Crymych
Member Since: 26 Jan 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 28
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| Help wanted with buying a 5 seater |
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I hope you all can help me.
I'm considering buying a 5 seater Disco 3 without terrain response and air suspension.
Is this a good idea. The car is a 55 plate so it's pushing 8 years old. 96 k on the clock.
I first thought this could be a good thing because there's less to go wrong . Would I be correct in thinking this.
Am I better off getting air suspension and terrain response?
It will be mainly used on the road for my daily commute but I do often drive on fields and lanes. Not Serious off road but certainly in places where I wouldn't take the wife's car. I also often pull a trailer.
(I currently drive a 90 but 2 toddlers forces something with more seats.)
Will not having terrain response affect driving in snow...out of interest after this week!
Was thinking of putting all terain tyres on it ...any views on this and what do you. Recomend?
Thanks
A
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 26th Jan 2013 6:59 pm |
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Grunders
Member Since: 30 Apr 2011
Location: Manchester
Posts: 2329
  
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With the 5 seater you do lose the toys, but going off your description and what you need it for, i think you should be ok with the 5 seater,
Just remember they are cheaper and the after sales market will be limited as more will go for the 7 seater If it ain't broke... Take it apart anyway, how else you gonna find out how it works
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| 26th Jan 2013 7:10 pm |
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Crymych
Member Since: 26 Jan 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 28
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Thanks for response.
I hope I have posted this in the correct place...I am new here so feel free to move it if I haven't
Thanks
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| 26th Jan 2013 7:13 pm |
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MrH
Member Since: 08 Aug 2007
Location: lost in the forest
Posts: 7754
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We had a Basic 5-seater prior to the current D4 HSE, it was great! Yes I did end up adding loads of bits to it to upgrade the spec butnas a basic vehicle for what you what it's perfect.I'd say the only downside We had was it's off road clearance, but we resolved that the 2nd year of ownership with a KingSprings upgrade which gave a 2" lift. I even took the D3 into the Sahara on a Tunisia trip and managed to keep up with those with more toys  .
That said the D4 is a world apart and I wouldn't want to go back to the Basic D3 if I have a choice - bear in mind though the trim difference from a basic MY '55 plate D3 to a MY '10 HSE D4 is huge.
Hope this help 
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| 26th Jan 2013 7:20 pm |
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DSL
Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73082
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MrH wrote:I even took the D3 into the Sahara on a Tunisia trip and managed to keep up with those with more toys
It certainly flew better!! 
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| 26th Jan 2013 7:23 pm |
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MrH
Member Since: 08 Aug 2007
Location: lost in the forest
Posts: 7754
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 you're just jealous of the altitude we attained.
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| 26th Jan 2013 7:24 pm |
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DSL
Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73082
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You bet. 
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| 26th Jan 2013 7:28 pm |
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grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6402
 
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4 years of ownership of base model. Never had to worry about compressor going, car not sitting level or anything like that. People would tell you air is more comfortable but I have driven a few and do not see the difference (might be cos i am pain in the but myself )
I have upgraded to King springs after year and it made the car handle so much better, and you have very cool spring set available on devon4x4 website with 200kg + rears and 100kg + for front coils what would make it carry "tons" handle superb in corners and sit 50mm+ higher which is enough to tackle most of the terrain
Being the base model it was missing some "toys" true but I find i have only benefited from leather I have put in myself, cruise control and xeons for better visibility while driving long trips, I have put sump plate gearbox plate and wishbone plates on it what proved to be good choice
Apart from that you could also put in after-market sat nav which has TV, multimedia functions for around 500£ but I never went wrong having navigon /tomtom on the phone as I find LR satnav to be complete 
It has been in Romania for about 3 weeks (very bad road), Pyrenees and various short off road events with no issues
One more thing I am going to do for sure is to put in heated front windshield...
Hope it helps
G
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| 26th Jan 2013 7:39 pm |
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Crymych
Member Since: 26 Jan 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 28
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Would I be correct in thinking that there's less to go wrong? I'm planning on running this car for a few years and hope to get as few a problems as possible.
There's no tow bar on it. Is it. Just a case of getting one of those lock in jobbies off ebay and then getting the wiring done.
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| 26th Jan 2013 7:43 pm |
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grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6402
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In regards to driving in snow we taken the trip home in 2010 (worst winter in Germany and here) with 4 people on board and loaded up to the roof at the back with no slightest issues
Tyre choice - for its 17incha alloys I would go for the following http://www.4x4tyres.co.uk/235-70-17/235-70...p-268.html
if you ever bought another set of alloys 18 or 19 inch GG AT would be very good in 255/60 R18
in regards to failures EGR valves go no matter what trim of D3 you go for, on manual cars clutch might need replacing if driven by user not driver before, on autos I would do mega flush as soon as it feel slugish on shift and all
expect normal wear an tear parts to go faster on D3 like pads disks as it is heavy
96K I would have checked whether belt have been done on it if not add another 1K to purchase price as they needs changing at 7years/ 105K but many do it sooner
apart from that no major issues
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| 26th Jan 2013 7:50 pm |
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Crymych
Member Since: 26 Jan 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 28
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Is that the cam belt you are talking about...I think the next service due is the 106k. ..it's got full LRSH so far so probably will need doing.
Is that going to cost 1000£.?
The owner said that both EGR valves have been blanked off by a specialist. Is this a good thing?
And the tow bar...just a lock in job..will all the gunnings be there?
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| 26th Jan 2013 7:57 pm |
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grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6402
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cam belt yes, joby isn't cheap around 1K most cases but you in Wales so might be able to do it for 5er right 
tow bar available on mention ebay including electrics if you need I can send you full workshop manual which might help
blaned EGR than no worries with EGR failing (not sure about new legislation apparently coming in reg to checking for blanks on EGRs, but that future)
If you want to two heavier trailers defo go for higher rate coils as OEM ones as softies and Disco would sit on its big time
if any more questions pm me
G
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| 26th Jan 2013 8:02 pm |
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Crymych
Member Since: 26 Jan 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 28
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Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated. Ill let you know what I decide. I need to check on the cam belt as an extra 1000k for that will be bad news in 8000 or so miles. Plus 400£ for tyres and 150+ for a tow bar.
It's starting to add up.
Cars are never cheep. Lol
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| 26th Jan 2013 8:11 pm |
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grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6402
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believe me it has not started yet these are initial costs later come all the accessories you think you'd need lol
good luck!
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| 26th Jan 2013 8:14 pm |
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hotrocks
Member Since: 05 Jan 2010
Location: England
Posts: 467
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The belts can generally be done for about 500 if you shop around... the dealer may be charging more but will usually price match, mine cost under 500 and plenty of people on here have reported lots less than 1000.
One thing is for sure, you will need to get them done, although mine didnt get done until 110 k miles due to being away at the time they realy need doing on time.
The tow hitches are often available on here or fleabay.
I would think the basic spec would be ideal for you use, just take you time, shop around and even ask on here if anyone is looking at changing.
Don't totally discount the higher specs as they are starting to become good value for the third/fourth owners, there are lots of people moaning about problems, but with the amount that LR have sold worldwide is it surprizing, its only a numbers game!
As an example there is a chance that my '05' SE might be up for sale soon for the same money that you would pay for a standard spec 's' due to its mileage, but it has had loads done to it over the last couple of years and most major things that wear out have been replaced - so often older higher spec cars are actually OK if the maintance has been done, don't worry about the mileage if you are not planning on doing much yourself... just my opinion!
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| 26th Jan 2013 8:24 pm |
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