Big Fearny
Member Since: 16 Aug 2012
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 99
  
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| Does high mileage really matter? |
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Hi all,
I'm looking to buy a Disco 3 and have scoured t'internet... I'm settle on an SE or HSE for spec/resale in 5 years or so; looking for an 05/55... but I'm not sure about the limit I should put on mileage travelled? Through this site I've learned about the 105k service, and I guess if it's had one owner and FLRSH then it shouldn't really matter... or should it?
Is 130k on a 55 plate a lot? I've seen completely knackered defenders with only 30k on the clock so I guess history matters (farmers, eh!!) - What other questions do I need to ask please?
Thanks Derbyshire born, Derbyshire bred; strong in the arm and thick in the he...oh!!
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 24th Aug 2012 10:41 am |
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pinhead
Member Since: 20 Dec 2010
Location: yorkshire
Posts: 877
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Wouldn't worry about milage that much I bought mine with 128 on the clock and all the common problems bar 1 or 2 had been done the only big bill I have had is a clutch but it was still on its original so at 137 I don't call it bad
Condition and history is most important on a d3 and I don't think they like to be stood unused
The main thing that bugs me with mine by having some miles under its belt is the stone chips to the front of the bonnet Club original turbo
161k and counting
general AT's, oval timer, blanked egr's, silicone intercooler hose's
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| 24th Aug 2012 11:47 am |
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LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23866
  
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My 2006 D3 clocked up 130k on Tues. It's a better vehicle than it was at 100k, as it's since had the 105k service and many new suspension parts which typical need replacing around the 100k mile mark. Plus a gearbox "megaflush" and various other bits and bobs.
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| 24th Aug 2012 12:29 pm |
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Ezz
Member Since: 21 Feb 2011
Location: Swadlincote
Posts: 110
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My 05 hse has done 122k I like it that much I've just had it all colour coded..
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| 24th Aug 2012 12:45 pm |
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jeffersj
Member Since: 22 Oct 2007
Location: Near Preston
Posts: 207
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High mileage only matters to dealers when you are trying to buy with a trade in but on the other hand when buying a high mileage vehicle from a dealer the car "will only have just been run in">  Jeff
Ex 1968 Series 2A 88"
Ex TD5 Defender 90
Ex 2004 D3 XS
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| 24th Aug 2012 1:00 pm |
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Big Fearny
Member Since: 16 Aug 2012
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 99
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Thanks everyone... I've just been to see an SE with 131k on the clock... Seemed a bit tatty inside (which I'm not too bothered about) but had a knock when driving it down a country lane on the OSF (bushes?) and seemed to be a bit jerky when I lifted it up...not particularly smooth - is that normal? Derbyshire born, Derbyshire bred; strong in the arm and thick in the he...oh!!
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| 24th Aug 2012 3:15 pm |
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jeffersj
Member Since: 22 Oct 2007
Location: Near Preston
Posts: 207
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If its tatty inside could indicate an unloved motor, the same attitude towards servicing etc. Knock is probably the ARB bushes (anti-roll bar) but again an indication that owner not prepared to spend any money on inexpensive repairs. Suspension adjustments should be smooth. Jeff
Ex 1968 Series 2A 88"
Ex TD5 Defender 90
Ex 2004 D3 XS
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| 24th Aug 2012 4:19 pm |
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piper5
Member Since: 01 Jul 2012
Location: fife
Posts: 116
 
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Service history in a book means nothing mine has a full service history fully stamped up but sod all has been done to it not even most of the recalls, I am looking at lots of time underneath mine to bring it up to scratch now
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| 27th Aug 2012 5:44 pm |
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robertsmith1873
Member Since: 27 Aug 2012
Location: Airdrie
Posts: 2
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Hi Chaps, First post be kind.
After years of threatening to buy an old Defender the good lady has finally given in and I am now in a position to get myself a S3 Disco.
The thing is I cannot find any info regarding spec level. I know it will be in the forum somewhere so please point me, or one of you chaps will have a PDF file detailing the spec
Not too bothered about satnav or entertainment but I would like to know what level gives auto lights and auto wipers, cruise control etc.
Thanks.
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| 27th Aug 2012 7:59 pm |
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longblackcoat
Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 75
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High mileage is to be considered, though it's not something that should necessarily put you off. Leaving aside normal servicing, you need to consider bearings, CV joints, suspension bushings, parking brake shoes, ARB etc, and at higher mileage you should factor in a torque converter rebuild (150k miles or so).
Mine's on 145k, and is probably running better than ever. Everything still works properly, and although I've probably spent £3k in maintenance in the last 20k, that's most of the big reconditioning work done (brakes, suspension, torque convertor rebuild) which will take it to 200k. At that point it'll probably be worth sod-all, but given it'll take me 3 years to get there, I'm not concerned.
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| 30th Aug 2012 8:49 am |
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Big Fearny
Member Since: 16 Aug 2012
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 99
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Thanks all for the comments - it was really useful and gave me the confidence to go and get a lovely looking HSE with 130k on the clock for a snip... They're even going to give it a full service, sort out the various bits I pointed out were wrong (again thanks to this forum for pointing me in the right direction) with 12moths tax & MOT... whey hey!!
I guess with all motors it's always a bit of a punt... but hopefully I'll have got a nice one to last me a few years... Derbyshire born, Derbyshire bred; strong in the arm and thick in the he...oh!!
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| 31st Aug 2012 4:33 pm |
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Big Fearny
Member Since: 16 Aug 2012
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 99
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Ooops... meant 12 months...
Good job it has leather interior if it has got 12 moths... forgot to check for them...  Derbyshire born, Derbyshire bred; strong in the arm and thick in the he...oh!!
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| 31st Aug 2012 4:35 pm |
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marsie
Member Since: 28 Feb 2010
Location: Sheffieldish
Posts: 1807
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Bought my 07 se with 130k on the clock earlier this year. FSH and all original. Since then i have
Replaced rear wishbones
Replaced wheels(from 18" to 20" rrs wheels) new tyres all round
4 wheel align
both cambelts done( no mention in service history so played it safe)
wiggs bluetooth upgrade
BAS remap
de-badged whole car
Jobs on "to do" list
get bonnet painted(stonechips)
replace o/s/f door card due to tear in rear edge
gearbox megaflush
I would rather have my car to my mates 56k mile 09 model and wouldnt hesitate to buy another high milage model. My 05 had 80k when i bought it a few years ago and still needed the same repairs doing
So my advice would be to go for good condition rather than lower age/mileage. Providing the price is right and that allows you to sort the little niggles when they crop up.
I have several customers and mates with d3/4s of varying years mileages so have seen all sorts
1 mate had a conrod through the side of the block at less than 45k miles  ,another has the gearbox sh*t itself at 70mph on the motorway at 65k another has done 300k+ from new with no major problems. Like you rightly say,buying a motor is always a punt
Am sure you will love your HSE  and hopefully most of the jobs will have already have shown up and been put right,as was the case with mine
Paul Previous Discos
1989 200tdi 3dr
1994 300tdi ES
1995 3.9 ES (x3)
2000 4.0 adventurer
2001 4.0 ES
2005 D3 HSE (zambesi silver)
2007 D3 SE (Lugano teal)
2011 D4 XS (Baltic Blue)
2008 D3 HSE PREMIUM (buckingham blue)
2009 D4 XS (Nara bronze)
2006 D3 Metropolis (Java Black)
2012my D4 HSE (indus silver)
2013 D4 XS (Firenze red)
Current 2017 D5 first edition (silicone silver)
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| 1st Sep 2012 6:20 pm |
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Big Fearny
Member Since: 16 Aug 2012
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 99
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Thanks Paul - cheered me up no end... Derbyshire born, Derbyshire bred; strong in the arm and thick in the he...oh!!
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| 3rd Sep 2012 2:23 pm |
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