Land Rover Discovery 3 2.7 Diesel

Purchased a jan 2005 disco 3 v6 se in feb 2012 from landrover dealer with 70k miles had parking brake fault that was not covered and had to replace disc brakes just after 12 mnth warranty finished landrover uk did not accept fault but local dealer did go 50 / 50 with me. 6 months later the clutch failed again with the extended warranty this was not covered this was at 84k and I had to pay full cost to replace. Just put nes shoes on and again another £600 pounds. Recommended shoes goodyear are no good off road onwet muddy grass will put grabbers on nextime. As long as you maintain the disco it is a good safe drive poor mpg but good insurance. Do need it for my sporting interest, will buy again but not new as you do take a big hit when you drive out of the dealer, will not bother with land rover extended warranty as the play the wear and tear card.

Lovely to drive, looks fantastic. Constant suspension problems, wheel bearing failures, electric parking brake fails and is expensive to replace. Tyres wear unevenly on the edges, terrible mpg (24 mpg), horrible road tax. Purchased one just past three years old £24,000.00 from the main dealer 'approved used' as soon as the six month warranty was over the foregoing problems occurred. Then last week, started the car, engine sounded odd, turned off the ignition (no warning lights) - vehicle recovered to main dealer and oil casing replaced for £720.00, dealer called later to say they had started the car up and the engine was knocking, engine broken and I could have a reconditioned one for £10,000.00. I've since read various reviews and this is not uncommon, in fact the main dealer confirmed this to me " I think they make them too complicated". As there was no warning and I had paid over the odds for an approved used car I thought that Landrover might like to contribute to the repair cost - answer NO! Unfortunately Landrover will not provide spare engine parts so my local independent garage cannot fix the problem. They quoted be £7,600.00 for a reconditioned engine from Landrover they said that they could install it after they had replaced the engine of the Landrover sport that was currently on the ramp. My £24,000 car is now after two years worth nothing. Don't make the same mistake as me - avoid this car it has financially ruined me!

Bought my Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE directly from Land Rover at 6 months old. Maintained a very expensive full main dealer service history (last service at 72 months cost me £850). Paid for LR extended warranty (which isn't LR - a fact you will discover when you call them for help with issues which you will have).

The car has had something major go wrong at least twice a year (wheel bearings, egr valves, suspension, turbo, tracking arms, universal joint, etc...). Had a £6000 repair bill this summer for the turbo. It's just failed its MOT as its brake pipes were too dangerous corroded. A bit galling after it's spent 2 of the previous 3 months in the Land Rover main dealer in Tonbridge, and having had its brake hoses changed at its last service.

Have had a year long dialogue with LR customer service. Their modus operandi is to appear to be very concerned when first contacted. Then spend several weeks saying they are discussing with their dealers. Then say it's not their problem and the dealers have done nothing wrong. If you catch them out then they say they are just go betweens and you should speak to the dealer.

So for the review. Great car to drive and use when/if it's working. Costs a lot to run (27mpg extra urban, £450 tax, £500-£850 services) but you expect that; it's a big car. Great service when under warranty. LR always return a nicely cleaned car and some put a tin of boiled sweets in the cup holder. Don't expect it to last much past its warranty period without considerable expense though - even if you fork out £900 for the extended warranty. The services the car received at main dealers were probably done badly so things really go wrong after three years. Expect your 3 year old car to be regarded as an old banger by LR dealers and its age used as an excuse for endless problems (even if the same dealer is selling same car for £30k).

I would advise against buying one second hand and out of warranty. I would also advise that you don't hold one past its warranty period (3 years old). The extended warranty isn't great. Since it came out of warranty I've had bills in each 12 month period of £3,000, £4,000 and £10,000.

If you do buy one and keep it get it serviced by a good local garage that you trust and not a main dealer. The few thousand you might lose on its resale is dwarfed by the costs of poor oil changes (I've had 2 sets of EGR valves and a turbo replaced in last three years - which has cost in excess of £8,000).

When it starts going wrong sell it - it doesn't get any better. I should have sold mine three years ago but didn't for reasons that seemed sensible at the time but seem utterly stupid with hindsight!

It is a very nice car to have when it works though...

Brought 2006 Discovery 3 TDSE secondhand in 2009 with 37500km on the clock. overall happy with the performance, driving, towing, and off road it is unbeatable.

Very comfortable smooth ride on all surfaces

Had a few of the usual faults;

- Radio died

- handbreak motor replaced

- back tail gate electrics

All considered the benefits of this all round awesome car outweighed the few issues by far.

done 147000km now.

Lovely to drive, looks fantastic. Constant suspension problems, wheel bearing failures, electric parking brake fails and is expensive to replace. Tyres wear unevenly on the edges, terrible mpg (24 mpg), horrible road tax. Purchased one just past three years old £24,000.00 from the main dealer 'approved used' as soon as the six month warranty was over the foregoing problems occurred. Then last week, started the car, engine sounded odd, turned off the ignition (no warning lights) - vehicle recovered to main dealer and oil casing replaced for £720.00, dealer called later to say they had started the car up and the engine was knocking, engine broken and I could have a reconditioned one for £10,000.00. I've since read various reviews and this is not uncommon, in fact the main dealer confirmed this to me " I think they make them too complicated". As there was no warning and I had paid over the odds for an approved used car I thought that Landrover might like to contribute to the repair cost - answer NO! Unfortunately Landrover will not provide spare engine parts so my local independent garage cannot fix the problem. They quoted be £7,600.00 for a reconditioned engine from Landrover they said that they could install it after they had replaced the engine of the Landrover sport that was currently on the ramp. My £24,000 car is now after two years worth nothing. Don't make the same mistake as me - avoid this car it has financially ruined me!

I bought the diesel version of this car brand new in March 2005. I picked it up with only 3 miles delivery on the clock. Driving home, the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree so my brand new car had to go back into the garage for 3 weeks. Since then we have been plagued with difficulties and the final straw has come as Land Rover have told me I need a new engine. It is 8 years old and has only 96 000 miles - I would have expected more from a diesel. I have contacted Land Rover's head office and they have told me that apart from giving me a favourable deal on a brand new car, there is nothing they can do. I love driving it but it has got to go. Sadly, I have been now put off buying a new Land Rover so will be looking at Volvo from now on. It seems with this car that you can godet good eggs and bad ones, I clearly got a bad one.

Just bought a Disco 3 2008 HSE Diesel. its done 180,000 klms. the car is fantastic. drives really smooth and am enjoying the all electric options. I could not believe the highway fuel consumption, i drove 2000klms with only 2 full tanks. Very luxury interior. would reccomend.

We have had this car almost from new, the clock has just hit 130,000 miles. Its been great, The build quality is solid. And its great as a family car!

As for problems, we have only had one which was the radio dying cost £400 to be repaired. But from reading other review I seem to be lucky with lack of problems I've had.

Only other problems have to be fuel cost, I seem to get about 24mpg and the auto box can sometimes be a little slow to respond.

Overall its a great car, and I plan to keep it for as long as i can!

When it was suggested to write a review for Land Rover i must say i couldn't be any happier. Good car, solid, a bit thirsty but.... GOOOOOD

i have never had a car so unreliable in the garage again after 9 TIMES IN 23 MONTHES to try to stop the car whilst driving along at any speed including 70mph going into limp mode (15-20mph ) complained to landrover direct who just have no interest at all and dont ever seem to log any imformation at all about previous compaints and breakdowns . ALL i would like is FOR THEM to sort the problem . LANDROVERS answer is to when i get it back this time, is to take it back likes landrover where it came from and refuse to keep the car ,good advise when a car is only 23 months old ,wish i had stuck to porche cayanne instead of looking for 7 seats i feel such a fool . DO NOT BUY ONE OF THESE CARS JUST NOT SAFE FOR YOUR WIFE AND CHILDREN.