beetroot4000 said:

Hi all,
Would love to hear feed back on reliabilty and fuel consumption on Disco 3s, I mainly want one for towing heavish loads and for long trips, won't be my run about car.
I currently drive a 300tdi Disco 1 and although I love it and it's done everything I've asked of it, I'm thinking of buying something newer for more comfort and mostly more power for towing.
I've been doing heaps of reading up on Disco 3s and have had found a real mix of opinions, a lot of people having pretty major horror stories and others singing praises.

Most new vehicles are loaded with sensors and new technology that is not always reliable, I'm not to worried about that, and it seems common for Disco 3s to go through suspension bushes and brakes which again I can appreciate as they are big vehicles.

Would love to hear feed back from owners who have both had great luck with their Disco 3 and bad luck and also fuel economy. I'm in New Zealand and can get all engine options pretty readily, it seems the 2.7 diesel is the best of the lot with minimal problems and can return up to 35 MPG on long trips. Would like feed back on the 4.4L V8 fuel economy, I know a V8 in town and city driving is shocking, but have heard regular reports of almost 30 MPG on motorway driving and long trips, has anyone here managed to get this kind of economy?

Cheers
Sam

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gstuart said:

firstly welcome

have done a buyers guide

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/buyers-guide.312800/

had mine the TDV6 for around 5 x months

fuel consumption wise, around town 22 mpg and motorway 35 mpg

cam belts must be changed 105,000 miles or 7 x years

a lot of reports regarding oil pump casing fail

2007 onwards are having these issues , but regardless what ever the age make sure it's been replaced

agree they do eat bushes and brakes, alas normal for such a heavy vehicle

they can suffer with electrical problems, but like all landies service history is very important

checking them throughout, ensuring everything works

a diagnostics , the iid by gap is one of the leaders out there and service is second to none

hope that's helped abit

but please feel free to ask away and will help u all i can

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beetroot4000 said:

Thanks, a wealth of knowledge.
Have you done the cambelt change? Have heard the rear cambelt although possible with body on is a real pain in the butt!

Very interested in the iid diagnostic tool, sounds like will be a must have for any modern vehicle!
Other than the (well known) oil pump problem, are there any other common engine or transmission problems that let go with a bang?

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lynall said:

Real world mpg is 20 around town, low 20 general running around and high 20s a run, thats real mpg not the dash lie o meter.
As a rough rule whatever the dash says knock off at least 10 percent and you wont be far wrong.
My daily commute is 5 miles each way mpg says 22 if Im in no rush so 20mpg
Regular run to Norfolk (early hours and the whole way on cruise 70/75) 130 miles and it will show a constant 30mpg after 50 or so miles again knock off 10 percent.

As for the v8 drivers reporting 30 mpg I seriously call bollacks big time, 20 in their wildest dreams and thats driving at 55 mph Im sure if they were doing 70mph and reset their mpg it may show an artificially high figure for a short period of time.
There was one recently on the D3 forum reckoned he was getting 25mpg on the highway and as he was in the usa and their gallon is only 4 litres that worked out at something like 28mpg I mean we all bought diesels to get near them figures when we could have had another 100bhp and the same economy from the v8 what the fcuk where we thinking!

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beetroot4000 said:

Thanks, a wealth of knowledge.
Have you done the cambelt change? Have heard the rear cambelt although possible with body on is a real pain in the butt!

Very interested in the iid diagnostic tool, sounds like will be a must have for any modern vehicle!
Other than the (well known) oil pump problem, are there any other common engine or transmission problems that let go with a bang?

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gstuart said:

wished to share what i had learnt since owning one, so at least then gives a very rough guide what to look for

put a pic of my belts in the process of being replaced

the rear belt was fitted in 50 x mins , that belt is for the fuel pump

new water pump, aux belt, tensioners, pully, the all important oil pump casing

unfortunately like all motors u can get a good or bad one, how well it's been looked after

first thing i did when i got mine was a full service, all the filters and oils

hope that helps

View attachment 120012

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gstuart said:

@beetroot4000 , plus one what @lynall has said

ref the rear belt that can be done in 50x mins , but has to be done blind as u cannot see it tucked away at the back , is indeed as mentioned just the fuel pump

front belts of course need to be replaced , far cheaper than having the catastrophic damage to the engine

i read through a considerable amount of info before buying the D3 and with normal little traits of landies felt it wasn't any more unreliable than others

as each land rover model brings forward its own little issues , if ur prepared to be able to turn a spanner it isn't nothing that can't be sorted out, some more expensive than others

do find what ever diagnostic reader u finally settle on that due to its the complexity of the disco it is indeed very wise to buy one and factor that into the purchase

hopefully you will have abit more information now, there's always plenty of us here to help

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lynall said:

Dont forget that was a pro doing your belt so hes going to know exactly whats what and where everything is, most incl me wouldnt have a clue so would take a lot longer to do.

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