Thread: Back trade. Opinions. D3 to D2 TD5

Originally Posted by Journeytower

Hi Guys, I may well be talking to a biased audience here, however I thought I would get some interesting 'advice' if I put this thought out there.
I'm toying with the idea of selling my 2006 2.7Litre HSE D3 and going back to a D2 TD5.
Why ?
I had a lovely D2 before parking it upside down along with a very lovely Golf caravan the first day of a 4 month trip & I liked the slight ruggedness of the D2 compared to the D3, to my eye the D2 is more attractive than the D3 and the D2 is a little less electronically complicated, also a little easier to service & maintain.
I like the comfort of the D3 but from memory the ride in the D2 was pretty good anyway & seemed to have a more stable feel on the road. I like the power of the D3 but I understand with a few prudent mods the D2 can come close & still be reliable & return good fuel economy especially when towing a caravan & driven conservatively, I don't know what these mods cost so an indication on this would be appreciated to put it into the mix.
Looking forward to inputs, Wayne.

Someone else on the same wavelength! I believe the D2 will never have the sophistication or ability of the D3/4, but do miss the D2 with its excellent seating position and at least perception of a little simpler to operate and maintain. I had confidence and no concerns getting a bit of pinstriping etc, but shudder thinking of doing the same with the 2.7.

My 04 D2A TD5 auto Classic had twin trutracs, engine mods and ancillaries a plenty, raised 2 inches, Billies etc, and was set up for towing (albeit the reason for selling was its difficulties with being asked to tow a 3.5T block of flats up big hills).

The one thing I hadn't fitted that I was considering was an Ashcroft centre diff. Oh and a transmission lockup for the many times I drove locally on the flat at 70 kmph not able to get into 4th overdrive.

Having said all that, before you decide, go for a long drive in a D2!

It doesn't matter what we think - what matters is what you are happy with. You clearly know the advantages and disadvantages of each so the decision is easy.

If you want to go back to a D2 and you are happy with that then go for it .

Garry

I am thinking about buying one for a few reasons;
1. to build an awsome offroader - double locked, les richmond lift & flares with 34's
2. to help keep the k's down on the D5
3. I think they are the best looking car that landrover has built to date
4. i like their size
5. they drive really well with a set of billies

It would be a tough call Wayne.

When I bought my D3 5 years ago - my heart said keep the D2 (loved it - best car ever) but my head said get a D3 (the D2 had high KM and needed major repairs). So I bought a low KM D3 and let the D2 go after 14 years of ownership. I still miss the D2.

Now that I have had the D3 for some time, my head says I should have kept the D2 (and bought a low KM 2003/2004 model) but my heart says keep the D3 (they do grow on you). This time I am following my heart.

However I agree with Garry - whatever you decide it will be the right decision for you.

A good condition low KM last of the D2’s will always hold better value than a high KM first of the D3’s and you see that in second hand prices right now.

Have both

We have a D4, D2 and a Def 90

Originally Posted by Tombie

Have both

We have a D4, D2 and a Def 90

Agree..i should have kept my D2a..even tho it cost me a lot of time and money in repairs and maintenance...I do miss it esp the seating posi...better than the D4 for me. Sold it to a lady who's son now wants it in place of his 06 Jeep. So no chance of buying it back now😞

Originally Posted by INter674

Agree..i should have kept my D2a..even tho it cost me a lot of time and money in repairs and maintenance...I do miss it esp the seating posi...better than the D4 for me. Sold it to a lady who's son now wants it in place of his 06 Jeep. So no chance of buying it back now😞

Same here,had one of the last ‘04 Classics,A great vehicle,bought new,travelled all over the countryside,very few issues.

In some ways it is a better vehicle than the D4.But they are completely different.

There are many places I went with the D2a,that I wouldn’t take the D4.

Originally Posted by Journeytower

Hi Guys, I may well be talking to a biased audience here, however I thought I would get some interesting 'advice' if I put this thought out there.
I'm toying with the idea of selling my 2006 2.7Litre HSE D3 and going back to a D2 TD5.
Why ?
I had a lovely D2 before parking it upside down along with a very lovely Golf caravan the first day of a 4 month trip & I liked the slight ruggedness of the D2 compared to the D3, to my eye the D2 is more attractive than the D3 and the D2 is a little less electronically complicated, also a little easier to service & maintain.
I like the comfort of the D3 but from memory the ride in the D2 was pretty good anyway & seemed to have a more stable feel on the road. I like the power of the D3 but I understand with a few prudent mods the D2 can come close & still be reliable & return good fuel economy especially when towing a caravan & driven conservatively, I don't know what these mods cost so an indication on this would be appreciated to put it into the mix.
Looking forward to inputs, Wayne.

After having owned both for many years and having owned a few D2's, all of which were Td5's I have finally done this very thing.

The deciding factor was a simple matter of dollars, I literally couldn't afford to keep the D3 and constantly replace the bits that were yet to go wrong (compressor, air bags, transmission, control arms, EGR etc) this on top of the already extensive ($20k) list of things I had already had to fix just in the three years we had the car.

In my opinion the D3 is one of the most comfortable cars I have ever driven, with a decent driving position, moderately comfortable seats and that amazing air suspension coupled with a voluminous cargo area, it makes for a very decent and capable touring car.

The D2 in my opinion has more comfortable seats and is less vague in the steering, has a much greater road holding feel, the ability to fit 16 inch rims onto which you can slot 265/65's with no modifications and that lovely Td5 engine that with a few tweaks can punch out 400+ newtons of torque (or more) it makes for a fun drive, this in conjunction with the fact that I can potentially repair and service almost every element on the Disco 2 myself makes for a very compelling argument.

The other consideration for us was, as another poster has mentioned, getting the bush pinstriping on the duco, we didn't feel right bush-bashing our pristine HSE Disco and, at least mentally, it was easier to reconcile the potential damage to a $6-7k investment as opposed to a $34k (at time of purchase) investment.

The D3 really left a bad taste in our mouth and we (SWMBO & I) feel so very relieved to have something that is so much easier to live with both financially and mechanically, just my two bob's worth.

Cheers

Adrian