Disco 3: Are they that much of a nightmare to own??

Hello folks,
So it just happens that my employers are putting up a few vehicles up for sale in an internal auction in the coming week. One of these vehicles is a smart looking disco 3 TDV6 HSE with 138k on the clock.
I would love to have that car, but I have all those stories I've read here and on other forums about disco 3's at the back of my mind.
I'm quite used to getting down and dirty working on my disco 2, having even recently changed the front axle out on my driveway without much hassle.
Having read somewhere that you would have to remove the body just to work on the turbos with the disco 3, I'm honestly more than slightly worried about long-term ownership of one of these cars.
Add to that, having my job keep me away from home for as long as it does, I wouldn't want to have the missus tearing her hair out on account of car trouble when I'm away. On that front, the old disco 2 has been an absolute gem.
Am I just being paranoid or is it safe to take the plunge and bid for it?

Hmmmm, a few hours to the start of the work week.... Do I put in a bid for it or do I let it go? Any advice would be very much appreciated....

with a little experience of D3s, unless it comes with an outstanding warrenty, personally I'd leave it be.

No warranty with this one... Its really a case of you're getting what you're paying for. I guess the only plus is that its been serviced all its life at the local LR dealership.

my old man has one and has spent quit a lot on it but stupid things like a return pipe on injectors dealer only £100 quid. bushes on rear arms cable on rear door lock. Is having a few niggles with gear box. Had handbrake problems just adjustment. To me they seem to need the love and attention as any landrover but the parts and jobs are dearer. Saying all that he loves it to bits and won't change it.

Yes the body comes of but what's the chances of it going. Mines a 15 year old turbo and still runs sweet.
Compaired to the fading early disco should have plenty of life in it .

I'd have one no problem, love em. I'm sticking with my td5 a little longer in hope the d3 will come down in value some more.

There are people on here who have them.

Bump has one.

And there is a chap in derbyshire who works on them at a dealer i believe: OWL or summit

Maybe send a PM or 2 out.

Thanks for all your inputs. I made the mistake of showing the missus a photo of one these motors this afternoon and suffice to say she's expecting to see the car out on the driveway by the close of the week.... and to think 2 weeks ago, she said she'd had enough with land rovers and wanted a toyota people mover.
I'll put in the bid in the morning and hopefuly put up some photos of the car as well.

Fingers crossed then photos and a life history would be good
And a yearly report with tea and cake .

Grit Valve said:

Fingers crossed then photos and a life history would be good
And a yearly report with tea and cake .

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You got it mate....

by all acounts ther is a way of doing turbo without taking boby off but no one wants to share that info

If the exhaust manifold starts blowing like are one did (common problem) just cost £1100 labour only
LR dealer wanted £2500 as the body has to come off

lanny man 90 said:

If the exhaust manifold starts blowing like are one did (common problem) just cost £1100 labour only
LR dealer wanted £2500 as the body has to come off

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How much?? Not very reassuring...

a firm I worked for for many years had 2 - an auto and a manual. the auto was mostly sound, though there were issues, it was nowhere near as bad as the manual. this one was in the garage under warranty more than it was on the road. the handbrake disintegrated and locked up the wheels when it was parked overnight meaning it couldn't physically be moved and had to be rolled to the mechanics on trolley jacks, fortunately they were next door. the clutch fell apart, the engine ecus played up constantly, and the gearbox self destructed on the motorway, and millions of other problems. the central locking played up and failed and would often randomly unlock or refuse to lock on both vehicles. as soon as the warranty was up they got shot and went hyundai.

I've had mine since 2007 (its a 2005 model) and its just done 109,000. I've had the dual mass flywheel and clutch changed recently and all the drive belts done by a mates independent garage who I trust as he's always looked after our cars. Nearside front wheel bearing just been changed and this is apparently a common failure. The compressor for the suspension also recently failed but given the age I'm not surprised.

Faults over the years include EGR valves (warranty), nearside front window failure (wiring loom warranty), air bag warning light (loom in drivers seat done under warranty), release cable for bottom part of rear door ( did it myself after Landrover wanted £200 + in labour. Parts about £ 20.00). Handbrakes were a problem and Landrover fixed mine but then it failed again & I took it to my mate and haven't had a problem since.

In that time I've had 2 sets of discs and two sets of tyres. I can honestly say it is the most comfortable car I've owned and I've happily driven 8-9 hours with no problems. The seating position is superb. Mines the 7 seater and I've had 6 of us and loads of luggage on an overnight run from Cheshire to Cornwall and the 6ft 4 lad in the back seat was comfortable enough.

The load space is phenomenal as you haven't got the intruding wheel arches I've got with the 110 and the seats all load flat. Coupled with the split tail gate you can stuff all kinds in there.

With sympathetic driving I can get 32-34 mpg on a long run - not going above 75 on the motorway and being light with the right foot.

I'd have a Disco 4 tomorrow if I could afford one..................

the august issue of landrover owner international are doing an article on buying a used disco3.
a fantastic vehicle they say, but can be very expensive to do jobs that would be diy on an earlier disco.

Jay reKx said:

a firm I worked for for many years had 2 - an auto and a manual. the auto was mostly sound, though there were issues, it was nowhere near as bad as the manual. this one was in the garage under warranty more than it was on the road. the handbrake disintegrated and locked up the wheels when it was parked overnight meaning it couldn't physically be moved and had to be rolled to the mechanics on trolley jacks, fortunately they were next door. the clutch fell apart, the engine ecus played up constantly, and the gearbox self destructed on the motorway, and millions of other problems. the central locking played up and failed and would often randomly unlock or refuse to lock on both vehicles. as soon as the warranty was up they got shot and went hyundai.

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Properly discouraged now I admit that my old disco 2 did have its fair share of teething problems in the past but those were always easily dealt with on the driveway over the course of a weekend... With this, I'm getting the impression I'm gonna have to call on the dealers to solve just about any issues that may come up.

don't get discouraged mate buy it and enjoy it yes there are a few rotten apples in the bushel and yes the apples tend to bruise on different sides but hey its a land rover don't let it put you off it will still be working in 5 years time when another motor of similar vintage will be on the way to the scrappers its like there are plenty of horror storys about the p38 range rover yet if serviced and maintained properly they are a gem to own

CJ2a said:

don't get discouraged mate buy it and enjoy it yes there are a few rotten apples in the bushel and yes the apples tend to bruise on different sides but hey its a land rover don't let it put you off it will still be working in 5 years time when another motor of similar vintage will be on the way to the scrappers its like there are plenty of horror storys about the p38 range rover yet if serviced and maintained properly they are a gem to own

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To be honest, after reading up some more on the subject and taking a peek at the motor as it sat out there on the lot, I couldn't bring myself to put in my bid yesterday. Amazing just how complex everything appears to be on that car. Even saw what looks like a wire running out of the viscous fan and there's hardly any space for a man to stick a spanner under the bonnet. I've got up to lunch time today when bidding is closed to decide if its the disco 3 or a 2009 3litre tdi toyota land cruiser prado that goes home with me....