2008 Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 SE review
6 Jun, 2008
82 Comments 
2008 Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Road Test
Model tested: Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 SE
Recommended Retail Price: $64,990.
Options fitted: Premium navigation ($7,300); beige leather interior ($NCO).
Impressive off-road; styling; fuel efficiency.
Weight; some options pricing.
CarAdvice rating: 
(4.25)
- Review and photographs by Paul Maric.
Disco fever has hit and I thought I’d join the party by road testing Land Rover’s Discovery 3 TDV6 SE. I spend a lot of time on the road and see plenty of Discovery 3s (or D3s as they’re also known) and I’ve always wondered why. After spending a week with Land Rover’s popular model, it became quite clear why it’s such a popular vehicle with the punters.
The boxy design gets straight to the point, there are no swanky lines or curves to interrupt the vehicle’s main purpose – climbing big hills and trekking through muddy tracks. The Discovery 3 is very driveable. Although it weighs around 2.3-tonnes, the car feels quite agile and somewhat nimble. The turbo-diesel V6 gels nicely with the vehicle.
Putting out 140kW and 440Nm of torque, the V6 oiler sends power through a 6-speed automatic gearbox which is constantly in the right gear for optimal acceleration. Fuel consumption sits at a friendly 10.4-litres/100km, which is pretty good for a heavy 4WD like the D3.
Off-road is where the D3 is most at home. Height adjustable suspension, a low-range gearbox and intuitive 4WD mode selector head the D3’s off-road equipment. The torquey V6 diesel packs plenty of pulling power for steep inclines and muddy ruts.
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June 6th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I would never buy one with reliability problems I’ve heard about. Go a prado or pajero any day.
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Nice Car, brilliant on Paper.
Vote:Too bad about the well documented Reliability issue!!
June 6th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Very cable vehicle off road, worth considering if you have deep pockets and a good relationship with a knowledgable mechanic… because you will need one. And the 75K price tag isn’t cheap. Tick a few options and 90 to 100 k isn’t impossible. Sadly the long term resale values are woeful!
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Which reliability issues are you three rabbiting on about?
Care to share any links with evidence to such problems?
I’m sick of hearing from armchair experts who don’t and never have owned the things they comment about!! My brother in law has a TDV6 HSE with 80,000km on the clock and it hasn’t had any problems at all.
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 11:10 am
In fact, do a Google search for “Discovery 3 reliability” and it will show you that you three are just making rubbish up to sound intelligent.
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Benjie, My boss and I were just discussing this very article and he told me that a good friend of his works for Land Rover and has himself admitted to the reliability issues.
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 11:45 am
www dot jdpower dot com/autos/ratings/quality-ratings-by-brand
www dot jdpower dot com/autos/ratings/dependability-ratings-by-brand
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Brilliant car being the product of the late Geoff Polities and Engineering genius Richard Parry Jones.
Cant have any issues with the reliability of the drivetrain. The PSA v6 is a pearler and the ZF 6speed auto you cant fault.
There is more than the odd reliability issues with the Aisin slushers in prados and the rear diffs have a tendency to mimic an Iraqi IED.
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Mitch, there is nothing model specific in those links you handed me.
Do some real research mate, you’ll look a little less clueless next time.
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Benjie,
4wd of the Year Awards for 2006, for 4wd Mothly Australia..
6 4wd went bush (Prado,LC100,Patrol,Pathfinder,LD3,Grand Cherokee). The discovery 3, died on the mid bush, had to be brought back on the back of a truck…
There is numerous other examples of the Discovery 3 being shonky built, it even was voted in the US as the worst reliable new car on market… Which i reckon is a shame since it looks quite nice, and is really good on paper.
Trackdaze, i dont know where your getting your info on the diffs?? I’m member of a PRADO forum, and thats the first i hear of it…
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Tomas the weak diffs are not restricted to Prados, the Land cruiser 100s with IFS also use corolla diffs in the front which burst with pathetic ease.
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I concur with the others!
Good thing with L/R product, you will get to know the service dept. guys real well.
Is it no wonder that in customer satisfaction surveys for quality and problems, L/D comes LAST!
Its first from the bottom of the barrel!!
Cheers
F-0
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Absolute RUBBISH vehicle, Ford could not get it right, Tata will make a dogs breakfast of it.[And Jag]
KEEP WELL AWAY!
Regards
Fred
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Thomas 79,
The real story about the disco that “had” to be brought back on a truck was they drove it full speed through bonnet deep water about 5 times for photos, later on the suspension dropped to it’s lowest setting, they decided it was too hard to drive being that low and sent it back on a truck.
Ok, yes, the other vehicles also got hammered in the water, but I would hardly call this a pointer to reliability as it was being used beyond design parameters.
I also note you forgot to mention(on another 4×4of the year) the landcruiser that snapped it;s front diff, or the ones with the broken front suspension arms, or the weak rear diff in the prado, the overheating transmission in the hilux auto, the cracking firewalls in prado’s(look that one up in your prado forum!) that are used offroad, or the 8+ years of landcruiser turbo diesels that constantly blew big end bearings, or the first 4 years of 80 series cruisers with shoddy gearboxes, or the pootrols that the engine blows up when towing, or the 5th gear that wears out when towing, or the 6th gear in the new 200 series landcruiser that it never shifts into.
Point is, all cars have problems, the Toyota ones are all well documented, the LandRover ones are all, “well my mates cousins uncle reckons they are shit”. Given they have suffered from some(many) pommy build quality traits in the past, however it is widely believed that the later batch, (D3, RRS, FFRR and Freelander 2) are as reliable as anything else on the market today.
As for JD power in the US, to much of the score if down to personal feeling about the car and not actual problems or faults.
Rant over.
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Waterboy, I’m fully aware of the toyota Problems you have mentioned, and belive me even though i own a 08 Prado, I’m not part of the “Toyota unbreakable” crowed, but the discussion here is about the Land rover Discovery 3.
In another article of Australian 4wd monthly, they were testing the reliability of the modern High-Tech 4wds such as the Landrover Discovery 3 and the Grand Cherokee under tough Australian conditions. The Landrover 3 Randomly kept on overheating, and the suspension kept on dropping, and the warning lights kept on lighting up.
Vote:They had to turn the engine off, for it to cool down, and for the CPU to reset, a number of times….
June 6th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
The problem is water boy that Land Rover has had reliability problems in the past so they have this reputation for being unreliable (even though they largley arn’t these days) – but reliable (boring) old Toyota has an untouchable name for reliability so even major things that do go wrong with them are just waved off.
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I have this car but in HSE spec. Wonderful car. I got it the week it came out in 2005 and its great! I get it serviced when its time and its not let me down once – always starts first time even in cruel English winter mornings. I do take it off road as I live in the Cotswolds and have to take it up and down wet muddy hills and down country lanes that bog all my other cars if its not dry. Ive done 125,000 miles in it and I cant yet see a reason to get rid of it. My next car will either be another one of these or a Range Rover Vogue TDV8 but I think it will be this again.
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Sorry disnt realise there was already an Alex ^^^
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Truely great car. We went to Brooklyn town and Vic Big River Country for some 4wd fun over the past two weekends, D3 proved to be the most capable ones among Prado, Pajero, Forester, X5 and Freelander 2. It’s the champion off road but very sluggish, if not the slowest, on road. All drivers at that day suggest a 3 Liter V6 diesel engine would do way better compared with the current 2.7L one. It’s underpowered!!! Afterall, we all drive 99% of the time on road. and seriously, we all love so much about its air suspension.
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
regarding to the reliablity, coz I was planning to buy a D3 TDV6, so I have done a lot of forum research and gained some first hand experience from friends who own one. the conclusion I get is that it’s not as reliable as a honda accord and toyota camry, and these cars never go off road, but D3 is pretty good. No complains from 3 current owners that I know and they all absolutely love it!
I didn’t end up buying one coz my wife dislike the looking a lot, although i find its exterior acceptable. It’s simply not a girl’s type of car, as it’s not for girl, but these days, people buy large 4wd also/mainly for carrying their family.
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I’d like to know how many people that comment on vehicles in forums are actually paid by the companies involved, recommendations in forums has got to be one of the most popular marketing tools in existence
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Im not being payed. Mine is just simply reliable. However – if the services arnt kept up to the exact times when they need doing, they probably can be unreliable. Like Alfa Romeos. Reliable if you keep servicing up.
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
$7k for sat nav? What a f*cking joke!!
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Audis once did badly in the JD Power survey. When the results were scrutinised, it was because the drink holders were for skinny little European cans, not the standard US sized cans.
Vote:June 6th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Thomas79, this is exactly the crap I am talking about:
“In another article of Australian 4wd monthly, they were testing the reliability of the modern High-Tech 4wds such as the Landrover Discovery 3 and the Grand Cherokee under tough Australian conditions. The Landrover 3 Randomly kept on overheating, and the suspension kept on dropping, and the warning lights kept on lighting up.
They had to turn the engine off, for it to cool down, and for the CPU to reset, a number of times…. ”
All hail the gods of 4WD monthly, if you had bothered to dust off Page 75 of the June 2006 issue, you would discover that it was the jeep that kept overheating not the Landrover, the only problem it suffered from was the suspension dropped to “safe mode” after hitting a washout.
Alex, all too true. For sure Toyota make great trucks(if not a little bland), but they could make they biggest bucket of puss and everyone would defend it to the end of the earth.
Joe, $7k also includes some other stuff like premium sound system etc, but true it is on the steep sie, but not that bad compared to vehicles(X5, ML, Q7 etc.) in it’s segement.
Vote:June 7th, 2008 at 1:12 am
Stu, can I reverse your argument as ask if you are paid by other car firms? perhaps not, so when you disagree, there are more than one way to think.
Water Boy, I agree most of your comments except, em…, sorry, don’t think LR is in the same sgement with BMW, Benz and Audi, ANYMORE. Can we face the truth in this case?
Joe, I speak the same as you did:
$7k for sat nav? What a f*cking joke!!
and same to all other brands, it’s a ripped off. But if we don’t like the price, don’t get it.
Vote:June 7th, 2008 at 2:17 am
I did a small amount of research and the reliability problems are there but not in the masses some here are making out. One webite gave it 7.0 out of 10. most of the comments made on this particular site were positive. Its hard for a manufacturer to shake off the past problems and takes years, Audi a as someone pointed out had problems in the USA and virtually pulled out for years, now they are back aiming to take their fair proportion of the market.
Vote:As for LR – I’m sure Tata will improve even more on the reliability stakes given time. Toyota does the off road well, LR do it in style. Nuff said
June 7th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Sorry I misposted this in the Holden Love in and it seems a bit late. Thanks waterboy for putting up a fight to the witch hunt.
Google “broken prado diffs” a few from 4wd monthly, overlander etc etc. The diff is built well just poorly engineered.
Yes, there is a difference
Should we ask the author on Disco 3. Did anything go bang or like like it would on the test?
Mitch, You really should be carefull relying on surveys. Sometimes they rely on the same misconceptions that this blog have highlighted. The Jag finishd well up the order of the last uk survey (one behind toyota) and it runs the same drivetrains as the disco. Survey results have to be taken with a grain of salt.
Vote:June 7th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Trackdaze:
“Should we ask the author on Disco 3. Did anything go bang or like like it would on the test?”
Nothing went wrong at all during the test. In fact I was very impressed with the vehicle while I had it on loan.
I’ve never had a Land Rover come across any issues during my time testing the vehicles. This includes at launches where they are really tested to their limits.
Armchair experts like some of those commenting above are proof that nobody should trust internet commentators, they generally have no idea what they’re talking about.
Vote:June 7th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Its all well and good saying that one is more reliable than the other, or one is more capable. What turns me off the LR’s is when and IF something does go wrong with a vehicle, I want to know that the parts will ALWAYS be available. For the majority of Japanese brands this means 24 hours (Australia wide), whereas you can wait up to 6 weeks for the LR parts to arrive (not just LR but any euro or Yank 4×4).
Vote:No good then for me if I want to use the vehicle for what is was intentionally designed for (and have an issue like that hovering in the back of my mind).
June 8th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
From personal experiance Landrover parts are always able to be sourced quickly. Parts are rarely needed anyway. Reliability issues are overated and non existant, only a few minor electrical issues back in the 90s.
Vote:June 11th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Thanks Paul.
Vote:June 15th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I for one totally agree with Water Boy, I\’ve had 3 Discos so far and have had no reliability problems. This main issue here is how many people who bag Land Rovers have actually owned and driven one. And of course any brand of vehicle is going to have problems of some sort. We don\’t live in a perfect world. I prefer to have creature comforts and the feeling the the 4wd under me is more than capable of doing the job, as the Discos have. Each to his own!
Vote:June 20th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Land Rover are an awesome car with genuine 4 x 4 capabilities and having worked for a main dealer I understand what they can do. If you want a large vehicle to look good in just to drive around town this is not a good option – way too expensive to maintain and fuel, but if you do need to go off road and you want abit of luxury then there is not much that will out perform the Discovery.
Reliability is a big issue, but people in love with the brand are blind to it and are very defensive about their vehicles. They’re either very rich or a tad thick.
Value for money and reliability wise you have go Japanese.
Vote:July 4th, 2008 at 1:59 am
It seems like most problems occurred during the first two years of production, if you look at the dates on some of these “forums” where owners can go and complain. And most are software, some air compressors ( air suspension ) and a couple of electrical problems. But lately it seems to get better.
Vote:As for JD Power survey, this is a “predicted” score and is based on data between recent and a few years back. So you can only imagine the damage DISCO2’s well known reliability ratings ( thanks to BMW ) are still inflicting on the ratings of the DISCO3. Nobody can really accurately predict the reliability of the latest, 2008 models, can they ?
IMO BMW RAPED Landrover so they could learn how to make SUV’s. Then after screwing up their first attempt they dumped them on Ford. Ford then helped fix the mess and even though they never had too much cash to invest in this project ( Ford has financial difficulties ) I think they did quite a good job completely redesigning and building this new one from the ground up. Landrover was actually making them money ( but sadly Jag was making a loss ), and they had to let Landrover go with Jaguar. Some people say Tata will do a better job than Ford because they have a more money to invest in R&D.
July 16th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I lived in Oz for 5 years and ran a disco-1, awful build, awful reliabilty, poor door gaps and seals, a pretty bad car in truth and an embarrasment being a brit myself, so i fully understand why aussies prefer toyotas ( nissans though i’m still stumped if we are talking reliability here, come on, dreadfull build, prehistoric technology and where do they find those plastics ??), still managed Simpson, Tanami, Kimberly and Cape York though without ever getting it stuck so can’t knock ability, now run a disco3 and totally different story, been to Mongolia, Russia, North africa, and Namibia in it and as yet not put a foot wrong, I understand Australians suspician of the brand but give the new breed a “fair go” and you’ll be surprised by their reliability, useability and ability, I’m bringing this back to Oz with me when i return I am so pleased with it, just make sure they are maintained that’s the key.
Vote:July 17th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Hi
We have done 30000km in our TDV6 with no problems, and we bought ours after checking with many friends with the same vehicle. The disco 2 may have been unreliable, but this Disco 3 is great. We have been all over with it, in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia & into Zambia. Fuel consumption is amazing – 9.5 l/100 on our last trip to Zambia.
Vote:August 15th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
120,000km in five years in Disco2 with minimal problems. Traction control/ABS system can have problems (you still have full braking function) repair to cost ~ $1000. Oil leaked into ECU (that’s an odd one) $550. Disc rotors replaced after 100,000km $320. Fuel leak $500. Total ~ $2500 above routine service and parts. None of the above has stranded me in my 70,000+ km of dirt/desert driving. So I would have to call the Disco2 reliable and believe that the Disco3 would be more so.
Vote:August 28th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I expect to be in a position within the next 12 months to buy a dicso3 (whenever I’ve said “I expect…” it’s all gone pear shaped). Looking at the range of comments and reading and considering etc, I’m not phased by costs of repairs and servicing. Honestly, all vehicles need regular service and some level of part replacement, 4bies regardless of the brand even more so especially if used as intended. For all those from the japanese build guild and sect piling on LR’s just a note of reality: 1. LR is often at the forefront of 4wd innovation. 2. the septics with their wiley’s kicked off the the jappa 4wd build in the late 40’s early 50’s and ever since they’ve been copying jeep or LR.
That’s that for my subjective bit of nonsense.
Vote:August 31st, 2008 at 4:30 pm
The Disco 3 is a huge step in the right direction for LR. The TDV6 SE being the pick of the disco.
Vote:Sharing much of the RR sport’s running gear but being alot more practical.
September 8th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
my parents bought a brand new discovery 3 6 months ago they are touring around australia in a caravan. have done 21,000KM……..
Vote:and now its a smoldering heap on the side of the road.
they were driving along and lost some power suddenly and pulled over looked under the car and saw flames they had enough time to get there phones and the GPS and un hook the caravan. obviously they were pouring water on to it aswell but couldnt get it out.
and are currently stuck in WA
September 9th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
oh and it was the TDV6 so i wouldnt call it the pick of the disco
Vote:September 17th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Burntout-”looked under the car and saw flames”. Why did it start burning? buildup of spinefex etc? Or just because it was a disco 3 TDV6? There can be many reasons for a car to catch fire, and they are not necessarily limited to land rovers……..
Vote:October 2nd, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Having owned both an NM Pajero and now a TDV6 Disco I feel I’m half qualified to comment! The Disco is now 12 mths old and has covered 20,000kms with some serious off-road work and dragging a heavy off-road camper trailer. It has had ZERO – that is ZERO probems from new – it has not even thrown any fault codes. That is as opposed to the Pajero which had the auto gearbox out twice in the same time and over it’s 5 yrs of service some other issues (despite that, I still consider it a good car and it never let me down).
The Pajero was modified with aftermarket suspension, yet the Disco still kills it from a capability perspective, from a comfort perspective, from a power and towing perspective, from an economy perspective, from a ride and handling perspective (I could continue).
I believe early model Disc0 3’s did have a range of problems and I agonised a while before buying, but they would seem to have all those initial issues well sorted now.
Vote:October 4th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Most of the D3 issues were resolved from my06 onwards. Ford spared no expense to iron out any problmes in the 04-05 D3’s, most of the issues were fixed from MY06.
I have MY07 TDV6, only issues has been the epb, which was a retro waranty fix anyway. other than that it is the best 4wd I could ever need, in offroad situations as long as it has one wheel with traction it still keeps going, so much so when you get bogged, you are well and truely bogged.
fuel consumption is 8.2->8.5 lt/100 on highway 110km/hr, 7.8 sitting on 100km/hr.
My wife hardly lets me drive, s she loves it so much with all the safety features/space and command driving position.
As for resale, well you try an pickup a cheap TDV6 one? I tried but was paying near resale, so I purchased brand new.
In conclusion there is only one car that can claim the title as being the most awarded 4wd ever (nearly 100+ international awards) I don’t think it is a jap brand?
If you have not tried one or been in one, or can’t afford one, please don’t comment on something you know nothing about
Vote:October 4th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I should clarify, I meant retail instead of resale.
“As for resale, well you try an pickup a cheap TDV6, I tried but was paying near retail, so I purchased brand new”.
Vote:October 4th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Tgl, the D3 does not come with a Front and Back diff locks, so please explain how it will keep on going as long as one wheel has traction??
Vote:October 5th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
traction control my dear Tomas79.
Vote:October 5th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
btw: you can option a rear electronic diff lock.
Vote:October 14th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
flexi
Vote:there was no spinifex under the car that was the first thing my dad looked for…
he knows a fair bit about cars and has helped every one in my family with there cars (including cousins aunts uncles and granparents) so its not like he doesnt know a thing about cars
when the car went back to range rover in perth they straight away replaced the car with no questions asked and didnt tell my parents the cause so im not sure why it burnt down
October 14th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Ouch, not really a reassuring reaction by land rover….!!!? I am assuming your parents wont stay Disco3 owners for to long then.
Vote:October 22nd, 2008 at 9:26 pm
We’ve got a V6 petrol Disco3 and only had 1 problem in 90,000ks. The ‘05 air suspension compressor failed, but was replaced under warranty with an upgraded compressor in ‘07. Since then no problems at all.
We just towed a camper around Oz for 20,000k without a problem. Gibb River Rd, Central Aust, lots of river crossings, and a couple of 1000k of 4wd tracks and it didn’t miss a beat. Some of the washouts we hit hard enough to get the camper completely airborne, still no problem with the car.
The only thing I don’t like is the under-diff exhaust pipes, which have been crunched on rock steps a few times.
Meanwhile all the 100 series drivers in our 4wd club drive around gingerly trying to nurse their front diffs.
Vote:October 26th, 2008 at 2:49 am
There is a lot of reference to “Discos” here and some people seem to have missed th epoint that the D3 is a completely different car to D2.
It’s no different to comparing a Prado to a toyota crowm!
I have driven Prado’s, hiluxes troopies and Disco 3 off road and haven’t had a problem with any of them. I bought a D3, anyone who is capable of even mildly impartial research would be able to tell the choice comes down to prefernce not reliability.
My choice came down to A Prado Grande and the TDV6 SE Disco – and I’d hate to break it to the “I drive a Toyota like evryone else so they must be better” brigade ,the disco is better for me on and off road.
Anyhow I don’t want to see thousands of clones of my own car everyday, so if you think the D3 is crap because a mate of a mate works at Landrover said so, then don’t buy one – I’d rather keep the avergae IQ of Disco drivers up.
Tomas79 you need to do some real research mate, Your info is so wrong on the Disco I can only assume your info on the Prado is wrong too.
Vote:October 26th, 2008 at 3:00 am
Sorry Burntout, go to say, “I don’t believe you”
I don’t care what make of car it is, why would a company hand over a new car when it is likely an insurance company would have to do it?
I’m presuming your dad refused to accept it – given they’re so crap and all.
I smell something and it’s isn’t a smouldering Disco
Vote:October 26th, 2008 at 9:06 am
I don’t normally respond to these articles, but feel the need to clarify a couple of myths written here.
I also think that I can write this with some authority, as I currently own a HSE, and a GU V Patrol, and to add to the list, I have owned 16 Land Rovers.
Out of 16 Land Rovers, I have had 2 breakdowns where LR Assist was called out. Once it was a faulty earth wire, and the second time it was a mechanical issue cause. Both on the same vehicle.
I have used all my vehicles for Overlanding, and with great success at that.
To the current discussion. I have owned 2 D3’s with neither of them missing a beat. Yes it is quite irritating when the suspension drops at 50Km/h, but it drops from 4×4 to normal ride height. Not the end of the world, and have not had damage due to this irritation. In fact it has not caused me any discomfort, apart from the obvious irritation.
Very much like most of these responses.
Yes it is expensive to opt for the satnav, but with that you get a fully integrated system, which shows you off-road info, i.e. wheel positions, low fuel warning with the nearest gas station, etc., etc. I wanted it, and I got it.
This does not make the vehicle better or worse for having it.
Why did I end up with a Patrol and a D3. Well it is easy. My wife like the Patrol, and I liked the Disco.
Why not a Toymoto. Well, if you look up the definition of “Bland” or “Boring” in the Oxford Dictionary, you get a few pictures there, one is of the old LC100 series, then the LC200, and then the Prado.
Before I got my vehicles, just to clarify, I test droven the Sahara LC, and must admit I was not impressed. Yes, the TD V8 donk is great, but the vehicle lacks personality. The LC200 is also not a looker in the design department.
It is simple, if you have not at least test driven the vehicles in question, you are not in a position to quote your boss, brother in-law, or the guy with roller skates down the street.
Ask any Land Rover owner about their vehicle, and their history, and you find a guy with green blood, and a proud heritage.
Now go back to your caves, or where ever you guys come from, rethink your comments, and come back with something concrete.
Remember not to use gossip as fact, and you will well be on track to make a valuable contribution.
Vote:October 26th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Well done Pierre. I too am on my second D3. Zilch reliability problems. The BEST car I have ever owned.
Vote:I came out of the patrol cave 3 years ago and won’t look back.
You can get a D3 to handle like a patrol or a lc200. You have to get out of the car and flatten one of your front tyres totally. Then you can drive off knowing how a patrol or tojo driver feels like.
Unfortunately for tojo and patrol drivers there is nothing they can do too make their car perform/handle like a D3. (Apart from going out and getting a D3. ;-).)
October 26th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Fact,
Vote:The D3 is a reliable vehicle. I own an HSE TDV6, with 80,000km up and it is a magnificent car.Check the forums and there is definitely no more problems than any Toyo – and look at the Patrols!!
Price: Not dear in comparison to any of its competitors when you look at what you get.(Air suspension etc).
Services at 12,000km? How good is that! And spares are no dearer than other similar vehicles. New extras are expensive and if after market items are available, they are usually a better buy.
Comfort: Nothing compares to the finish design and comfort of a D3. They are an exceptional design with a lot of thought – not old fashioned bits still being recycled.
October 27th, 2008 at 11:46 am
More facts
I had a 2001 D2 for 5 years and 100,000 km and no problems.
Current D3 HSE TDV6 33,000km and so far no probs apart from an air compressor failure. Didn’t stop me getting home.
Use them both off road but look after them. Great cars! May not quite (not far off) hold the re-sale of opposition but just drive them and there is no comparison.
Vote:October 28th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
In 17 years of owning a D1, D2 and now a D3, I have only been stranded once – that was right at the petrol station where I took on a tank of bad fuel.
I have done 13,000 km in 9 months in the D3 and I had been on over 14 off road trips across all terrains from simple to (mostly) difficult. Apart from a sinking seat (replaced under warranty), there’d been zero problems. I’m amazed that after all the off-road thrashing it got, it still drives like a luxury vehicle on road. I had a BMW 540i V8 and the D3 is more refined and quieter on-road. It is certainly a far more comfortable long distance tourer.
Weirlou, you are wrong when you say the D3 is not in the same league as BMW, Merc, etc. Have you actually checked and compared a D3 and a BMW/Merc? Driven them? Or is that opinion from your uncle’s brother’s niece’s boyfriend’s mechanic? The fit, finish and quality of the materials used in the D3 both inside and outside are absolutely on par with BMW’s and Mercedes’ sedans and much better than the ML’s.
My 2 cents worth :)
Vote:October 28th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
I own a MY07 SE TDV6 with 50K and zero problems; did 4500km off road trip from Adelaide along the Oodnadatta; Finke;track then Alice; Boggy Hole, Uluru etc. 6 cars in convoy towing heavy camper trailers -only the D3 was fault free the entire trip. Simply brilliant 4WD. Remapped ECU it has 550nm of torque! All the negative comments above are from people who would never have driven one more than 5km’s I suspect. What a suprise.
Vote:November 10th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
My 07 D3 TDV6 is simply superb. Previously I’ve owned a Landcruiser and an old 2A. As well as the D3 I also have a 1990 Hilux 4WD ute. I live on a steep property that gets lots of rain and haven’t beaten the D3 yet. I’ve used it to tow the Hilux and my 50HP tractor out of bogs and it did with ease.
Vote:On the road it’s brilliant for its size and weight (I stepped out of a WRX when I got the D3 so my handling standards are high). In 50,000 kms it hasn’t missed a beat. Fuel consumption is great – 9.6 average. My wife (50 kgs wringing wet) won’t get out of it. Prior to buying I drove Landcruiser (too spartan), Patrol (too old tech), Prado (handled like a yacht) and the D3. There was no question that the D3 provides the best balance of robustness, economy and comfort. We’re heading for the Pilbara soon (from northern NSW) and I’ll let you know how it handles it
December 1st, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Hi Guys,
Vote:Plenty of comment from D3 owners, good to see, I’m considering bailing out of my juddering/jolting GU 4.2Td Patrol as I’m into economical touring, not rock-crawling and bush bashing.
Can anybody give me an indication of servicing costs every 12,000km?? ( Yes, on a GU you save $’s doing it yourself)
Thanks
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:05 pm
had my tdv6 serviced last week 24k.
$350 dollars
this included
$25 for loan car
$90 dollars for oil
$140 labour
balance was oil filters, oil plugs, disposal of oil fee, injector treatment, washer satchel etc.
Vote:December 8th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
I own a 2006 D3 HSE TdV6, which I bought having set my heart originally on a Lexus LX470. However after test driving the Lexus which handled like the proverbial barge I then tried a Landcruiser LC100 Sahara, which was even worse. I also drove a Prado 4.0 Grande which appeared to be much better until the traction control kicked in at absurdly low cornering speeds and got me wondering what they were covering up. The D3 is such a delight to drive I was smitten immediately. I agonised for months over the reliability issue but in the end decided it that I would let the warranty take care of anything that went wrong. I have had some issues, virtually all software related, all fixed on the spot by restarting the engine, and then by downloading a patch at the next service visit. Not ideal but any Merc or BMW owner will understand that this is par for the course for modern hi-tech cars. I will add that my dealer did themselves no favours with their nonchalant attitude when I did have problems. However because the basic design is so right, the odd glitch does little to dampen the overwhelmingly positive driving experience.
A recent visit to Fraser island highlighted the difference between the Disco and the Prado which our friend was driving. We were in front driving at what was for us a very comfortable speed on the bumpy inland tracks. On getting to Lake McKenzie our friend said he couldn’t believe the speed we were taking the bumps. He was watching how much the Disco moved to guage the severity of the potholes and hence judge the right speed, but despite minimal body movement from the Disco he was hitting the bumps way too fast for the Prado to cope and was banging his head on the roof. We used 40% less fuel and everyone was far more comfortable despite being 7-up on occasions due to the better seating design and fantastic air suspension.
The 200 series Land Cruiser is still a compromise vehicle, with it’s huge step-up and low roof its a reverse Tardis. Toyota are trading on their name rather than progressing 4WD design, and charging a huge premium for it. But their customers will continue to buy their products unquestioningly because they’re herd followers who don’t ask much from their driving experience so are easily pleased.
Vote:December 9th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I just want to say that we have had a V6 Disco 3 for over 12 months and it has been excellent.
Vote:I’ve been reading about the realiabilty issues but reading about them only.
Realiability and build quality can only be described as very strong in my opionion.
December 14th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
What a great debate! I have just sold my Prado with over 50,000 k’s, mainly cape york trips. Crossed every large river in the cape and had water over the bonnet several times without a snorkel. Driven to Lockhart River several times during March – April. Never had a spanner on the vehicle. Loved it.
I am now very keen on the D3 due to the air suspension, extra space and comfort. Those who travel the cape know how bad the corrugations can be. I am not worried about reliability, but more concerned with a vehicle’s ability.
So far, from all I have read here, I am not convinced the D3 is a poor choice. I have no bias and have owned a pajero, LC100 and Prado.
I am looking forward to LR ownership. Slightly higher entry point than a Prado or Pajero but hopefully more rewarding. D3 SE TD seems to have great resale.
I am only worried about servicing costs at this point.
Vote:December 17th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I’ve just had ny D3 serviced (12K) and it cost $338 AUD. Oil and labour basically. No faults to fix. One thing I’m a bit miffed about is the tow bar. When I got it I read the manual and it talks about a one piece ball and tongue that slots into the factory hitch. When I went to fit it this week (to go and collect my new tractor) I found that what it is is the receptor (?) for a Hayman Reese type bar which I then had to go out and buy ($150). Had a look at the handbook again and there is one sentence that mentions that Australian vehicles are different – no detail. It;s probably something to do with our nanny ADRs.
Anyone know about this?
Vote:December 28th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
HI all.. i own a landcruiser and they are lovely cars. i believe that the relilibality ussue was with the older series 3 landcrusiers. but how ever i owned a series 3 diesel and i had no problems. they are beautiful cars i just would not buy a v8 pertol one…
i have several cars and the landcruiser is the best.
Vote:January 2nd, 2009 at 6:45 am
hi, i am from South Africa and own a Disco 3 TDV6 HSE, my second one, the first being a 2006 V8 SE. I’ve owned before this a 2004 Pajero DID (Brilliant), 2005 VW Touareg (CRAP), 2007 BMW X5 3.0D (Brilliant), a 2005 ML270CDI (CRAP)and a 2005 Prado Diesel (crap). For my needs, towing a 21ft boat and doing the odd 4×4 trials i decided on the Landrover after testing it for about 2 weeks (the V8). i drove it for a year and was truly impressed with everything except the fuel consumption and bought the diesel. i have not had any problems and will not trade this vehicle for any thing else. truly brilliant vehicle.
C A Joubert
Vote:South Africa
January 2nd, 2009 at 7:05 am
i forgot to say that i currently also own a 2006 Landcruiser pickup, which is brilliant, so i am not anti-toyota and believe it is very good vehicles (certain models). The Prado Diesel in my opinion is a failure due to the fact that the thing could barely keep 120 kph on the open road even without towing. And can not challenge the Disco 3 offroad. The petrol version is surely much better, but cannot comment. thanks
Crawford
Vote:January 12th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Dear All, I was not going to bother posting a comment, but then thought I might be able to help any other people like me who were looking to this sort of site to assist in making the decision on what sort of new car to buy. I live in Darwin in the Northern Territory, and have been frustrated in the last few years in not owning a 4WD to allow me access to some of the beautiful but rugged and difficult to get to places all around the Top End, including one of my favourite parts of the world, the Kimberley. So, when necessity forced me to buy a new car, I did a lot of research in magazines, speaking to owners of various vehicles and using sites like this one to help. I ended up buying a 2008 LR Discovery 3 TDv6 SE, and then took it to ARB (for overseas folks they are a supplier of after-market accesories) and added things like snorkel, LR fuel tank, twin wheel carrier aft and a great bull-bar with a top of the range winch (which was bought specifically because I am a novice and the rep assured me even I couldn’t burn this winch out).
Vote:Why did I do this, despite some of the negative comments around? As some wise folk above pointed out it really comes down to a personal choice, but first and foremost I was very comfortable that I was buying one of the best 4WD available on the market (note I said ONE of the best), that I was confident would take me to and from some of the most difficult sites possible and in a level of safety and comfort that I am constantly in awe of (I have owned the car for four months now).
I also considered the Prado, as it was of a comperable size (I did not want a huge vehicle like the Land Cruiser or similar vehicles), but came down in the end to the LR fundamentally for two reasons – my test drive (of a friends vehicle similarly equipped to the one I wanted to get) and the fact that I liked the look of the vehicle (is it just me but do the Toyota, Mitsubishi and Nissan vehicles all look pretty similar?).
I have done a few trips off road, to learn the capabilities of the vehicle (before I try my big trip to the Mitchel Falls in July), the most recent trip towing my off-road trailer which I deliberately loaded up to almost a tonne to see how it went. I have found the car a delight to drive both on and off road. My wife, who has not driven off road, but does most of the driving here in Darwin has likewise found the car a delight to drive and she finds it easy to manoeuver in car parks. A very important point for us.
While I have been bogged twice now (mainly due to my inexperience in 4WD techniques) I note that the clay was very slippery the first time and the creek was likewise slippery and the bank very steep. Both times however I managed to get myself out using the extra equipment, and from my perspective I rate both times a success, as I knew how to get out and the car let me do this. My only criticism is that in this sort of clay we get in the flood plains around Darwin, the tyres the car came with don’t have enough bite, and I will be looking to purchase a set of more robust tyres better able to cope with mud before I do my big trip into the wilds – that said, the tyres are brilliantly quiet on the bitumen). However, I am expecting this to be a bit expensive. Cost wise, the SE came in at AUS$75,000 on the road, and because I am in the Defence Force I get all my services for free in the first three years – a great deal. I optioned the car up with ARB and that cost me another $10,000 – all up a relativley expensive car I know – certainly the most expensive car I’ve ever owned, but I am content with all of that because of the robust and wonderful car I now own. While I am sure someone will be able to point out I could have done similar for much less, the point is I don’t feel like I have bought a too expensive car.
On the hotly debated issue of reliability (and yes, I saw the picture of the burnt out LR near Exmouth, and yes it was a bit disturbing for the fact that it did seem to be hushed up) I have also formed the opinion from lots of research that the late model LR Disco 3’s are as reliable as any other similar vehicle on the market, so I figure I’ll take my chances on getting there and back due to the reliability fo the car, me being aware of how limited my experience is, so therefore not taking stupid risks and therefore not really ever testing out the fail point for the vehicles components. And, boy, do I enjoy driving the car, both on and off road. We have 130km/h speed limits up here in the NT, and the car sits beautifully at that speed, even loaded up, thanks to the air-suspension and the automatic righting. With the trailer on, I sat at 120km/h on the parts of the road that allowed that, and that too felt solid and responsive. Of road, I regulalrly have to go to high clearance, and despite the limit of 40km/h to stay at that clearance, I really have only been annoyed by that once, on a stretch that regulalrly alternated between real good dirt road and terrible ruts. Most times I think that 40km/h is pretty quick for the tracks I’ve been on. And the other thing I love about the car, particularly for me – a novice, is it is idiot proof – if I try and select something I shouldn’t, it tells me, and then tells me what I should be doing – brilliant! Again, it is all about inspiring me to get out and use the car, as I will have to work real hard to wreck it.
Anyway, long message I know, but I hope other folk out there in the market for a new car find this useful in helping make a decision. Many thanks to the folk above for helping me out(even the folk with negative comments, as those concerns are revealing in how they are dealth with by others).
February 5th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
For anyone’s interest, I currently own a 2000 TD5 and a 2003 V8 Petrol SE. I lease my cars and when the lease was up on the TD5 we couldn’t get rid of it because it had been so reliable and economical, and decided to keep it for my wife. The TD5 has traveled 250,000 km’s and I am now up to 233,000 in the V8. Again, I kept the V8 when the lease expired because it has been such a good reliable car, which surprised me due to the fact it was the petrol engine. (I did not think it would last as long as the diesel) Apart from the obvious fuel consumption (14.5 L/100km)the car has been the most comfortable and reliable vehicle I have owned. Would love to get into the D3 but with the financial meltdown and the price now a little too far from my budget, I think I will wait for a reasonable 2nd hand diesel. Running costs have been minimal, in line with quotes mentioned above, major services are slightly more expensive, but still less than my father in-laws costs of his Landcruiser servicng in Geelong.
Vote:March 1st, 2009 at 8:33 am
Thankyou Ainsley, I totally agree. I think its time the head-strong landcruiser owners get over their flimsy and irrelevant preconceptions of Land Rover reliability. We have a 2005 Discovery HSE; a beautiful car that has never misbehaved! It is also far more pretty than any of its competitors.
Vote:March 6th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Interesting reading every bodies comments, seriously considering buying a 2005 disco HSE TDI 6 but just wondering if any owners of this vintage disco has had any problems with the air suspension as i have heard it is approx $1000 per corner to replace. this car has 64000km on the clock which is not a lot for a diesel but has the electronic / air shock components of the car held up?. As far as i’m concerned the look of the car is very stylish and non of the jap 4wd’s even come close in this dept. I drove this car today and was blown away by the ride, smoothness, turning circle!!! and quietness. I’m leaning towards a new buy due to the 3 years free warranty at the moment + for $1600 you can extend another three years which is transferable to the next buyer giving a total of 6 years. on a 5 year lease this is extra reassuring for another 15 grand over the price of this car, maybe i have answered my own question?? anybody experienced any expansive problems in this vintage car?. Cam
Vote:March 7th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Hmmm good to hear that a few Land Rover Discovery 3 TD owners are happy with their vehicles. I purchased the Discovery 3 for my retirement and to undertake a major round Australia trip and have to say when I took delivery I thought this is the best car I had ever owned, three years and 50,000 kilometres down the track my experience includes, instrument pack faulty and replaced, air suspension faults, two new front differentials, tie rod replacement, RH front lower ball joint arm and ball joint replaced, second lower ball joint replaced, three wheel alignments, front window not working, loose wiring, indicators not working, loose wires, water leaking from sunroof, (twice), radio not switching off, radio complete fail, an intermittent fault with another window not working and countless stop light globe replacements. The vehicle has never been off road, always garaged. In the case of my previous (and much less expensive) vehicles, a Nissan Pathfinder, a Mitsubishi Pajero and a Toyota Land Cruiser, I never had the need to replace tyres under 80,000 km, (I have now been informed that one tyre is scrubbed out and requires replacement and 3 nearly worn out). In addition, I usually get 70,000 kms on a set of brakes, 31,000 kms and required replacement. I have always purchased new vehicles, and I have never suffered the litany of maintenance difficulties and inconvenience with any other vehicle, save this Discovery 3. I note from some recent advertising that the Discovery 3 TDV6 has won fourth year in succession both the “Best Large Diesel Wagon” and “Best Overall” category. I certainly purchased my vehicle on the basis of the Discovery 3 being awarded the “Best 4 wheel drive of the year award” and am bitterly disappointed. I have lost total confidence in the Discovery 3 and certainly would not contemplate any form of remote travel in the vehicle. Complaining gets you nowhere on the local scene and ended up going direct to the CEO of Tata Motors, who referred back to the UK who referred back to Australia with no effort by Land Rover to negotiate at any point about what has clearly been a poorly built vehicle. I guess next step is to advertise my experience on the back of the TDV6 and go to court.
Vote:March 10th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Not what you’d call a great experience Mel, just wondering what model, year etc that you purchased and were all these faults covered under warranty?. have heard a few similar stories but have heard more on the positive side. It is possible i guess to get a lemon (maybe last one assembled on a friday arvo?)but have a few mates in the car sales game that have sold most of the brands including the jap 4wd’s and european 4wd’s and they have mentioned (and not salesman speak) that they have not seen many of the late model cars in for any major/reacurring faults. Interesting
Vote:March 11th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Hi Cameron, model LR Discovery 3 2006 TDV6. Yes look all faults have been fixed under warrantee, except of course early wear on tyres and brakes etc. And perhaps a Friday arvo car but after speaking to the RACV and the Victorian Department of Justice, (Consumer Affairs) they gave me a clear impression that I was not lonely regarding faults with the Discovery 3. What really rubs is that on the back of the “Best 4 Wheel Drive of the Year” I forked out $85,000 for a long term vehicle investment going into retirement. With warrantee up in a week or so I am frankly very worried given the history of the vehicle that I have a major problem on my hands. I have been talking to LR since September about my concerns to no avail, apparently they regard the fault history as normal!!
Vote:April 2nd, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Hi Cameron, the airbags fitted are usually good for at least 100,000 Miles before they go pop (road use, less if you go off-road a lot) I have a classic RR with 286,000 miles (not km’s!!) on the clock and I have only replaced 1 airbag, the other 3 are all factory fitted. You can get replacements for around 270 Sterling (not sure what that is in AUS$) per corner. If you do replace them then go for Arnott springs – they give an extra 2″ lift in extended mode: You can order off the web and get them delivered. I payed 325 Sterling all in to have my rear offside replaced last year
BTW – my range rover is completely factory fitted apart from 1 airbag and new discs all round (no surprise after over quearte of a million miles). The engine and transmission have never failed on me, the only suspension fault I have had is one popped airbag. I definately got the good one! though I am aware that there are many Friday Afternoon Specials in Land Rover country. My advice: Service regularly! Change the oil every 6000 miles regardless of service instructions – oil and filter changes are cheap and add years of driving to your car
Vote:April 22nd, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Benji – for someone who no doubt drives a little mazda 3 or something like it, you’re awefully quick to shoot trap off about people who just want to discuss the pros and cons of buying/owning a discovery 3…
Vote:moron.
April 26th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
i am looking at a TDHSE V8 57000 KLM @ $48000.00
Any previous owners have comments on the fuel consumption on the v8
Vote:have heard its better than the v6.
your comments are most welcome.
April 26th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Sorry should mention that this is a 2005 model
Vote:June 28th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I’m thinking about getting a 4×4 for travelling around Oz when I retire soon. I have been a long time BMW owner and am looking seriously at an X5 (diesel). I’ve studied all the blogs about D3s, LCs and have already discarded Pajeros and Patrols. Most of the time I would be on bitumen but would go along dirt roads at some times obviously. I can’t find any reports about the reliability of X5s which do some dirt work. My service guy says the X5 would be ideal – he might just want to keep me as a customer. A D3 would seem to be very appropriate but I probably don’t need the serious off-road credentials it provides. Any advice would be appreciated.
Vote: