Help me choose - do i need active rear diff

[simoncs]

Hi guys,

Have sold my D3 HSE and now need to get a D4 - a nice dilemma to have I guess, but I am not sure what to do.


Ideally I was thinking of getting a 2nd hand D4 HSE with low km's, but I specifically wanted the active rear diff.
There don't seem to be any available at the moment. (and I am not the most patient person:p )
This car will be setup for touring and we hope to do cape york, CSR etc all in good time, with a camper trailer. (will have a winch at some point too, which may help negate the rear diff? ).


Speaking to dealers - naturally they are trying to tempt me with a new car. That was never my intention, but pricing wise, because it is Sept/Oct MY13 are about to come out, and they are doing discounts. So new is not too far away to a used with less than 20k kms.

Again there are very limited options in HSE with rear diff.
As a couple of examples -
I could go Silver with blk interior, piano blk wood inserts, rear diff, elec steering wheel or

fuji white, blk interior, surround cameras, rear entertainment,elec steer wheel, full roof rails - BUT NO rear diff
for about the same money. (strangely)

Do I need the rear diff? I know how capable these cars are without, but have also got my D3 stuck before too, so stopped going 4wding until I got some protection for the car. My thoughts are that the rear diff just makes it that much easier, and so less likely to sustain damage?

So any thoughts on which option to go for? Can I live without rear diff?

thanks

Simon

[discotwinturbo]

Well if everyone was smart enough when they ordered their new D4 with an e-diff at such a small price.....then it would not have been a problem for the next owner, and for you it would have given you more to choose from.

I am really happy my e-diff. It really helps where I take my D4. I have battle scars, and it has not yet turned 12 months old.

I bought my D4 for touring and medium off roading (I went hard offroading in my patrol but had twin lockers, more lift and more body armour).....so it was the first option that I put on the list for what I now do.

You may have to purchase a winch if you can't find the right one.

Brett.....

[WhiteD3]

I ordered my D4 as the base model with leather, eDiff and Bixenons. For touring, off road and resale I think these are must haves. I can't tell you if the eDiff is worth it or not but I do some 4Wding and find the D4 fantastic.

Mind you the D3 I had was fantastic too and it didn't have an eDiff :angel:

[Desert Traveller]

The e-diff is a must if you really want explore your limits. The best value option available if you are into off roading.

[TerryO]

You answered your own question, you can't find one second hand with one so your now considering a new one.

When it comes time to sell you will be able to sell to either a person who wants to go off road or a city driver.

Plus they are real good off road as you would expect.

Cheers,
Terry

[CaverD3]

With the E-diff it does things esier and with less drama.
MY13 D4 will have the eight speed box and the D4 has better off road electronis especially sand mode.
You can get what you want then.
Look at an SE and upspec it may be the way to go.

[chuck]

I ended up getting a stock car without ediff for a $10k reduction against ordering a car with same specs but with ediff.

Did not have the 4 month wait.

I could have bought an ediff car but it did not have rear camera, hi ice or rear air - features that in reality will be used far more often than ediff.

BTW - is the 8 speed confirmed for MY13 cars?

My information is that it is nt confirmed and is more likely MY14 cars.

Off topic - the new rangie now comes standard with same 3.0litre SDV6 as D4.

[CaverD3]

I thought they would not give it to us in Oz as they didn't have to as we have not adopted the latest euro regs.
Embargo until 27th I think. But we are now getting rumours at least, that it will have the eight speed. We know they are getting rid of the 2.7L engine and they have re-jigged the production line, so it makes sense they will standardise the transmissions rather than have different ones for different markets.

[simoncs]

thanks all for the replies - perhaps ediff is the way to go. hmm now just need to see if i like the silver.

[Plane Fixer]

In central Australia on the Chambers Pillar road there was some large areas of sand and I noticed the ediff was locking and unlocking, yet felt seamless in operation. The D4 with ediff is more capable than a lot of more common vehicles.
Go one if possible. I was lucky to get the exact vehicle off the showroom floor at my local dealer so grabbed it without any second thought.
Since March I now have 28,000km on it as it is just so comfortable to drive.

[sniegy]

If you go the eDiff is just makes things look & feel so easy. It is a complicated system that works effortlessly for you, all you do is point & steer to an effect.
I chose it with mine & can say that after driving vehicles with & without I am a very happy man :-)

[rmp]

The ediff is of most use in rocky, hilly terrain but makes life easier in most other offroad situations. It is of very little use in sand, dirt roads etc. Get it if you can. If not, don't worry about it, but know that ediff cars will be able to go slower and take more difficult lines in case you follow one.

[discotwinturbo]

The ediff is of most use in rocky, hilly terrain but makes life easier in most other offroad situations. It is of very little use in sand, dirt roads etc. Get it if you can. If not, don't worry about it, but know that ediff cars will be able to go slower and take more difficult lines in case you follow one.

It actually comes on in sand mode quite often....both centre and rear diff locks. It does improve its sand performance in the climbs that I have faced.
I find in comes in in all modes especially when you plant your foot, and its perfectly seamless. In some modes, if you take it easy it won't come on until it thinks it needs it, but pedal down hard brings it on.
Would love to know about the 3 settings it has.....must be different levels of activation...The little part circles that appear around both lockers.
Brett....

[rmp]

Depends on the sand and the driving style. For scalloped dunes in deserts it'd be useful for sure, but for general dune/beach driving much less so.

The three part-circles reflect degree of lockup. The ediff is not a 0-100 locker like say an ARB Air Locker - it's a clutch with varying degrees of lock. It works in addition to the traction control which is activated by braking spinning wheels, transferring torque to the non-spinning wheel.

[gghaggis]

If the rear eLocker is there, it will activate in many situations. But it doesn't provide any greater ability in all of those situations, just reduces wear and tear on the braking system.

Cheers,

Gordon

[Graeme]

..just reduces wear and tear on the braking systemand I suspect the diff gears too.

[AnD3rew]

I'm sure it is a beautiful thing and I would live to have it on mine, but having said that, my D3 doesn't have it, and I have done some pretty serious stuff in mine and it has done admirably, of you choose the right TR options the right tyre pressures and use your head, it will go some pretty amazing places even without the e-diff. I am installing a winch at the moment, but just as insurance, I have never actually been in a situation where I found the car wanting yet.

[ADMIRAL]

Get it ! It cannot be fitted after, and can only add to the sh sales value.

[simoncs]

thanks all.

picking up a new D4 with active diff on Sat from Melb. So get to do a 1000km road test :D

Now the build starts... will start a new thread soon!!!

[oldsalt]

I was going to say HAVE FUN but I don't think it's necessary .... :D

[simoncs]

OMG! How good is the D4!!!!!
Why didnt you guys tell me:p
I always thought the D3 engine was really impressive for a diesel, but this is a different gravy!

It drives better than most salon cars.

I f'ing love it
And another 600k to go tomorrow.
Cant wait

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

[CaverD3]

Damn good arn't they. :D

Mine isn't enen run in yet so I havn't really given it wellie.

[SBD4]

OMG! How good is the D4!!!!!
Why didnt you guys tell me:p
I always thought the D3 engine was really impressive for a diesel, but this is a different gravy!

It drives better than most salon cars.

I f'ing love it
And another 600k to go tomorrow.
Cant wait

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

now you know why we all drive around with a goofy smile on our face all the time.:D