Active rear E-Differential

[Ramageorge]

Hi all
New member first post
I have ordered my first discovery. The 2012 discovery 4 SE
My question is around the active rear E-Differential is it worth getting it fitted ?
Is it worth the $1060 ?
Thanks :)

[DoctorJ]

Depends on whether you plan to go 4wding or not, if you do you will regret it as its very cheap in my mind, if not you will regret it at resale so go for it and enjoy.

Cheers
Julian

[deano]

Yes. Most of the time when off road and watching the 4 wd status screen the rear diff locks first. Not sure how accurate the info display is but I've never been stuck.

[Owen]

It's the best accessory to add IMO

[Ramageorge]

I will be going 4WD nothing extreme. Ok thanks. do you know if they are factor fitted ?

[deano]

Factory only I believe. Anyone?

[mervwho]

The simple answer is YES organize it now not tomorrow, it is the best accessory you will ever have. It cannot be fitted after market.

[sniegy]

Small amount of money to spend now, so you won't regret it later.
Do it !

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

[gghaggis]

The 2012/2013 models Terrain Response is so good, that unless your're doing serious rock-crawling or heavy mud-plugging (aka Malaysian Rainforest), I doubt that you'd notice the difference. I've seen no evidence that having the rear eLocker improves resale value, as it can be implied that most cars with it have led a harder life.

Cheers,

Gordon

[Malcolm]

Hi all
New member first post
I have ordered my first discovery. The 2012 discovery 4 SE
My question is around the active rear E-Differential is it worth getting it fitted ?
Is it worth the $1060 ?
Thanks :)

Do you mean you have ordered a MY2013 Discovery? If it is MY12 is has prob been built and it either has e-diff or not. Can't retro fit it.

[TerryO]

Considering a majority of second hand D3/4 buyers who have said they intend to use the vehicle alot off road according to comments on here over a number of years have said they often make a decision on buying a second hand vehicle on whether it has an e-diff or not then chances are it does have an affect on resale value.

Personally I wouldn't consider one without an e-diff so I for one would be prepared to pay more for the right Discovery with an e-diff. I bet there are many others on here that think the same.

cheers,
Terry

[gghaggis]

Personally I wouldn't consider one without an e-diff so I for one would be prepared to pay more for the right Discovery with an e-diff. I bet there are many others on here that think the same.

cheers,
Terry

I bet there are, but I also bet that the vast majority of them haven't tried a 2012/2013 model side by side with/without an eLocker off-road. It suddenly makes the "need" to have one seem rather weak.

I think something like rear A/C or the like would have better resale appeal.

If it has everything else you want AND you can get the eLocker, go for it. If you can't, don't fret.

Cheers,

Gordon

[chuck]

Gordon

That was the logic I used & what the dealer principal advised.

I had a choice of a SDV6 with ediff & no other options or an SDV6 with rear air, hi ice, metallic paint & rear camera.

Both were the same price

My decision was also swayed as the car I chose (rear air, hi ice & rear camera) was at MLR.

Saved over $10k buying a stock car.

Cheers

[camel_landy]

The rear e-diff makes a big difference off-road but probably does bugger all for your residuals...

It _can_ be retro fitted but it is NOT an easy job!!

M

[Disco4SE]

Sounds like people have different opinions on whether or not to get the e diff.

For me it was a small percentage of the overall purchase price, hence I included it in my build.
Whether the e diff is better in all situations off road or not, the general public will believe that it is and IMHO the e diff fitted vehicle will sell better second hand.

Just my two cents worth.

Cheers, Craig

[Graeme]

I ordered the e-diff because my D2's traction control was forever activating over ruts as rear wheels slipped and I preferred not to be chewing pads and rotors in the dust and to not unnecessarily shorten the life of the diff internals. The e-diff is reported as being heavier duty than the open diff so that's a bonus for longevity.

[CaverD3]

Camel Landy, bit different over here, folks will actually look for an ediff and pay more for it due to the conditions and use they are put too. Can see why in the UK it would make bugger all difference. :D

[101RRS]

Camel Landy, bit different over here, folks will actually look for an ediff and pay more for it due to the conditions and use they are put too. Can see why in the UK it would make bugger all difference. :D

You may be right for AULROIANs but most Discos will be the wife's car and never driven offroad - the majority of owners in their town cars could not care less about an e-diff and as such, like many "accessories" will not add value to the car but may make it easier to sell to an AULROian but not a Soccer Mum.

Garry

[CaverD3]

You may be right for AULROIANs but most Discos will be the wife's car and never driven offroad - the majority of owners in their town cars could not care less about an e-diff and as such, like many "accessories" will not add value to the car but may make it easier to sell to an AULROian but not a Soccer Mum.

Garry

How many soccer mums are buying five year old Discoveries? :angel:

[gghaggis]

It all depends what you're going to use the car for. We are talking the 2013 MY car here. It's Terrain response is better tweaked than the 2010.

If you need to use the car off-road regularly (every week), then as Graeme said, the eLocker in the rear provides a more robust platform and less wear on the braking system. BUT - such a life is likely not going to do too well on trade-in 5 years down the track.

If you're just using the car for touring, some off-road (say 3 or 4 times a year) and not heavy rock-crawling (which is where the rear eLocker makes itself most noticeable), I don't think it's a necessary option. Nice yes, but not necessary. I'd say the vast majority of owners would be in this category or below. You'll be in car-bending territory before you'll notice any significant difference in ability between the locker and non-locker car.

Just this last weekend, I took a brand new Evoque around an off-road course. With no low range. On 20" low-profile tyres. The Terrain Response was gob-smacking. A lot of pretty modified Land Rovers (it was the W4 2013 Land Rover Challenge event here in WA) didn't do it any easier than we did in the Evoque. The local dealer rep was grinning from ear to ear!

Cheers,

Gordon

[101RRS]

How many soccer mums are buying five year old Discoveries? :angel:

I have no idea but 90% of the Discos I see are driven by Soccer Mums and the vehicles have no indication they are used offroad - ie they are standard with road tyres, no 4wd accessories, no roof racks etc and no scratches.

[camel_landy]

Camel Landy, bit different over here, folks will actually look for an ediff and pay more for it due to the conditions and use they are put too. Can see why in the UK it would make bugger all difference. :D
Nah... I'd say it is much the same over here too.

People like us lot would pay the premium but frankly we are only a small share of the market!

M

[TerryO]

Contrary to what some believe not every modded D3/4 owner or ones that go off road on a regular basis is a member of or even knows about Aulro, of the ones I have spoken with at Petrol Stations etc only about 50% have even heard of it or care to be involved in forums.

So it's not just Aulro members who modify their Disco's and go off road and want e-diffs.

Re how good the 2012 Terrain Responce is compared to earlier variations, that is great news but how would the average Joe who is looking at buying a used D4 in a few years time for off road adventures know that? Again a e-diff is a known quantity where as software just keeps on improving, chances are in a couple of years time people will tell you the 2012 Terrain Responce is useless compared to the latest version and for off road an e-diff makes the difference.

For better resale buy a vehicle with an e-diff, at the very least it broadens the base of the number of potential buyers in years to come.

cheers,
Terry

[Redback]

One thing we found out about the E-Diff, in models build date 2011 on, the only way to know if one is fitted, is to ask the dealer:angel: or climb under the car and look to find electrical wires coming from the rear diff.

There is no light on the dash that comes on anymore, to indicate it is working or that you have one.

We have one fitted apparently, but how would you know if it works or not:confused:

Baz.

[CaverD3]

The only way you can tell (except crawling under) is if you have have 4x4 info. This is the case for all D3/4s.

[Redback]

The only way you can tell (except crawling under) is if you have have 4x4 info. This is the case for all D3/4s.

What is 4X4 info:confused:

[~Rich~]

The diff symbol turns red when locked. ;)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/07/1007.jpg

[Redback]

Don't think we have that, we don't have the navigation package, which I'm assuming it is needed for that.

Baz.

[CaverD3]

You need the touch screen, some it is enabled some not. MSV2 can enable it though.

[Redback]

You need the touch screen, some it is enabled some not. MSV2 can enable it though.


OK , might look into that, we have the faultmate.

OK, don't have the touch screen, oh well.

[rufusking]

One thing we found out about the E-Diff, in models build date 2011 on, the only way to know if one is fitted, is to ask the dealer:angel: or climb under the car and look to find electrical wires coming from the rear diff.

There is no light on the dash that comes on anymore, to indicate it is working or that you have one.

We have one fitted apparently, but how would you know if it works or not:confused:

Baz.

From memory you can input the vehicle VIN when you are logged in to topix and it will give a build sheet. Travelling at the moment and can't remember my log in to check.

[Disco4SE]

If you ring any LR dealer and state your VIN number, they will tell you straight away whether it has the e diff or not.
Cant remember which letter it is, but it is one letter in the VIN number that is different.

Cheers, Craig

[Redback]

If you ring any LR dealer and state your VIN number, they will tell you straight away whether it has the e diff or not.
Cant remember which letter it is, but it is one letter in the VIN number that is different.

Cheers, Craig

It has an e-diff, I know that much, was just saying it doesn't have a light to indicate it is working, and as I don't have the touch screen, I'll just have to trust it is working.

Baz.

[camel_landy]

If you ring any LR dealer and state your VIN number, they will tell you straight away whether it has the e diff or not.
Cant remember which letter it is, but it is one letter in the VIN number that is different.

Cheers, Craig
Wasn't aware of it being identifiable from the VIN but if it is going to be anywhere, it'll probably be the letter then denotes the engine/gearbox option.

M

[101RRS]

Topix should outline what was included in the build.

Garry

[JamesH]

Thanks for this thread. I'm pondering this very topic.

I'll want to go off road touring though not too much rock crawling stuff, though maybe some dodgy Kimberley tracks.

I won't be paying cash for the car so it won't be a matter of buying an e-diff it will be a matter of hiring one from the bank for $50 a year. This sort of complicates the decision making process. Obviously it would be nice to have though I take heart in GGHaggis's comments

I'd get more use out of a Traxide dual battery set up. I use an Engel much more often than I go mud hopping and rock wallowing. I could keep the beverages chilled while waiting for someone to come and help me get out when I'm stuck due to being too poor to pay for E-diff.

Having to choose between one option or another is the reality and these threads really help.

[sniegy]

The VIN does NOT advise whether the rear E-diff is fitted or not.
The easiest way as someone in another thread described was to put the vehicle in off-road height & look into the L/H/R wheel arch atop the diif housing & you can just see the actuator.

Cheers

[discotwinturbo]

The VIN does NOT advise whether the rear E-diff is fitted or not.
The easiest way as someone in another thread described was to put the vehicle in off-road height & look into the L/H/R wheel arch atop the diif housing & you can just see the actuator.

Cheers

I put my VIN into topix.....and it stated it was fitted.
I put my uncles D4's VIN and it showed no ediff....he does not have one fitted.

Brett.....

[Graeme]

The VIN itself does not have a code indicating the existance or not of the e-diff but calling-up the build info using the VIN shows it along with other build info such as paint colour.

[discotwinturbo]

The VIN itself does not have a code indicating the existance or not of the e-diff but calling-up the build info using the VIN shows it along with other build info such as paint colour.

Gotcha.

My car is showing as black...but it's white. Everything else seems right though.

Brett....

[Graeme]

Someone's colour blind?

[roamer]

Gotcha.

My car is showing as black...but it's white. Everything else seems right though.

Brett....

Colour blind OR...........






Dealer resprayed it to cover the damage on predelivery :wasntme:

[Bardizzo]

I had a look on the topix site to see if I had an e-diff on the D4, I dont and they got the colour wrong, everything else seemed spot on.
I then looked up my 130 ('99) and D1 commercial ('98) and lo and behold I have a locking rear differential (e-diff) in both!!!!! How lucky am I???;):p