Buying a D3

[Ute Rover]

Hi guys just looking for some clarification on the S model D3. I have done some of my own research but have come up a little confused. I know the coil sprung S models dont have the TR. I took this to mean they had no traction control but now it seems that they do. So do coil sprung S models still have traction control but it just cant be "tuned" via the TR. If so what are the difference with regard to the 4wd system. Is the auto locking center diff still present? Was the rear e locker still a possibility on the S model?

Thanks

[morpheus]

I think you can get some S models with air suspension, hence the TR. I saw a few when I was looking. Only 5 seats though.

[Ute Rover]

Yeah i know you can get S models with air and TR. But what i want to know is what traction aids if any does the coil sprung S models have.

Do they still have traction control(it just cant be "tuned" via TR)?

Still got the same auto locking center diff as models with TR?

Was the rear E locker still and option?

[Nomad9]

Hi Ute Rover,
I was looking around Perth recently for a D3, I had a look at three S models, one had TR with air the other two had springs and nothing extra, to be honest I didn't look at the E diff as an option seeing it had very little else I didn't even go down that track. All I could find was ABS. I ended up getting an SE which was cheaper than the S. Can I assume that you are after a sprung vehicle, not air?
I put a two inch lift in my sprung D3 which I had a few years ago now, getting the heavier springs in was quite a frightening experience, and in the end I didn't gain that much so I sold up and bought an SE, got a lot more.

[Ute Rover]

Not really to bothered about if it has springs or air. Im more worried about its offroad capability and i know without traction control and very limited wheel travel offraod performance will be lacking. Hence I would like to know if the coil sprung S models still have some kind of traction control? You said you had a coil sprung S you must know. Did you ever take it offraod?

Cheers Jack.

[Nomad9]

Hi Ute Rover,
I did take it off road, I did the 2 inch lift then bought the SE, should have bought the SE first off and saved myself the hassle. Any Land Rover with the exception of the Freeloader is good off road, in my opinion, however the SE is better than the S, the only advantage I had in my head was that the S was less complex, less electronics to go wrong, having come from a P38A I was wary of air suspension.
I have not had any air suspension woes with the three SE's I have now owned. The only issue I have had was washing under the bonnet and soaking the tranny module behind the main battery, that was a bit of a wake up call.

[Nomad9]

Hi Ute Rover,
By the way, I'm not sure where you are with petrol V diesel, however there are some bargains out there to be had with the V6 petrols. I believe there are a lot less hassles to be had with the V6 petrol. If you offset the fuel consumption over maybe five years versus overall maintenance you could be on a winner, I certainly am, I'm now getting about 12.6 to 12.7 litres / 100 klms. I don't drive it like I've stolen it.
Personally very happy with the V6 petrol.

[Graeme]

Coiler D3s have TC but the e-diff wasn't offerred.

[Ute Rover]

Hi Nomad,

Thank for your replies. In truth its dad that buying one not me (although I'm really starting to look pretty hard myself) as my name suggest I have a 1974 single cab RR with a 3.9 v8 and lockers at both ends. I have since come to the conclusion that the v6 petrol is the way to go either the SE or there are some S with nice options but if an S it will need to have the air and TR option. I really like the diesel but i think the petrol seems the smarter choice, glad you agree. with the sort of km dad will do the economy is really not a thing, it will be heap better the his 87 3.5 anyway!!

Again thanks for your replies

[SuperMono]

The Coil sprung 'S' version misses the adjustable Terrain Response but certainly still has effective traction control and automatically locking center diff.

Forget taking one off-road without aftermarket 50mm lift.

Otherwise they are very hard to stop even without the air suspension and full terrain response system.

I have only had mine stuck doing things that were challenging for almost anything. Otherwise I generally just drive past jaw dropped people that stare at what is happening.

An 'S' with the air suspension option fitted is better overall, but if you are shopping at the bargain end will probably need the suspension replaced anyway. The complete Dobinsons 50mm coil and strut kit is going to be cheaper than replacing the air suspension version.
FYI although I notice the trade-off in ride quality going to the 50mm lift, plenty of people have been in my car and commented on how smooth it is compared to their Tojo or Jeep.

So horses for courses and budgets for wallets.

[TerryO]

A mate of ours has a heavily modded S model with springs, his has slightly more than a 50 mm lift, front winch bar, steel 17's with large A /T's, long range tank, sliders etc and to be frank his D3 is very capable off road.

Haven't done that much 4wding with him but when we have he goes where we go with no extra fuss and I have an equally modded air sprung D3 that is also fitted with Llams which means nearly double the lift he has if required and mine also has a e-diff and Large 17" KM2 MUDs fitted.

If the going got really narly no doubt he might struggle, but from what I have seen so far it would have to be very rough before he was in any real trouble in comparison to a well modded air sprung Disco.

Having driven two coil sprung S models (on road only) I would have to say in my opinion they are not anywhere near as nice to drive as the air sprung versions. My friend with the heavily modded S model loves his Disco though, so each to their own and if a coil spring S model pushes your buttons then go for it I reckon.

[Nomad9]

Hi SuperMono,

Good response. Agree with all your comments.