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EXPERT RATING
7.0

Likes

  • Off-road ability
  • Feature packed
  • Depreciation means a cheap used buy

Dislikes

  • Careful inspection required
  • Diesel's command much more than petrols
  • Heavy weight means greter fuel use and brake wear
Graham Smith
Contributing Journalist
5 Jul 2013
5 min read
0 Comments

Early Discoverys were in equal measure praised for their off-road capability and canned for their unreliability. Thankfully, most of the problems had been sorted out by the time the Discovery 3 was launched in 2005.

NEW

The Discovery 3 was a high-end off-road wagon that came in three models, the S, SE and HSE, there was a choice of V6, V8 and turbo-diesel engines and a much-lauded four-wheel drive system that gave it its legendary off-road performance.

Sitting at the top of the off-road tree the Discovery 3 was the luxury equal of the European off-roaders such as the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz ML and Audi Q7 while leaving them for dead when the blacktop ended.

There, in the realm of the serious offies it was able to hold its own with the likes of the Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol or Mitsubishi Pajero. Make no mistake the Discovery 3 was a big, heavy wagon and best suited to the heavy going, whether that was beating through the bush or making use of its 3500kg towing capacity.

Inside, the driver sat quite upright, more like a commander, with comfortable seating, adjustable steering wheel and a comprehensive array of dials. On the road its bulk tended to melt away, so it didn't feel out of its depth in the confines of the city; it rode and handled well and pulled strongly.

All models were well equipped, as would be expected for such an expensive vehicle. The S entry model was a five-seater with a seven-seat option, V6 and turbo-diesel engine options and the choice of auto or manual gearboxes.

Move up a peg and the SE was a seven-seater with V6 and diesel engine options, but only came with an auto 'box. Go straight to the top and you found yourself at the helm of the HSE, which came with all the bells and whistles and the choice of turbo-diesel or a thumping great V8.

Traction came via a constant four-wheel drive system, while in the SE and HSE the driver had the ability to adjust the system's electronic controls, air suspension, gearbox characteristics, and diff settings, adding to the wagon's off-road performance.

NOW

Prior to the Discovery 3 the Disco was as much noted for its problems as it was for its performance. Such were some of the horror stories that it was as if the ghosts of the British motor industry past had returned to haunt the car.

There were build quality problems, electrical issues and oil leaks galore, and while things improved markedly with the Discovery 3 it's wise to thoroughly check any car under consideration before handing over your readies.

It's best to seek the help of a Land Rover expert and have your potential purchase inspected and road-tested. If it all checks out you can buy with a high degree of confidence that your car will not let you down.

It's a heavy vehicle so expect it to guzzle fuel like there's no tomorrow and rapidly wear out its brakes. Heavy towing can impact on the auto transmission, so take extra care to make sure all is well in that area.

Check for a service record and check it thoroughly, even following up the mechanic who did the work. The engine cam timing belt needs to be replaced every 160,000km or so, and make sure that has happened if your choice has passed that mark.

Check the bodywork and take a look underneath for signs of heavy off-road use. If you suspect a car has been used off-road walk away, there are plenty of town-bound Discos that have never seen a gravel road.

Anyone who bought a new Discovery 3 would be reeling at the rate of depreciation they have endured, but that means second-handies are relatively affordable for those backing up in the used car market. The petrol engines copped it more than the diesel, which represents the best buying.

Land Rover Discovery 3 2005: HSE

Engine Type Diesel Turbo V6, 2.7L
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel Efficiency 10.4L/100km (combined)
Seating 7
Price From $10,010 - $13,750

Verdict

SMITHY SAYS

If you need a heavy-duty four-wheel drive for off-road use or towing it's hard to beat the turbo-diesel 3.

Land Rover Discovery 3 - 2005-2009

Price new: $56,650 to $91,650
Engine: 4.0-litre V6, 4.4-litre V8, 2.7-litre V6 turbo-diesel
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, 6-speed manual (opt. S), 4WD
Economy: 10.4 L/100 km (2.7TD), 15.0 L/100 km (V8), 15.2 L/100 km (V6)
Variants: S, SE, HSE
Safety: 4-star ANCAP

Expect to pay:
$16,000 to $40,000 for the S
$19,000 to $45,000 for the SE
$23,000 to $52,000 for the HSE

OTHERS TO CONSIDER

  • TOYOTA LANDCRUISER - 2007-2009 Of all the off-roadies it's the LandCruiser that sets the serious benchmark for performance, while still delivering reasonable comfort and sophistication. A big beast, but hard to beat. Pay $45,000-$80,000.
  • BMW X5 - 2008-2009 Good driving wagon that's a top townie if not in its natural element out back. Packed with features, is safe and bristles with technology, and has the best badge cred of all. Pay $55,000-$90,000.
  • AUDI Q7 - 2006-2009 Well-built, well equipped, and packed with technology, the huge Q-ship is competent around town and in the bush with its Quattro-drive system. Pay$45,000-$85,000. 3 stars.

Pricing Guides

$11,785
Based on 8 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$3,550
HIGHEST PRICE
$19,999
Graham Smith
Contributing Journalist
With a passion for cars dating back to his childhood and having a qualification in mechanical engineering, Graham couldn’t believe his good fortune when he was offered a job in the Engineering Department at General Motors-Holden’s in the late-1960s when the Kingswood was king and Toyota was an upstart newcomer. It was a dream come true. Over the next 20 years Graham worked in a range of test and development roles within GMH’s Experimental Engineering Department, at the Lang Lang Proving Ground, and the Engine Development Group where he predominantly worked on the six-cylinder and V8 engines. If working for Holden wasn’t exciting enough he also spent two years studying General Motors Institute in America, with work stints with the Chassis Engineering section at Pontiac, and later took up the post of Holden’s liaison engineer at Opel in Germany. But the lure of working in the media saw him become a fulltime motorsport reporter and photographer in the late-1980s following the Grand Prix trail around the world and covering major world motor racing events from bases first in Germany and then London. After returning home to Australia in the late-1980s Graham worked on numerous motoring magazines and newspapers writing about new and used cars, and issues concerning car owners. These days, Graham is CarsGuide's longest standing contributor.
About Author
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Pricing Guide
$3,550
Lowest price, based on third party pricing data.
For more information on
2009 Land Rover Discovery 3
See Pricing & Specs

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