D2a or D3

[2_door]

I have posted a thread in the D3 section and it has been suggested that I post here as well, so here goes.

I would like to hear from those that currently have or have had both the D2a and the D3.

I am steering towards the D3 but would like to know how much better the D3 is over the D2a. Not cosmetically, but in a reliability and driveability comparison.

It will be a shopping trolley during the week and used for touring with a camper trailer and easy weekend getaways.

thanks in advance

[Chucaro]

Hi Mark, THIS (http://www.drive.com.au/used-cars/LAND+ROVER/DISCOVERY+3/Melbourne/detail.aspx?id=13192753&lid=13192753&pg=3&pp=2&d=0&nv=1&SG=-533489913&pt=1) Disco have air suspension

[TerryO]

Hi Mark,

I went through this same questioning process only about three months ago. I drove several secondhand 05 model D3's, including three V8s, one SE, two HSE's, a six cylinder petrol SE and I had driven a diesel S model several years ago without air suspension which really underwhelmed me then. The petrol six cylinder was horrible, noisy, slow and rode roughly in comparision to the V8's which really are nice to drive.

Then I compared them to several D2a's. First was a 04 S V8 and a 03 HSE V8. I also drove a 02 ES V8 D2. I'm not sure if the ES just wasn't a good one or not but the D2a HSE drives much nicer even though they both the same spec vehicle with ACE, SLS fitted.

The D3 V8's were really nice and I very nearly brought the 05 HSE V8 but decided that 38k was way to much in comparision to a D2a HSE V8 which I ended up buying at just over half the cost of the D3. The D3 are superior vehicles but I don't consider that they are twice the car or worth twice the money.

So I decided to go down the D2a path and for less dollars spent then the price of a 38k D3 V8 HSE, which was pretty cheap compared to other D3 HSE's around at the time. I purchased a low k D2a HSE V8, plus a very heavilly modified and well built 04 D1 V8 and an excellent secondhand Camper Trailer and I have a quite few dollars left over to get set up for camping etc.

Am I happy with my decision to date? Yes I am, I have a daily driver in the D2a, I have a weekend special that will go most places and I'm not that worried about if it gets a few dents etc and I have an excellent Australian built go nearly anywhere 4x4 camper trailer for 4WD holidays.

I accept that a D3 might be more reliable and cheaper to run but now I have three toys for less then the price of one D3.

To me anyway this seems like a much better way of going then just buying a 4 year old D3 even if it wasa V8 HSE. Still what works for me might not for you or anyone else for that matter.

Cheers,
Terry

[Slunnie]

I think you'll find that the D2 doesn't even compare to the D3 in all areas.

The only advantage I can think of with the D2 is if you want to highly modify it - ie big lift, big tyres, lockers and HD driveline. The D3 is stunningly capable on and off road.

[fatman]

As Slunnie said there is no comparison between the 2 of them.
The BIG difference is that you can get a nanocom and a rave manual for the D2 and cover over 50% of possible problems-faults easily and cheap,you can upgrade it easily,and for serious mechanical repairs,any experienced mechanic can help you.
For the D3.. i don't know - dealership help only?
PS
Don't get me wrong,i like D3 a lot..

[Graeme]

The BIG difference is that you can get a nanocom and a rave manual for the D2 and cover over 50% of possible problems-faults easily and cheap
Not nearly as cheap as Nanocom, but there's a diagnostic tool available from BBS for the D3 and the workshop manual and wiring diagrams are available from LR's GTR website, albeit for a small fee. The D3 needn't be a mystery.

[Redback]

Me personally, I would go the D3 S model, after driving the one we have at work there's just no comparison, I tow a very heavy camper with my D2 and the D3 wouldn't even know it was behind it, when I tested the D3 at work, IT HAD ALL THE GEAR ON BEHIND IT:o

The D3s we have here at work tow 3ton, a car trailer (850kg) with a street sweeper (1.4ton) on it and 4 blokes (500kg)and all their gear (200kg), tows the lot without a drama, I was pretty impressed let me tell ya.

Baz.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

and yet,,
still no D3 in the driveway----

must be time soon Baz,,;):p

[big guy]

Agree with most above.
I drive a D1 and my mates D3 SE Diesel is so far superior, I am not sure how to even compare.

Bit like Salt and Pepper really.

D3 is still too good for what I need currently but by God I would love one.

[2_door]

thanks guys, its cementing the D3 in my mind :p

any opposition :angel:

[KEV0044]

thanks guys, its cementing the D3 in my mind :p

any opposition :angel:

Me :)

[2_door]

Me :)

okay, why ;) please explain, you will have to do better than 'me' :p

[camel_landy]

Trying to compare the D3 against the D2a is like comparing chalk & cheese!

Given the choice, I'd go D3 TDV6 Auto any day...


Much better off-road.
Huge load space.
7x proper adult seats.
Reliability.
Easier to drive.
More maneuverable (the D3 turns on a penny).


HTH

M

[Pedro_The_Swift]

is it really better at say 70-80 kays on a beach?,,,,,,,
(am thinking clearance here----)
(am thinking V8 Auto here too--;))

[goofyr]

I've had a D2a since new, I'm very happy with it and wouldn't replace it....unless someone offered a swap for a D3 TDV6 SE :D

[KEV0044]

okay, why ;) please explain, you will have to do better than 'me' :p
OK :)
I purchased my D2a in March 2005 in the run out sale .
At the time I had a choice of a run out D2a or a new D3 and money or price difference wasn't an issue .
I chose the D2a because it was the last of long running history of Discos that built on improvements and developements .
The D2a was the best and last Disco they built in this long process .
The prospect of buying a completely new designed vehicle from Land Rover (or any other manufacturer) made me shy of a D3 purchase .
At the time of purchase - I didn't like what the D3 was offering in terms of 4wd systems , panel design (like a Ford Transit Van) , lack of aftermarket modifications and general 'city slicker' improvements .
I have not regretted this decision since purchase and highly recommend D2a's as the best Disco built over a long design and improvement history of Land Rover Vehicles .
Still wouldn't own a D3 if you gave it to me .
My D2a does what I want it to do and does it all very well .
Cheer's .

[camel_landy]

is it really better at say 70-80 kays on a beach?,,,,,,,
(am thinking clearance here----)
(am thinking V8 Auto here too--;))

...am thinking that the D3 may well still be better. :p

I've spent the past 15mins trying to find some technical data but have failed... However...


On the D2, the low points are the axles & diff housings.
On the D3, the low point is where the lower wishbone mounts to the wheel hub assy. The rest of the gubbins is tucked away.

I need to get out with a tape measure but I suspect that even at 'Standard' height, overall you have better clearance on the D3.

...and you can get a D3 with a V8 Auto. ;)

M

[KEV0044]

...am thinking that the D3 may well still be better. :p

I've spent the past 15mins trying to find some technical data but have failed... However...


On the D2, the low points are the axles & diff housings.
On the D3, the low point is where the lower wishbone mounts to the wheel hub assy. The rest of the gubbins is tucked away.
I need to get out with a tape measure but I suspect that even at 'Standard' height, overall you have better clearance on the D3.

...and you can get a D3 with a V8 Auto. ;)

M
The D2a is much lighter for beach or sand work than the D3 .
Also - aftermarket lifts and tyre mods are much easier than the D3 .
But hey - - - Each to his own mate :D

[camel_landy]

The D2a is much lighter for beach or sand work than the D3 .
Also - aftermarket lifts and tyre mods are much easier than the D3 .
But hey - - - Each to his own mate :D

Hmmm.... I'll be interesting to see how far you have to lift a D2 before you get more clearance than a D3. (it's also worth bearing in mind that we're now comparing a 'Standard' D3 vs a 'Modified' D2)

M

[ozscott]

The D2 looks better....:D:wasntme:

[TerryO]

To me it comes back to value for money. A secondhand D3 is easilly twice the price of a similar spec D2a.

As I've said prior I don't see twice the car but I do see twice the money.

As I've also said before I'm very happy with my D2a HSE daily driver, my heavilly modded D1 used for having fun on weekends and my Aussie built 4x4 camper trailer all purchased for less then the price of a relatively cheap but really good secondhand D3 HSE V8. (For the D3 owners who think I was talking about a dunger go back several months and have a look at the one Ozducati brought, remember the guy who called Ron a Nazi and got banned? That is the one I turned down for 38K and it was no high mileage dunga as the photo's show)

It would appear that now you can't find a 05 70k V8 HSE D3 for that price so if you had to pay even more then that then the value for monay ratio gets even worse.

I'm not knocking D3's they are really lovelly to drive epecially the V8 but to me they aren't worth twice the money of a good D2a.

Still 2_Door if your heart is set on a D3 then just go and buy one and don't think or worry at all about what anyone on this website says one way or other, afterall we aren't they ones who will be driving the car or paying of your loan. Plus from what I understand you already have a great D1 and a campertrailer so my example doesn't really apply to you.

Enjoy your new toy when you get it. Chances are one day I'll end up buying one as well when the D2a eventually falls apart

Cheers,
Terry

[AndyRevill]

Hmmm.... I'll be interesting to see how far you have to lift a D2 before you get more clearance than a D3. (it's also worth bearing in mind that we're now comparing a 'Standard' D3 vs a 'Modified' D2)

M

Isn't (wasn't) the base D3 coil springs with the spare slung underneath? does that really have more clearance than a std D2a? Didn't look like it when I put my (unmodified) D2a next to a mates base D3.

I'll conced that from everything I've read the up-spec D3 with terrain response sounds awesome offroad, but I'll keep my D2a thanks - it's way too sexy compared to the D3:D

Andy

[Hitower]

Hi Guys,

Very interesting and by the looks heated discussion so here is my 2 cents worth.

I would have to agree with KEV0044 go for the D2a and if you go for a top of the range with all the options included great value for the money. If it is the power of the TDV6 you are after get the ECU remapped. Besides I'll guarantee you will want to put on further off-road option, with the price you'll pay for the D2a you'll still be ahead of the standard D3 price.

To give you an idea I bought a manual 7 seat 2000 model D2 TD5 for $13,900 in March this year. Throught I had bought a bargain but essentially had bought a lemon with a good engine and interior. To correct the usual D2 faults and then some, the list was long, add all the 4x4 mods I could think of including a chipped ECU, 2 inch spring lift & shocks, larger intercooler, EGR removal, silicone intercooler hoses, bullbar, cargo barrier, original CDL conversion and new clutch I now have an almost new, or at least reliable, car for under $25K.

I don't like that I had to spend the money, but I had been looking at a $25k 2003 D2a missing a lot of the extras.

So I would suggest, for what it is worth, go for the D2a and you will be able to add so much more.

Don't get me wrong, I would love a D3 but I'll have to spend so much more to get it up to scratch and then I won't want to scratch it.

Good luck with the choice and thanks for reading my 2 cents worth for what it is worth.

Tony

[Urban Panzer]

The D2 looks better....:D:wasntme:


Ditto!!!

[ozscott]

Its unanimous then....all people on both sides of the globe, in both the mother country and the testing zone for the mother country agree that D2 looks better than D3.

Cheers


:angel:

[2_door]

Its unanimous then....all people on both sides of the globe, in both the mother country and the testing zone for the mother country agree that D2 looks better than D3.

Cheers


:angel:

:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:

no not all :angel:

[Pedro_The_Swift]

...am thinking that the D3 may well still be better. :p

I've spent the past 15mins trying to find some technical data but have failed... However...


On the D2, the low points are the axles & diff housings.
On the D3, the low point is where the lower wishbone mounts to the wheel hub assy. The rest of the gubbins is tucked away.

I need to get out with a tape measure but I suspect that even at 'Standard' height, overall you have better clearance on the D3.

...and you can get a D3 with a V8 Auto. ;)

M

Hmm I thought the standard spare might have been a hindrance

might have to crawl under one,,,,

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Its unanimous then....all people on both sides of the globe, in both the mother country and the testing zone for the mother country agree that D2 looks better than D3.

Cheers


:angel:

I think my D2 is the best looking LR ever made.


The only way to make it better would be the rear lights from the D2a(or some half inch black pinstriping)
;)

[Urban Panzer]

I think my D2 is the best looking LR ever made.


The only way to make it better would be the rear lights from the D2a(or some half inch black pinstriping)
;)

For where exactly ??

And I prefer the pre-facelift upper rear lights tbh, will change the lower ones on mine when I stop spending on "other" bits lol
:)

[scarry]

I recon the D2a looks sooooo much better than the D3.

Sure,the D3 is a massive advancement on the D2.

But there is nothing wrong with a good D2,they are a great vehicle.

Money wise,you will be way behind on a D3.Routine servicing you may be slightly ahead,but in all other areas you will be behind.

Tyres wear out quicker,as do brake pads & rotors.

Being more complicated,there is also more to go wrong,& the chances of repairing one yourself is pretty remote,whereas the D2 has been around for a long time & is easier to repair & there are a lot of specialist repairers around that are very familiar with them.They are still learning about the D3.

My D2a has been one of the best LR's i have ever owned,& has been virtually trouble free since new.

Depreciation will also be more,with a D3

It is nice to have the best.....ah,.....its only money,so who cares:angel:

Anyway,whatever you decide,hope all goes well

[Pedro_The_Swift]

on the D2a's there is a black border around the upper lights,,

I think it would look great on mine,,,

[Cap]

Get a D1... :wasntme:

[Chucaro]

I guess that if you like to have a vehicle for long touring, then the interior space is very important.
When I sold my Disco and got the RRC i really appreciate how good is the design of the RR.
Now I have Defe and regarding cargo capacity and pay load is awesome. Just need good seats perhaps Recaro, Disco leather seats :angel: or ex Holden Rodeo

Did you considered shop for an inmaculate RRC and ask justin to fit a Tdi300?
It would be and excellent vehicle for good money.

I love the Disco 3 as well, because it have the interior room of the RR and excellent diesel engine :)