John Craddock Ltd Magazine (April 2021)
The Land Rover Discovery 3 was first launched at the British International Motor Show in May 2004 and remained in production until 2009. During its five year run, the Discovery became a firm favourite thanks to its all-original design, upgraded infotainment and audio systems, fully independent suspension, and (of course) the introduction of the all new Terrain Response System which redefined the Discovery’s off-road capabilities.
If you’re considering buying a Land Rover Discovery 3, we want to share with you our best advice when it comes to finding the right Disco for your needs and getting the most bang for your buck!
Discovery 3 Buying Guide
The enduring popularity of the Discovery 3 means finding one isn’t necessarily that taxing. However, like any Land Rover, the condition of each vehicle will vary depending on how it has been used over the years, its trim, and any other added extras or features. These factors will also affect how much work needs to be done to bring your new Disco up to scratch. For example, the higher end variants (such as the Discovery 3 HSE) while valuable are also home to a lot of different electrical components, which may find sourcing the correct Discovery 3 parts and accessories a bit difficult.
Things To Look For
We’re not going to teach you to suck eggs when it comes to buying a new car. You know the drill by now in terms of doing due diligence when it comes to service history, mileage and accident damage.
Instead, we’re going to flag up a few Disco 3 specific elements you should be looking out for while shopping around.
Air Suspension
The air suspension of the Land Rover Discovery 3 is one of the elements that sets this vehicle apart from the crowd. However, a faulty air suspension system can be expensive and difficult to fix. Common issues with the Disco 3’s air suspension including leaking air springs, a faulty air compressor, and broken valve blocks.
If you’re on the market for a fixer upper, any number of these kinds of problems can be remedied with replacement Discovery 3 suspension parts. But knowing what to look out for, and how difficult it might be to fix, will give you a realistic idea of what you’re up against before you spend any money on it.
Parking Sensors
While parking sensors aren’t the be all, end all – especially if you’re an avid off-roader – they do have their uses. The good news is that broken or faulty parking sensors can quite easily be fixed and restored to full working order so you can get out of even the tightest of spots with no problems.
Interior Trims and Fittings
The interior of any vehicle is just as important as the exterior. Personally, we love the look and feel of leather interiors, but there are a wide range of interior accessories available to help you to level up your Disco’s interior quite easily.
For example, seat covers can easily be used to both upgrade the look of your interiors and protect the original seats. These types of Land Rover accessories are available in a wide range of colours to suit most styles.
Electronic Park Brake
It’s no secret that the Disco 3 has its quirks, the electronic park brake being one of them. When this part goes wrong, it causes the car to go into limp home mode. Thankfully, with the correct maintenance and use, the Disco’s park brake will continue to work as expected and can be renewed with the replacement of brake discs, brake shoe retaining clips, and disc pads.
While fixable, be sure to check the electronic park brake is working and investigate thoroughly before putting any money on the table.
Shop Discovery 3 Parts & Accessories Today
If you’re on the verge of buying a fixer upper for your next project, here at John Craddock we have all the Discovery 3 parts and accessories you need to get your new second hand Discovery 3 firing on all cylinders ready to hit the trails. We have been experts in all things Landy related since the 1970s and all of our Land Rover parts and accessories are available to buy online from our website today. Alternatively, contact us for more information.
The April 2021 issue of the John Craddock magazine is all about classic vehicles and classic Land Rover parts.
