disco 3/4 general reliability and use for camping
Discussion
Hi all
Never saw myself as a land rover kinda guy but have been hankering after one recently as a complete opposite of my fun car (lotus)
Obviously i have been reading forums etc and horror stories about reliability but then on the other hand there seem to be load s of them about at 150-200k miles so that says to be they get used alot and are not all blowing up at 100k so can't be that bad!
Being a lotus owner i am accustomed to random lights coming on and electrical faults but just don't want to be left at the side of a the road!
The cars i am looking at are at the bottom end of the market so not expecting them to be perfect, what are peoples experience of them for breaking down at the side of the road? or is is mainly annoying little problems? my other option is a range rover as the 3.6 v8 deasil looks good but don't seem as practical as the disco?
Also going to be looking to use it as an occasional camper for me/ wife and 5 year old son. anybody got a good set up for camping/ sleeping in the back?
many thanks
Cheers Paul
Never saw myself as a land rover kinda guy but have been hankering after one recently as a complete opposite of my fun car (lotus)
Obviously i have been reading forums etc and horror stories about reliability but then on the other hand there seem to be load s of them about at 150-200k miles so that says to be they get used alot and are not all blowing up at 100k so can't be that bad!
Being a lotus owner i am accustomed to random lights coming on and electrical faults but just don't want to be left at the side of a the road!
The cars i am looking at are at the bottom end of the market so not expecting them to be perfect, what are peoples experience of them for breaking down at the side of the road? or is is mainly annoying little problems? my other option is a range rover as the 3.6 v8 deasil looks good but don't seem as practical as the disco?
Also going to be looking to use it as an occasional camper for me/ wife and 5 year old son. anybody got a good set up for camping/ sleeping in the back?
many thanks
Cheers Paul
The D3/4s are brilliant and very difficult to find anything better as a practical all-rounder.
When it comes to camping, there are more options than you can shake a stick at. My personal preference is for a combination of pull-out drawers, Zarges ally cases & North Face duffel bags. If you're thinking about sleeping inside, there has been a recent thread about cutting down an Ikea mattress, this will be OK for 2x people but you'd struggle with a 5yr old.
With regards to the RaRo... All I'd say is that if you're having problems getting 3x persons kit into a RaRo, you're carrying too much s
t!! 
M
When it comes to camping, there are more options than you can shake a stick at. My personal preference is for a combination of pull-out drawers, Zarges ally cases & North Face duffel bags. If you're thinking about sleeping inside, there has been a recent thread about cutting down an Ikea mattress, this will be OK for 2x people but you'd struggle with a 5yr old.
With regards to the RaRo... All I'd say is that if you're having problems getting 3x persons kit into a RaRo, you're carrying too much s
t!! M
cheers for the reply
any links to peoples camping set up much appreciated
thinking of the full length foam mattress in the back and then the boy in once of those inflatable bed across the front seats!? probably a awning on the back for extra space and then a roof box on top for all the stuff we don't want in the back when sleeping!
Cheers Paul
any links to peoples camping set up much appreciated
thinking of the full length foam mattress in the back and then the boy in once of those inflatable bed across the front seats!? probably a awning on the back for extra space and then a roof box on top for all the stuff we don't want in the back when sleeping!
Cheers Paul
I think it'll be a bit of a faff for a family camping and you'd be better off sleeping in a tent, particularly if you're putting an awning up anyway. You'd need window screens to keep the light out which would have to be custom made (I'm pretty sure as I've been looking...) and have to build up the front seats so the kid's mattress clears the cubby and gear selector.
ETA plus having to put everything away to sleep and/or go anywhere.
ETA plus having to put everything away to sleep and/or go anywhere.
yes roof tent is another options but pricy!
what did you replace it with if you don't mind me asking?
I have been looking about for alternatives but there is not really anything out there which does what a disco3/4 does!
my usage would be general comfy daily driver which has to carry a bike inside on most journeys (ideally wheels on), general family bus and occasional camper. also can't be really slow as nice to overtake if needs be on the roads i drive!
nothing else i have looked at ticks these boxes like the disco!
Cheers P
what did you replace it with if you don't mind me asking?
I have been looking about for alternatives but there is not really anything out there which does what a disco3/4 does!
my usage would be general comfy daily driver which has to carry a bike inside on most journeys (ideally wheels on), general family bus and occasional camper. also can't be really slow as nice to overtake if needs be on the roads i drive!
nothing else i have looked at ticks these boxes like the disco!
Cheers P
D3/4s are brilliant cars but they do like their maintenance and hate neglect.
They have common wear points, some stupid fault points, but there is a huge community for them and repairs are well known for both garage and driveway stuff.
They are heavy and that gives the wishbones a hard time.
Good quality arms and bushes last longer than cheapo crap.
Been there and got stung with it.
Rust is becoming a potential issue on early D3 sills, repair panels are out to fix it but it’s a time vs money vs car value.
Find a good specialist and ask if they know any good cars coming up for sale.
Or check history carefully, there’s a lot out there so you can afford to be fussy with condition and spec.
Personally, keep a grand or so back as a slush fund to fix any potential faults or maintenance that it needs.
And keep a grand or so a year in the slush fund.
My D3 is a decent one and it still liked to have a “treat yourself” with my bank account.
A good one is a lovely car, they tick so many boxes and they feel a proper Land Rover.
They have common wear points, some stupid fault points, but there is a huge community for them and repairs are well known for both garage and driveway stuff.
They are heavy and that gives the wishbones a hard time.
Good quality arms and bushes last longer than cheapo crap.
Been there and got stung with it.
Rust is becoming a potential issue on early D3 sills, repair panels are out to fix it but it’s a time vs money vs car value.
Find a good specialist and ask if they know any good cars coming up for sale.
Or check history carefully, there’s a lot out there so you can afford to be fussy with condition and spec.
Personally, keep a grand or so back as a slush fund to fix any potential faults or maintenance that it needs.
And keep a grand or so a year in the slush fund.
My D3 is a decent one and it still liked to have a “treat yourself” with my bank account.
A good one is a lovely car, they tick so many boxes and they feel a proper Land Rover.
i have 2x lotus and a d3, the former can't come close to the level of worry generated when the landy throws a warning light!
mine is in the middle east so can't comment on what they're like in a more temperate climate. they do require keeping an eye on maintenance as above. usually if you catch problems early they're ok, leave them and it tends to build up quickly. if you can stretch to a d4 then i would recommend it, they're a bit more refined dynamically but much nicer interior.
great cars. i keep thinking of selling mine but never do.
mine is in the middle east so can't comment on what they're like in a more temperate climate. they do require keeping an eye on maintenance as above. usually if you catch problems early they're ok, leave them and it tends to build up quickly. if you can stretch to a d4 then i would recommend it, they're a bit more refined dynamically but much nicer interior.
great cars. i keep thinking of selling mine but never do.
If you do go for a D4.
Get a 2012 model onwards with the 8 speed gearbox.
The 8 has the rotary dial selector. The 6 has the lever selector.
The 8 speed makes it a nicer car to drive.
Whatever one you get. Get the gearbox serviced as your first thing to do.
Specs are from base to top spec. GS, XS, HSE, HSE luxury.
There is a landmark edition which sits near the XS for equipment.
HSE with heated steering wheel and logic 7 sound system would be my choice.
Get a 2012 model onwards with the 8 speed gearbox.
The 8 has the rotary dial selector. The 6 has the lever selector.
The 8 speed makes it a nicer car to drive.
Whatever one you get. Get the gearbox serviced as your first thing to do.
Specs are from base to top spec. GS, XS, HSE, HSE luxury.
There is a landmark edition which sits near the XS for equipment.
HSE with heated steering wheel and logic 7 sound system would be my choice.
That would be what I would like to do but I think 2012 model is out of my reach right now financially (all my cash is in the lotus!) so I think I will go for a D3 or cheap D4 to see if it works for me then upgrade on the future if I like it 👌
If anybody is selling up give me a shout 👌👍
Cheers paul
If anybody is selling up give me a shout 👌👍
Cheers paul
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