trigram
Member Since: 25 May 2010
Location: Coulsdon
Posts: 135
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Its just been a year since I took the plunge and bought the vehicle, even going against SWMBO (she now agrees that it was a great decision to ignore her...rare admission)
My criteria was short. Decent 4 wheel drive (we live on a hill and I want to be able to get to anywhere with my family in an emergency) and capacity to carry 7 people (me, wife, daughter and two sets of parents). Researched as many models as possible, LandCruiser, Santa Fe, Sorento, C-Crosser/Outlander, Outback, XC90 and of course the Disco. I have to admit I was initally against the landrover purely due its perceived poor reliabiliy and walletbusting reputation. But time and time again, it always came down the the D3. It felt I was being drawn to the DarkSide ... After scouring the website for good used examples. found one from a small specialist landrover/4x4 dealer. Fell in love with it, paid a deposit and arranged for full payment.
It was great to drive in it own way, very very comfortable and we soon got used to the sway in corners. Winter 2010 was when it proved itself in the snow. I never had so much fun driving. It just went everywhere, even when not in SNOW mode. the HDC was fantastic and you were reassured hearing it work. The boot is enormous, and was perfect as a baby changing platform
The only fault that I had to pay to repair was a failed driver-side EGR (this was pre disco3 forum) which WarrantyWise did not cover (Silver level). Another was the missing gear display and reversing light (soln found here on this site - gratitute to all members here). Passed its MOT and TFC serviced it yesterday and gave it a clean bill of health, I got him to blank off both egrs and he even managed to extract the Misfuel angel device from the tank inlet - Thanks Iain.
Looking forward to many more years... "...I'm so broke I can't even pay attention..."
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9th Jun 2011 10:31 am |
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euangibson
Member Since: 24 Dec 2010
Location: Borders
Posts: 11027
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Took the plunge 6 months ago and haven't regretted it once....(possibly if the warranty hadn't paid for the new front diff I might have thought differently).....
Bought it because I got stuck again with the return of "proper" Winters and wanted a full-on 4 wheel drive.
I have owned a Jeep Cherokee,a Merc ML and a BMW X5,and never considered anything other than the Discovery.
I used the 7 seat argument to persuade the wife but and I am actually surprised at the number of times we have used them.
There are very few squeaks and rattles,and having spent 4 hours on the interior and exterior at the weekend, the leather and the paintwork look like the day it left the factory
Bit of a shock going from 40-45mpg to 25-30 but other than I look for any excuse to go out in in.....love it
Some more bits from HIDS4U should arrive today....thats the only downside,I keep spending money on it "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool,than to speak out and remove all doubt" ?.....what rubbish...
Locking rear E-diff
RLD spare wheel protector & sump guard
Extended roof rails
Series 111 mudflaps
Black side tubes,grill and vents
Timed climate remote
Hids4u interior lights
D4 Firenze my2012 HSE
D3 Java 2005 SE manual (sold,sadly,thanks for the memories)
1966 '88 Series 2a....still starts in the morning better than I do...
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9th Jun 2011 11:00 am |
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