Discovery 3 S

[SLATTS]

Hi,
Can anyone tell me about the off road capability, ride quality in general and what traction AIDS has the D3 S with coil suspension, as opposed to the air bag set up on the SE. Any feed back appreciated.
Cheers Slatts

[TerryO]

Ride quality is no where as nice on a coiler, once a extended spring kit and shocks is fitted they can have just about the same ground clearance as a air suspended D3 fitted with Llams or Gordon's rods but you need a step ladder to get in and out of the coiler.

Off road once modded with extended suspension and decent big tyres they are pretty good, much comes down to the drivers ability more than anything, where as in a air suspended D3 with Terrain Responce the gizmo's can make a below average driver look like a off road expert.

Given a choice of a air suspended D3 with Terrain Responce or a coiler without would I buy a coiler? Having driven one, no.

The only real bonus with a coiler is lower maintenance costs with no exspensive compressors or air bags to replace, but that in my opinion is not reason enough to buy the coiler. However if you have your heart set on a S model there are a number of air suspended Terrain Responce S models out there to be had if you look around, usually they are 2009 year models.

[Nomad9]

Hi Slatts,
My first D3 was a coiler, I wasn't into new LR models and variants at the time also hadn't found AULRO then so I found this coiler and also found an air suspended one for the same price, wanting to get into a D3 I picked the coiler because the overall condition was better and it had half the klms of the sir suspended one.

In hindsight I should have gone for the sir suspended worse condition one, always regretted the decision to go with the coiler. I did the 50 mm lift and a few other things however it wasn't a patch on an air model with the fruit. Resale was also rubbish.

Yes as Terry mentions you save on the maintenance of the air suspension system and that's it, the rest in the same, also mine had a lower spec audio system as well.

I'm not sure if you will be doing any towing, with the air system the vehicle is self levelling and has stability control which I have found very handy on occasion. Sometimes a tad to sensitive..........

Cheers Marty

[shamirj]

hi,

i own a d3 coiler and did have a test drive of a D4 with air susp and really could not see a huge diff in ride quality to be honest. i am more then happy with the ride quality and no aids just the basics, i dont have air susp or terrain response. the only problem i have is low clearance issues. on road its perfect as a tourer but now need to make it more suitable for deep rutted tracks by giving it a lift.

resale will be poor but not thinking of selling but then again so will the newer models of any make unless in perfect cond and books. good luck with your choice

[chuck]

Just as a point of interest Landrover South Africa sell a D4 coiler.

I ask Landrover Australia if it would be something they bring out to Australia - the answer was no!

[Learner]

hi,
SNIP
the only problem i have is low clearance issues. on road its perfect as a tourer but now need to make it more suitable for deep rutted tracks by giving it a lift.
SNIP

Hi shamirj,
Shortly after I bought my D3 coiler in 2007, it was obvious that the LR springs were too short.
I asked around and ended up going for KingSprings. They were coded KRFR13 (Front) and KRRR14 (Rear) (see under "Rover" :o in their catalogue).
They were specified as 50mm lift, but were actually 65mm immediately after fitting.

At the time, there weren't many aftermarket shocks available, and was advised to retain the LR shocks. That has worked so well that I still recommend this to you today.

See their website: King Springs Automotive Aftermarket Springs (http://www.kingsprings.com.au)

Keep us informed,
Peter

PS: I also fitted 265/70R17 tyres in place of the standard 235/70R17.

[Nomad9]

Hi Learner,
Not sure if you fitted the springs yourself. I did, well at least I stripped them down I had to get a suspension place to put the new springs in the struts, they needed way beyond what my spring compressors were designed for. Rebuilding the struts myself I put down as downright dangerous.

If you decide to go down this track might I suggest getting the springs changed over by someone with the right gear.

My opinion and experience.

Cheers Marty.