ronsealdeath
Sagging Member
- Posts
- 1,851
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- Swansea, Wales
I'm a bit of a sad case so thought a review of my first year of D2 ownership may help prospective buyers choose if its the right vehicle for them. Also, it helps document what I've done to it!
Purchased in Jan 2019 and was on 103k. I've done 2k miles in that time as I cycle to work most days.
In that time it's needed new pads and discs and a front hub. Pretty routine. Also had to change the throttle pedal for a good used one, had to temporarily seal sunroofs to stop leaks, seal gutters, front screen and address leaks through rear door. It now doesn't leak but sunroofs will be sorted properly this year. Apart from that its not wanted for anything and has not let me down. XYZ switch needed a rebuild but I did that myself. I did the shuttle valve also but that was pretty simple. My ACE modulator is a bit finicky but all this means is a red light every now and again which clears next startup. This will be replaced this year (£60 and 30 mins).
It's had a service with both oil filters changed, a new air filter and fuel filter. I've replaced all shocks and front suspension (springs, turrets and isolators) plus changed to 16s. The ride is now 10x better than it was at first. I've fitted 245/70 16 Insa Turbo Dakars which are fine but noisy (as expected). A set of A/Ts would be a better all around option for road use. I've fitted a HD bumper, winch and steering guard, plus side steps/sliders. Why? Cos I wanted to : ) (insurance for all this is cheap with A Flux). Also put on a Brownchurch full rack which is fantastic load space.
I'm getting 19mpg (auto) on the 3 mile school run/commute when that happens, 32+ on a run with the cruise control on.
It's comfy and easy to drive but the torque converter speedboat effect takes a bit of getting used to. Once you do, it's fine.
The SLS is really useful and is great for loads of wood in the boot and staying level.
ACE is great and it handles very nicely in the corners, even on mud terrains!
Seats comfy, does long journeys with ease.
Carry my family of 5 with ease (7 seats).
TD5 engine is decent but I liked the simplicity of my old Tdi. The Td5 is much more pokey though and cruises better on the motorway.
Rust is always going to be in the post on an 03, but no major issues at the moment. The body needs to be kept an eye on and treated and painted to preserve it.
Offroad; no idea! Haven't been anywhere.
The major issues are; the sunroof leaks but they will be sorted and it just takes a bit of time (headliner out), the mpg isn't great but on a run its actually fine for what it is (beam axle 2.5 7 seater on mud terrains), its a large car with a poor turning circle, you have to be on top of the rust and be prepared to have a maintenance schedule, you need to budget a Hawkeye or Nanocom into any purchase also.
The major advantages are; its the best looking Disco model (so far) LR have made, very comfy and easy to drive, handles great, quick for what it is, loads of space, cheap parts mostly, easy to fix with a Hawkweye/Nano, easily modified, cheap to insure, it's on the verge of being a classic. The biggest advantage to me is it's a fraction of the purchase cost of a Defender and drives far better than a Defender. I loved my old S3 but you couldn't hop in it and drive 3 hours down the M4 (you could but you'd be in bits after!). This is as good offload, is a proper LR to me and is usable day to day.
I was offered a very low mileage D3 recently (05) but for reasons you all understand, I wouldn't touch it with your 10ft barge pole.
Purchased in Jan 2019 and was on 103k. I've done 2k miles in that time as I cycle to work most days.
In that time it's needed new pads and discs and a front hub. Pretty routine. Also had to change the throttle pedal for a good used one, had to temporarily seal sunroofs to stop leaks, seal gutters, front screen and address leaks through rear door. It now doesn't leak but sunroofs will be sorted properly this year. Apart from that its not wanted for anything and has not let me down. XYZ switch needed a rebuild but I did that myself. I did the shuttle valve also but that was pretty simple. My ACE modulator is a bit finicky but all this means is a red light every now and again which clears next startup. This will be replaced this year (£60 and 30 mins).
It's had a service with both oil filters changed, a new air filter and fuel filter. I've replaced all shocks and front suspension (springs, turrets and isolators) plus changed to 16s. The ride is now 10x better than it was at first. I've fitted 245/70 16 Insa Turbo Dakars which are fine but noisy (as expected). A set of A/Ts would be a better all around option for road use. I've fitted a HD bumper, winch and steering guard, plus side steps/sliders. Why? Cos I wanted to : ) (insurance for all this is cheap with A Flux). Also put on a Brownchurch full rack which is fantastic load space.
I'm getting 19mpg (auto) on the 3 mile school run/commute when that happens, 32+ on a run with the cruise control on.
It's comfy and easy to drive but the torque converter speedboat effect takes a bit of getting used to. Once you do, it's fine.
The SLS is really useful and is great for loads of wood in the boot and staying level.
ACE is great and it handles very nicely in the corners, even on mud terrains!
Seats comfy, does long journeys with ease.
Carry my family of 5 with ease (7 seats).
TD5 engine is decent but I liked the simplicity of my old Tdi. The Td5 is much more pokey though and cruises better on the motorway.
Rust is always going to be in the post on an 03, but no major issues at the moment. The body needs to be kept an eye on and treated and painted to preserve it.
Offroad; no idea! Haven't been anywhere.
The major issues are; the sunroof leaks but they will be sorted and it just takes a bit of time (headliner out), the mpg isn't great but on a run its actually fine for what it is (beam axle 2.5 7 seater on mud terrains), its a large car with a poor turning circle, you have to be on top of the rust and be prepared to have a maintenance schedule, you need to budget a Hawkeye or Nanocom into any purchase also.
The major advantages are; its the best looking Disco model (so far) LR have made, very comfy and easy to drive, handles great, quick for what it is, loads of space, cheap parts mostly, easy to fix with a Hawkweye/Nano, easily modified, cheap to insure, it's on the verge of being a classic. The biggest advantage to me is it's a fraction of the purchase cost of a Defender and drives far better than a Defender. I loved my old S3 but you couldn't hop in it and drive 3 hours down the M4 (you could but you'd be in bits after!). This is as good offload, is a proper LR to me and is usable day to day.
I was offered a very low mileage D3 recently (05) but for reasons you all understand, I wouldn't touch it with your 10ft barge pole.
