Member Since: 15 Aug 2009
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands
Posts: 9
Revovating My D3
Hello All,
I have had my D3 for around 8 years. She's a 56 under the Private Plate and has just done 113K
I bought her in 2008 at 2 years old for £22K, just when the big crash made everyone run away from big cars.
I absolutely love the Disco, best car I have ever had and she's been kind to me (rewarding my sedate driving?)
Never stopped, never dropped me a big bill. She's supported Radio, Shooting, Falconry, Radio Modeling and numerous expeditions, gentle green laning and she's always got me home to the highest part of the Staffordshire Moorlands. (Amazing in snow)
So, I have been looking and looking. Everything from 2nd Hand Rangies, BMW i3, Tesla, Forester, All sorts and the only thing that blows my frock up is a D4
BUT, you're getting nothing for 20K and 30K is not guaranteed to get you the right motor.
I am therefore planning to spend a few K repairing the bits that need fixing on mine and trying to get another 30/40K out of her.
I had all the bushes done a couple of years ago by the awesome Greg at LRX (Leek) but now I think I need some suspension work as the orange light comes on.
My tyres go soft, I'm guessing the rims are corroded
Drivers seat won't hold the position I like, it slips back a few degrees.
Radio is kaput, I'm thinking of a double-din Android 'thing'
Catches on Glove Box and Cubby are broken
So, spend £3000 and have a nice, if slightly old, D3 or Spend my savings and have a D4
Just wondering if anyone has thoughts or suggestions on the idea?
Sim
12th Feb 2016 10:38 pm
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
Sounds to me as if you're driving a winner
12th Feb 2016 10:54 pm
jjvd21
Member Since: 16 Jul 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1070
I suggest putting on color coded parts all around. Will update the look 16 D4 Landmark
05 D3 HSE V8
THE original D4 spotter
13th Feb 2016 3:52 am
jim4244
Member Since: 05 Oct 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 374
Yes, sounds like a keeper!
A full underbody clean up and a waxoil, repair the bits you have told us about and then treat her to a professional detail/valet inside and out.
You will basically be driving around in a new car
Jim
13th Feb 2016 4:00 am
Tanglewood
Member Since: 27 Feb 2011
Location: Wilts
Posts: 1376
My intent is to keep mine running till it falls apart around me. Major assemblies are relatively easy to keep going, its the wiring and finding those electrical foibles that appear buried deep in the system that worry me!
13th Feb 2016 8:27 am
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20727
Was in exactly the same position as you last year. Bin it and buy a D4, or spent a few £k's and keep it going for few more years
Couldn't afford a D4, and the few £k's soon escalated to £8k
BUT, I'd hope to get the next 3-4 years out of it, which would put it somewhere around 300k miles, by which point, it's probably ready to be laid to rest My D3 Build Thread
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8069
Top priority is the cam belt, have you had it changed along with new tensioners and oil pump? - pointless spending money on it if these fail it's worth scrap value.
Mine is now 10 years old and only yesterday I was asked by a complete stranger if I wanted to sell it, the answer was "no thanks".It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
13th Feb 2016 10:05 am
stephenw46
Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 1154
Well I keep looking at the D4 but they are holding there price to well, & I've decided that over 30k to upgrade is to much, so mine will get about 3k spent on her and she'll get run into the ground, unless I win the lottery
13th Feb 2016 10:26 am
Discogaz
Member Since: 17 Mar 2014
Location: Bracknell
Posts: 1399
My 2008. owned 2 years.
Gearbox megaflush 2014 + Rustmaster waxoyl 2014
Belts and oil pump + new EPB + alternator 2015
Front lower arms and half shafts 2016
Expect to have to change steering rack and Sump also this year.
Whilst I like the D4, it's a bit too pretty for me and "upgrading"
will cost me at least my car plus £20k so aside from some kind of
disaster, I reckon I could keep it on the road for the next 10 years
for no more than £10k (regular servicing aside, of course).
Cars a keeper.
13th Feb 2016 10:32 am
highlands
Member Since: 11 Jan 2010
Location: NW Highlands
Posts: 5095
Can you fill out the spec of your D3?
Would help with recommendations.Black 05 TDV6 HSE Auto
Grey 05 TDV6 HSE Auto (Gone)
54 TDV6 SE Man (killed by me )
13th Feb 2016 11:16 am
SimonF
Member Since: 15 Aug 2009
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands
Posts: 9
highlands, I think it is already filled in in my profile?
Anyways, 2006 base spec 7 seat D3 Auto
13th Feb 2016 2:31 pm
highlands
Member Since: 11 Jan 2010
Location: NW Highlands
Posts: 5095
You are quite right...sorry.
Anyway, Base spec I'd definitely change out the stereo.
If not already done, I'd do:
Belts, Gbox filter and megaflush, diff oil change, check the propshaft centre bush, secure the steering sensor, preventative brake switch swap.
Metal Monster Junk for broken trim.
I like the original D3 look so don't feel the need to colour-code.Black 05 TDV6 HSE Auto
Grey 05 TDV6 HSE Auto (Gone)
54 TDV6 SE Man (killed by me )
13th Feb 2016 4:23 pm
ST53VEN
Member Since: 18 Dec 2012
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 260
If your considering a D4 but dont like the price tag then another option might be looking at a top spec D3 small price to change few nice extra's and still a very rugged car. I had a 2 D4's and they were stunning cars but just a bit too nice for me. I couldnt bare to put them through what I do my D3 and for that reason I enjoy my D3 more. Plus the fact it is a V8.
13th Feb 2016 4:56 pm
SimonF
Member Since: 15 Aug 2009
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands
Posts: 9
Cheers all for the replies. I have had the belts done but will go for the other stuff including waxoyl and 'megaflush' whatever that is!
Part of the reason I like the base spec is that I can put in an Android double din and I already have an Amateur Radio (FT-857) with a room mounted ATAS and I will probably add a VHF radio as well.
I worry about a showstopping bill, but that could come as easily on a 4 year old D4
Last 'showstopper' was jumping out of gear. As I panicked and thought about how much a new gearbox would be the local experts, LRX, fixed it with a dab of copper grease on the selector arm! They even refused to charge me!
I'm good with the black trim on my 'dark blue' car but I must admit I do have a hankering for the D4 style grill, easily remedied I believe.
13th Feb 2016 5:11 pm
dglumac
Member Since: 29 Dec 2015
Location: Bicester
Posts: 13
Some 100 quid solve the grille problem quite nicely (look through my posts for the before/after). Well worth the investment, methinks.
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