are Disco 111's worth the hassle?

[F.J.]

Hi all,

Since starting my new job i am now on the look out for a car as i dont have the need for a van anymore. We currently have an 09 plate insignia for the wife which she hates so thats going in exchange of a run a round motor for her mobile hairdressing. Because of that and the fact we have 2 kids and a dogue de bordeaux im going to look at a bigger car that i can take all three out now i have my weekends free. Im considering a disco 3 and looking to spend around £12k maybe £13-14k for the right one but have heard horry stories about them being in the garage more than on the road Especially 54-57 plate models. A pal of mine has an 08 plate commercial and has had no problems with it apart from recent issues with the electronic hand brake which is an apparent build up of brake dust so not a tricky fix. He likes it that much that he has given it to his foreman as hes not long bought a brand new disco 4. He looks after his stuff meticulously as do i so can imagine the issues of others being mostly down the lack of maintenance?
Have any of you guys got one or had one and if so what are your experiences of them. It only has to take me approx 3 miles per day to and from work but with the occasional trip to my sisters in portsmouth and to tow a bike trailer when i get a crosser so wont be getting any kind of serious working. Id give it a good run of a weekend so to clear the dpf and i change oils and service my vehicles every 6-8 thousand miles or 12 months. Is there anything else to add to the service list to keep my life easy and cost free if i bought one?
Thanks

 

[wyn]

I have had a 57 commercial for nearly a year.

I had a bit of a read around on the sort of problems that can occur so it won't be too much of nightmare if anything happens.
I had the handbrake stick on but was pretty easy to sort out. About an hour to sort the electric bit and a bit more time to readjust shoes etc.

Also the tailgate wouldn't open but had read about the problem and was an easy fix.

Changed all the oils when i had it and now service it every 5k.

I have it loaded up with a fair bit of gear so it's 2.9 tons which means around 25mpg but i don't do loads of miles.

I don't think they have a dpf at this sort of age......mine doesn't.

 

[Robotstar5]

I don't think they have a dpf at this sort of age......mine doesn't.

Don't think they were compulsory 'til 2010? and who in their right mind would specify one

 

[Kent]

My mate has one he loves it! It breaks down regular and is costing him mega bucks. Every time he says " yeah but it's all sorted now" then next time I see him he has just spent more on something else that failed

It's nice but sorry not nice enough to have so many unexpected big repair bills

 

[F.J.]

I have had a 57 commercial for nearly a year.

I had a bit of a read around on the sort of problems that can occur so it won't be too much of nightmare if anything happens.
I had the handbrake stick on but was pretty easy to sort out. About an hour to sort the electric bit and a bit more time to readjust shoes etc.

Also the tailgate wouldn't open but had read about the problem and was an easy fix.

Changed all the oils when i had it and now service it every 5k.

I have it loaded up with a fair bit of gear so it's 2.9 tons which means around 25mpg but i don't do loads of miles.

I don't think they have a dpf at this sort of age......mine doesn't.

Thanks Wyn.

That actually fills me with hope as im not totally useless with a spanner and they seem like easy issues to deal with. The mpg doesnt bother me, 1 because its a big car so you have to expect it and 2 because i wont be driving that far. The dpf not being there is also a massive plus

 

[F.J.]

My mate has one he loves it! It breaks down regular and is costing him mega bucks. Every time he says " yeah but it's all sorted now" then next time I see him he has just spent more on something else that failed

It's nice but sorry not nice enough to have so many unexpected big repair bills

You see now straight after a postive post from Wyn i get shot down by a big negative! What kind of issues has he had Kent?

 

[wyn]

I went ahead and bought mine knowing that i might have to spend a bit to keep it going.


If you can do some/most of any repairs needed yourself then that saves loads.

I think sorting a stuck epb at a dealer is £1k...do it yourself and it's loads less.

 

[HughF]

Injectors fail and are Siemens piezo so big bucks. Something to do with the fuel filter positioning. Plenty of ones on eBay with tappet noise, so watch for high mileage noisy ones. Engine parts are unobtainable (rings etc) apparently. Don't get a manual, I did my trailer test in one, the gearbox is horrible. I prefer disco 2's personally.

Apart from that, good truck

 

[Kent]

You see now straight after a postive post from Wyn i get shot down by a big negative! What kind of issues has he had Kent?

Doing a jig on my drive all on its own. Alternator that I can remember off my head. Oh something to do with steering and keys / locking
It's basically most times I see him.he has just thrown more big money it's way

 

[wyn]

Engine parts are a bit more available now..possibly not in the past.

 

[HughF]

Nice... I'll tell my local landrover specialist to stop complaining then.

 

[clueless77]

If you want a big 4x4 why not get a Toyota Amazon, supposed to be very reliable. I have a Landrover 109 and would probably go for Toyota if I was going for something modern. (would still keep the 109 though)

 

[HughF]

I would go 4.2 Amazon personally...

 

[evobilly666]

Go for it, it's a whole lot of car. Get an iid Bluetooth tool for your own diagnostics, and just love it. I have an l322 range rover and it is kind of a lifestyle choice but well worth it. I also recommend changing the Bluetooth module in it for one from a D4

 

[armalites]

They do have some common issues but generally they pretty reliable, sadly one of the biggest issues is they seem to be an aspirational vehicle and you get people going from a Mondeo and expecting them to cost the same to run. The fact you can buy a usable one for £5k doesn't mean they are cheap to run. Many of them are show ponies and do a few miles week, they end up running issues, batteries,alternators and brakes. A D3 sitting with the ignition on but not running drains 25A and will flatten a battery in no time. So add the fact they can have 4 heated seats,screens etc running during the winter the ones that don't do any work can have problems.

Injector failures aren't that common but running out of fuel or misfuelling can cause problem, the injectors aren't cheap but they are not on any common rail vehicle.Park brakes are not a problem if they are set up correctly. They are also a vehicle which can go through a period where you will end up replacing loads of bits.

Heres an example
My wife drives a 55 plate, it had 116K on it when we got it.Done 155K now
A friend bought a 55 plate around the same time, paid premium price because it was a low mileage one. Paid almost double what we did and ended up putting and extra £5k in the first year.

07 have issues with oil pumps and they should be changed without question when the cambelt is replaced.

Glowplugs are one of the biggest issues, there is quite a bit of stripping required to get to them and they are very easy to snap so many people just fit a remote starter for FBH(fuel burning heater) which means you cna warm the engine before you start it.

They have loads of good stuff in them and they need to be used but they are a great vehicle. We've had D1,D2(still got) and D3. Can sit on the motorway for hours on end or carry 7 people easily or tow anything you can imagine.

There is a member on the D3 forum who had a D3 from new and he tows cars for a living, he's recently retired it with 750K miles yes 750K! There many daily drivers with 200K on them.

Generally there is no inbetween with the engines, if they go it's rarely rebuild time as they destroy themselves.

The manual box is fine but I would recommend and Auto, suits the vehicle better, if you do get a manual then get into the habit of selecting Low-range if reversing and trailer. Prolongs the life of the clutch and there is no excuse because it's a press of one switch to do it. I do this with the Auto asa well.

Don't let anyone tell you can get 30mpg, the computer lies and the people that do achieve that number are the sort of people who sit on the motorway at 60mph, also don't assume a manual will do more mpg, it's marginal.

They are a fantastic vehicle if go in with your eyes open, a Landcruiser is like an old tractor in comparison and they still have their problems.

They are another of those vehicles that people love to hate and in 75% of cases the people slagging them off have never had one and it's "My mate" this and "I heard" blah blah blah

 

[owas]

I saw one on eBay with 300k miles, suprised it got to that

 

[s410man]

I've had 2
a 05 plate on springs never touched her
and more recently a 59 plate
both now sold......
05 plate was manualand on springs so was sold felt like you were wallowing all over the place

59 plate in 14000 miles
intank fuel pump-pig of a job
180 quid wheel bearing
steering angle sensor 40 quid sh
new pads
tyres
new compressor end cover a tenner

If I'd of had it all fixed at main dealer I'd guess at 3000 ish

I did some myself and a mate did some but still cost about 1000 which i think is average for 14000 miles

Sold and replaced by a van and car

Ps join the disco3 forum it'll save you thousands! !

 

[F.J.]

They do have some common issues but generally they pretty reliable, sadly one of the biggest issues is they seem to be an aspirational vehicle and you get people going from a Mondeo and expecting them to cost the same to run. The fact you can buy a usable one for £5k doesn't mean they are cheap to run. Many of them are show ponies and do a few miles week, they end up running issues, batteries,alternators and brakes. A D3 sitting with the ignition on but not running drains 25A and will flatten a battery in no time. So add the fact they can have 4 heated seats,screens etc running during the winter the ones that don't do any work can have problems.

Injector failures aren't that common but running out of fuel or misfuelling can cause problem, the injectors aren't cheap but they are not on any common rail vehicle.Park brakes are not a problem if they are set up correctly. They are also a vehicle which can go through a period where you will end up replacing loads of bits.

Heres an example
My wife drives a 55 plate, it had 116K on it when we got it.Done 155K now
A friend bought a 55 plate around the same time, paid premium price because it was a low mileage one. Paid almost double what we did and ended up putting and extra £5k in the first year.

07 have issues with oil pumps and they should be changed without question when the cambelt is replaced.

Glowplugs are one of the biggest issues, there is quite a bit of stripping required to get to them and they are very easy to snap so many people just fit a remote starter for FBH(fuel burning heater) which means you cna warm the engine before you start it.

They have loads of good stuff in them and they need to be used but they are a great vehicle. We've had D1,D2(still got) and D3. Can sit on the motorway for hours on end or carry 7 people easily or tow anything you can imagine.

There is a member on the D3 forum who had a D3 from new and he tows cars for a living, he's recently retired it with 750K miles yes 750K! There many daily drivers with 200K on them.

Generally there is no inbetween with the engines, if they go it's rarely rebuild time as they destroy themselves.

The manual box is fine but I would recommend and Auto, suits the vehicle better, if you do get a manual then get into the habit of selecting Low-range if reversing and trailer. Prolongs the life of the clutch and there is no excuse because it's a press of one switch to do it. I do this with the Auto asa well.

Don't let anyone tell you can get 30mpg, the computer lies and the people that do achieve that number are the sort of people who sit on the motorway at 60mph, also don't assume a manual will do more mpg, it's marginal.

They are a fantastic vehicle if go in with your eyes open, a Landcruiser is like an old tractor in comparison and they still have their problems.

They are another of those vehicles that people love to hate and in 75% of cases the people slagging them off have never had one and it's "My mate" this and "I heard" blah blah blah

Thanks for this post pal, all info will help in my search for one.
Im under no illusion that their not heavy on fuel but as i work so close to home The usage will be minimal. Id be out in it of a weekend so would run it for a good distance then to make up for the short journeys.
When you say they need using as they are packed with good stuff do you mean the gadgets in the vehicle or the off/on road capabilities?
I have considered the range rover sport too as i know they have the same engine but not sure if im a range rover kind of person. the disco suits me better i think

 

[Kent]

Quite honestly for all the gadgets and settings the off road capabilities hasn't got better from the time of the series 1 the comfort has
Of course you could buy a house for what a series 1 actually cost to buy new

My mate who runs one is ex rsm for the royal logistics. We had it in the field here and I asked was it any use having all these different settings and as much as he likes his enough to keep lashing cash on fixing stuff! HE admitted no the basic ability has never improved

BTW in the mad bad snowing winter of a few years back. My old forester was the easiest vehicle to get into the forest along the dirt track plowing snow
A 4x4 needs some good tyres. A good driver and enough ground clearance to operate. The rest is balance and approach / departure angles
Unfortunately those with the best angles have the highest centre of gravity and handle like s drunk camel on roller skates

 

[F.J.]

Quite honestly for all the gadgets and settings the off road capabilities hasn't got better from the time of the series 1 the comfort has
Of course you could buy a house for what a series 1 actually cost to buy new

My mate who runs one is ex rsm for the royal logistics. We had it in the field here and I asked was it any use having all these different settings and as much as he likes his enough to keep lashing cash on fixing stuff! HE admitted no the basic ability has never improved

BTW in the mad bad snowing winter of a few years back. My old forester was the easiest vehicle to get into the forest along the dirt track plowing snow
A 4x4 needs some good tyres. A good driver and enough ground clearance to operate. The rest is balance and approach / departure angles
Unfortunately those with the best angles have the highest centre of gravity and handle like s drunk camel on roller skates

Although id be towing occasionally it would only be 2 maybe 3 crossers at a time so the actually features of the truck wouldn't be getting any kind of serious testing. I certainly wouldnt be dragging it through woods either and id assume most vehicles need good tyres for snow regardless of driver capabilities.
I suppose you could call it a Chelsea tractor for what id be using it for mainly but its main purpose is to load up the kids, the dog and luggage for our trips to the lakes and down to my sisters in portsmouth.
You could list loads of other great cars more than capable of our needs but ive always had an eye for landrovers (preferably a series v8 but im not going toget the wife to go in one) plus the wife hates estate cars and mpv's.