Thread: 4wd Monthly D3 Test- a must read!!!

LR leading the way as it should.

And even those who drive a the first Discovery's know this

Where's my copy this month ??

Maybe I'll see it on Monday now.

Having read much about all the makes and models available today I would say 4WD Monthly are spot on. I haven't driven any of the other vehicles but I do get the impression the D3 has been researched very well and is a good all round vehicle. It certainly ain't a soft roader.

For example I have never scrapped the front or rear of the D3 particularly over the gutters graded across tracks to stop water erosion. I saw wheel tracks from a Prado (current model) that had crossed each at an angle and they must have done this at least 100 times on the track we travelled. It would make you sick of driving.

The way the traction control works makes ascending and descending quite easy with little wheel spin. This has to be good for the tracks, your tyres and the control of the vehicle. I've got it on video and the D3 shows a dramatic improvement over a series 1 or 2 Disco.

Wheel articulation as a result of the air suspension is pretty good and this makes the D3 sit much flatter when travelling over very uneven ground and climbing rock ledges.

You don't need to think about grounding the diffs on rocks because they are tucked up out of harms way. You do need to think about the twin exhausts under the back if you are on a deeply rutted track.

The D3 handles higher speed dirt roads with easy and the only time it gets unsettled are on big corrugations in corners but tell me what wouldn't. On bitumen the D3 handles like a car except you can't travel around or out of tight corners at the same pace as a car 1000kg less in weight.

The TDV6 just grunts up hills in low range. I accidentally didn't select low range properly up the Clear Hills Tk to Craigs Hut the other day and travelled up the track from the Circuit Rd in 3rd gear high range 8O and wondered why it was struggling a bit until I realised I didn't select neutral when engaging low range. It just shows how torquey the engine is to get up that track in high range.

The D3 makes 4WDing much easier but for the purists it will be too boring but for me I'll drive anything that makes getting somewhere less eventful. I like a challenging track but why struggle on it if you can make it easier through technology?

Chris

but Ace, they did their best to liken it to a soft-roader on the first page
"Like many soft roaders (that use the technology to mask a lack of "pure" off-road ability), and increasingly larger 4WDs such as Range Rover and Pajero,Disco 3 uses a plethora ofof driveline electronics to enhance the vehicle's off road ability"

the whole process must've hurt though. even the land rover mags didn't give it this much praise. good to see though, they couldn't keep skirting the subject forever

Originally posted by barney
but Ace, they did their best to liken it to a soft-roader on the first page
"Like many soft roaders (that use the technology to mask a lack of "pure" off-road ability), and increasingly larger 4WDs such as Range Rover and Pajero,Disco 3 uses a plethora ofof driveline electronics to enhance the vehicle's off road ability"

the whole process must've hurt though. even the land rover mags didn't give it this much praise. good to see though, they couldn't keep skirting the subject forever

They tried but they didnt mention it again, once it showed the cruiser and patrol how to do it.

I will agree with what PCH said, the disco 3 does do things much easier than the I and II disco. Especially wheel slip as you say. When Marcel brought the D3 to the BBQ in feb we were climbing a hill, a relatively simple hill, but it was covered with loose slippery gravel and rock. Everyone made it up easily, but with plenty of dust and rock flicking, even the ETC equipped Series II Discos and the fender extremes. The Marcel came up in the D3, stuff all dust was kicked up and virually zero wheel slip. The technology in this D3 really does work, and i think this is what has taken the magazines by supprise, they just expected it to be more of a gimick like DAT on the toyotas, but when they found it actually works, and does it well they were more than supprised. Matt

Land Rover especially Range Rovers have always led the advancement field. Just look at my 84 RR and compare it to a 100 series, It is only since the 100 series that Toymota have caught a car that is now 21 years young as far as the drive train, suspension etc go.
My opinion of the D3 is starting to change, who knows I may even want one soon.

Can i make a comment??

Chris, Dont take this the wrong way. (everyone says that...)

Chris has the ultimate in 4WD, i envy him and when we went out last week one of the hills had me feeding the gas on a tad more as i was breaking traction on a rock climb. Loved it.

Now my comment.
Will the D3 be reliable long term. Sure it has everything we want, but Chris has already has a hickup with it. I'd kill for one, but as i'm a tightass and i wait for the 2nd release, if i had the $$ to spend i'd wait.

I respect Chris as he wanted one and said, Yep i'm getting one. I'm not like that, but if we were all the same then it would be boring...

Will the D3 hold its value? Will it still be as good and have no major faults in 5-10 years time. I hope so... it will then stick it up Yoyo (toyo) and Hissan.

Good on LR for taking a BIG gamble.... it would have to be the biggest gamble in motoring history... in my eyes... Ford thinks the Territory was...

Chris i hope you have no problems and keep on showing us what a great 4WD you have.
I'm not being negative, just sceptical..... i am a bit old fashioned and i dont like complications in my everyday life....
IE i drive a Volvo, Landy with bugger all ad-ons....
Both i can fix on the side of the Road. i think.....

Reminds me.... Chris on the next trip any chance of us going for a Ride up or down a hill.....

OK that was my thoughts and i know i have not jinxed anyone as anytime i make a comment its the opposite that happens.......

I said the AU Falcon would be popular in its 1st Trim. People hated it...

I also said Ford will win Bathurst in 2004 and Volvo will win in 1998.. Wrong both times....

But i did say i wont get panel damage on the last trip and i was right even thou i punted the Fender like a Rally Car..... Lordy me it can go fast when you want it to....

is this in the july issue?

I can't wait to get my hands on a D3 for a test. I've read SO much about how great it is it'll be very interesting to point it at a few of my favourite places and see how it goes.

Articulation; I have done some comparison shots which I won't post yet, but they do show that the coil spring Disco is hopeless, the air sprung is WAY better....but definitely not as good as a Defender.