Member Since: 24 Dec 2010
Location: Borders
Posts: 11027
Timing belts tomorrow.....how did that happen?
7 years old this week, and 98k on the clock...
I bought my D4 from another member on here 6 years ago, with 8k on the clock.
It seems like yesterday and I’ve just realised it’s the longest I’ve owned any car in my life (and I’ve had quite a few)
I’ve been musing over a change recently, just yesterday I had a look at a Porsche Macan and previously had a good look around a couple of others (XC90, F-Pace, X5 etc) but every time I get back into the D4 the things I now take for granted after 6 years come sharply back into focus.
The light airy feel in the cabin, despite the acres of black trim, the enormous amount of space, the loftier driving position in comparison to some “rivals” and of course, the feeling that we don’t get bad enough weather in this country to trouble the go-anywhere ability.
Yes, it’s had plenty replaced, some routine, some not, but it’s a big old heavy bus and that goes with the territory.
It’s been properly off road, battered through blizzards and floods, and every time it hasn’t batted an eyelid.
You can go to a “posh” do and it doesn’t look out of place, help out on a friends farm, do the school run, take 7 adults in uncramped comfort and swallow a wardrobe.
There really is nothing else like it available, and I think I’ll stop looking 8)
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool,than to speak out and remove all doubt" ?.....what rubbish...
Locking rear E-diff
RLD spare wheel protector & sump guard
Extended roof rails
Series 111 mudflaps
Black side tubes,grill and vents
Timed climate remote
Hids4u interior lights
D4 Firenze my2012 HSE
D3 Java 2005 SE manual (sold,sadly,thanks for the memories)
1966 '88 Series 2a....still starts in the morning better than I do...
9th Apr 2019 10:52 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
It would be a difficult choice to find something as capable. For all the faults, and the potential for big costs, they are the best all round vehicle I've ever had. Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
9th Apr 2019 10:57 am
Ceekay
Member Since: 17 May 2009
Location: Bury
Posts: 2057
Agreed after nearly 11 years of D3 and now D4 ownership i cannot believe a better all rounder exists despite all the flaws. Hopefully it will stay that way....fingers crossed
lovely looking motor Euan and its my annual highlands road trip that makes me love the old girl even more.....the disco that is not SWMBO (shhh dont tell her) D4 HSE Lux MY16 Club Waitomo
D3 HSE MY06 missing her still…
9th Apr 2019 11:32 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72775
I miss my D3, less so the D4 as I never really bonded with it the same way. Considering where the D3 took me and how it looked after me, and how it also kept my bank account suitably drained so I couldn’t spend the money on other things. Even when she died it was in a safe place where I could get help, a few days before I was really in the ar$e end of nowhere in E Finland, that would have been interesting.
Click image to enlarge
9th Apr 2019 11:42 am
Brian_DL13
Member Since: 25 Aug 2013
Location: Teesdale
Posts: 1418
Yeah, I'm in the same boat. 14MY bought new - 82k and just over 5 years later I'm struggling to come up with a better option and am intending to keep it at least another year. Before this I changed regularly at 3, max 4, years ...
9th Apr 2019 12:03 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26699
Your thinking like me Euan. Just half an hour ago we were driving down The Struggle into Ambleside, and I commented to Wendy how nice it was driving after it’s recent repairs to suspension and brakes. £2500 spent, warranty paid up, and now hoping my next major expense will be belts in a years time.
No other car in the frame.
9th Apr 2019 12:25 pm
blue meanie D3 Decade
Member Since: 04 Aug 2005
Location: Newbury
Posts: 6861
I'm having the belts done a little early for the second time next month plus a new oil pump on our almost 14yo D3 and theeeeennn......???
9th Apr 2019 12:39 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20727
I've owned my D3 for 6 years now, and while its currently off the road for its rebuild, there are only a handful of (largely unaffordable ) cars I'd consider replacing it with..My D3 Build Thread
I am on 172,000 give or take a few and i had my belts done for the second time at 154,000 becase i was worried about the oil pump. I had that and the water pump replaced with the belts. All done by Mick Flack.
I have already decided that if the engine was to go in the next 3 years or so I would replace it with a reconditioned one as its the best car I have ever had. The other main things such as gearbox, diffs and props have all been replaced in the 4 years I have owned it. I still get pleasure driving it and as Mr Gibson says it can do posh and also rough it when it has too. I sleep in sometimes when camping and then 2 days later all seats up its a people carrier. Then the day after its greenlaning. The most versatile car i have ever owned and i would struggle to replace it (except with a D4 but that is a long way off )
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the best of everything they have.
9th Apr 2019 4:36 pm
euangibson
Member Since: 24 Dec 2010
Location: Borders
Posts: 11027
Did I forget to mention that I still think it’s a great design, even amongst today’s newer and flashier offerings ?
Functional, handsome and well proportioned....I’ve heard it said that it was immediately dated following the release of the D5, but I don’t agree."Better to remain silent and be thought a fool,than to speak out and remove all doubt" ?.....what rubbish...
Locking rear E-diff
RLD spare wheel protector & sump guard
Extended roof rails
Series 111 mudflaps
Black side tubes,grill and vents
Timed climate remote
Hids4u interior lights
D4 Firenze my2012 HSE
D3 Java 2005 SE manual (sold,sadly,thanks for the memories)
1966 '88 Series 2a....still starts in the morning better than I do...
9th Apr 2019 6:46 pm
MJIbex
Member Since: 13 Sep 2009
Location: Reading
Posts: 195
Euan - you obviously bought it from some nutter!!
Hope you’re still enjoying it😘😘
Mark.Gone: 2010MY 59 plate Bali Blue HSE.
Also gone : 2012MY 12 plate Firenze Red HSE.
In Bits : 2005 55plate 4.0 V8 Ibex 250s SW.
17th May 2019 9:49 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15213
Euan, in your posts you have echoed my sentiments exactly.
After a D3, D4 then a few years in an FL2 I'm now back in a D4.
And what a wonderful place to be...... I'm back to where I belong.
There is no other car on the planet that I'd want to own/drive other than a (D3) D4.
I'm absolutely loving it.
I also feel the boxy shape of the D3/D4 could become a classic.
Just like the "series & defender" they are repairable and will stand the test of time.
Especially with the new Defender looking as if it will retain the boxy shape.
I was a normal heterosexual chap, but in these new woke awakenings I now identify as a Wardrobe.
Last edited by ronp on 18th May 2019 10:34 am. Edited 1 time in total
18th May 2019 8:30 am
eightfoot
Member Since: 12 Apr 2015
Location: sunny essex
Posts: 762
blue meanie wrote:
I'm having the belts done a little early for the second time next month plus a new oil pump on our almost 14yo D3
me too although I'll prob do them myself then at least I'll know I've done them to the best level of care rather than wondering for evermore if the person that does them did the job properly
I know people think that if it goes wrong then the garage that does the job would sort it out but in my experience when it actually comes to going back with a problem to get fixed most places will do anything to get out of honouring any sort of warranty so there's no actual guarantee you'll get any joy getting your car fixed also most places now seem to be ramping up there charges due to the oil pumps failing was quoted £1200 for a 14yr disco belt change most others are asking the same except the local general repair place that will do for £150 plus parts which then makes you wonder what sort of job your going to get so as I said do it myself make sure I do a good/correct job and hope for the best please excuse any grammer/punctuation mistakes,i'm thick,thankyou
current vehicles 2005 d3 2013 d4
18th May 2019 10:15 am
mrluke
Member Since: 25 Oct 2018
Location: essex
Posts: 41
Had my belts and pullys done this year , £800 lighter
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
) cars I'd consider replacing it with..
