I am looking to upgrade from my 2003 D2 TD5 to either a D3 or D4. The plan is that it would last me next 10 years or so before being forced by government to buy an OAP ecowagon.
Option 1 - Buy late 2009 HSE D3 with as low mileage/owners as possible approx £10k, then RestoMod it by investing another £5k to £10k in it fixing/upgrading all known failure points - Cam belts, cross over manifolds, Discs, EPB, Air compressor, Suspension arms coroded brake pipes, maybe mild tune etc...
Option 2 - Buy as young as possible D4 with best spec possible for £22k with lowest miles/owners and best service history ideally having had belts changed and oil pump done. BUT keep £6k in pocket for if/when the engine lets go and for any other repairs.
I used to have a D3 back in 2006 and it was best car I have ever had, but in 2015 it had £5k worth of suspension repairs needed and I needed a van for work. So I sold it.
Just looking for constructive advice on whether RestoMod D3 is better option than taking risk on D4's flaky engine - Is it as bad as the "experts" make out?
Phil.
14th Aug 2023 5:37 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13912
Go for the D4 if you're keeping it. New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
14th Aug 2023 6:18 pm
Bazalab
Member Since: 08 Jul 2016
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 80
Arnie
I have sent you a PM about my car being sold soon.
30th Sep 2023 6:50 pm
Oxford-boy
Member Since: 07 Sep 2015
Location: Oxford
Posts: 1063
Option 2 for me. I also don't understand your comment about the D4's 'flakey engine'? Maybe you have been reading too many crank has gone posts? There are far, far more D4s still going than ones where the crank has gone. Other vehicles also have their issues..
Find a well maintained D4 and keep it well maintained and drive it.
Option 2.
GLWYS..
Jim
2014 Discovery 4 XXV SDV6 Causeway Grey
2016 Discovery 4 HSE Lux SDV6 Loire Blue - now gone
30th Sep 2023 7:46 pm
HairyFool
Member Since: 04 Jan 2023
Location: Essex
Posts: 526
Re: [Wanted] Nice problem to have?
Arnie1275 wrote:
The plan is that it would last me next 10 years or so before being forced by government to buy an OAP ecowagon.
Why? What is going to happen in 10 years?A visitor from the dark side, my other vehicle is an MG5 EV
30th Sep 2023 8:37 pm
Farmer Chalk
Member Since: 07 Mar 2013
Location: Independent Republic of Kentishshire.
Posts: 4156
Left field but once you’ve had one you won’t look back…
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