Member Since: 21 Aug 2016
Location: Warrington
Posts: 11
New owner of a knackered disco
Hi,
I'm new so please be gentle.
The wife said she needed a 7 seater and I've always wanted a Disco so we've just taken owership of a 2007 Discovery 3 SE with 113k on the clock.
Within 10 miles of leaving the dealer, the engine light came on (no exclamation mark) - dealer recommends a diesel flush and a good boot down the motorway - is he having a laugh or can this solve the problem?
We also have a tempremental Suspension Fault. The height adjustment works but it keeps telling us there's a fault. The dealer has already replaced a Suspension Height sensor.
We also get a tempremental 'check brake pads' warning. The car has just had new front pads so I wonder is this a sensor issue? Am I being naive thinking some brake cleaner may fix the warning? The brakes are also a bit rubbish but maybe that's just comparing it to my other car which has massive discs.
The rev counter doesn't work, just sits at 0 no matter.
It seems we have different tyres on the back - the rears are 265/60/18 and the fronts are 255/60/18 - a minor difference but WTF? Tell me this isn't normal.
It seems to be missing a bit of interior trim, there's a hole just behind the handbrake switch. Can anyone tell me how I can identify what this is called and how to replace it? Google suggests there's normally a blanking plate but I can't find a replacement part.
This is just day 1 of Disco ownership. I'm not giving it back though, I already love it, even though it's riddled with faults. The dealer seems reasonable and I have a 6 month warranty (cost £500 so hopefully actually some use). All I want is a fully working Disco without it spending days in and out of garages. The dealer is a bit of a trek away so looking to solve as much as I can myself.
All advice welcomed!
Thanks,
Steve
26th Aug 2016 9:21 pm
Snowman
Member Since: 06 Aug 2016
Location: Holmfirth
Posts: 317
Sounds like a bit of mare.
I would suggest that you check all other functions and make a list of the faults you have found..
Tyres should be the same size on all 4 wheels , I think 255/60r18 is the correct size
I then would visit the dealer with the D3 and ask them to put the faults right within a reasonable time or ask for your money back.
You could also get a independent inspection.t
I know you like it but if the D3 is as bad as you say, I would reject it and walk away.
Remember the Sales of Goods Act.
Hope you get it sorted.
Andy.Andy.
Series 3 SWB Wagon OEC614Y sold
Discovery 1 50th Anniversary Edition S882 BMA sold
Freelander TD4 ES Y615 YEC sold
Freelander TD4 Kalahari NX53 EVH sold
D2 TD5 XS 2003 YF03 WVW sold
D3 TDV6 2008 SE
26th Aug 2016 9:29 pm
JMack
Member Since: 02 Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 1517
Take it back first thing in the morning and ask for either all your money back or a courtesy car till they sort everything.
Tyres should be 255-60-18 and have a weight rating of 112.
Rev counter should work, there should be no need to flush the diesel or boot it along the motorway, and there should be no warning lights about the suspension or brake pads.
Good luck!
26th Aug 2016 9:46 pm
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2862
Your thread title kind of says it all, and confirms that you know the real answer to this.
Sounds like it is far from a 'good example' - there are plenty of others out there Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
I know this sounds dramatic but take it back and ask for either your money back or fix all the faults. I did the same as you (but with no real warranty) and it has cost me a fortune. You get so far into it with no chance of making your money back on the car so you just pay it to keep the car running. I absolutely love the car but in hindsight should have given it back and bought another. I think that is what you should do. There are plenty of good cars for sale, some on this forum. Good luck
26th Aug 2016 9:55 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
I'm astounded by this request.
Day one and you have all these issues. If you're unsure what you need to do now, after one day, you're going to be right up cack creek when something random goes wrong.
These vehicles are not for the faint hearted and in time you will become conversant with yours but give yourself half a chance with a vehicle that at least works from the outset and go from there, otherwise you really are in serious trouble.
stemaw wrote:
The dealer is a bit of a trek away so looking to solve as much as I can myself.
I'd tactfully suggest you don't sort anything yourself and let the retailer sort it for you.
Steve, give yourself a slap and wake up mate, you know what you need to do.Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
Don't take it on
Return it as the messages above say
Don't take it
I know it's fantastic car but trust me - it's even better fixed
Hope you get it sortedYes another one...
26th Aug 2016 10:37 pm
defector
Member Since: 23 Feb 2009
Location: Greater Manchester
Posts: 1419
Yes the Discovery is a very nice vehicle compared to most other vehicles, but you have got to understand that the complexity of a D3 is probably much more complex than any other car you may have owned.
Within the first few sentances i was thinking this is going to end badly - just read up on this forum what is involved in owning a Disco and the costs involved.
Yep. Two years ago I have changed my 3 years old FL2 (in a very good shape) to D3. I did it in emotions because I have fallen in love
I have spent a little fortune and now I am happy with she... but if I would go back... no way
Tom**********
D3 MY07 HSE automatic TDV6 Tonga Green * All on the board (2 labs) * FFRR Mod
27th Aug 2016 7:08 am
Cellerdweller
Member Since: 05 Oct 2012
Location: Macclesfield
Posts: 1315
What they all say
There is nothing worse than a broken Discovery that has been maintained badly and that sounds like it's the one However there's nothing better than a well maintained one Take it back get your hard earned cash back and find a better one ,there's loads of good ones You're not afraid of the dark are you ?
27th Aug 2016 8:15 am
IOM man
Member Since: 03 Nov 2013
Location: Peel
Posts: 303
Take it back and get your money back, there are loads of good ones out there that have been well maintained, there are usually good ones for sale on this forum - a D3 will still cost you money but you would have a better base to start from if it has none of the problems you have listed
I bought mine at 109k and thought this is going to be a money pit but touch wood I haven't had any major problems with mine but I have done some repairs as preventative maintenance Current:
2010 Discovery 4 HSE TDV6
2020 Audi Q2 TSFI 40 Aline Quattro Black Edition
2006 Audi RS4 4.2 V8 - Toy in the garage
Gone but not forgotten:
2006 Range Rover Sport HSE TDV6
2018 Lexus NX 300 F Sport Hybrid
2005 Discovery 3 HSE TDV6
2015 Discovery HSE Lux
200 Discovery TDI
300 Discovery TDI
Land Rover 90 2.5 Diesel
Series III SWB Land Rover 2.25 diesel
TD4 Freelander Kalahari
1.8 petrol Freelander
27th Aug 2016 8:39 am
Snowman
Member Since: 06 Aug 2016
Location: Holmfirth
Posts: 317
There would only be one reason to keep the D3 , that the price paid reflected the condition.
Then spending the cash and bringing up to standard would be ok.
But I suspect this is not the case.Andy.
Series 3 SWB Wagon OEC614Y sold
Discovery 1 50th Anniversary Edition S882 BMA sold
Freelander TD4 ES Y615 YEC sold
Freelander TD4 Kalahari NX53 EVH sold
D2 TD5 XS 2003 YF03 WVW sold
D3 TDV6 2008 SE
Please, please, pleeeeease get shot of it. There are good Discos around that you will love even more. Current: Discovery 3 06MY (55 reg) HSE Auto Zambezi Silver Allisport Fast Road Intercooler, V8 Brakes, Silicone IC Hoses, EGRs Blanked, Remapped, De-Cat pipe, FBHIC
Freelander 2 2007 HSE Manual Tambora Flame
Previous: FL2 56 reg SE Manual Black (written off )
Disco 3 06 reg B7S Manual Rimini Red
Disco 2 TD5 Y reg ES Manual Blue - Chipped
Several Discovery 300 TDis
Just one thing to add fella, the people who have posted here to help you are seasoned pro,s in D3 ownership some have owed a few others just one but we all say the same thing GET RID WHILE YOU CAN.DO IT TODAY NO MATTER HOW FAR THE DEALER IS AWAY FROM YOU !
27th Aug 2016 9:06 am
gilmore
Member Since: 16 Jan 2005
Location: On the sofa
Posts: 2185
I agree with all the advice to reject it ASAP. Disco 3's are now old enough to be cheap, but can be horrifically expensive to fix. There are signs that its not been looked after properly and they are predictors of more trouble to come.
Find a nice, low number of owners car and get a proper inspection done first.
Sorry
robAll opinions expressed in this posting are my own and are not necessarily those of someone who knows what they are talking about.
Land Rover Defender V8, 50th Anniversary Edition
Mercedes ML350CDI
HM Moto CRE300X
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1974 Honda CB750K4
1975 Honda CB750K5
Ford Transit Custom (for the bikes)
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Take it back get your hard earned cash back and find a better one ,there's loads of good ones 
Allisport Fast Road Intercooler, V8 Brakes, Silicone IC Hoses, EGRs Blanked, Remapped, De-Cat pipe, FBHIC
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