Member Since: 21 May 2020
Location: Chester le Street
Posts: 117
My (new to me) Discovery 3
So, recently I bought a disco that I spotted for sale on this very forum. It was a long deliberation as I wasnt sure whether to spend cash on a FFRR and sell my 3 series, or buy this as a cheaper motor for a project and keep the BMW. This option won!
Well it has not been smooth running, the second day of ownership resulted in a snapped rear right toe rod causing me to be stranded in weardale, sitting in a recovery truck was not how I expected the day to pan out to say the least.
However I got it taken to my mate and got a new part collected at an extortionate price and completed the repair, this was the snapped rod
I've now offered a second rod to do the other side at a much more reasonable price which should be here tomorrow to be fitted, I'll then need alignment as my steering has been knocked out.
Finally a quick clean and sort out of the faded black plastics to make it all shiny. Next thing is to overhaul the rear brakes to sort the EPB issue, fit new foglights and get it booked in for an MOT and hope for the best. I'm really just looking for some simple maintenance to do for now to build my confidence up somewhat.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
9th Jun 2020 9:33 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1504
I really like the look, its the classic D3 colour scheme on a D4. I like it. I have to say that when I bought mine this would've been my last choice in terms of colours but now I love it!
Out of interest are the plastics painted as they look much darker than my now "charcoal grey" trim.Discovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
9th Jun 2020 9:43 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1504
my bad, its a D3 with the D4 upgrade, either way it looks goodDiscovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
9th Jun 2020 9:45 pm
BenRK
Member Since: 21 May 2020
Location: Chester le Street
Posts: 117
Thanks!
Yeah it just has the D4 lights and look-a-like grill which I wasnt too sure on but has definitely grown on me.
I have used an auto smart trim dressing, I cant remember its proper name but nabbed it when the auto smart van came round one day, its excellent for trim and tyres, has a lovely deep colour without being too shiny or tacky
9th Jun 2020 9:54 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1504
you definitely have to let me know what you used because mine all look great, so to get them looking like that would be amazing!Discovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
9th Jun 2020 10:39 pm
BenRK
Member Since: 21 May 2020
Location: Chester le Street
Posts: 117
I've just checked, its Autosmart Highstyle.
I have it in a big 5l bottle and its lasted me years, decent all rounder as long as you wipe off excess after letting he majority absorb
10th Jun 2020 6:54 am
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1504
Ive just checked on ebay and I can get 500ml for about £9. Ill give that a go and see how it looks then maybe get the bigger bottle. thanksDiscovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
10th Jun 2020 11:27 pm
BenRK
Member Since: 21 May 2020
Location: Chester le Street
Posts: 117
So today I took the Disco to Spanney Moneksy in Newcastle following some advice from the Disco owners group on Facebook. Made a cracking job of the alignment and now the car pulls straight and true, nice cheap price of £60 too. Still have the EPB to sort out but will have to wait for another day. Also got to borrow a tool to hopefully calibrate the suspension as it is ever so slightly uneven.
11th Jun 2020 5:39 pm
dandam
Member Since: 06 May 2019
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 60
pwheeldon wrote:
Ive just checked on ebay and I can get 500ml for about £9. Ill give that a go and see how it looks then maybe get the bigger bottle. thanks
If you contact Autosmart they will give you the name of the local agent. I did and he pulled up outside work one lunch time so I could get the bits I needed - much cheaper than buying on line and paying for shipping
11th Jun 2020 8:42 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1504
Cheers ill do that.Discovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
12th Jun 2020 10:30 am
BenRK
Member Since: 21 May 2020
Location: Chester le Street
Posts: 117
replaced a few things in the past few weeks, firstly were the boot lid struts, £13 for some new ones on Ebay and they are spot on, nearly take your head off! I also got some new highlights for £36 off eBay which again are cracking for the price
I then fitted a new air reservoir tank which was an absolute ball ache despite watching a few videos and reading guides. the bolts were just absolutely knackered and had to be drilled out, but now my genuine tank is fitted nicely and no more leaks!
had a day out up Slayley on some green lanes and managed some sneaky overnight camping too, turned out really well and a lot better to camp in than my L322 was.
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Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
So then
I then got it up on some ramps and noticed my sump was weeping around the oil temp sensor so ended up having an expensive night on ebay buying a new sump, gasket and all the required bits and bobs.
also found time to test the articulation
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Hopefully stuff gets delivered soon. Next will be trying to find someone to fit some new brake shoes! If you can in the north east I will buy you beer!
30th Jun 2020 7:08 pm
Lee Trinder
Member Since: 12 Aug 2018
Location: Henley in arden
Posts: 516
Good effort mate, that looks great.
30th Jun 2020 7:34 pm
MJD 3
Member Since: 10 Feb 2016
Location: Teesside
Posts: 311
Nice looking motor BenRK, looks very similar to mine with the D4 rear lights and grill.
Have been looking to get something to sort out the faded black plastic trim externally, I’ll give that autosmart a try.
I’ll keep an eye out for you if you do a few lanes in the North East.General Grabber AT3's
EGR Valves Blanked
Aluminium sump guard
Tree/Rock sliders.
Bank Account - Empty.
30th Jun 2020 7:40 pm
BenRK
Member Since: 21 May 2020
Location: Chester le Street
Posts: 117
Thanks, I dont know many places at all if im honest, maybe you could point a few out?
The autosmart is quite good but does get washed out a little by rain, ive bought some of the cherry blossom polish to try next and compare for durability as ive heard some pretty good things.
30th Jun 2020 7:46 pm
ruggedpeak
Member Since: 10 Jun 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 1625
Lovely looking D3. I have silver with black wheels too, a good look IMHO.Tony
Club RLD Wheel Protector & Sump Guard
Club 4x4 Info activated
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