Thread: Back trade. Opinions. D3 to D2 TD5

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

Not that theres anything wrong with a ( preferably Monte Carlo Blue ) D2,
but there may be some rose coloured glasses coming into play here....
When you are towing- the modern LR wheelbase is far superior for all sorts of reasons,
Nothing compares to 600Nm unless its 700..
4 speeds is barely enough without lumping 2-3T on the back.
Air suspension is more comfortable and carries more weight.


and these feelings are after a long weekend involving a 4 hour eachway caravan tow where the unit performed Admirably. ( )



and for anyone still reading/interested, 3.7kays per litre of LPG at the posted speed limits, ( if you can catch Mr Tombie you can pass me ) the new Second Crossing at Toowoomba is a right royal pain east to west,, ( though would be much better with 600Nm..) and Tara received 40 mls of rain two weeks ago

It's not really looking through rose colored glasses if he currently owns a D3 and wants to go back to a D2 which he has previously owned. They both have there pros and cons. The only thing I would like from the D3 is the extra power over the D2. Other then that I'd have a D2.. but I'm a little bit bias

The wife has a D4 TDV6 which is the base model D4 with the same 2.7 TDV6 as the D3. I've read that there were some good upgrades between D3 and D4 but I'd imagine it's not that drastic as difference between D2 and D3 etc.
It's a far superior car. Quiet, more car like on the road, effortless power etc. While I enjoy driving it more than most other new cars but despite that I'm happy to jump back into my D2a. Personally I find the D2a to be a great all rounder, similar in many respects to the Defender but more refined - the interior has more creature comforts, some sound deadening etc. They've aged well and now have a similar old style 4WD look to that of the 70 series Toyota Land Cruisers. While they'll never hold the icon status of a Defender their shape is well known and liked internationally.
While their noise is delicious, I'm not a fan of the V8's personally. Too much fuel needs to go in and too little comes out. The Td5 standard power and torque levels are also far too low in this modern world, however thankfully that is easily resolved by some work such as heavy duty/V8 torque converter, VNT/VGT, remap, larger intercooler and freer flowing exhaust - you asked what these mods would cost, I'd budget $6,000.00 to do it all right.
While not simple setups, the D2 is still at a level that can be worked on by the home mechanic. I found when doing the timing belt and additional items on our D4 that there were so many bits in locations that I couldn't see how you'd get to if you needed to. It scares me what labour bills that vehicle may provide us with in the future...
In regards to handling, I'm convinced that my with the ACE system modified D2a despite being 3" suspension lift and 33" tyres hugs corners just as well as the wifes stock standard D4.
Would I 'downgrade' in your position, yes, without a doubt. But I fully understand those that would prefer the D3 or D4 for long commutes etc.

But you might want to try and spend some time around the D2's first to see that your not being pursuaded by old happy memories. Only a few years ago we have a MY12 Defender 90 Puma. We both loved driving that car but the reality is that despite being much newer and lower km it was so much louder than my D2a inside, the Puma motor was not as powerful as my modified Td5 nor did it achieve any better fuel economy despite the manual transmission and lighter weight of the shorter wheel base, the interior lacked many comforts and the ergonomics were poor. There really was no area other than the look, that it was better than the D2a but when ever I think back to our time with it I just remember how much we enjoyed driving it and then think I'd like another...

I love both of my D2s.

Far better handling and ride compared to any competitor back in the day, both are on air bags (rear) and one also has ace, we also have a D3 and do plenty of kms to compare.

I suggest to anyone that has a D2 that handles as well and sits as nicely on the road as a 3 or 4 , that the D2 is meticulously maintained, and that the 3 or 4 they are comparing it too desperately needs attention.

The D2 is at best "Agricultural" compared to the others. They are NOT the same league of vehicle.

And I love my D2s.. They'll never be sold.

Hi Guys, Thanks for all the feedback. There is obviously a lot of love out there for the D2. The pros & cons that have been mentioned are the same things going through my head when I think about the options. If only I had the finances to get hold of a good D2, fully sort it out & go for a 10k trip with the caravan on, then do it in the D3 not only would I have a nice long trip away but I might be able to make my mind up.

Cheers, Wayme

Originally Posted by DiscoDB

There is a D2a for sale on gum tree in WA that looks like new. Have seen it come up once before a few years ago when it had even less KM’s. At 100,000 kms the engine is not even run in it yet.

2004 Land Rover Discovery 2 Classic TD5 Auto | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Geraldton City - Geraldton | 1250979115

Now if it was a manual, alverston red, and had ACE I would be tempted.....

Looks like a 'Classic Town' pack,leather seats,wheels have been changed,they came with 18's.The factory spare wheel cover has disappeared as well.
Could be a 5 seater,no pics of the rear load space.

Its in bloody good condition for its age.

Colour isn't for me though

Had serious thoughts over the month or so of going D4 3.0 TD (skip the D3 seemed the sensible thing), even oversized brakes weren't a problem and figured the finances and what and how to make to make it the off roader I wanted.

Sell off the D1 and D2 and all the parts accumulated etc. and I hadn't yet even put the D2 onto dirt (except for a driveway up in Corowa). But there is something innate about this series, TDi has to go as my knee has and although I don't use the clutch much at all once moving, planning on a Cape York trip next year, its going.

The TD5 and this may sound strange, but the ACE got me with flat cornering, heated leather was good too, am putting it back to the bags and well, is it the look or the view from the seat or the fact that it is like a child you can mold in your likeness, I don't know but the 300TDi is going to be replaced with a D2, not a D4, sure would love the graphic display and 4 sq air bags and 600+ Nm's but the D2 to me on 32's or 33's just look part of mother earth.

It wasn't only the D4 by the way I looked at by the way, 2.0 Everest Titanium, Kakapoo and something called a Jeep but I already had one of those

The D2 is getting on but they are so cheap and if you can pick up a nice low milage one that hasn't been molested and can work on it yourself it can be the basis of a bloody good rig.

They are a nice drive, capable, mechanically relatively simple to work on....

I was a man of Landcruiser until I came to a D2 Auto Td5 then now D2a manual. What a D2/D2a could offer me?

Pros:
- Classic shape. Classic configuration and set up of everything.
- Turbocharged Diesel. Drinks less diesel than other real 4WD at the same towing capacity and same age.
- Towing 3.5T capacity, and it REALLY DOES the rated job whole day long if you know how to drive with it safely.
- 5/7 seaters.
- Relatively Easy to work on. Could be pulled apart and work bottom up by yourself.

Cons:
- not many toys around the market and they are still expensive or very expensive (things like light guards or rock slider set are bloody hard to get).
- some mechanic or electronics design in D2 are stupid or annoying.

More than a few times I thought of a D3 or D4, but come down to Manual gearbox option then nothing could pass a D2/D2A.

Find a good D2/D2a, probably then you don't sell it in less than 5 - 10 years.