Discovery 3 S (coils) - are they good off road?

[greengumby2]

Hi everyone
I'm looking at buying a Discovery 3 S, but I've been hearing some stories that they are crap off road - is this correct? Is that true even if you put the 2" lift on them? I would really only be doing beach work and nothing too extreme in the 4wd department and I have the chance to buy a really good low kilometre one, but I'm hesitating because of what I've been told. Can owners of these please give me their thoughts.
Ps - I'm looking at the V6 Petrol model if that makes any difference?

Cheers and thanks for any help you can give

[discotwinturbo]

The coil version I guess is like a Pajero off-road, or any other coil sprung all independent 4wd.

For sand you will be fine. A lift never hurts to keep above the sand. I guess it came with 17's which has to be a big advantage for airing down and lengthening the foot print.

Now if you could find an airbag version (probably most would be airbag sprung) then it will show up all other Marques off road.

Brett...

[rar110]

I have no experience with either, other than test driving an SE with air suspension and looking at classifieds.

The S is not much cheaper than the SE in the 6-7 year range. The air suspension is more expensive as a long term consumable but gives a great ride and is amazing off road. Check out the YouTube sticky.

[Redback]

The Coil D3 S is just as good as the air sprung SE offroad, I have a mate with one and I cant see any difference at all offroad, he has 265/70/17s and a 2" lift, it actually has more clearence than my D4 has in offroad height, the TC in the Coil D3, works just as well as the air supension model.

My advice is go for the TDV6, much better engine, the petrol lacks torque and is really thirsty, the diesel is better for towing also.

Baz.

[grumpa]

Hi all
I have a D3 S petrol V6 and it is a great car! I had a 2" lift done for sand etc. No problems - ever! Reliable, super comfortable and great for towing (but get rid of the 'plough'). If I could afford a TDV6 I would buy one, but this does all I need, including off-road work on our farm (steep hills, mud etc). I have also been to Flinders Ranges, Lake Eyre etc without any problems. Best car I ever bought.

[SuperMono]

D3S with coils will work fine on sand other than limited ground clearance.
50mm suspension upgrade improves that.
Turn of the stability control at low speed in the soft stuff.

In other off-road conditions again the ground clearance is the limiting factor.
Mine (with 50mm Dobinsons suspension) goes everywhere I have ever asked it to with less drama than most.

If the price is right having steel instead of air wouldn't worry me.
But allow for the suspension upgrade in the price.

[ozscott]

The Coil D3 S is just as good as the air sprung SE offroad, I have a mate with one and I cant see any difference at all offroad, he has 265/70/17s and a 2" lift, it actually has more clearence than my D4 has in offroad height, the TC in the Coil D3, works just as well as the air supension model.

My advice is go for the TDV6, much better engine, the petrol lacks torque and is really thirsty, the diesel is better for towing also.

Baz.


There is still a technical difference though of air suspension simulating live axle I suppose

Good to see the coiler working well. Their standard factory height must start life higher than the air suspended standard height if he gets more clearance from a 40mm lift.

Cheers

[Redback]

There is still a technical difference though of air suspension simulating live axle I suppose

Good to see the coiler working well. Their standard factory height must start life higher than the air suspended standard height if he gets more clearance from a 40mm lift.

Cheers

That's because the factory height setting for the air suspension is + or -10%:mad:

Also, the lift is around 60mm and his tyres are larger than mine also, mine are basically standard at 30.5", 30" being standard, his are 31.6".

Baz.

[ozscott]

Gotcha mete. Cheers

[Celtoid]

There is still a technical difference though of air suspension simulating live axle I suppose

Good to see the coiler working well. Their standard factory height must start life higher than the air suspended standard height if he gets more clearance from a 40mm lift.

Cheers


What do you mean by 'Standard Height'? All Air Slung Discos ride lower than most Coil Slung 4WDs on the road.....handles better, safer! Off-road they are as good if not better than all, once they raise.


D3's and 4s are an evolution of the world beating D1s and 2s ..... so even with coils (a D3), why would they be compromised? They lack the advantages of air slung Disco's but are far from limited, I'd wager.

[Kevo]

Hi, I have a D3 2005 diesel coiler with a Dobinson 2inch lift and mainly do beach work and towing. Also had the ecu upgraded which made a huge difference to towing and around town drive ability. Love the car and had no issues on general 4wding or on road performance. My tyres are a bit limiting on the sand as they are the original 17s and don't bag out or elongate enough. The D3 is a heavy car and I am sure my next tyre and rim upgrade (bigger diameter) will help. I beach launch a heavy boat too so I shouldn't be too critical. Tips as in earlier posts are DSC off and I have the D4 mini plough. Regards Kevo

[rar110]

This would have been a pretty good buy for someone: 2007 D3 S with leather seats and rear aircon, and just over 113,000km. $22500. http://www.graysonline.com/lot/0002-3006443/motor-vehiclesmotor-cycles/2007-landrover-discovery-3-s-4wd-turbo-diesel-113-742-automatic'spr=true

[ozscott]

What do you mean by 'Standard Height'? All Air Slung Discos ride lower than most Coil Slung 4WDs on the road.....handles better, safer! Off-road they are as good if not better than all, once they raise.


D3's and 4s are an evolution of the world beating D1s and 2s ..... so even with coils (a D3), why would they be compromised? They lack the advantages of air slung Disco's but are far from limited, I'd wager.

I was searching for coiler D3 lifts given a current thread asking questions about what lifts were available and found this. I didnt see your reply Celtoid - last year. The reason they are compromised is that the air suspended D4/4 as I understand it is like the range rover that was released at the time of the D2 - they simulate live axle (see here for example - http://www.rangerovers.net/rrsuspension.html ) by pushing down the opposing wheel when one wheel on the same axle moves upwards. The coiler would not get this so its like a Pajero which is compromised off road compared to a live axle vehicle (D1, D2, Defender etc) or an air suspended D4/4.

Cheers

[AnD3rew]

I'm sure that a coiled D3 with lift will be fine if that's what you can afford, but if you can stretch to an air D3, it is more flexible and the terrain response magic will be better.

[LandyAndy]

Air suspension if you can afford it,no comparison in ride to coils:cool::cool::cool:
Then you have the terrain response programs to enhance its performance!!!!
ENJOY
Andrew

[TerryO]

Coilers are fine off road once they have a 2" kit fitted, however add in some decent sized tyres and all of a sudden you have a very tall vehicle to get into or out of all the time. The air suspended models are a doddle, just lower the thing even if you have 32's fitted and it's easy to get in and out, just remember to raise it before driving off.

Having driven both the ride quality of a Coiler is pretty ordinary in comparison as well. If your towing a reasonable weight often and off road with a 2" raised Coiler then you could have issues with the rear springs sagging, you won't have that problem with a air model.

If on going maintenance and servicing costs are a consideration then a Coiler will be less over time. Personally I reckon the air suspended models are a far nicer bit of kit and worth the extra expense.

[Redback]

Hi, I have a D3 2005 diesel coiler with a Dobinson 2inch lift and mainly do beach work and towing. Also had the ecu upgraded which made a huge difference to towing and around town drive ability. Love the car and had no issues on general 4wding or on road performance. My tyres are a bit limiting on the sand as they are the original 17s and don't bag out or elongate enough. The D3 is a heavy car and I am sure my next tyre and rim upgrade (bigger diameter) will help. I beach launch a heavy boat too so I shouldn't be too critical. Tips as in earlier posts are DSC off and I have the D4 mini plough. Regards Kevo

Go with your standard D3 17s, I reckon your next set of tyres should be either 265/70/17(32") or 245/70/17(30.5")

I have D3 factory 17" rims on my D4, I'm going up in size also from 245/70/17 to 265/70/17 in MT51 Kumho Mud tyres, Kumho also do the AT51 in this size as well as the KL71, which I have had before, the AT51 is the replacement tyre for the KL71, if the AT51 is as good, they will be a bloody good tyre.

Don't worry about how tall the car will be, taller cars are easier to get in and out of anyway.

Baz.