D4 - Is E-Diff with standard 19" tyres worthwhile?

[paul33]

This is my first post, I have done a lot of reading and found lots of good information, thanks to all the contributors.

I was thinking about getting a new Discovery and wanted to know if the E-Diff is a worthwhile option if using standard wheels and tyres?

I am planning to do the occasional 4WD track, nothing serious.

[gghaggis]

For that use, probably not. I took our new D4 out on its first training trip last weekend (which doesn't have the eDiff), after doing the course the week before in our Sport (which does have the eDiff). Identical 19" tyres. The D4 was every bit as polished on even quite challenging tracks. :D:D

If you tow heavy loads off-road, the stronger axles in the eDiff might be of some benefit.

Cheers,

Gordon

[Nicky]

For that use, probably not. I took our new D4 out on its first training trip last weekend (which doesn't have the eDiff), after doing the course the week before in our Sport (which does have the eDiff). Identical 19" tyres. The D4 was every bit as polished on even quite challenging tracks. :D:D

If you tow heavy loads off-road, the stronger axles in the eDiff might be of some benefit.

Cheers,

Gordon

Where is the reference for "the stronger axles in the eDiff " ?

[jonesy63]

Parts manual - they're beefier.

[NavyDiver]

traction

Standard tires are great on road. In mud or nice slippery stuff I doubt a e-diff will help much at all on standard road tires. Discos have good off road capability but if tackling "very" off road situation ( not just a nice dirt or gravel road) the weakest part is what always stops you. That said I would like a diff lock and would have it but after the spare rims and M.T. rubber:D

[gghaggis]

It was originally advertised in the US as the "heavy duty" pack - uprated rear drive + rear eDiff. The axle part numbers which includes the CV are different. The CV joints are definitely more solid units, as attested to by Spooky on Disco3 some years back, who is the only person I know who successfully retro-fitted a rear eDiff to his D3. Whether the halfshafts are really stronger (they look it) is perhaps debatable, but as I said, the part numbers are different. Manageable torque for the whole assembly is quoted as 2500 Nm!

Cheers,

Gordon

[jonesy63]

I do know someone that managed to break them! :wasntme:

[Graeme]

LR have stated in promos that the e-diff half-shaft CVs are stronger, not that promo info is always correct or complete.

Retro-fitting an e-diff to a D4 requires tapping into the harness but is simple plug-in for later L322s, albeit costing around 4000 GBP / $8K in parts for the L322 even though the open/e-diff use the same half-shafts.

[BobD]

At least we get to find out a lot more about L322's with you interested in buying one, Graeme! I have looked out for your posts on the L322 forum since I also started frequenting it when I was interested in buying one last year.


I ended up deciding I would keep the D4 since you can get a lot more third party gear for the D4 and it is a bit more practical. With the prices of good second hand L322's, though, it is very tempting to "upgrade" to one, especially the post 2010 models with proper TR etc that you are interested in.

[Graeme]

My intention is to hold-out for an L322 with an e-diff until about the end of July before buying one without. I'm hoping to join a small group crossing the Simpson late June and whilst I'd prefer to take the D4 with its e-diff, I would take an L322 without an e-diff if the D4 was no longer around. I consider the e-diff provides a marginal improvement but not $8K's worth.

[Nicky]

For that use, probably not. I took our new D4 out on its first training trip last weekend (which doesn't have the eDiff), after doing the course the week before in our Sport (which does have the eDiff). Identical 19" tyres. The D4 was every bit as polished on even quite challenging tracks. :D:D

If you tow heavy loads off-road, the stronger axles in the eDiff might be of some benefit.

Cheers,

Gordon

If you splashed out on an HSE D4, why not spend the extra $1200 and get the e-diff?

[gghaggis]

If you splashed out on an HSE D4, why not spend the extra $1200 and get the e-diff?

Because my wife fell in love with the one on the showroom floor. No arguments were entertained.

Cheers,

Gordon

[BobD]

Gordon, does the D4 replace the Evoque?

[TerryO]

This is my first post, I have done a lot of reading and found lots of good information, thanks to all the contributors.

I was thinking about getting a new Discovery and wanted to know if the E-Diff is a worthwhile option if using standard wheels and tyres?

I am planning to do the occasional 4WD track, nothing serious.

While you may not need a E-diff given the driving your expecting to do there is another good reason for buying a new D4 with one, they are a very good selling point for when you want to get rid of the d4 and for only $1200 why wouldn't you have one?

[winaje]

Add the e-diff so that there is one more on the market in a few years when I am looking to upgrade my D3 :D

[gghaggis]

Gordon, does the D4 replace the Evoque?

Yep :D

[LRD414]

My intention is to hold-out for an L322 with an e-diff until about the end of July before buying one without.

Graeme, bit off topic but I'm interested in why you're changing from D4 to L322. Not sure if you have covered this elsewhere.

Cheers,
Scott

[rar110]

Graeme, bit off topic but I'm interested in why you're changing from D4 to L322. Not sure if you have covered this elsewhere. Cheers, Scott

They're really really nice to drive (v8 with more kW & Nm than a sdv6) and capable off-road. 😁

[Graeme]

I'm looking for a better ride on our country back-roads for my wife with her injured back without loosing any of the D4's capabilities for both our combined and my own usage.

[NavyDiver]

I'm looking for a better ride on our country back-roads for my wife with her injured back without loosing any of the D4's capabilities for both our combined and my own usage.
Get a D3 and 17 inch rubber for a softer ride:angel::angel::angel::angel:

[Graeme]

Been there, done that but still doesn't ride rough patches well enough, especially the rear. Trying CVD shocks but can always retrofit standard L322 shocks if necessary.

[Nicky]

For that use, probably not. I took our new D4 out on its first training trip last weekend (which doesn't have the eDiff), after doing the course the week before in our Sport (which does have the eDiff). Identical 19" tyres. The D4 was every bit as polished on even quite challenging tracks. :D:D

If you tow heavy loads off-road, the stronger axles in the eDiff might be of some benefit.

Cheers,

Gordon

Gordon, could you post some comments about the differences between your RRS and the new Disco

[gghaggis]

Gordon, could you post some comments about the differences between your RRS and the new Disco

Hmm, well there is 5 years between them (2010 RRS 3.0 L TDV6 and 2015 D4 HSE 3.0 L SDV6), so not the same as comparing an equivalent year Sport with a D4. However, they both have the same rims and tyres, so that probably adds relevance to the comparison.

On-road the Disco is not as taut - flip-side being that it soaks up the bumps and irregularities much better. On corrugations it is more comfortable. The D4 is much quieter, despite the Sport having double-glazed front windows - perhaps that's a function of age, but I don't recall the Sport ever being that quiet. The D4 HSE seats are equivalent in comfort level to the Sport, but they also have the memory function which makes changing drivers a less argumentative experience.

The space in the top cubby box is pretty limited, as LR have gone and fitted the audio input jacks & charging there (as opposed to the earlier models' having them in the centre console lid). But other than that, I'd forgotten how many storage areas there are in the Disco compared to the Sport, and it's great to have the bottle-holders back in the doors.

The 8-speed and the slightly higher-tuned engine give it a pretty sprightly feel off the mark, and on our 0 ~ 80kph sprint the Disco gets there around 40m shorter than the Sport (with the 6 speed box). Fuel consumption is around 1.5 l/100 better on average, but the Sport has a roof rack that may contribute slightly.

Off road the single eDiff Disco didn't struggle any more than our 2 eDiff Sport, and that included a 47deg incline climb, some fairly rough wombat holes and a climb of the Rock Garden outside Sawyers Valley. It does lurch a little more from side-to-side than the Sport though.

All in all it's a very nice all-rounder with more space and slightly better performance. And of course, it smells like a new car :)

I still prefer the look of the 2010 Sport though - all the proportions just seem to be better matched. The shorter wheelbase and the (non-intuitively) reduced pitching off-road makes the Sport easier to position off-road, but the Disco will still follow it anywhere.

Cheers,

Gordon

[BobD]

The D4 is much quieter, despite the Sport having double-glazed front windows - perhaps that's a function of age, but I don't recall the Sport ever being that quiet.



Interesting comment, Gordon. The one thing I noticed when you took me to look at a bull bar a few years ago was that the Sport was significantly more noisy and firmer riding than my similar age D4. I was quite surprised at the time.

[RHS58]

Thanks Gordon.
I have a D4 2013 SDV6. An absolute rocket compared to my previous Prado.
Loving it.
But it really is a fridge on wheels. Lots of space and so practical.
RRS has the same underpinnings, but is a much more gorgeous looking vehicle, though arguably less practicable. But more $$.
We make our choices based on needs and "affordability"
I'm very happy with my choice, but would have loved more a RRS if $$ and SWMBO had allowed....
Happy Easter

Ron