Landrover Discovery 3

I will give you 1
$80,000, Bog standard unlicensed without stamp duty. How’s that.

But hay if you have the spear 80 and don’t mind the odd scratch or dent in the $80,000 4by why not?

A fool and his money are easily parted...as the saying goes.

But if your ego is big enough for it...then go for it.!! :o)

Ya gotta be nuts !! 80 grand to spare.....Id be investing it in my kids future and get me an old GQ i can thrash about knowing my chances of comming back home are good.

Hi Dad :-)
Ange

Wombat,

Reliability for LR should be fine know with Ford involved. Very technical vehicle now but just more computers like everything else from here on in.

Bog std they remind me of a mates bog std Prado - follows a well set up 80 most places. This thing trounces on a 100 or GU.

You'll save mod $$'s - no need to fit all the aftermkt crap so it will keep up with the big boys.

Big rims will be a problem with remote-ish travel. 85ltr tank sucks. Any afttermkt stuff like long range tanks will be a while coming if at all.

Would probably try and wait and save $15,000 on a low k's resale. I have promised myself I will never buy new again.

We came close to buying one but I have already put too much into the D2.

Would love to own one - just need to win the lotto this Sat.

John

Hi Wombat, if you want the best 4x4 in it’s class then there is no reason not to buy one.

I have now seen a couple of them in action, off road and they are unbelievable to watch and dead simple to drive.

I’ve been looking at getting one for the wife. We had a test drive and she says the D3 is easier to get into and to drive than the RR but we still fight to see who drives the RR.

One thing to look at is the differences in prices between the different motor types.

I don’t know what you like but I normally prefer diesels but with an $8,000 difference between the V6 and the diesel, the V6 is by far more economical on a long term use basis. You have to do a hell of a lot of miles before you use $8,000 of additional fuel plus the fact that diesel fuel is more expensive and diesel engines require more services.

Now the flip side is that the diesel will have a higher resale value down the line.

Go for it mate, you won’t look back ( except to see all the other 4x4s you’ve just passed ).

One more point, they are far better value, dollar for dollar, than the new RRS

Cheers

Wombat,

I speak from experience. I have owned a D3 TDV6 since April 05 and have done many 4WD trips in it.

Only modification is a set of aftermarket 17" wheels with Cooper ST tyres for safer off-road adventures. The 18" road tyres still are capable in dry conditions but are prone to easy damage from rocks and staking.

It is a most capable off-roader and has only let me down once where I needed a Defender with front & rear lockers and Simex's to snatch me past some very deep ruts on a slope where the Coopers filled with clay and turned into slicks.

Tips if you purchase: option the rear diff lock, air suspension which will give you the terrain response (if buying an S) and get the TDV6. Just remember the diff lock is factory fitted and isn't dealer fitted.

You won't regret the $$ spent or the decision. I never owned a Land Rover before and was expecting big things from the D3 and it has lived up to those expectations plus many more even with the small fuel tank and 18" wheels.

PCH

Just buy one and don't tell anyone ....NEVER TAKE IT OFF THE BITUMEN...and when ..as it will...give you a pain in the arse...don't let us know by way of this site, now go away and keep quiet !!

Peole carry on about the price but they are no more expensive than the equivalent Toyota product and only marginally more than the Patrols - if it what you want it - then go for it

I find it strangely funny that people get so worried about the price of it. Sure its not cheap, but if the bloke buys one, he'll do so with his money, not anyone elses. So stop worrying about how he may chose to spend his own hard aernt $$$ and maybe also accept the fact that these vehicles just may be better than what most of us are driving.

There sem to be plenty of TD 100 series getting around. Damn good vehicle, but also not cheap. Yet again, no one is forcing anyone to buy ine. They did it usually by choice. Not a great deal of difference in $$$ between a TD GXL 100 series and an S or SE disco. If you check the specs, then it shapes up fairly well.

Buy what you like and dont worry about what someone else chooses to buy.

Cause for one the back end looks like an afterthought, OH bleep WE NEED AN ARSE END.. Lets put a box on it. Suprisingly same as the pathfinder...
Price, lack of tires available, lack of accessories, bleep small fuel tank, poor resale, expensive to repair.. perfect for a 4wd.

Willem said it best..

but if it impresses the new woman, go for it.

Its an odd phenomenom Wombat, but from my observations the guys (on this forum) who knock L/R's, R/R's are mostly the ones who own Patrols.
They cant knock Cruisers, cos they know they are a superior vehicle all round, so its a simple matter to take it out on one which, out of its box goes further off road than any other, does 10. l./100 km. fuel consumption (whats wrong with 850km. out of a tank?) etc.
Ok, there have been some issues, but not many since about '94/5 and these were mainly fit/finish related. I have never heard of pistons/turbo's blowing, 5th. gear carking it, engine overheating, front wishbones/chassis cracking, front diffs. expiring etc. etc.
L/R owners are a pretty happy lot but tend to keep quiet about it. I have a tdi Disco which does every thing I ask of it, 100% reliable in 200k., also have a hzj 75 Cruiser which has been no less reliable. Suffice to say each vehicle has a different purpose, and both fit their requirements perfectly.
Go for it Wombat, I for one know you wont regret it!
kesh

Hey Wombie

here's a completely untechnical answer, go for it, :) if it's what you want, and you're impressed, and it'll serve your purposes and needs then, hell, you don't have to justify it to anyone, knowing you as I do, I'm sure you'll have or will do your homework very closely on this vehicle.

cheers

Lyn

Wombo, If Helen says OK then do it. I would like to have one, as long as I didnt worry about panel scratches etc, I think they'll define the world of 4x4-ing like the Rangie did 30 years ago.

If we are looking at the HSE version, than why not look at the RR Sport - different vehicle, slightly smaller inside and out, just as capable and in TDv6 form about the same price - depends what you want. If it is load and extra seats then the Disco is the way to go. If it is class and good offroad capability but not so much space then I would be in the RR Sport (in my opinion, the gem of the LR lineup).

Garry

> Why shouldn't I buy one?

They look friggin orrible

Landrovers are a great 4x4 , no doubt about it . We went the Patrol 4.2 over a Defender simply because of creature comforts and the ability to stop in nearly anywhere or spares and accessories off the shelf .Also the 4.2 has a great history with reliability .
Having said that , my boss has the D3 as his daily driver and weekend warrior .... and he loves it , but hates the fact he can't accessorize it the way he wants .
He also got hung up and ripped a nice hole into the side wall of the spare when playing up in Mundaring Sat just gone .
It would be a great idea to look into a rear wheel carrier set up , he has rung just about everyone and no luck .
4X4's are a personal choice , don't let people bag you out or turn you off your choice that's really imature on their behalf and should go back to bullying kids for their lunch money .....if it's what you want ....and it suits YOUR needs ....and your happy enuff .....go for it mate !!!!

Your bank account should have no bearing on their happiness .

peaceout

Wombat,
Your posts are great, crack me up!!
If I had the cash I'd swap my Tojo for a new TD D3 today. " Why shouldn't I buy one?" Because driving any other 4by off the shelf will be hugely dissapointing? Because you may offend some tojo, nissan drivers by embarissing them on and off road. Agreee this vehicle will set new bench mark as long as the reliablity is there.
Cheers
Matt

I'm giving the D3 some serious consideration. I've owned two Range Rovers over the years and been bitten on reliability and poor quality control, but I firmly believe that this new model Discovery will be reliable. LR have spent some years with input from BMW, now Ford and I believe they have got it sorted. I'm going for the TDV6 SE 6 speed auto model, as I think it has most of what I want. I don't want leather in a vehicle that will go off road. For $73,650 (roughly) it compares well with a GXL LC100 TD4.2 auto $73,390 and is so much better it is not really in the same class.
I was also a bit worried about the small fuel tank and rang up Long Ranger about an auxilliary tank or larger standard tank. There is none and they couldn't tell me if there would be. The spare is underslung and that obviously cramps the space down there. I would be prepared to add a swingaway tyre holder if someone makes a tank to go where the spare goes, but that probably won't happen. However, I figure they'll do about 700 on a tank, which is actually not that bad.

My advice - buy it. You won't be disappointed.

Wombat,
Nothin changes, the same predictable reaction from the old guard, doesn't it get boring. Threaten them with the loss of their enternal reign and look out, you will be fed to the lions.

It's like in business, you know you're up your competitors nose when they start slagging you, they feel threatened, that's when you know to keep going ,you're on the right track. LR will, if they haven't already, soon realise their on a winner.

The times they are a'chang'in.

.....bugger it, I'm going for another test drive.

Wombat,
Nothin changes, the same predictable reaction from the old guard, doesn't it get boring. Threaten them with the loss of their enternal reign and look out, you will be fed to the lions.

It's like in business, you know you're up your competitors nose when they start slagging you, they feel threatened, that's when you know to keep going ,you're on the right track. LR will, if they haven't already, soon realise they're on a winner.

The times they are a'chang'in.

.....bugger it, I'm going for another test drive.

Wombat,

The looks of the disco have always impressed me but the reliability has always bugged me, I thought I had the reliability sorted with both my 100 cruiser and my current patrol, how wrong I was. Had I went with my eyes I may have had no probs out of the disco, I think that is the nature of the beast.
The bottom line is there won't be too many people that have worked the guts out of these (relatively new) vehicles for hundreds of thousands of K's to tell you how reliable they really are, appart from LR officials and who would believe them when talking about there own vehicle.
The accessory market won't take long to catch up with things like long range tanks and swing away tyre carriers if they are not already out there, so to me this is not the issue, if LR have a good warranty setup (sounds like you have prior dealings with LR) and you love the look and feel of the car then I would say go for it.
I don't know how long you keep your cars for but if it's not long then warranty should see you through even if it is not so good reliably. On paper it is a sensational motor car, if you do go for it then the worst case scenario is you use the car till it is out of warranty and flog it to the first car yard who'll give you good money for it (I sleep better if I do this when selling a dud) and look for something more reliable then.
Enjoy if you go down the Disco road (it's the one where others can't go), post load and strong here so others interested understand how good these things are.

Cheers Trevor.

HAHAHA... Wombat, what a S H I T fight you have stirred up with such a simple question!!! but it was always going to go that way. I think that you should buy one so that people who dont like the rear end of one can take another look as you either pass them, or snatch them out of a boghole... These same people are likely to give you some good advice on how you should have spent your money.

I have one saying that I apply to various situations in life, and right now it is relevant to the opinion (one you may have heard from some) that your money would be better spent modifying and older second hand something... and those words of wisdom simply are that "You cant polish a turd !!! "

Go the disco..

Wombat,

Triton Dual Cab to Disco HSE. Woo hoo - quantum leap !!!!

Your question - "Why shouldn't I buy one?"
My answer - Because I bloody well can't, that's why.

If you've done your homework, it suits your requirements and you're happy with it - do it! Yes, I'm bloody green-eyed envious.

Looking forward to you slagging off at the rest of us poor plebs in the future.

Hey Wombat,

I'm a 2005 Patrol driver, but I think the Disco's 3's are pretty awesome.

What I would want to see to make it a car I could buy would be:

1) Steel Bullbar (ARB now have this)
2) Rear bar with tyre(s)
3) Long Range tank where tyre was underneath.
4) Airbag height doesn't drop when over 40km/h

That's it. I think these things will all come in time.

I read in an overlander reveiw that the height adjustment automatically drops down (no matter what your setting) once you go over 40km/h. That's bad, they should have manual control over the height at all times. I imagine it's just a software update to do it. In the article they said when zooming around the outback they kept bottoming out on stuff in the Disco, 'cause it dropped its height over 40km/h. Obviously set up for the english countryside, not outback Australia.

Thanks,

Aaron.

Hi Wombie

As a financial decision I am sure that you don't need any advice.

As a vehicle, they are obviously great or they wouldn't have won fourby of the year. I guess that we will know more about them in time but all of the current vehicles have their weaknesses and strengths. I would think that if you buy the car of the year which was tested by all those blokes who are drivng cars every day, then you could do worse than listening to them ( worse is probably listening to us -hahahaha).

Andrew