private penguin

private penguin

Well-Known Member
Ok - so i've probably gone mad, i'm probably going to regret it, and i'm sure as hell going to miss having a D2 which I was happy to abuse off road... but as of a week ago I've joined the D3 club.

A large part of the reason is work, as well as some changes in my personal life. I need a car that is comfortable for the long motorway miles, looks smart when we turn up to a customer, can be loaded with a huge stack of peli-cases and boxes whilst also carrying a couple of passengers, and can tow a trailer. At the same time, it needs to be able to cope well with a muddy grassy field both for work and for Scouting stuff. And preferably still be able to enjoy some more serious off roading.

So, last week, I became the proud owner of a D3 TDV6 HSE. Huge thanks to @gstuart for the buying guide, and advice. So far absolutely loving D3 ownership, although I do have to keep reminding myself that I can't treat this one the way I treated the D2.

d3 - Copy.jpg
22221658_10159353775460576_6751965864919905624_n.jpg
22308849_10159353775425576_4291140658036676555_n.jpg
 
Nice looking motor!!
I was thinking of making the switch from my D2 (and Passat estate daily) to a D3, but decided to stick with the D2 for now due to what I've spent on it.

Keep us updated as to how you're finding it compared to the D2 off the tarmac, I'd be interested to hear how you get on.
 
private penguin said:
It'll definitely be getting muddy

Wont be doing that overgrown lane through the blackthorn bushes in it though!
Click to expand...

Fair play, altho a friend of mine in a D3 did drive his thru some gnarly stuff the other week when we were greenlaning....LOL. All polished out.

If you take it deeper than the sills in water then we have to have piccies for Gary.....

Cheers
 
Grim said:
Nice looking motor!!
I was thinking of making the switch from my D2 (and Passat estate daily) to a D3, but decided to stick with the D2 for now due to what I've spent on it.

Keep us updated as to how you're finding it compared to the D2 off the tarmac, I'd be interested to hear how you get on.
Click to expand...

I've driven D3s off road a few times, and always been impressed, so looking forward to giving this one a proper trip off road (so far only driven on one wet field with it)

The options really were to get a very late model D2 with cruise etc, keep the old D2 for the fun stuff and buy a large estate car (and thus be taxing and insuring 2 cars), or bite the bullet and upgrade to a D3.
 
private penguin said:
I've driven D3s off road a few times, and always been impressed, so looking forward to giving this one a proper trip off road (so far only driven on one wet field with it)

The options really were to get a very late model D2 with cruise etc, keep the old D2 for the fun stuff and buy a large estate car (and thus be taxing and insuring 2 cars), or bite the bullet and upgrade to a D3.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you had the same choice as me. I bought my Passat estate just before my daughter was born this year as the D2 didn't have isofix fittings for her car seat, plus wanted something a little quieter (mud tyres aren't great for a sleeping baby). Since then, I'm finding running two cars on my own can be costly, but ended up sticking with what I've got, at least until the tax and insurance run out on the Passat (all paid up for 12months in advance), so when the MOT runs out, i'll get that done and sell it. Then I'll revisit the idea of a D3.
I am very tempted!!
 
Grim said:
Sounds like you had the same choice as me. I bought my Passat estate just before my daughter was born this year as the D2 didn't have isofix fittings for her car seat, plus wanted something a little quieter (mud tyres aren't great for a sleeping baby). Since then, I'm finding running two cars on my own can be costly, but ended up sticking with what I've got, at least until the tax and insurance run out on the Passat (all paid up for 12months in advance), so when the MOT runs out, i'll get that done and sell it. Then I'll revisit the idea of a D3.
I am very tempted!!
Click to expand...
Odd... my D2 had isofix in the outer two seats on the middle row... Was it an option rather than standard?

I cant work out how people cope with children and small cars... we went on holiday in April and had to take the D2 rather than my wife's Volvo V60, as despite that being a sizeable car, by the time we'd put a child seat, the buggy, etc in it there wasnt really enough room for a weeks worth of "stuff".

Compared to the D2, the D3's boot is even more cavernous... which will be really useful for work.
 
Bestest cheapest mod get on ebay Vanssi w5w led bulbs and change every single internal light, bottom doors, number plate and front sidelights, simple cheap and looks good but not ott.
The the cheap rubber chequer plate floor mats arent bad.
The cheap copy plastic mud flaps again from ebay are a good fit and work well.

Ps lightstone leather and black paint means you are going to be busy every weekend:D
 
private penguin said:
Ok - so i've probably gone mad, i'm probably going to regret it, and i'm sure as hell going to miss having a D2 which I was happy to abuse off road... but as of a week ago I've joined the D3 club.

A large part of the reason is work, as well as some changes in my personal life. I need a car that is comfortable for the long motorway miles, looks smart when we turn up to a customer, can be loaded with a huge stack of peli-cases and boxes whilst also carrying a couple of passengers, and can tow a trailer. At the same time, it needs to be able to cope well with a muddy grassy field both for work and for Scouting stuff. And preferably still be able to enjoy some more serious off roading.

So, last week, I became the proud owner of a D3 TDV6 HSE. Huge thanks to @gstuart for the buying guide, and advice. So far absolutely loving D3 ownership, although I do have to keep reminding myself that I can't treat this one the way I treated the D2.

View attachment 133717 View attachment 133718 View attachment 133719
Click to expand...

looks smart and pleased the buyers guide helped u , great to see another D3 member :D:D
 
lynall said:
Bestest cheapest mod get on ebay Vanssi w5w led bulbs and change every single internal light, bottom doors, number plate and front sidelights, simple cheap and looks good but not ott.
The the cheap rubber chequer plate floor mats arent bad.
The cheap copy plastic mud flaps again from ebay are a good fit and work well.

Ps lightstone leather and black paint means you are going to be busy every weekend:D
Click to expand...

It looks great in the photo, but the leather isnt that clean to start with. Not that fussed.
Yes it might need a wash more often than the D2... its already covered in red dust thanks to the storm the other day. Probably going to need a Jet Wash at work for the kit anyway though, so can do the car at the same time...

Already spending money on her... sat nav dvd was missing so ordered a new one. Looking at lighting options - really want to keep this one looking more "standard", but at the same time for work and some of the Scouting events, it needs some form of amber beacons/strobes..

Thinking LED strobes behind the grill. Uprate to LEDs the "work lights" that are already built into the upper tailgate. Keep a couple of 12v magmount LED worklights in the boot for more flexible lighting.
Not sure what to do about ambers on the back. Obviously a magmount bar would be an option, then just run the cable through the car when its needed.
Also quite like the idea of a reverse camera. The rear parking sensors dont work, and i'd rather spend the money on a camera than fixing the sensors.
 
private penguin said:
It looks great in the photo, but the leather isnt that clean to start with. Not that fussed.
Yes it might need a wash more often than the D2... its already covered in red dust thanks to the storm the other day. Probably going to need a Jet Wash at work for the kit anyway though, so can do the car at the same time...

Already spending money on her... sat nav dvd was missing so ordered a new one. Looking at lighting options - really want to keep this one looking more "standard", but at the same time for work and some of the Scouting events, it needs some form of amber beacons/strobes..

Thinking LED strobes behind the grill. Uprate to LEDs the "work lights" that are already built into the upper tailgate. Keep a couple of 12v magmount LED worklights in the boot for more flexible lighting.
Not sure what to do about ambers on the back. Obviously a magmount bar would be an option, then just run the cable through the car when its needed.
Also quite like the idea of a reverse camera. The rear parking sensors dont work, and i'd rather spend the money on a camera than fixing the sensors.
Click to expand...

hi, u may at some stage fit a split charge system, so will save ur main battery , easier with an aux battery tray in the other side of the engine

i bought some seat covers , made by inka, full set apart from the 3 rd row will cost £100 and are very good quality , will save ur leather seats

agree with @lynall ref the interior lights , will also save if u have the door open at night , i.e. if ur in a camp site and will reduce the voltage drain in ur main battery , intend to fit a split charge system on mine next year some time , getting a deep cell aux battery , via the T max system

there is a retrofit reversing camera u can fit, will try and find the link for u

enjoy ,
 
these are clips u can remove without using a screwdriver , u have to trim them a little bit to fit the rear tow bar electrics cover

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVE...DYR500010ET-/372022758097?hash=item569e48cad1

don't forget to see if ur spare wheel is ok, get a protector plate for it to prevent it getting nicked

look on the d3 forum as there are some for sale

if u have a removable tow bar , please remove it when not in use, they can get nicked very easily
 
Thanks - had already spotted that camera... its on my wishlist now!
LEDs in the interior lights are a definite must

Its going to be a good couple of weeks before I have any time now to do anything... haven't driven it since Wednesday :(
 
I think you need something called a GVIF for a rear view camera to work, you can spend an age searching where people have fitted D4/RR screens/mods by cutting wires etc and getting loads more options, then theres the secret menus, but once the novelty has worn off you will never look at them again!
Oh yeh the sat nav is just utter shtie, even with genuine discs it often drops out and loses where you are, I only use it for road name purposes.
 
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