Just how much safer is a D3 over a D2a

[catch-22]

Have been considering upgrading to a D3 HSE or SE 07+ from my D2a. From memory the D2a has a 3 star rating and the D3 a 4 star.....but what does this really mean? Given the old chassis design of the D2 I would imagine there is a huge difference but wanted peoples views.....I cannot find video of ancap testing the d2a

I have seen the d1 vs espace on 5th gear and it didn't look pretty....but that was the d1...

Cheers

[steve_35]

I wouldn't put to much faith in those ancap ratings
Just take them all into consideration and use your eyes if there is no room for your legs when its solid theirs not going to much after it smashes into something

Accidents never happen the way they test

I have never seen a test of car hitting a lamp post sideways at 60k
Or of one hitting the back end of a stationery flat bed truck

Depending on the truck a Discovery will hit engine to bed a little better than windscreen to bed but they dont test that

As for is a D3 safer than a D2 no idea but it should be just dont expect it to be a tank

[WhiteD3]

Safety ratings are relative.

SWMBO's 2010 Golf is a 5 star and was recently rated as the world's safest car.

Not sure what the D3 is rated but in this recent incident I'd rather have been in the D3 than the Golf.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/98127-d3-vs-commodore-ute-winner.html

As a family we feel a lot more secure in the D3:)

[twr7cx]

From memory the D2a has a 3 star rating and the D3 a 4 star.....but what does this really mean?

This is a trap that many people fall into! Safety raitings are adjusted annually! I.e. a vehicle that got 5 stars 10 years ago in the 2001 ratings, if it was now entered into the 2011 assessments would probably be 3 stars at best. In other words you cannot compare them, it's not comparing apples with apples. A 3 star vehicle in 2005 is not necessarily a 3 star in 2011.

As for how much safer a D3 is over a D2, not sure. But considering the D2 is heavily based on the D1 from 1989, with some upgrades and safety equipment added, while the D3 is a whole new shape released in 2004, I would be willing to suggest it is far superior. Vehicle safety has come a long long way in the last two decades!

[Tombie]

<snip>
Vehicle safety has come a long long way in the last two decades!

Unfortunately Driver ability and training has been on a inverse trajectory.
Paralleled only by common sense :(

[Zute]

I would imagine the D3 has side air bags where the D2a does not. The main differance from a 4 star to a 5 star is pedestrian safety.
Also I think there is a big differance between the D1 and D2 chassis.

[PhilipA]

Then all we Defender, D1,D2,RRC drivers are flirting with death every time we drive.

It just makes me sick to think about it.

In reality when a 2+ tonne 4wd hits anything lighter , it uses the crumple zone from the smaller car.

I can recall a few years ago that a UK? survey found the lowest death rate in serios accidents was an RRC, with hardly an airbag to be seen.

If you hit some thing solid like a bridge or truck at not more than 60Kmh then the D3 is definitely safer, but then it was probably your fault. Hit at 80 and you are dead anyway as all those airbags etc won't save you.

And of course we RRC owners cannot spread the blame and say the stability control failed , I will sue, the traction control failed I will sue, the Hill descent control went too fast and I hit a tree and so on.

No one to blame but ourselves .

IMHO to buy a car on the basis of whether it will save your life is a very negative thing to do. Take personal responsibility.
Regards Philip A