Powderpuff
Member Since: 05 Nov 2009
Location: Rugby / Beauly
Posts: 140
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| Test drive / looking at used D3...what to look for? |
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I'm viewing a D3 TDV6 SE tomorrow, just over 4 years old, FLRSH, last 4k miles ago, supposed to be 'Mint'
What should I be looking / listening for on test drive and when looking over the car?
Cheers
Gordon
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 6th Nov 2009 4:11 pm |
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bigdave
Site Sponsor
Member Since: 04 Jul 2008
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 9869
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Always always ask for the full history of the work done plus reciepts.
I have a 4.5yr old and its had ALOT of work, the earlier models can be prone to;
Turbo failure,
EPB failure,
Suspension issues.
Make sure the history is absolutely mint.
Take someone else with you who isnt like an excited puppy coz your looking at a new car.
My missus found several minor faults when we looked at ours coz i was bouncing like a prat.
Other than that the usual, drives and brakes straight, no smoke under heavy booting.
If you find a good one you will bloody love it.
Dave All things shipping, storage, transport. UK and worldwide.
E-mail [email protected]
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| 6th Nov 2009 4:20 pm |
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ad15
Member Since: 14 Dec 2008
Location: up that tree
Posts: 4866
  
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check it's got 6 wheels...  one wife.......livid
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| 6th Nov 2009 4:21 pm |
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wilsonmg
Member Since: 16 Apr 2008
Location: Wigan
Posts: 335
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listen for a 'knocking' on the rear anti roll bar
ask if the battery has been changed as if its the original it might be due replacement
make sure the auto box is changes nice and smooth or it could be due a change of oil in the gearbox (can be expensive)
check underneath for any big signs of 'off road abuse'
Ask if has been 'chipped' (not an issue, and in my opinion better if it has as the extra 'go' makes it a much better car)
Electric Parking Brake. . .is it quiet ?
EGR mod. . (again if it has, then the better)
other than the above, have a good look around this site. Don't let anything scare you, as most I think are 'niggles'.
Above all, take someone else with you, as you will be in danger of getting 'smitten' and just want it..and they should guide you away if its a dog Still miss my D3 
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| 6th Nov 2009 4:22 pm |
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SpiderBaby
D3 Decade
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 1399
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Quote:check underneath for any big signs of 'off road abuse'
Looks like I won't be able to sell my SE in a hurry......  I see no ships........
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| 6th Nov 2009 5:05 pm |
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J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
 
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check all the electric items work - including going up-up-down-down-up-up-down-down on the suspension to make sure it works ok. Check the high/low ratio box selects ok, flick the HDC on and make sure it doesn't give a fault message.
all the normal checks you do on a car too - don't be fooled in to thinking "its an expensive car so it will get looked after" - some people just aren't like that! 2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
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| 6th Nov 2009 5:26 pm |
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Powderpuff
Member Since: 05 Nov 2009
Location: Rugby / Beauly
Posts: 140
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Back home now....
The result of today....have bought a TDV6 SE  ....but not the first one!
Mint....my butt....it was in nice nick outside, a few marks that I wouldn't have used the word mint on, but inside was a different story...leather etc fine...dashboard....scratched all over...looks like the previous keeper had allowed their small dog to run riot on it!
So...walked away from that..
Phoned Guy Salmon 150 miles away who had something equivalent...yes it's still there...yes they'll hold it til we get there...and it was much much better...drove beautifully...deal done
Now just have to wait until next saturday to collect it...it's going to be a long week 
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| 7th Nov 2009 8:02 pm |
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Windy Corner
Member Since: 23 Feb 2009
Location: South Leicestershire
Posts: 484
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Well Done, Gordon, look forward to seeing it at the Boat in December ?
Rik Discovery 4 HSE SDV6 Baltic Blue
Discovery 3 S TDV6 Zambezi Silver - Now gone........
Leicestershire & Rutland 4x4 Response
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| 7th Nov 2009 10:30 pm |
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Powderpuff
Member Since: 05 Nov 2009
Location: Rugby / Beauly
Posts: 140
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Possibly Rik.....if I say I will I bet the weather will be perfect to bring the 7! 
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| 7th Nov 2009 10:35 pm |
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Windy Corner
Member Since: 23 Feb 2009
Location: South Leicestershire
Posts: 484
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Gordon,
Did you get it ????
Rik Discovery 4 HSE SDV6 Baltic Blue
Discovery 3 S TDV6 Zambezi Silver - Now gone........
Leicestershire & Rutland 4x4 Response
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| 16th Nov 2009 11:14 am |
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GlosBoy
Member Since: 16 Oct 2009
Location: Chandlers Ford
Posts: 2444
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Very interested to read this thread. Got smitten myself
I made a mistake being like a kid when I saw mine, I tried a couple which were poor but then saw the 06 SE manual and from the outside looked brilliant. one single door chip mark but the rest perfect. It drove very well so bought it.
Got a good deal to with the P/Ex for my old car and even got after market tints and full set up rubber mats thrown in. That was the stipulation from SWMBO. Felt pretty smug when I left the garage.
Wasnt until I got it home a week later and SWMBO looked at the leather and saw some scratches , mainly on the back seats. Also looked like a dog had run riot in it.
Neighbour who has horses lent me some stuff to treat the leather that she uses for her tack. After a couple of applications the scratches almost went. Have since ordered some off the web as I cant seem to get it at my local horsey place.
Have since purchased Poorboys stuff to sort the mess of a dash and after a bit of TLC will be like new.
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| 16th Nov 2009 4:05 pm |
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andycouchman
Member Since: 17 Aug 2009
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 130
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Is that the Gordon I think it is?
Got my Disco in August and apart from a few teething problems (2 year old XS model) it's a brilliant car. I'm sure you'll enjoy it, even if it is a bit different from a Caterham. Andy C
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| 17th Nov 2009 6:01 pm |
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chrisb
Member Since: 26 Jul 2007
Location: Hope Valley
Posts: 129
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The blatchat exodus continues 
So how many people on here have 7's as well?
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| 17th Nov 2009 6:15 pm |
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Grease Monkey
Member Since: 24 May 2009
Location: Essex
Posts: 134
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Yeah, I've got one too
1991 Caterham 7, 1700 xflow, 4 speed, live axle in black
G.M.
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| 17th Nov 2009 7:51 pm |
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