Wavering ... ???

[oldsalt]

I did a favour for a friend today ... and it could be very costly :eek: - I dropped her at the local VW dealer where she had had her Golf in for a service...and while I was there I thought it wouldn't hurt to have a look in the showroom (first mistake), and a few minutes later I was sailing down the road in a new Amarok dual cab ute with the new eight speed auto .... boy it's a nice package !!!! BUT the thing (or things) that really caught my eye were that it had a real handbrake and grab handles on the "a" pillar to assist when getting in the vehicle. Little things I know BUT they are things I miss on my D3 .... so I definately have put the VW on my list as a possible replacement for the D3 ... and did I mention that it comes with 16" steel wheels or 17" - 18" - or 19" alloys .... I'm wavering :(

[Mick_Marsh]

I've only heard good things about the Amarok.

[Tombie]

They are an awesome vehicle...

:D

VW even sent a couple here in 'Mine Spec' for us to play with....

[sniegy]

My best mate has one, he has the manual variant(2010) & we have been out a few times off road & I must say they are more capable than they look. There traction control system & HDC is nearly on par with the D4 (dare I say it).
Best thing about it is it's fuel economy, can't get anything near it.
Averages 8L/100ks constantly with mainly city driving & some casual drives to Geelong here & there.

If I needed a D/C ute, this is something I would definitely have.

Cheers.

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

[justinc]

One of my customers traded his immaculate 2004 110 on one, recently saw him and he was keen to try and buy the 110 back from the guy who bought it!!:o

Seems he has no issues at all with the vehicle, it has been fantastic but he misses the defender:D

JC

[Celtoid]

It rides as well as a D4?

[chuck]

Old Salt

Drove one my self & was very impressed.

I wavered after selling my D3 and bought an Altitude Spec Prado with all of the usual ARB gear.

It lasted 4 months & fortunately I sold it for $2K less than I paid for it.

I was seriously considering the Amarok but the Prado experience led me back to Landrover a D4.

Luckily they were on special at the time and I picked one up at the right price.

If they had been the price I paid back in February I would not have bought the Prado.

Loving the D4 even though it is not specced liked the Prado was.

Cheers

[Hymie]

Be very careful with the Amarok. The have a very high speed rating on the tyres and last time I looked there were only 2 different tyres available for them.

[Drover]

I spent a bit of time under, inside and over one a couple of weeks ago fitting dual battery system to mates band newy.

Very impressed, very well made. Chassis was well braced and nicely engineered, interior panel all fitted well.

Overall a very nice truck. As all ready said, if was after a DC ute, the Amarock would probably get he nod.

[rmp]

The speed rating of the tyre need not be the placard for offroaders.

Also consider the Ranger/BT-50.

There is more than one D3 owner who has moved to a ute, and the modern ones give little away to a wagon.

[Hymie]

The speed rating of the tyre need not be the placard for offroaders.



Hmmm, Insurance companies love wriggling out of Policies, I'd want to be sure.

[rmp]

Hmmm, Insurance companies love wriggling out of Policies, I'd want to be sure.

Contact your local road authority then, or read their website and find the relevant document.

You'll find that Australian 4WDs need only have a rating of N, irrespective of the placard. This across Australia.

More to the point is rims with non-standard offset, greater diameter and rubbing on max flex/lock. These are all specific things the regs say you cannot do, but are routinely ignored by offroaders.

The very latest laws now make it in effect illegal to modify any vehicle with stability control.

[Tombie]

Contact your local road authority then, or read their website and find the relevant document.

You'll find that Australian 4WDs need only have a rating of N, irrespective of the placard. This across Australia.

More to the point is rims with non-standard offset, greater diameter and rubbing on max flex/lock. These are all specific things the regs say you cannot do, but are routinely ignored by offroaders.

The very latest laws now make it in effect illegal to modify any vehicle with stability control.

Correct ^^^

Thanks for saving me a lot of typing... :)

[oldsalt]

I've always hankered after a set of OEM 17" alloys for the D3 .... probably just cheaper to buy an Amarok .... ho ho ho :p

It was a nice vehicle to drive and it's certainly on my radar for a future vehicle, unless I win lotto and then I'll just buy a 3.0 D4 and put D3 discs and calipers on it and tell LR to shove their warranty :twisted:

[incisor]

The only thing that lets the vw down is the dealers attitudes

Service costs on the dsg are very expensive so do your sums up front

I have used two dealers on the northside of brisbane and they have been the worst dealers i have ever experienced

That said i love the vehicle ....... Just need to find a decent dealer or specialist

[rmp]

I've always hankered after a set of OEM 17" alloys for the D3 .... probably just cheaper to buy an Amarok .... ho ho ho :p

It was a nice vehicle to drive and it's certainly on my radar for a future vehicle, unless I win lotto and then I'll just buy a 3.0 D4 and put D3 discs and calipers on it and tell LR to shove their warranty :twisted:

Here again modifying the brakes is going to be a roadworthy issue, especially as the D3/D4 has stability control.

[discotwinturbo]

The only thing that lets the vw down is the dealers attitudes

Service costs on the dsg are very expensive so do your sums up front

I have used two dealers on the northside of brisbane and they have been the worst dealers i have ever experienced

That said i love the vehicle ....... Just need to find a decent dealer or specialist

Amarok has a ZF......Disco has a ZF.

Smaller VW's have the DSG.

WA VW dealers are great. Especially when it comes to out of warranty claims.

I just hope my 2012 D4 is half as reliable as my VW Toaureg, and I will be forever happy.Touch wood....so far so good.

I chose the D4 only due to towing capacity over the Amarok...but she is real nice and is starting to look good with all the goodies she now sports, and with more to come.

Brett....

[oldsalt]

Yep I realise that ... oh well... I can dream can't I ??? :)
cheers

[Hymie]

Contact your local road authority then, or read their website and find the relevant document.

You'll find that Australian 4WDs need only have a rating of N, irrespective of the placard. This across Australia.

More to the point is rims with non-standard offset, greater diameter and rubbing on max flex/lock. These are all specific things the regs say you cannot do, but are routinely ignored by offroaders.

The very latest laws now make it in effect illegal to modify any vehicle with stability control.


Thanks for clarifying that I was only going by what an Amarok owner told me when he wanted to get a more aggressive tread pattern than road tyres.
He got the info from one of the Amarok forums so I'll pass it on to him.

[CaverD3]

The very latest laws now make it in effect illegal to modify any vehicle with stability control.

Which laws?

Effectively same effect as VSI 50? Plenty still being modified with supension (Playdoughs, 200s, Pajeros, D3 coilers) all have stability control.

[rmp]

Thanks for clarifying that I was only going by what an Amarok owner told me when he wanted to get a more aggressive tread pattern than road tyres.
He got the info from one of the Amarok forums so I'll pass it on to him.

Don't believe everything you read on forums.

Oh, hang on....

[rmp]

Which laws?

Effectively same effect as VSI 50? Plenty still being modified with supension (Playdoughs, 200s, Pajeros, D3 coilers) all have stability control.

Yes essentially the same. New VSB 14 in Victoria.

ESC is now mandatory in Vic and will be (or is) Australia wide.

[CaverD3]

So only in Vic?

Does it just need angineers cert?

[Redback]

I did a favour for a friend today ... and it could be very costly :eek: - I dropped her at the local VW dealer where she had had her Golf in for a service...and while I was there I thought it wouldn't hurt to have a look in the showroom (first mistake), and a few minutes later I was sailing down the road in a new Amarok dual cab ute with the new eight speed auto .... boy it's a nice package !!!! BUT the thing (or things) that really caught my eye were that it had a real handbrake and grab handles on the "a" pillar to assist when getting in the vehicle. Little things I know BUT they are things I miss on my D3 .... so I definately have put the VW on my list as a possible replacement for the D3 ... and did I mention that it comes with 16" steel wheels or 17" - 18" - or 19" alloys .... I'm wavering :(

We have an Amarok(daughters car) you would be hard pressed to drive a better 4WD, they carry a tonne without a problem, it's barely noticable, tows our camper like it isn't there, offroad it is amazing, we love it.

Get one, you will not be disappointed:D

Baz.

[Celtoid]

We have an Amarok(daughters car) you would be hard pressed to drive a better 4WD, they carry a tonne without a problem, it's barely noticable, tows our camper like it isn't there, offroad it is amazing, we love it.

Get one, you will not be disappointed:D

Baz.

As good as a D4? :o

[CaverD3]

No. :D

It is a great truck, best of the utes. But I think the D3/4 is a much better ride and more relaxing.

Looked at the manual and the Challenger auto but could not bring myself to downgrade.;)

[JayBee75]

Have also Looked at the Amorak Ultimate very impressive. My only oncern and one that is continually highlighted to me is that they are unproven from the engine longevity.
2.0 twin turbo pulling the weight it does, means the engine is working harder than it should all the time. Basically at 100,000ks are you up for two new turbos, or more? A smaller engine havin to work harder is bound to suffer in the long term, god knows why hey did not put the 3.0l toureg engine in it.

This feedback on the engine has come from a couple of mechanics I know who specialise in Patrols, and refer to the 3.0 l patrol engine and it's documented history of being underpowered and their tendency to go bang after a certain amount of k's.

The only other thing for me is they are asking a premium price over their competitors in an unproven car in the Aus market.

[Stuart02]

The very latest laws now make it in effect illegal to modify any vehicle with stability control.

You mean modifications affecting handling, or anything at all? And does that extend to tyre size, tread pattern and construction?

[Celtoid]

Have also Looked at the Amorak Ultimate very impressive. My only oncern and one that is continually highlighted to me is that they are unproven from the engine longevity.
2.0 twin turbo pulling the weight it does, means the engine is working harder than it should all the time. Basically at 100,000ks are you up for two new turbos, or more? A smaller engine havin to work harder is bound to suffer in the long term, god knows why hey did not put the 3.0l toureg engine in it.

This feedback on the engine has come from a couple of mechanics I know who specialise in Patrols, and refer to the 3.0 l patrol engine and it's documented history of being underpowered and their tendency to go bang after a certain amount of k's.

The only other thing for me is they are asking a premium price over their competitors in an unproven car in the Aus market.

Is it fair to compare a Euro and a Jap engine? My understanding is that the Euro's are light years ahead in build quality and design. That's gotto count in their favour hasn't it?

Also wasn't the point of the Patrol being underpowered being the problem...is the VW underpowerd or just undersized...LOL!!!

As I said, I'm speculating.

Is this the first time this engine has been used or just in this set-up? I've got a 510nm twin turbo 4cyl diesel in a Merc, I think that engine has been around for a while....so maybe it's not so uncommon in German or Euro marques. 510nm is definately not underpowered!

Cheers,

Kev.

[Redback]

As good as a D4? :o

Not overall, but there are certain things it will do better.

Some excamples

1) It will climb a hill without using the throttle(1/1 gradient, the D4 won't

2) Torque is more user friendly(pulls better from a lower rev range)

3) I think the seats are more comforable, you don't move around as much.

We have tested this using our D4 and the Daughters Rok, I think this is mainly because the Rok is manual though.

The D4 overall is a better car though.

Baz.

[oldsalt]

Some very interesting comments there ... thanks.
I'll be sticking with my D3 for a while yet, however a mate of mine is in the market for a "replacement" for his Toyota and he is looking very closely at the VW .... so I may get to go for a loooong test drive in his sometime soon. :p
As I mentioned in my original post the two things that I liked were the "grab" handle on the inside of the a pillar and the real handbrake.
My dad tends to grab the outside of the a pillar when he's getting into my car (or he did till I caught him) :twisted: the plastic trim was taking all the strain !!!! - and I like the look (and feel) of a real handbrake not that I've had any trouble with the D3's electronic brake ... I just wonder what they were thinking when they put an electronic handbrake that is prone to failing after it gets wet & dirty on a 4WD in the first place - bit like an ashtray on a motorbike !!!!
And - YES - I did find the VW seats very comfy...however it was only a short blast (sorry test drive) down the road.
As to the longevity of the VW engine I'd like to think they have done their homework and it'll be O.K. in the long run.
I once drove a '66 kombi all the way down the west coast of Africa from Tangier to Dakar and ever since then I've been a fan of VWs. It was a very long time ago and the world was a very different place - I wouldn't be brave enough to go to some of those places today :( but I digress ... I enjoyed testing the VW and I look forward to driving one for real out in the bush sometime soon.
cheers

[LRTech23]

You mean modifications affecting handling, or anything at all? And does that extend to tyre size, tread pattern and construction?

Technically changing anything on your car relating to your tyres/brakes will not only effect your DSC but also your ABS.

Depending on how far you go, the system will still work, it just won't work as effectively.

In saying that, last time I saw a D4
make an evasive manoeuvre it flipped and killed 4 people. WEAR YOUR SEATBELTS PEOPLE.

[TerryO]

In saying that, last time I saw a D4
make an evasive manoeuvre it flipped and killed 4 people. WEAR YOUR SEATBELTS PEOPLE.


Not wanting to sound ghoulish LRtech but when and where did this accident occur?

cheers,
Terry

[CaverD3]

Stability control cannot defy the laws of physics.

Stability control does not always work:

Jeep Grand Cherokee moose test -- the full story - YouTube

[Celtoid]

Not overall, but there are certain things it will do better.

Some excamples

1) It will climb a hill without using the throttle(1/1 gradient, the D4 won't

2) Torque is more user friendly(pulls better from a lower rev range)

3) I think the seats are more comforable, you don't move around as much.

We have tested this using our D4 and the Daughters Rok, I think this is mainly because the Rok is manual though.

The D4 overall is a better car though.


Baz.

Hi Baz,

I think, as you said the manual helps, and it is a considerably lighter vehicle....which helps too.

I'm not a big dude....85kgs and 5'9" but the D4 seats just aren't that comfortable for me. Find them way too too stiff, after an hour or so more obvious, 4hrs plus....seriously sore arse! Kids and wife complain too. Maybe if I were heavier they'd be better.......probably last for ever thou...

Cheers,

Kev.

[LRTech23]

Not wanting to sound ghoulish LRtech but when and where did this accident occur?

cheers,
Terry

Last year, in country Victoria.

[Redback]

Hi Baz,

I think, as you said the manual helps, and it is a considerably lighter vehicle....which helps too.

I'm not a big dude....85kgs and 5'9" but the D4 seats just aren't that comfortable for me. Find them way too too stiff, after an hour or so more obvious, 4hrs plus....seriously sore arse! Kids and wife complain too. Maybe if I were heavier they'd be better.......probably last for ever thou...

Cheers,

Kev.

It is built into the 4WD system, the claim by VW is it will climb a 1 in 1 (45deg) gradient with no throttle.

Yes me too and I'm 97kg and 5'10 1/2, the Amarok seats rap around you and are a tad softer, very comfy.

I still love the D4, would not get rid of it for anything.

Baz.

[Tombie]

Not wanting to sound ghoulish LRtech but when and where did this accident occur?

cheers,
Terry

Why can I find no record of this occurrence???

[LRTech23]

Why can I find no record of this occurrence???

If I can find the article ill gladly link it.

[TerryO]

Why can I find no record of this occurrence???

That is why I was asking.

cheers,
Terry

[LRTech23]

I can't find the news article at the moment, but my sisters boyfriend lost one of his mates in that crash and the other has been left pretty mentally incapacitated.