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Any D3 owners out there who can help with a couple of questions?

Is the quickly detachable towball option ALKO compliant, or do I need to opt for the permanently fitted 'adjustable' towball? (The LR dealer could not answer this one!)

I would prefer a manual gearbox, but the dealer was waxing lyrical about the virtues of the auto box; explaining that it can be used as a semi manual. Which would be best for towing, especially low speed manouevring, manual or automatic?

At my stage in life, I would for once like a car that has a few 'luxuries' fitted. We have a budget that allows us to stray into D3 territory. It is, by far, the most that we will ever have spent on a car. As such, I am reluctant to buy an entry level model as, for the cost, I would like a few extras.

Is there much diference between the SE and HSE apart from sunroofs and full leather interior? Is it possible to buy an HSE with cloth trim rather than leather? (As our budget will allow us an '54 plate or possibly an '05 or '55 plate, the dealer does not carry information on 'older' vehicles)

Do electrically operated seats drop as low as lever operated seats? I sat in vehicle in the dealers and with the seat at it's lowest setting, had about a centimetre of clearance between my head and the headlining. This was on a lever operated seat.

I would ideally like radio/cassette and/or cd player, cruise control would be a novelty and climate control where you can automatically set the temperature inside the cabin for front/rear or side/side temperature range. Perhaps the most useful accessory would be a heated front windscreen. Does this level of trim match any particular model in the D3 line-up (they keep changing their designations, TDV6, TDV6S, TDV6SE, TDV6GS, TDV6XS, TDV6HSE etc)

If anyone can shed any light on any of the above I would be very grateful.

Defender

Quote: Originally posted by Defender on 21/2/2009

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I would prefer a manual gearbox, but the dealer was waxing lyrical about the virtues of the auto box; explaining that it can be used as a semi manual. Which would be best for towing, especially low speed manouevring, manual or automatic?

Defender

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Quote: Originally posted by Defender on 21/2/2009

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Any D3 owners out there who can help with a couple of questions?

Is the quickly detachable towball option ALKO compliant, or do I need to opt for the permanently fitted 'adjustable' towball? (The LR dealer could not answer this one!)

I would prefer a manual gearbox, but the dealer was waxing lyrical about the virtues of the auto box; explaining that it can be used as a semi manual. Which would be best for towing, especially low speed manouevring, manual or automatic?

At my stage in life, I would for once like a car that has a few 'luxuries' fitted. We have a budget that allows us to stray into D3 territory. It is, by far, the most that we will ever have spent on a car. As such, I am reluctant to buy an entry level model as, for the cost, I would like a few extras.

Is there much diference between the SE and HSE apart from sunroofs and full leather interior? Is it possible to buy an HSE with cloth trim rather than leather? (As our budget will allow us an '54 plate or possibly an '05 or '55 plate, the dealer does not carry information on 'older' vehicles)

Do electrically operated seats drop as low as lever operated seats? I sat in vehicle in the dealers and with the seat at it's lowest setting, had about a centimetre of clearance between my head and the headlining. This was on a lever operated seat.

I would ideally like radio/cassette and/or cd player, cruise control would be a novelty and climate control where you can automatically set the temperature inside the cabin for front/rear or side/side temperature range. Perhaps the most useful accessory would be a heated front windscreen. Does this level of trim match any particular model in the D3 line-up (they keep changing their designations, TDV6, TDV6S, TDV6SE, TDV6GS, TDV6XS, TDV6HSE etc)

If anyone can shed any light on any of the above I would be very grateful.

Defender

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JTQU,

Many thanks indeed. I will re-visit the dealer with an even more 'open-mind' and test drive an auto. It's such a pity that dealers won't let you tow with a demonstrator. Perhaps, in this cirent economic climate I could wrangle a 24 or 48hr test drive out of them rather than the usual 30 mins around the block type jolly.

I assume that with the D3, selectying low-range is simply a question of turning a knob, rather than engaging a separate gear lever, as in my 1989 110.

Mrs 'D' is not an advocate of 'leather seats' or 'leather trim', but most vehicles seem to include these as standard, especially once you start rising up the through the model specification.

One thought that did spring to mind was that if any of the electics failed, primarily those for the seats, is there a manual override facility? As Mrs 'D' is 5'02" and I am 6'03", if the seats failed in 'high' position, I would not be able to drive the vehicle at all, whereas if they failed at it's lowest setting, Mrs 'D' could at least use a cushion!!!!

Perhaps the SE with plenty of factory fitted options would be my best choice? I agree with you that a factory fitted SatNav system is a questionable accessory. They usually cost an arm and a leg for purchase and installation when, for £100 or so, you can buy an off the shelf SatNav with reasonable perfomance as an after-market product.

You have given me quite a lot to think about, so thank you for your constructive and subjective views.

Many thanks

Defender

Please let us know if you get it, how it is for you.

We have a TD5, by my OH is desperate for a D3. I have led her to belive that the D3 is a crap towcar (I had it good authority in my local one night..)

So please, let us know.

Thanks,

Iain

I have owned an early D3 on an 05, just the base spec 7 seat. It was a very good car, but the faults you hear about (i.e handbrake fault and air suspension issues) would make me buy a lower spec newer model rather than an older higher spec.

I have been loaned an auto on several occasions and for everyday driving would recomend. the large weight goes very well with an auto box.

I have a FL2 now, which I think is all road better vehicle. Its quicker easier to drive and is more than adequate to tow our van. Once again I have a manual, and have driven the auto several times and would also consider an autop next time, although not keen on the reduction in mpg.

Oh dear! Some interesting replies! I had an e-mail from a chap who said that his D3 towed terribly until he changed all four tyres (wheels?) at his LR dealer and now the vehicle tows beautifully. I wasn't aware that tyres can have that much impact on towing ability. My present tyres have perhaps a 100% aspect ration and we tow ok; perhaps 'low-profile' tyres are not so forgiving?

I do have a few concerns over reliability, but due to ergonomics, cannot fit into most vehicles; certainly not those able to tow a heavy caravan. As it is, with the drivers seat on its lowest setting, I have about 10mm clearance between the top of my head and the headlining of the D3. Apart from another Defender, I am limited in choice to which vehicle we can select.

It would be nice to have a vehicle with some 'luxury' accessories, but with these come a host of extras that in our case, are an unnecessary addition eg heated seats, factory fitted satnav, bluetooth, parking sensors etc.

As long as the vehicle is mechanically sound, I'll be happy, but I would prefer not to have acres of plastic trim surrounding me with an almost empty dashboard, especially for the money we will have to pay.

We are still looking and hope to view a few examples tomorrow. I will let you know how we get on and, if we purchase one, what our first impressions are. We are away for Easter and if we have sourced our ideal vehicle by then, would be looking to tow using the D3 for this short(ish) trip.  

Quote: Originally posted by autobahn on 28/2/2009

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DONT BUY ONE! IVE HAD ONE, STILL OWN ONE GREAT TO TOW WITH BUT UNRELIABLE IF YOU DO GET ONE HAVE A LANDROVER WARRANTY YOU WILL NEED IT. BUY A SHOGUN YOUR NEVER OPEN THE BONNET THATS WHAT I WILL DO WHEN THE DISCOs GONE

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I know there have been negative comments re modern LR products. The current range of D3 and FL2 are a different league both in quality and style from previous models.

I would have an LR over any Jap product, if only to get a nice stylish interior!

I would highly recomend, but jump in quick! First month in a long time, mine has gone up in value! (according to AA website!). the reduced production is obviously starting to have an affect

Quote: Originally posted by Big Al on 28/2/2009

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Quote: Originally posted by autobahn on 28/2/2009

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DONT BUY ONE! IVE HAD ONE, STILL OWN ONE GREAT TO TOW WITH BUT UNRELIABLE IF YOU DO GET ONE HAVE A LANDROVER WARRANTY YOU WILL NEED IT. BUY A SHOGUN YOUR NEVER OPEN THE BONNET THATS WHAT I WILL DO WHEN THE DISCOs GONE

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I Really do hope you get better very quickly !

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If you can afford the HSE, then buy one!!

As far as the detachable towball is concerned, we have one on ours and its no problems with the Alko hitch. As you can remove it when you're not towing, and with the electrics tucked away in their cubby hole, it looks nice and neat!!