Member Since: 03 Oct 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 85
Why not just buy an HSE
SWMBO has recently acquired a 2004 D3 SE but I'm a bit confused by the spec.
Having read the wiki page to acquaint myself with the features that should be missing when compared with an HSE, I am a bit puzzled to note that the missus' motor has many of the HSE features, as follows:
19" alloys (fitted)
Full size spare (fitted)
Heated rear seats (fitted)
Sunroof and Alpine roof (fitted)
Premium navigation including voice and TMC (fitted)
PTI system (not fitted)
Hybrid TV (not fitted - not even really sure what this is!)
Metallic/Micatallic paint (fitted)
Bi-xenon Front Adaptive Lighting (not fitted - I think!)
Premium Leather Pack (fitted)
o Premium leather seats, leather gear knob and gaiter (fitted)
o Eight way electric driver and passenger seats (fitted)
o Driver seat memory, driver seat power lumber support, drivers seat cushion pocket (fitted)
So, based on the above, I'm a bit puzzled as to why the original owner didn't just buy an HSE and be done with it. Surely the cost of adding all of these options to an HSE must have brought the car to within a gnat's crotchet of the cost of an HSE anyway, and the improved resale value of an HSE versus an SE would probably have made it worth just getting the top end model?
So, assuming my reasoning stands up to, erm, reason, can anyone think why the original owner chose to buy an SE?
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3627
Probably most are factory options but agree would have probably been cheaper to get the HSE.1996 Discovery 1 300TDI ES Biarritz Blue, sold
1999 Discovery 2 TD5 ES Rioja Red, sold
2002 Discovery 2 TD5 ES Buckingham Blue, sold
2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Adriatic Blue, sold
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Zambezi Silver, sold
2011 Discovery 4 SDV6 HSE Nara Bronze, sold
2016 Volvo XC60 D5 AWD Lux Nav Twilight Bronze, sold
2020 Range Rover Evoque P250 First Edition, Nolita grey, sold
2023 Range Rover Evoque P300e Autobiography, Carpathian grey
29th Dec 2010 8:54 pm
ArmitageShanks
Member Since: 03 Oct 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 85
I've contemplated that possibility and while it might be viable for, say, the full size spare, I think it's probably safe to assume that at least the following items were options added by the original owner at the time of specification:
Heated rear seats
Sunroof and Alpine roof
Premium navigation including voice and TMC
Metallic/Micatallic paint
Premium Leather Pack
o Premium leather seats, leather gear knob and gaiter
o Eight way electric driver and passenger seats
o Driver seat memory, driver seat power lumber support, drivers seat cushion pocket
In the initial run of cars, the spec. was all over the shop like a mad woman's shit breakfast - S with sat-nav, HSE with halogens etc, so your car may be "normal" for the build time.
P.S. Heated rear seats were standard at that time - I have them in an '05 'S'Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana
Member Since: 03 Oct 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 85
The car was first registered in October 2004 and the VIN is 3001** so I'm guessing this makes it part of the 'initial run'. I think your theory makes sense, DrLex - now I just need to work out if I'm pleased that I have an overspecified SE or if I'm disappointed that I have an (almost) HSE without the badge to show for it!
Cheers for the replies!
29th Dec 2010 9:04 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2668
When I was looking around earlier this year I saw several SE's specced up to almost HSE spec(And Beyond) but none had the Glass roof/sunroof and only one had the premium Audio.
As an aside I assume it would be really hard to put the glass roof in after manufacture, but everything else could be retro-fitted.
As I wanted both features I ended up spending my budget on a slightly older than I really wanted HSE, and can honestly say I'm not sure I did the right thing. I've only had the sunroof open a couple of times and have had to unblock the drains after having a shower in the car. The big benefit of the glass is the extra light inside the car, but I'm not sure it's worth it.
The Premium Audio sounds great though and I do still love the car.
Nasher.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
29th Dec 2010 9:08 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72740
I'm sure TLO will sell you a H!! Might be an early trial by the factory to see if all the bits actually fit.
29th Dec 2010 9:08 pm
ArmitageShanks
Member Since: 03 Oct 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 85
Mine has the premium audio too - assuming that that's the 13-speaker Harman Kardon setup? I might enquire with TLO about the cost of an 'H' - I'm far from the vain type but if the cap fits!
The sunroof was the one feature that SWMBO insisted must be fitted - apparenly she wants her mother to get a bit of light when she chucks her in the back seat behind the kids! Personally, I'd have prefered one of those panels like they fit in black cabs!
My bro is a mobile mechanic by trade and is giving me a day of his time for free on Friday - you've just reminded me to add cleaning out the sunroof drain to his to-do list.
Last edited by ArmitageShanks on 29th Dec 2010 10:01 pm. Edited 1 time in total
29th Dec 2010 9:17 pm
DaveT
Member Since: 01 Aug 2005
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2572
Armitage, I think the only factory options on that car would have been the roof & the paint. At that time, they were logical upgrades (I ordered one in that spec at the time - was a lot cheaper than an HSE). The wheels may well be later changes - not uncommon around this forum , likewise the premium nav upgrade.
It's the kind of spec someone who prefers manual boxes would order Long succession of Disco's since 2001...
SIII Lightweight - neglected & rusting. Bulkhead, A panels, vent panel & outriggers now disintegrated - Next years project!
29th Dec 2010 9:41 pm
ArmitageShanks
Member Since: 03 Oct 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 85
Interesting, Dave - probably one of those mysteries that'll never be truly solved!
The gearbox is one of the other quirks of the car, though. On the HPI check, it came up as a manual despite there being an auto lever sticking out of the centre console! I was more than a little concerned at this - especially when I called a dealer who confirmed that they thought it should be a manual.
I then asked if there was any way they could double-check the spec that had been ordered and they put me on hold for a few minutes before coming back saying that their 'main system', whatever that is, actually listed it as an auto! They were scratching their heads for a few minutes and the best explanation that they could come up with was that the spec changed part way through the ordering process but they insisted that, despite their earlier statement, it should *definitely* have an auto box fitted. The car is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma... I wonder what I'm going to find when I connect up my soon-to-be-acquired MSV-2 to it?!
29th Dec 2010 10:15 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72740
That's its really a RRS but didn't like drug dealers and demanded a proper set of clothes??
29th Dec 2010 10:21 pm
DaveT
Member Since: 01 Aug 2005
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2572
ISTR that there was virtually no spec information available from which to order around launch time, and even then, as Lex so eloquently puts it ... the builds were a bit random
The important thing is... enjoy it Long succession of Disco's since 2001...
SIII Lightweight - neglected & rusting. Bulkhead, A panels, vent panel & outriggers now disintegrated - Next years project!
29th Dec 2010 10:39 pm
Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Post the reg on here and you may find the original owner and learn more about the car.MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
29th Dec 2010 10:39 pm
ArmitageShanks
Member Since: 03 Oct 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 85
It's been variously HG54 JHA, D1 JKB, HG54 JHA again, K11 LTN, will soon be HG54 JHA again before finally becoming N1 USH in about a month's time!
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