Thread: D1 v D2.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Not sure I'd agree that the D2 was an improvement in every aspect.
What say you, Pedro?

Is this only for Pedro, Ian? I have both as well.

IMO, the D2 was an improvement in areas that were aimed at sending the Disco upmarket, chasing the not quite ready to afford a Range Rover market. It was LR's first real foray into the electronic driver aid area, and was in fact well ahead of that game for a while. The TD5 was a great engine, let down by ancillaries and a few stupid design flaws ( injector harness, anyone. Easy fix, but why? ). Double Cardan front shaft, no CDL, the wrong auto, increasing the length without increasing the wheelbase, thus destroying the departure angle. Making it look nearly identical but no panels are interchangeable ( OK, rear door skin ), why? most of the glass will fit, but it ain't the same. They changed everything, but the thing will still dump half a litre of water, after rain, on my right leg when I open the door.
The D2 was done when LR was in trouble, with Ford and BMW each stirring the pot.
I have enjoyed the times I had with my D2. It was very capable. It was comfortable, and I miss it. I still have it, but it doesn't work. Again.
The D1 300TDi is not an upmarket RR chaser. It is a real Land Rover. It is a cheerful thing that will go almost anywhere, it has a CDL, it has a decent departure angle, it fits in nearly everything the longer D2 will, it has no electronics apart from the radio ( mine doesn't work ), it doesn't try to be something it isn't.
If someone told me, you can keep one, but not both, I'd take the D1 in a heartbeat. I'd miss the other like crazy, but the D1 is my pick.
Course, If I was touring in a LR, I'd pick a 130.

Yea, that fat arse is a worry sometimes,, but the world wanted 7 seats... I'm not sure the 4L was any real improvement over the 3.9, but the world wanted better emissions, did we need ACE? there is no doubt its a fantastic addition and works extremely well and with over 25 years of D ownership the small times I've needed that extra droop only an early D1 has, is far outweighed by the times I've activated ACE. The early D1's were an off road weapon straight out of the box, D2's? not so much.

People were also screaming out for more room,LR actually listened to its customers.

And as Pedro said,7 seats.

It also had a reasonably well sized fuel tank, it could take 90 liters if filled slowly.

The TD5 is also great on fuel, and a very reliable engine if looked after properly.
It was the gear hanging off it that caused most of the issues.

Originally Posted by scarry

People were also screaming out for more room,LR actually listened to its customers.

But, did it actually have more room? The size increase was only behind the second row, and the seats were thicker, so room in the front decreased. I'm 6 foot 1 in the old money, and I find it easier to have a comfortable driving position in the D1. In my D2 I was looking at ways to increase the rearward travel of my seat.

Originally Posted by scarry

And as Pedro said,7 seats.

Only suitable for small children or adults with no legs, and access to them was appalling. I took mine out.

Originally Posted by scarry

It also had a reasonably well sized fuel tank, it could take 90 liters if filled slowly.

The range was good, I agree, and the D2 was a superior highway cruiser, with much better overtaking abilities, although mine is chipped so maybe not a real world example.

Originally Posted by scarry

The TD5 is also great on fuel, and a very reliable engine if looked after properly.
It was the gear hanging off it that caused most of the issues.

Absolutely. I have a spare TD5, and I have been daydreaming of fitting it to the D1. Won't happen, but...

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

did we need ACE?

Ask Mario what happens when a hose blows...... He left some very artistic skid marks.

My donor car has ACE, and I toyed with moving it to mine, but common sense prevailed. Anyone want to buy an ACE system??

ACE to me is a no brainer, I wouldn’t buy a D2 without it. I think it was one of LR’s best innovations. Like a go kart on the road, like it has no sway bars when off-road, best of both worlds. In 20years mine has not ever given a single problem.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

ACE to me is a no brainer, I wouldn’t buy a D2 without it. I think it was one of LR’s best innovations. Like a go kart on the road, like it has no sway bars when off-road, best of both worlds. In 20years mine has not ever given a single problem.

Must admit, I like driving with it. I've only driven one car with it, which was Mario's. But he was lucky not to roll his. I don't want to go to the trouble of transferring it from my donor chassis to my car. If I ever buy another D2 though I'll keep it in mind. I guess it's like anything else; inspect and maintain.

BTW, I see you got reacquainted with Paint. Nice.

Originally Posted by Tins

Must admit, I like driving with it. I've only driven one car with it, which was Mario's. But he was lucky not to roll his. I don't want to go to the trouble of transferring it from my donor chassis to my car. If I ever buy another D2 though I'll keep it in mind. I guess it's like anything else; inspect and maintain.

BTW, I see you got reacquainted with Paint. Nice.

I did, you inspired me to get it done. It took me hours to do it despite how simple it looks. There may be a skill issue going on.

It'd be interesting to know why Marios failed. But it doesn't surprise me that he lost it when it failed. They're so tight in the handling, but if you turn the ACE off and the bars are in floppy mode it really does handle like an unresponsive boat. Its kind of like that Americas cup boat that capsized the other day.