Member Since: 26 Jun 2011
Location: Twickenham, Middlesex, UK
Posts: 315
Love-Hate... how can I take out the hate part?!
Hello chaps.
Hope you don't mind me asking your opinion and please don't think i'm being a naive or over expectant newbie who'd be better off in a CRV!!... I'm about 7-8 months into my first LR D3 ownership and I'm having doubting thoughts enter in my head lately about whether i want to keep it.
It's been to Guy Salmon's, had it's full once over health check and also ben driven by a reputable indi specialist who all think it's fine. I've put new Scorpion tyres on and tarted a few original bits, had box mega-flush and 2 lots of 4 wheel alignment.
I have some things that really bug me and make me think I want to get certain pleasure back to my daily drive about, but then the thought of me trading-in my pride and joy make me think twice:
1. Space and practicality there is simply nothing better.
2. Airiness of the cabin (a bit like point 1).
3. Visibility.
4. Flat load space.
5. That proud feeling that I'm not driving a 'pretender'. it's a REAL 4x4 with real personality.
6. Even for a 2004 model, in black it's just so damn handsome a car and everyone's impressed.
7. Drive on motorways is very nice.
But, on the mixture of roads, I'm just wondering if I'm either having too high expectations and can't have it all, expect too much from a 7 years old motor, embarrassingly shouldn't be driving an LR and should be in one of those soft-roader things, or what I'm hoping is that there's a straightforward checklist of mods/things I can do to make the car not feel:
Really vague in steering.
Fidgety and unrelaxed to drive on A and B roads.
Seemingly increasingly noisy/diesel tappety round town even with premium-dielsel
No knocking, but while the suspension is relatively nice over general undulations, it really kicks into the cabin with imperfections on the road surface (I do avoid pot holes etc)
Slightly erratic gear change.
Basically, I'm starting to tire of driving it, having to watch the manhole covers and every inch of road surface and having to drive like I'm an oil tanker round town because I fear putting so much weight strain on the brakes, wheels and every other bit that can go. It's just the harsh suspension, fidgety ride and unpleasant steering that are making me enjoy getting into my wife's Nissan Micra at the weekends!!
Can anyone recommend a programme of steering and/or suspension improvements that will make the car feel crisper, newer (if that's ever possible) and just nicer to drive. I speak to indy's on the phone but they only seem interested in fixing things that might be 'broken'.
I suppose a chip mod wouldn't go a miss. I know it's all money, but it's either spend to make it the car I want it to be or ditch it for something else.
Nov 04 D3 TDV6 HSE Java Black
Sounds to me like you need new bushes all round on the front end. and yes a little attension from Bell Auto's with a remap would transform your drive.
Have the ball joints and upper and lower arms been checked out,
Flack
5th Oct 2011 8:58 pm
Jim1000
Member Since: 26 Jun 2011
Location: Twickenham, Middlesex, UK
Posts: 315
Cheers Flack. Really appreciate it. The sort of response I needed really.... was dreading the p*ss take 'sell it and get a little Honda' replies!
So, you think I can maybe make the D3 feel a bit fresher and nicer to drive then?... one indy told me that D3s are very unique in their sound and feel and it's hard to find 2 cars feel the same. there is no 'normal' apparently!
Anyone got a guess as to what prices I should budget for?Nov 04 D3 TDV6 HSE Java Black
You will have to ring around and find somebody your happy with the quote
I hear remaps are about £400-600.
Yes around that but you need to contact Pete from Bell Auto's for an exact price of the map then you would need it uploading to your car once Pete has done his magic
Do remaps help the gear change smoothness usually?
Not to my knowledge, but you have said you have had a mega flush did they change the filter in the box when it was done or just flush the box.? Have you had the UJ's checked out on all the drive shafts and propshafts.
Flack
5th Oct 2011 10:40 pm
wychwood
Member Since: 17 Sep 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 32
While I agree with Flack that suspension work on a Rover can really make a big difference in ride and driving "feel", I think it's probably best that you ask yourself if you're really in it for the long haul.
It is a bit like driving an oil tanker, yes. However, driving it so gingerly that it begins to wear on your attitude and enjoyment of the truck is not going to be worth the scant amount of life you'll be able to extend those pads and rotors. It seems you really enjoy owning it, and have provided a number of reasons why this is the case. However, you sound to me like a first time, paranoid owner who is waiting for the other shoe to drop.
If you love it as much as it sounds you do, then simply resign yourself to the notion that it will drop, and stop worrying about it. Something will break. Then something else will break. It's a fact of Rover ownership. The sooner you become comfortable with this idea, the sooner you get back to enjoying it. If you're not ever gonna be comfortable with it, then maybe you should check into something else. No sense in driving something that you don't want to drive.
5th Oct 2011 11:39 pm
Jim1000
Member Since: 26 Jun 2011
Location: Twickenham, Middlesex, UK
Posts: 315
wychwood... very good take on it!... love the diagram. I'll copy and save that!!
True I drive it gingerly through fear of wearing it out, but it's the driving experience while it's all working that I need more from it. Just a bit more quality in the low speed drive.
I suppose I'd best get some quotes and work out if the cost is worth it.
Satisfaction = Existing enjoyable unique D3 qualities + (Cost to improve D3 minus Cost to change minus Inadequacies of alternative) Nov 04 D3 TDV6 HSE Java Black
5th Oct 2011 11:50 pm
StaticMotion
Member Since: 16 Jan 2010
Location: Hoose
Posts: 714
I'd say that was a little bit of a pessimistic reply
Something will not necessarily break, imo that is a myth, my 2005 D3 runs like a dream, it has not failed, faultered or fallen flat on it's face. I have only replaced wear and tear parts no major works and while due to part costs and the fact it has a lot of technical wizardry or witchcraft as I like to call it, it will be a bit more expensive to run than your average car. Then the mod bug bites you and it's a bit more expensive than the average bit more expensive car
All in all like any car you can get a bad one or you can just get unlucky but looked after the D3 is a fantastic motor, in fact it so far has been greatly more reliable than any other Landy I have owned and a few other cars I'v owned too.
Oh and I have no intention of running out and touching wood now or finding a black cat
5th Oct 2011 11:55 pm
Jim1000
Member Since: 26 Jun 2011
Location: Twickenham, Middlesex, UK
Posts: 315
Perhaps I'm expecting too much from the ride quality. Before buying one, I watched too many video reviews when they were launched and they all talked about this fantastic smooth air suspension and great steering.
Ah well, I think I'll just get a cushion to sit on and take an extra bar of pressure out of the tyres instead, that'll only cost 20p!
When I slip it into sports mode, it feels like it's had a remap, for free!!!
I must mentally revisit the positives. It's effing great really Nov 04 D3 TDV6 HSE Java Black
I would start with the remap just get you back in to enjoying the driving again.
Flack
6th Oct 2011 12:08 am
wychwood
Member Since: 17 Sep 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 32
So, one other thing to add here...
Are you just a car person who wanted a truck? I find that I oscillate between Rovers and BMWs because when I have one, I want the other for various reasons. Would it be possible/practical for you to find a garage queen that you could spend some time improving for when you'd prefer something more nimble and precise?
6th Oct 2011 12:10 am
Jim1000
Member Since: 26 Jun 2011
Location: Twickenham, Middlesex, UK
Posts: 315
I bought the D3 after a lot of research, looking for something to load a few boxes in for work with the seats down and to take the family out on long trips at weekend and holidays. Lug stuff one minute, then cruise about the next. The capacity was the main thing but having had a mini-van my wife didn't want another one so we went 4x4.
I'll look into some mods, see if I can afford it while the world economy collapses around me! and in the meantime use my wife's little mini-hatchback to get some joy from whizzing about now and then!
I'll also wax and polish it more often, as when I do, I look at it and want no other car!Nov 04 D3 TDV6 HSE Java Black
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I'd say that was a little bit of a pessimistic reply 
