yep. To the point our Challenger's nic name is "The Tractor"2012 MY13 SDV6 SE D4 Ipanema Sand with Almond leather
2012 TDI Passat - they reckon the DSG is crap, I reckon it's awesome
2010 MY11 Mitsubishi Challenger - Gone (it was a "Challenging Year")
2007 MY08 TDV6 SE - gone
24th Sep 2012 10:00 pm
jpi3418
Member Since: 01 Jun 2006
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Posts: 54
Dan W wrote:
caverD3 wrote:
You'll be back.
Yes, I'm sure i will - as sad as it is we still call out "Disco" whenever we spot one, and even my 10 year old told me the Disco was her favourite car...
caverD3 wrote:
Challenger is good value but very agricultural.
...yep. To the point our Challenger's nic name is "The Tractor"
Dan,
I am the owner of a 2010 D4, and prior to that a 2005 D3. The D3 suffered a few software glitches early on, and then shortly after the warranty expired, a suspension compressor failed. No worries though because I had bought a 3 year warranty through Austral and it was fixed without a hitch. I then sold it after 4 years and 65k on the clock for 70% of the new purchase price. I actually had buyers offering more than the asking price. Incredible!!
My D4 has suffered just one software glitch which was fixed by a simple update. It has been far more reliable than the D3 and is truly an amazing vehicle. Whenever I drive other vehicles I am appalled by how bumpy the roads are, bumps that I just don't notice in the D4. No other vehicle can offer the same level of comfort, luxury, prestige and off-road-ability as the D4. Were I in your position I would look out for a second hand D4 with an extended warranty. You will be very impressed.2005 D3 TdV6 HSE Buckingham Blue
2010 D4 3.0 TdV6 SE Stornoway Grey
2014 D4.5 SDV6 HSE Nara Bronze
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
), and then I'll get a second hand 4x4 - Probably a dual cab ute (triton/hilux/BT50 etc) or a simple wagon (Pathfinder/Challenger).
So hence coughed up for the D4.
