Thread: What should I replace the Defender with?

D4 3.0TD HSE.

Having gone from a D3 to a 130 I reckon you are on the right track. Best fit would be a D4, D3s are getting a bit old and RRS does not have enough aftermarket support for a multi purpose vehicle ( although I may well buy one and keep the 130)
Having said that there is less difference between the capabilities of a RRS and a D3/4 offload than a stock Defender, a Defender in stock form is less capable than any of them but is much easier to modify to make better if you have the inclination and budget.

My Disco 3 was a 2008 build and had the last of the 2.7 engines that don't have tangs on the bearing shells, it failed to proceed in a terminal manner with a seized engine. D3/4s have known faults but they are all well documented and the D4s addressed lots of them:

EPB issues
Change the transmission oil regularly
Engines seized on 2.7 D3s
Lower control arm bushes
Broken tailgate release wires

All modern 4wds need some bits to make them useful and address the manufacturers shortcomings I would suggest the following for a D3/4/RRS
Relocate spare wheel
Replace spare wheel with a fuel tank
Find a vehicle with an e locker if you can
rods or a LLAMS setup to control vehicle ride height
Bull Bar if desired (maybe hard on an RRS)

My experiences only and yours will vary,

Regards,
Tote

Originally Posted by Mjt084

Hey All,

As much as I love my Defender the prices they are selling for on Car Sales are starting to tempt me to sell. We also have a young bub and are planning another and have found getting a baby seat into the Defender to be a PIA. With that in mind we are considering something a bit more comfortable for long drives and a bit more adaptable to our growing family.

Question is - if I was to sell the Fenda and was in the market for something in the $35-40k mark with decent off-road capabilities and 7 seats what should I be looking for? In my mind the choices would be;

1. Late Discovery 3 (top of the line, low kilometres);
2. 2010-2014 Discovery 4;
3. 2010-2014 RR Sport.

I've had a Disco 4 as a loan vehicle a few times and absolutely loved it (same upright driving position as the Fenda), apart from that I know next to nothing about each of the models. Are there some engines that are more or less reliable than others? I expect the cost of servicing and repairs will be more than the Fenda but is there much difference between the three options? How capable is the RR Sport offroad? I know they are built on a Disco platform but I imagine they have been lowered and are sitting on a different suspension setup?

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

Mmmm. I see the L322 is not on your list, but you should consider it.

I sort of went from a Perentie wagon I spent 5 years restoring to a MY08 3.6 L322. I say sort of, as I still have the 110 but it would be lucky to do 500km per year. The family pretty much refuse to drive anywhere in it.

I like you was looking for something more everyday and that would take the family and me on a big driving holiday. I was looking at the D3 when someone pointed me at the L322. What can I say but wow. I personally speculate that my L322 will be more similar to the next Defender than the last Defender.

The L322 tdv8 3.6 has taken me to Fraser, Straddie & Moreton Islands without issue, and on a 3 week trip from Brissy to Victoria and another trip to Lightning Ridge. All with ease and absolute comfort. The 110 with a trutack up front is very capable. But the L322 does Offroad and hours on road infinitely better. I should mention my wife loves the heated front seats which are standard in the L322 but not in any D3/4/RRS.

A pic of my new 110 on the far right at Fraser.


However, a word of warning with the L322 in particular, when you wave at a Defender, you will need to get used to the single finger salute instead of any other more friendly gesture.

And both at Merton last year.

Have you considered a dual cab ute? It depends on how offroad your offroading is, but we have a ford ranger and it's a great family car, reasonably capable offroad, great in mud, sand, snow, (elock rear diff, low range, descent control, etc) very comfortable highway car and loads of storage for kids bikes and camping gear and groceries and everything else! Main thing for us is safety with the family, and all the new utes out there haveall the safety features and most of the capabilities of a dedicated 4wd wagon.

Originally Posted by rar110

Mmmm. I see the L322 is not on your list, but you should consider it.

I sort of went from a Perentie wagon I spent 5 years restoring to a MY08 3.6 L322. I say sort of, as I still have the 110 but it would be lucky to do 500km per year. The family pretty much refuse to drive anywhere in it.

I like you was looking for something more everyday and that would take the family and me on a big driving holiday. I was looking at the D3 when someone pointed me at the L322. What can I say but wow. I personally speculate that my L322 will be more similar to the next Defender than the last Defender.

The L322 tdv8 3.6 has taken me to Fraser, Straddie & Moreton Islands without issue, and on a 3 week trip from Brissy to Victoria and another trip to Lightning Ridge. All with ease and absolute comfort. The 110 with a trutack up front is very capable. But the L322 does Offroad and hours on road infinitely better. I should mention my wife loves the heated front seats which are standard in the L322 but not in any D3/4/RRS.

A pic of my new 110 on the far right at Fraser.


However, a word of warning with the L322 in particular, when you wave at a Defender, you will need to get used to the single finger salute instead of any other more friendly gesture.

I have a question and i hope its a bit on topic, i drove an L322 6cyl bmw diesel once and was very impressed except for engine noise, how would you rate the 3.6V8? Engine noise, not exhaust note.

I also drove an L322 V8 but which wasnt maintained as well, and somehow it didnt have a strong impression on me.

Originally Posted by rammypluge

I have a question and i hope its a bit on topic, i drove an L322 6cyl bmw diesel once and was very impressed except for engine noise, how would you rate the 3.6V8? Engine noise, not exhaust note.

I also drove an L322 V8 but which wasnt maintained as well, and somehow it didnt have a strong impression on me.

The BMW straight 6 is a nice motor IMHO but a v8 configuration will always be smoother. I have seen people who prefer the petrol v8s say both the 3.6 @ 5.0 are noisy. But I think mine is very quiet. The tyres are more annoying/noisy. I have done some things that make it run smoother and probably quieter incl disabling the EGRs and using induction cleaner.

The L322 has 5 v8 petrol variants. The first being a BMW 4.4 up to 2005. Then a series of Jag motors (4.2SC/ 4.4NA then 5.0 SC & NA). The Jag motors have a much better reputation. The later motors have more power and more refinement but more complexity. The 4.2/4.4 Jag motors are very highly regarded. All 4 Jag motors also went into the L320, and the 4.4 went into the 2005 D3s.

No Range Rovers have 7 seats to my limited knowledge.
I go as later model D4 as possible. They are almost a de-Blinged RR anyway.
Jonesfam