Disco 3

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trucker5774

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120
My disco 2 TD5 is leaking fuel into the engine oil. The injector seals have been done so it looks like a crack in the fuel gallery in the head. I don't know of a quick fix so it will be up for sale.

The point of the post is, I am thinking of an early Disco 3 to replace it. Does anyone have any pointers what to look for or what to avoid.............or should I spent £10,000 an a Jap 4X4.
 
My disco 2 TD5 is leaking fuel into the engine oil. The injector seals have been done so it looks like a crack in the fuel gallery in the head. I don't know of a quick fix so it will be up for sale.

The point of the post is, I am thinking of an early Disco 3 to replace it. Does anyone have any pointers what to look for or what to avoid.............or should I spent £10,000 an a Jap 4X4.
I myself am quite keen on the D3, £10k is really bottom of the market though.

Good cars, but as with all modern cars far more complex, so far more to go wrong. From what I've read they seem fairly stout in terms of major components, but suffer lots of electrical gremlins and the air suspension can prove to be problematic. I've read about turbo issues on the TDV6 too, while I think the V8 is a lot more reliable.

Biggest thing is deciding which spec and what you really want to do with it.


Most cheap ones are coil spring 5 seater models. All are diesels and either manual or auto. You still get HDC and TCS and a locking centre diff, so quite a capable machine and the IFS/IRS means it'll still be better on road than the D2, although it is a lot heavier.


Move up a model and you get air suspension and Terrain Response. Both of which could cause issues, but offer extended on and off road ability.





The 4x4 I keep thinking as a good alternative is the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. It's a LWB 5 door, the 2.8 CRD motor makes it as quick as a TDV6 D3 and the live axles make it better off road. Although more Disco 1/Defender like on road.

2009%2BJeep%2BWrangler%2BUnlimited%2B2.8%2BCRD%2BSport.jpg



The Japanese make some good 4x4's too, but for me it would either be Jeep or Land Rover.
 
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Working for LR i see them day in, day out, a few things to pick up on the earlier ones...

Front Suspension Arm bushes get eaten withing 60k if used hard (Poly Bush!)
ARB bushes are almost a service item (Poly Bush again)
Track Rod Inner joints just aren't man enough, about 80-90k they'll have play
EGR's clog up and cause limp mode, blank them off ASAP (Britpart do a kit)
EAS system is pretty good actually - there was a height sensor mod out a few years ago
The chassis are beginning to show a fair about of surface rust, waxoyl is a must
If a previous owner has ridden the clutch, it can cause the X-Y switch to muck up, low ish cost but big labour time!

They are a fairly reliable in fairness, I've seen Traffic Officer ones with 300000+ Miles on them!!

£10k is the bottom end of the budget though... be careful!!
 
Thanks for the quick response.
I have been looking at pre March 2006 models to avoid the road tax. It will be used as a car (I don't do much mileage) but will be on and off the farm where we have two horses. It will also be towing the horses (total about 2.5 tonnes) Some 4X4s will not have the capacity to tow that weight.

If I got the facts right it was the very early base model which had springs and only 5 seat. The 'S' model was on air but some had just 5 seats.

The electric parking brake seems to be the most common issue in terms of electrical problems.

I have seen a few around the country for between £9,500 and £12,000.

I don't really want to spend that much, but I can't afford to have an unreliable motor with 2 animals behind it and risk getting stuck in the middle of nowhere or having a motorway closed while we get the horses out and reload into another vehicle.
 
We have a 55 plate S which has 7 seats (cloth) - Front 5 are heated! It also has an upgraded stereo, air suspension and we've had it for nearly 4 years. I think they up-spec'd a batch of S models around that time. Still qualifies for old road tax too.

In that time we've replaced TREnds, both EGR Valves, Handbrake bits, Manifold attached to compressor (and compresssor) on the air suspension, door seal - that's all I can remember! Great car but costly to keep running.
 
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