buying a disco 3

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colinmcfadyen

New Member
Posts
7
Hey

I am thinking of buying a disco 3 for my business (corporate team building) but I am slightly nervous as i have heard bad reviews about them, people buying them then having to spend ££££ to get them fixed. I used to own a disco 2 (my fist car and an absolute dream) she was solid and well i say reliable, she was a work horse, so this is why im swayed back towards a lanny.

Does anyone have any advice about the disco 3 should i check for certain work been done? or not been done. im probably going to go for a 2005 (cheaper tax) with no more than 60k miles.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

colin
 
colinmcfadyen said:
Hey

I am thinking of buying a disco 3 for my business (corporate team building) but I am slightly nervous as i have heard bad reviews about them, people buying them then having to spend ££££ to get them fixed. I used to own a disco 2 (my fist car and an absolute dream) she was solid and well i say reliable, she was a work horse, so this is why im swayed back towards a lanny.

Does anyone have any advice about the disco 3 should i check for certain work been done? or not been done. im probably going to go for a 2005 (cheaper tax) with no more than 60k miles.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

colin
Click to expand...
For the love of god don't do it lol . all my mates that had em soon got rid . they all cost a fortune . if anyone on here has just bought a black HSE from some boarding kennels near Ripon be afraid
 
I have been looking at the landmark 7, I need something that is classy and a workhorse as I will sometimes be picking clients up from the airport.

any advice on the Landmark 7? my dad had the standard TD5 and had major issues with the rear airbags. I will be kitting the lanny out so maybe a coil upgrade would be a shout?
 
colinmcfadyen said:
I have been looking at the landmark 7, I need something that is classy and a workhorse as I will sometimes be picking clients up from the airport.

any advice on the Landmark 7? my dad had the standard TD5 and had major issues with the rear airbags. I will be kitting the lanny out so maybe a coil upgrade would be a shout?
Click to expand...

The rear air bags aren't an issue foe me, it's all about maintenance good servicing. It was designed for rear airbags. Get the very latest and best one and leave as is, in my opinion. It's still a very classy vehicle.
 
If your prepared to do any of the work on the d3 that'll save a fortune. They can be high maintenance but most people usually don't get just one thing fixed when it happens they leave it say untill mot time then it needs loads doing all at once.
Chances are an 05 will have had belts and possibly turbo done.
 
Having driven Disco 1, 2, and then 3, my opinion is that the Disco 3 in diesel v6 form is far and away the best, on or off-road.

It's a complex vehicle, like all modern 4x4's but when looked after properly they are as reliable as the competition if not better.

The big problem about maintaining all LR 4x4's is that LR has a servicing program which is designed to look good and relatively affordable, at initial purchase time. It is wholely insufficient.

These vehicles require a lot more servicing and a pro-active approach by knowledgeable mechanics who care about the vehicles and their owners.

Example : clean MAP regularly - not in schedule; replace air springs and height sensors every 5 yrs - not in schedule; loads of things that an enthusiastic owner would change before trouble arrives just to avoid trouble.


Specifically on D3 diesel : the engine has a cambelt and a pump belt. The schedule for the cambelt is 100,000mls or 7 years whichever is the sooner; pump belt is 100, 000mls or 10yrs again whichever comes the sooner. For piece of mind I would change them immediately after buying a D3 to ensure security of the engine.

Once you try a D3 diesel auto you'll never think about previous Discos, they are that much better.

Just remember that they really need proper, pro-active maintenance - ignore this at your peril !!!!!

Also, D3 diesel in std form is 190bhp but for £225 can be re-mapped up to 250bhp with improvements in performance and mpg. Incidently mpg on D3 is better than TD5, even in std. trim.

Good luck in your search,

Dave
 
Absolutely fantastic advice from all members!

Could anyone recommend a reputable mechanic in the Glasgow area that would be able to maintain the D3
 
I had exactly the same dilemma and fancied an early Disco 3 to replace my Disco 1

I could not risk massive repair bills, so I went for a Disco 2 Td5 Landmark on a 04 plate, one owner from new with full history a solid chassis and I am well happy with it so far.
 
horse62 said:
I had exactly the same dilemma and fancied an early Disco 3 to replace my Disco 1

I could not risk massive repair bills, so I went for a Disco 2 Td5 Landmark on a 04 plate, one owner from new with full history a solid chassis and I am well happy with it so far.
Click to expand...

perfect, what sort of miles has it done? would you recommend replacing anything right away, belts ect? how long have you had it?
 
horse62 said:
I had exactly the same dilemma and fancied an early Disco 3 to replace my Disco 1

I could not risk massive repair bills, so I went for a Disco 2 Td5 Landmark on a 04 plate, one owner from new with full history a solid chassis and I am well happy with it so far.
Click to expand...

Also what sort of MPG are you getting, there is a lovely blue auto near me that im going to go see tomorrow.
 
colinmcfadyen said:
Also what sort of MPG are you getting, there is a lovely blue auto near me that im going to go see tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Look at the chassis, rear part closely, all filters and fluids changed regular, all the dash lights on before start up, wet floor passenger side and drivers side, wet roof lining etc, just give it a good look over, then look again
good luck, mpg! mine does around 33mpg manual and remapped
 
I've one and they are great, use to have a d2....difference is amazing....so much better is the d3. I've done the egr's, remap and silicone intake hoses, you can work on them yourself, and there are great indies out there too.

get yourself on DISCO3.CO.UK - Index lots of great helpful guys...
 
Last edited:
We got three Disco 3's in 2008 at our place.

They are all kicking the arse of 200k miles with minimal fuss, and still one of the best vehicles for work and long distance.

As someone already said, if they are serviced correctly I think it makes a massive difference. Mine regularly carries 600kgs in the rear and the air suspension is great. 7 decent seats when required. The bushings are the only thing that is a regular on mine, and given the nature of the work I do and the weight of the vehicle itself that's to be expected.

I wouldn't change, in fact I've already noticed I can get a brand new engine (if required) for £3k!

That wouldn't change me to a similar vehicle.
 
thebiglad said:
Having driven Disco 1, 2, and then 3, my opinion is that the Disco 3 in diesel v6 form is far and away the best, on or off-road.

It's a complex vehicle, like all modern 4x4's but when looked after properly they are as reliable as the competition if not better.

The big problem about maintaining all LR 4x4's is that LR has a servicing program which is designed to look good and relatively affordable, at initial purchase time. It is wholely insufficient.

These vehicles require a lot more servicing and a pro-active approach by knowledgeable mechanics who care about the vehicles and their owners.

Example : clean MAP regularly - not in schedule; replace air springs and height sensors every 5 yrs - not in schedule; loads of things that an enthusiastic owner would change before trouble arrives just to avoid trouble.


Specifically on D3 diesel : the engine has a cambelt and a pump belt. The schedule for the cambelt is 100,000mls or 7 years whichever is the sooner; pump belt is 100, 000mls or 10yrs again whichever comes the sooner. For piece of mind I would change them immediately after buying a D3 to ensure security of the engine.

Once you try a D3 diesel auto you'll never think about previous Discos, they are that much better.

Just remember that they really need proper, pro-active maintenance - ignore this at your peril !!!!!

Also, D3 diesel in std form is 190bhp but for £225 can be re-mapped up to 250bhp with improvements in performance and mpg. Incidently mpg on D3 is better than TD5, even in std. trim.

Good luck in your search,

Dave
Click to expand...
Dave speaks the truth!!
 
cheers guys!!

I have been thinking about buying an 05/06 D3 based on the tax bracket, is this a wise choice? or should I just buy a new model and pay the extra?? I have seen a nice one on auto trader that says----- MOT till May2015, New battery, new clutch and fly wheel, new brake discs and pads including handbrake, serviced regularly with annual oil and filter change. Fixed coil spring suspension----- looks promising and I would only really have to change the cambelt and pump belt???

cheers for all the advice
 
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