Member Since: 09 Nov 2010
Location: Cirencester
Posts: 64
Newbie pondering D3 purchase. 2006 HSE model a good choice?
I've the opportunity to buy a 2006 D3 HSE from a friend so I know the history of the car which has been faultless up until now. I've been a bit twitchy about purchasing a D3 having read the various tales about reliability (including appearing in many rankings for breakdowns) however, I'm equally reassurred about this particular car as I know its history. To help make the leap a few things on my mind:
- I think I've read somewhere there's a distinct improvement in the D3 from 2006 on. Correct? If so, what changed?
- The car's just been serviced and MOT'ed so most issues will have been sorted/highlighted but at around 40k mileage what are is essential maintenance items I should expect to have been addressed i.e. belts?
- No warranty, as it's a private sale, but I want one - AA or WD?
- Any other Qs I should explore before parting with the cash?
cheers in advance.
9th Jul 2011 7:07 am
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
Welcome
I still have my 2006 D3 HSE. you may find that the HSE for this year has a bit more as standard than those built towards the end of the year ie
Rear Aircon
Adaptive Lights
centre cubby cool box
if its an early 2006 ie before March 31st then the road tax will be less - £460pa for the later builds.
as is common, everything improves as new models are released but there was a lot of spec changes over the years.
As far as a 2006 HSE is concerned - mines done 135,000 miles and running very well. Spec wise i think it had a better HSE spec than the later HSEs with perhaps the exception of the TV tuner which wasnt an option in 2006 (at least I dont remember it being an option)
A vehicle enhancement programme ran from 18th September 2006 to 17th July 2008, so any upgrades to s/w etc to sort out the little s/w glitches should have been done then.
At 40k miles thats very low
if its been serviced by an LR dealer then all the proper service items should be done :
but : brake fluid needs changing every 3 years, thats about it until it gets to 6 years for the brake hoses to be replaced and 10 years for the transmission and diffs to be changed. timing belts need changing at 105k or 7 years, so plenty of time to go for that.
Re warranty, i cant get it on mone beacuse of the mileage so cant comment.
other bits worht checking :
ARB bushes front and rear
suspension bushes front and rear
tie rods
ARB brop arm linkage
Wheel bearings - especially if the car has been offroad
oh yes, also check the aircon pipes - expecially if its got rear air con. they tend to corrode along the left hand side. they run from the front wheel arch to the rear just tucked up underneath the sills. its common for them to corrode at each end. not major to fix- im just getting both the low and high pressure pipe completely changed on mine for about £200, less a descent discount beacuse they the repaired back in April.
this maintenance checksheet will show you what should be done in a service and when http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/albums/use...ervice.pdfDuncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
9th Jul 2011 8:03 am
disco_steve
Member Since: 25 Aug 2009
Location: Are you sure this is the M5 ?
Posts: 1498
Hi and welcome to the 'madhouse'
You could do a lot worse than buying a 2006 onward HSE spec, I have exactly the same as DiscoDunc, mine was registered in April so is liable for the higher excise duty and I have now clocked almost 140k without too much hassle
However owning a LR D3 is not cheap motoring, if you are on a budget get a diesel Smart Car
The only option I'm aware of that may/may not be fitted is Active rear diff (auto locking) which was not fited as as standard as it was a factory only option, although some folk have managed to retro fit, but to be honest unless you're a serious off-roader you would never notice it wasn't there
The D3 HSE is a CRACKING car, has almost every gizmo and gadget you could wish for, and some you may hardly ever use, and if you have found one that has a genuine 40k on the clock - go for it, you seriously won't regret it, and if it's an 'auto' then the ride quality and smoothness of the gearbox is superb, as it uses the ZF26HP 6 speed which is one of the most advanced boxes in the world, and is still in use in many vehicles today 8)
If it is your first LR it will take a little getting used to as it is NOT a car, even though it drives like one in many ways, watch the weight on cornering, after all it weighs 2.7 tons, but it is a superb all rod vehicle and there is not much it wont take in it's stride on or off road Never get mad - get even !!
06 D3 now gone to family member and still going strong at 265k
previous vehicles:
04 D2 TD5 - (clocked 189k from new)
52 X-Trail 2.2 SVE
various euro boxes !
9th Jul 2011 8:37 am
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
How much are they asking for the D3 Coolhurst ?
there cant be many around at that sort of mileage so should be in very good condition..
however, I would put some cash aside, say £1000, to address any niggly bits after you buy it. If its not been used much then some of the bushes etc could have perished, maybe the parking brake has been left on for weeks without use and needs a service (but thats easy to do yourself).
Of course if you dont get any niggling issues, you have an excuse to spend the money on accessories etc Duncan
-----------------------------------------------------
If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
9th Jul 2011 8:44 am
Chris1969
Member Since: 21 Jun 2011
Location: North Worcestershire (not far from Redditch)
Posts: 385
Hiya Coolhurst,
Thought I would throw my thoughts in for what it's worth.
I have had a Discovery 1 for a number of years and have recently been in a position to change to a D3. I had many reservations because so many people to talk of problems, reliability etc. The other problem is that I tend to think if there is a problem it's going to cost big money, I mean a tyre... Just a tyre.... Is around £200!
Having said that, I went for it and bought a 2005 D3 a couple of months ago. It's a HSE and has 71k on the clock. I have my fingers crossed that I'm not going to have anything major happen but I do know I will have some big bills in the not too distant future but you just never know.
I think with whatever car you have there is always the potential for big costs and problems. In the end I thought thwat the hell. May never get the chance to own one again, may be made redundant etc so I went for it Mao pleased I did because it's such please to drive and own. I have got some 'just in case' money put to one side.
With differences inthe years, when I did all the reading around one thing that seemed common was electrical / suspension problems with the earlier ones but on the flip side, my road tax is £235 and because I went for an older one, purchase price was cheaper so money left for problems.
Well that's the end of my ramblings but my view.. Go for it and deal with the problems if / when they crop up and enjoy driving and owning an amazing vehicle
9th Jul 2011 9:22 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
I had similar thoughts to the post above when I bought mine about 6 years ago. Funny thing is that it has not cost a fortune in parts and the car has turned out to be pretty DIY friendly too, even for a numpty like me. Thanks to the forum advice is always to hand and bargains are there to be had.
Thinking of wheels and tyres and the quote above my wife's little Swift Sport has bent 2 of its alloys on one side, with tyre damage. The wheel are over £270 each and the little tyres are over £150 each. I bought 4 nearly new tyres, complete with 4 nearly new alloys for my D3 for around £400.
Of course, I spent the money 'saved' on a set of winter tyres so I must be one of the few praying for a severe winter!Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
Pray harder please Duncan
-----------------------------------------------------
If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
9th Jul 2011 9:50 am
scoobystiv8
Member Since: 01 Nov 2007
Location: Barnard Castle
Posts: 205
In reality they are no worse than most complex cars for reliability. Most of the issues are niggly problems and any good indie will resolve for very little cost. You will always read all the bad things, but not many people write about the good. This is my second d3 and both have been early models, the first one played up as it was new and the problems were just appearing with age, but they were all sorted. This one has had all it's recalls and software updates and is doing fine. Had to have a new compressor, track rods/tie rods and a wheel bearing upto now, but it is 6.5 yes old with 76k miles so some costs are to be expected. The repair costs have been cheaper than other brands I have owned. Once you have owned one there is no going back.D3 V8 SE AUTO
MG ZS 180 Mk 2
Subaru Impreza STi
Morris Minor 1000 4 door saloon(soon to be the Joker)
9th Jul 2011 9:51 am
NickJ
Member Since: 11 Oct 2010
Location: there's no f in point
Posts: 2137
scoobystiv8 wrote:
Once you have owned one there is no going back.
Yeah... are we all mad or what
9th Jul 2011 3:46 pm
Aurin
Member Since: 25 Apr 2011
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 21
I bought a 2006 HSE a few months ago with 40K on the clock and I haven't stopped smiling yet
9th Jul 2011 6:38 pm
Coolhurst
Member Since: 09 Nov 2010
Location: Cirencester
Posts: 64
Thanks for the replies everyone. Its helped me with the decision to go for it (which was 90% made before posting, if I'm honest). Collect the D3 next w/end.
Disco Dunc - My friend is heading for a D4 and so kindly offered to part-company at his part-ex offer. More important for me is knowing the car since it was 3-months old during which time it has never suffered any problems. Add to that the fact it was serviced and MOTed last week with no advisories then it's as good a deal as I can expect for a Discovery of this age and mileage in a private sale. Some D3s seem to be true baket cases (all manufactueres have them) but I'm guessing this one isn't one of them (now there's the kiss of death )
Our existing transport is a BMW 335d Touring so I'm familiar with the scary costs of servicing such a complex beast (The Beemer and its infamous run-flat tyres that last 5k and cost £300 a corner is something I won't miss). Having said that, having been lucky enough to own various nice cars over the years, the 335d is the best I've ever owned so I’m looking forward to seeing if the D3 is as good as this forum suggests and changes my opinion. Driving a 3 ton 4x4 for the first time will be a slightly different experience, I’m sure.
Again, thanks all for the replies and I look forward to joining in the banter when I’m up and running.
11th Jul 2011 1:25 pm
mark the spark
Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: southampton
Posts: 2521
Good choice coolhurst i was in same boat as you now a 10 month veteran
The first thing you will need to do is dont c**p yourself everytime you hear the bong it throws in a few in just to test you you will soon be as mad as all the rest and find yourself strangly attached to it and get very deffensive about your pride and joy
There is some excellent help here on this site and once you get to know who all the loonies are and where to get your help you can start playing with the beast and try a few mods.
All the pleasures of discovering hidden cupholders, invisible diagnostic screens and 101 things to do with your parcel shelf await you enjoy
11th Jul 2011 2:04 pm
GlosBoy
Member Since: 16 Oct 2009
Location: Chandlers Ford
Posts: 2444
Coolhurst
Welcome and good choice. I bought a 2006 SE 18 months ago and she still only has 42k on it. Its SWMBO so I dont get the perma grin as much as I like
Get a Disco3 sticker on and I may see you around the town
Also, if you need tyres I have a good contact local who sorts them at the house, much cheaper than KwikFitD4 HSE - Aintree Green
D4 Orkney my13 - gone
Stornaway D4. Gone, Didn't like it at all
D3 silver manual. Loved my first LR
Member Since: 09 Nov 2010
Location: Cirencester
Posts: 64
Glosboy, I'll keep an eye out.
Ours is Stornoway Grey on an 06. Like you it will be SWMBO's daily drive (lucky me gets to keep the Saab 93 estate) and we collect it this w/end. So, if you see one cautiously crawling through town as we get used to its size, that'll be us!
May well tap you up for tyre guidance In fact I need some for my other drives before too long so if your contact is local I may give him a bell shortly so details appreciated.
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
and I have now clocked almost 140k without too much hassle 
)
is something I won't miss). Having said that, having been lucky enough to own various nice cars over the years, the 335d is the best I've ever owned so I’m looking forward to seeing if the D3 is as good as this forum suggests and changes my opinion. Driving a 3 ton 4x4 for the first time will be a slightly different experience, I’m sure.
