Am I silly wanting a Disco 3 over a 4?

[twr7cx]

I'm looking to update the MY03 D2a Td5 HSE - it's not that there's anything wrong with it, after 13 years I still really really like it, but my kids are getting bigger, there stuff is getting bigger and the additional cargo room and back seats of the D3/4 platform would be much more suitable. Plus the safety factor - the step up in crash safety from a D2 to D3 is HUGE!

My old man and ex both have MY12 D4's with the 2.7 TDV6 and 6 speed autos. They're nice cars, brilliant at what they do, but they're a bit boring - too smooth, too quiet, too sorted in all the things that give a car a bit of character.
So I think I want a D3 rather. They're older, they've got higher mileage, I'll likely be replacing things a bit more often but they just seem to look more utilitarian with the black wheel arches and the interior style etc.
Bad move?

[Eric SDV6SE]

Imho, yes.

Go for the SCV6 D4 (if you can find one) petrol supercharged. The other option could be the RRS, they share a lot of common parts with Discos and are becoming cheaper to buy.

The D4 is soooo much better than the D3 in a lot of areas. If you want unrefined, go buy a new 79 series with manual wind up windows and an 80s interior, it will cost you 3x what a decent s'hand D4 or RRS will set you back

[Screamingkiw]

If you want a pavement princess then D4 but if you want it for off-road then I’d go the D3 and buy one with as much kit as you can. D4 has 19” wheels so you will need to buy expensive aftermarket 18” ones as D3 wheels don’t fit. I’ve had both and some things seem to be harder to work on than D3, eg replacing electric parking brake.

D4 feels more refined and modern and SDV6 is a lovely motor. D3 is cheaper and TDV6 can be replaced with a Territory motor if needed so overall is likely to be a lot cheaper and easier to maintain. A got a great deal on a D4 and am happy but if I did it again I would have got a cheap maintained D3 because I’m scratching mine up off road a creating a lot of depreciation.

[Tins]

If you want unrefined, go buy a new 79 series with manual wind up windows and an 80s interior,

He mentioned wanting safety...[bigsmile]

[loanrangie]

If you want a pavement princess then D4 but if you want it for off-road then I’d go the D3 and buy one with as much kit as you can. D4 has 19” wheels so you will need to buy expensive aftermarket 18” ones as D3 wheels don’t fit. I’ve had both and some things seem to be harder to work on than D3, eg replacing electric parking brake.

D4 feels more refined and modern and SDV6 is a lovely motor. D3 is cheaper and TDV6 can be replaced with a Territory motor if needed so overall is likely to be a lot cheaper and easier to maintain. A got a great deal on a D4 and am happy but if I did it again I would have got a cheap maintained D3 because I’m scratching mine up off road a creating a lot of depreciation.

I agree, the D3 is the new (affordable) defender. Lots of off-road gear available and still easy to work on.

[Discodicky]

If I had not bought my D4 then I'd have looked for a (fairly rare?) D3 V8 petrol. Nice bit of kit and after all, unleaded is far cheaper than diesel! They say it's a nice engine.

[BradC]

If I had not bought my D4 then I'd have looked for a (fairly rare?) D3 V8 petrol. Nice bit of kit and after all, unleaded is far cheaper than diesel! They say it's a nice engine.

I test drove a couple while we were looking for our current D3. Wish I'd bought one because they were superb and far cheaper than the diesel for more up-spec features.

[Discodicky]

I test drove a couple while we were looking for our current D3. Wish I'd bought one because they were superb and far cheaper than the diesel for more up-spec features.

There is a Sydney one on Car Sales at $15k negotiable albeit with 315,000 klms. Looks noice.

[veebs]

A 2.7l D4 is basically a D3 anyway? Same running gear under it…

If the D3 you look at doesn’t run as smoothly as the D4s, keep looking I think

[scarry]

Same running gear under it…

If the D3 you look at doesn’t run as smoothly as the D4s, keep looking I think

One of the few similarities,heaps of other changes.

The 2.7 D4 is by far the most reliable TDV6/SDV6 out of all of them,and with a tune,doesn't disappoint.

Although the are getting on with age now.

[twr7cx]

Go for the SCV6 D4 (if you can find one) petrol supercharged.

Why the SCV6 over S/TDV6 or the Jaguar 5.0L V8 if looking at petrol options?


The other option could be the RRS, they share a lot of common parts with Discos and are becoming cheaper to buy.

Not a practical option for me as the RRS is smaller than the Disco 3/4 - I’m looking to get something larger than my current Disco 2 due to growing kids and bigger bikes etc.


The D4 is soooo much better than the D3 in a lot of areas.

In what areas? In what ways?


If you want unrefined, go buy a new 79 series with manual wind up windows and an 80s interior, it will cost you 3x what a decent s'hand D4 or RRS will set you back

That seems like a big leap there. I drive a 70 series V8 work vehicle regularly and comparatively my Disco 2 is significantly more refined. I didn’t say I want a tractor.

[twr7cx]

D4 has 19” wheels so you will need to buy expensive aftermarket 18” ones as D3 wheels don’t fit.

Depends on which model D4. The MY12, and earlier, TDV6 (base models) have factory 18”’s due to smaller brakes. I suspect that D3 wheels would fit on them.


I’ve had both and some things seem to be harder to work on than D3, eg replacing electric parking brake.

Interesting

[loanrangie]

Look for a clean unmodified vehicle,they are still out there.
That's what I did and after 6 years I still love driving it even just to the shops.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Why the SCV6 over S/TDV6 or the Jaguar 5.0L V8 if looking at petrol options?

SCV6 is petrol but supercharged, so if you wantvto stay with the Discovery platform, that would be engine choice. Cannot get the V8 in layer disco models.

Not a practical option for me as the RRS is smaller than the Disco 3/4 - I’m looking to get something larger than my current Disco 2 due to growing kids and bigger bikes etc.

True, same running gear though

In what areas? In what ways?

Looks, finish, TR and that 3.0l sequential turbo...

That seems like a big leap there. I drive a 70 series V8 work vehicle regularly and comparatively my Disco 2 is significantly more refined. I didn’t say I want a tractor.

Exactly my point, the 79 series is a tractor imho. 90k to buy and you get manual windows and an anaemic v8 so detuned, you have to spend 30k to make it 1/2 way decent.

[twr7cx]

Exactly my point, the 79 series is a tractor imho. 90k to buy and you get manual windows and an anaemic v8 so detuned, you have to spend 30k to make it 1/2 way decent.

Ok, I understand that point but I'm lost in regards to it's relevance here?

[twr7cx]

Look for a clean unmodified vehicle,they are still out there.

I could, but one with the right kit on it saves a lot of additional expenditure post purchase - it's mainly a front winch and smallest size compatible wheels in suitable offset spec that I'd like for it. Comparatively the accessories don't really add much value to the used car selling price. It would be replacing this:

https://i.ibb.co/x7LxWTK/70857537-10157810952212658-8691015586454437888-n.jpg (https://ibb.co/x7LxWTK) https://i.ibb.co/ryyywc9/11146101-10153452496692658-6229506641806948094-n.jpg (https://ibb.co/ryyywc9)

[loanrangie]

I could, but one with the right kit on it saves a lot of additional expenditure post purchase - it's mainly a front winch and smallest size compatible wheels in suitable offset spec that I'd like for it. Comparatively the accessories don't really add much value to the used car selling price. It would be replacing this:

https://i.ibb.co/x7LxWTK/70857537-10157810952212658-8691015586454437888-n.jpg (https://ibb.co/x7LxWTK) https://i.ibb.co/ryyywc9/11146101-10153452496692658-6229506641806948094-n.jpg (https://ibb.co/ryyywc9)


All D3's take 18" wheels with 17's fitting tdv6 and petrol V6 models, offset rims arent a thing and not required.

[scarry]

All D3's take 18" wheels with 17's fitting tdv6 and petrol V6 models, offset rims arent a thing and not required.

The 2.7L D4 will also fit 17"with no brake mods,etc.

Although the OEM 17"rims were always difficult to get hold of when we had our D4,but there are probably more around these days.

[Narangga]

All D3's take 18" wheels with 17's fitting tdv6 and petrol V6 models, offset rims arent a thing and not required.

Mine (soon being sold for lifestyle issues) has the HSE rims on which I run AT's at 265/60R18 in an LT and they do not hit or rub. MT might. Ooodles of 18 inch tyres available in LT construction.

[Mudaroo]

I agree with Loanrangie the D3 is the one