By DaveF - 13 Mar 2013
Hi, I am looking for advice, recommendations or warnings.
Never owned a Land Rover before, but I am considering buying an 08Reg G4D3 and am looking for any comments from present or past owners on the cars reliability and running/servicing costs.
I will be using it as a part time general purpose family car, off-roading, green laneing and overland holidays through Europe and down into Morocco.
Any suggestion / recommendation on what I should be looking at paying attention to would be greatfully received.
Thanks
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By Kisangani - 14 Mar 2013
Hi Dave,
we've had ours since April 2009, it had 850 miles on the clock then, now 37,000. We drive it as the regular car, shops work trips etc. Have done a few trans European trips Spain France and Switzerland. A wee bit of off road, but not much. And in all that time she has been a pleasure, no problems at all. I still take out the extended warranty just in case, but not needed it yet (touch wood). There are some G4 D3 owners/members here who have large shares in the AA, and other that have had issues inflicted on them, but personally so far I am nothing but happy with my D3. As for servicing, with the warranty we always go back to our nearest LR dealership. We use Guy Salmon in Thames Ditton, and without hyping them too much, they have been nothing but excellent, the average annual service and mot is about £4-500. No more or less than our other cars. Fuel now is eye watering and of course the D3 with all the toys don't return a great mpg. but we expected that, and if it was a huge concern we would have bought a normal car. The advantage over any other vehicle is the the huge pleasure you get driving the big orange beast around and the looks waves and smiles you get. And the thrill of seeing another one out and about. I for one am a happy D3 and G4 owner. good luck in your choosing Rich
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By Pip66 - 15 Mar 2013
Wow, having never owned a Land Rover before. Thats a great start to the world of Land Rover ownership. :cool:
Phil.
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By Agent Orange - 17 Mar 2013
HI,had my D3 for nearly 3 years and apart for a gearbox problem that turned out to be a fuse no other problems,its used for my work and tows a trailer,now i'm on the Orange side theirs no going back !!!!
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By DurtyDisco - 18 Mar 2013
We've had Tigger for just over 12 months, no major isuses other than a failed wheel bearing unit (which is wear and tear at 80,000 miles)..... going stong, love the car, have great fun at the G4OC events we have attended and looking forward to a great summer of fun!
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By Hillbilly - 20 Mar 2013
Hi,
From one who recently sold a D3 G4 08, Buy, Buy, Buy. 'Cause once you've had one and sell it, there will be one hell of a hole in your life.
Tony
South Wales
Ex D3 G4 BD08 VRX Fleet No 27 (was on 3602 TE) Gone but not forgotten.
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By Steveraspberry - 5 Apr 2013
We've had ours for nearly a year now. It is my work vehicle ( I teach off roading ) and it is a lovely piece of kit. Can be time consuming to return to original spec, not to mention expensive but you will enjoy it no doubt ;-)
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By Emon - 6 Apr 2013
Great comments above and also to share with you my thoughts; the LR D3 generally is one of the best all round cars in the world. Some of our friends own non-G4 D3s and they have had very little issues with them, so from general reliability perspective I would say it is no worse than any other vehicle - my personal take on reliability is it is very much dependent on you, how you drive it, maintain it and care for it.Land Rover ownership is special as you are buying into a lifestyle, although the marketeers push for this, it is actually true if you do many driving holidays, involved in sports and outdoor activities. For this very reason our family has owned and enjoyed LRs for a long time. If you haven't owned an LR before and going straight to the top of the LR chain with a G4 ownership, then you will be overwhelmed by not just the driving pleasure of an LR but the kudos of the Orange side, as said in posts above. The G4 D3 however is very, very special (after the G4 110 ;)), loved by our friends kids whose dad's have the standard D3 and constantly nagging to get a G4 version. So if you are in a position to buy one, just buy it and enjoy life. Cost of ownership for the type of use you are thinking of should not be high, but the Morocco trips will require you do an upgraded maintenance schedule than the standard UK schedule - if you wish to retain its reliability, performance and value. Since it is a very complex and capable vehicle, it requires special attention. Your enjoyment will be greatly enhanced if you also learn about how it works and what its systems are doing. Enjoy.
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