Discovery 3 V8

[Nichlo]

looking at getting a Discovery 3 seems the V8 HSE is the cheapest option what are the V8's like off road would it be a good buy or should i not bother with the V8 at all its a 2005 model .
always had Diesels. but they seem rare of cost to much
is it only the fuel consumption that people hate or is there more problems
and if i go petrol would the V8 be better then the V6

been looking thru post here but maybe i missed some
itll be mostly on road but when i go off road i would like something that can still handle it when the roads get tough.

[rmp]

D3 V8s are excellent buying, quick, quiet and refined. They are just as good, possibly better than the diesel in the rough but lack the range which is already squeezed in the diesel. V8s are preferred over the V6 petrol for all reasons bar cost. For the size of car and engine fuel consumption is excellent. The V8 D3s are now something of a bargain IMHO. Chances are maintenance may even be cheaper than the diesel with lack of turbos etc.

[ozscott]

Add a long range tank? If you could problem solved. Add LPG injection? Problem gone. Cheers

[ozscott]

D3 V8s are excellent buying, quick, quiet and refined. They are just as good, possibly better than the diesel in the rough but lack the range which is already squeezed in the diesel. V8s are preferred over the V6 petrol for all reasons bar cost. For the size of car and engine fuel consumption is excellent. The V8 D3s are now something of a bargain IMHO. Chances are maintenance may even be cheaper than the diesel with lack of turbos etc.




According to overlander the v8'tows 2 tonns better also. 2006 Tow Test: Part 1 - Large Wagons - Vehicle Tests - Overlander 4WD Magazine - Australia's leading four wheel drive magazine (http://www.overlander.com.au/vehicle_tests/index/full/274/2006-Tow-Test:-Part-1---Large-Wagons)

Cheers

[Garry]

I have had my V8 for over 2 years now and I am looking forward to the next 5 when it becomes 10 and might only then consider getting a new one

I have the long range tank fitted and it makes a massive difference, if you dont mind the bill for the fuel if both tanks are empty

If you have any other questions PM me

G

[Colin Pedersen]

Have the HSE V8 for the same reason on a 3 year turn around. The difference in fuel outweighed the difference in cost for a diesel (and you get the HSE spec). Averaging around 16l/100K combined but get 12.6 on the open road. off road, towing, town driving are all excellent. The only major disappointment is you cannot fit an ARB bar...but there are some others. Look out for the front ball joint (have them replaced before you buy?) My next project will be a long range tank to get the distance.

[Celtoid]

According to overlander the v8'tows 2 tonns better also. 2006 Tow Test: Part 1 - Large Wagons - Vehicle Tests - Overlander 4WD Magazine - Australia's leading four wheel drive magazine (http://www.overlander.com.au/vehicle_tests/index/full/274/2006-Tow-Test:-Part-1---Large-Wagons)

Cheers

Be interesting to see the comparison run on the D4 with the new donks in both engine types (petrol & diesel) and improvements in transmission and suspension with added towing stability systems. As in, how well the D4 stacks up against the competition now.

Interesting comment on the Jeep thou..."and the full-time Quadra Drive that exceeds even the Discos' for seamless on and Offroad ability" What exactly does that mean? Don't think I've read a good write up on this vehicle anywhere....maybe I haven't been looking hard enough! :)

[ozscott]

No I agree that model jeep was crap...Jeep seem to be the only maker who can do a live axle and it has a much wheel travel as an independent suspensions...

I agree too about the D4 - in the several engine guises it would have to still kick butt.

Cheers

[Blue C]

Be interesting to see the comparison run on the D4 with the new donks in both engine types (petrol & diesel) and improvements in transmission and suspension with added towing stability systems. As in, how well the D4 stacks up against the competition now.

Interesting comment on the Jeep thou..."and the full-time Quadra Drive that exceeds even the Discos' for seamless on and Offroad ability" What exactly does that mean? Don't think I've read a good write up on this vehicle anywhere....maybe I haven't been looking hard enough! :)

Although a relative newbie (and abit off the topic) I feel I am in good position to comment on the Jeep and Quadra Drive 2 which may be of interest. I bought my D3 TDV6 SE in Nov 2009 having sold a Jeep Commander 3L CRD after the warranty ran out due to significant reliability issues that could fill a book! However the Merc 3 L CRD + Quadra Drive 2 is an excellent combination and I agree with the comment in Overlander tow test that it's seemless on and offroad. Bascially it combines electronically controlled limited slip diffs both front and rear (ELSD's) with a clutch pack lock up centre diff as well as Brake Lock Differential (using the ABS system much like the D3). All this is completely automatic and it will operative just as effectively regardless of frequent changes in the terrain. In low range the DSC (ESP in Jeep speak) turns off automatically which is especially good in sand and mud.

In practice it would climb unbelievable slippery slopes (I had mud terrain tyres) and in 3 years of a variety of serious offroad driving I was very impressed with it's offroad ablity (after a 50mm lift granted). My D3 doesn't have the rear e-diff (unfortunately) but my impressions to date are that it's not far behind the Jeep in ultimate traction offroad (with the identical Cooper STT's) and I am very pleased I bought it.

cheers

David

[Celtoid]

Although a relative newbie (and abit off the topic) I feel I am in good position to comment on the Jeep and Quadra Drive 2 which may be of interest. I bought my D3 TDV6 SE in Nov 2009 having sold a Jeep Commander 3L CRD after the warranty ran out due to significant reliability issues that could fill a book! However the Merc 3 L CRD + Quadra Drive 2 is an excellent combination and I agree with the comment in Overlander tow test that it's seemless on and offroad. Bascially it combines electronically controlled limited slip diffs both front and rear (ELSD's) with a clutch pack lock up centre diff as well as Brake Lock Differential (using the ABS system much like the D3). All this is completely automatic and it will operative just as effectively regardless of frequent changes in the terrain. In low range the DSC (ESP in Jeep speak) turns off automatically which is especially good in sand and mud.

In practice it would climb unbelievable slippery slopes (I had mud terrain tyres) and in 3 years of a variety of serious offroad driving I was very impressed with it's offroad ablity (after a 50mm lift granted). My D3 doesn't have the rear e-diff (unfortunately) but my impressions to date are that it's not far behind the Jeep in ultimate traction offroad (with the identical Cooper STT's) and I am very pleased I bought it.

cheers

David

I see David....so what you're saying is that when the car is working it works really, really well.......sounds awfully like a Land Rover story....LOL

Thanks.

Kev.

[Blue C]

Spot on Kev. In one 12mth period it was off the road for a total of 17 weeks of repairs. The rest of the time it was excellent!!

[cartm58]

but the new jeep grand cherokee is a Fiat funded, German designed when Daimler owned Jeep and now American built and using very similar technology to the Discovery and now like the Discovery has air bag adjustable suspension and is independent suspension front and rear

Issue is going to build quality in terms of prices seems cheaper than the Discovery 4 and better fuel economy from the new 3.6 petrol motor in the Jeep

All l now need is a job to pay me enough to take the foolish decision to spend the dollars on a depreciating assets with high maintenance and repair costs compared to investing the money in shares

[Celtoid]

Sorry, seemed to have taken things off thread, but....

The point being.....

There is a lot of "very similar technology" happening, so it made me think. I have no idea who owned the designs of LR Command Shift, air suspension, etc, etc, etc, but when a company changes ownership so often where does the technology lie. In other words, can Ford or BMW release a vehicle using LR'ish engineering due to the fact that they owned the brand at one point?

How does that work?

[Celtoid]

Spot on Kev. In one 12mth period it was off the road for a total of 17 weeks of repairs. The rest of the time it was excellent!!

Wow.....I panicked when I started having 'issues' with my D4,,,,once the pulse stopped racing, I remembered the most significant being a suspension failure, which was OK 90+% of the time....the rest were nif naff annoying things probably not anything more than some clumbsy bugger needing a kick in the butt for breaking things on assembly....things that would look OK on inspection.

17 weeks?.......I had to do without mine for a just over a week when I was getting some self induced breakage fixed.....it was pretty bad......:(

Cheers.