Touring decisions. Disco or Defender ???

**Zeros** · 25th November 2018, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by Arapiles

Disco 3 & 4 have an NCAP of 4 - there's lots of photos online of them with intact body structures after crashes (including one I just found on here from South Africa where the D4 got hit by another car doing 200kmh) but you can't say that for the Defenders, which basically don't pass any crash test regulations. That's why the mines here wouldn't touch them. There was also an AULRO member who rolled his D4 down a slope in the Vic Alps last year (or earlier this year?) and it was noticeable that the body structure still looked pretty square and the doors were openable.

Yes definitely the D4 would be quieter and it would be safer in a rollover. However it wouldn't be as robust as a Defender crossing the desert. Everything is a trade off - hence the OP's original question.

**Arapiles** · 25th November 2018, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by Zeros

Yes definitely the D4 would be quieter and it would be safer in a rollover. However it wouldn't be as robust as a Defender crossing the desert. Everything is a trade off - hence the OP's original question.

Yes, agreed - although if I understand the OP's route he's staying on roads, albeit some rough ones.

In terms of comfort, we recently did Melbourne - Dubbo in a day in our D4 and that was one of the cruisiest ways I've done it - the D4's massive torque, air suspension, comfortable seats and sound-proofing make a big difference in relation to fatigue when you're doing big days. And the kids were happy too.

**Zeros** · 25th November 2018, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by Arapiles

Yes, agreed - although if I understand the OP's route he's staying on roads, albeit some rough ones.

To me it looks like a mix of roads and desert tracks. If it were predominantly roads, I was towing and I owned a D4, I'd definitely take the D4. If half the trip is desert tracks, I'd take the Defender.

Having said that, my Puma Defender is remarkably quiet and I find it very comfortable / non-fatiguing for long trips. It feels almost too luxurious to me in comparison to my 300Tdi.

...I've never done a trip in a Td5 - I imagine it's somewhere in between.

**Arapiles** · 25th November 2018, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by Zeros

To me it looks like a mix of roads and desert tracks. If it were predominantly roads, I was towing and I owned a D4, I'd definitely take the D4. If half the trip is desert tracks, I'd take the Defender.

Having said that, my Puma Defender is remarkably quiet and I find it very comfortable / non-fatiguing for long trips. It feels almost too luxurious to me in comparison to my 300Tdi.

...I've never done a trip in a Td5 - I imagine it's somewhere in between.

Where I grew up the Birdsville Track would be a road.

**Zeros** · 25th November 2018, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by Arapiles

Where I grew up the Birdsville Track would be a road.

...well you could take the Lambo then!

**weeds** · 26th November 2018, 04:58 AM

Originally Posted by Zeros

To me it looks like a mix of roads and desert tracks. If it were predominantly roads, I was towing and I owned a D4, I'd definitely take the D4. If half the trip is desert tracks, I'd take the Defender.

.

The ‘tracks’ are all high speed........

**trout1105** · 26th November 2018, 05:30 AM

Tracks or roads it really doesn't matter the D4 will do the job in comfort and safety, The defender not so much.
Unless you intend to drive tracks like the Carson river track the D4 is by far the best choice as a family tourer.

**travelrover** · 26th November 2018, 05:45 AM

Slightly off subject but related. My first four wheel drive ‘adventure’ was a two week trip from Broken Hill, via Tibooburra, the corner, Inniminka, Cordilo Downs, Betoota, Birdsville, Maree, the Flinders rangers and back to broken hill. This was 1979 in an ex south Australian police series 3 long wheelbase with my dad who had just finished two years as chief medical officer with the RFDS in BHQ and we were driving around the perimeter of the area he used to service.
No a/c, no fridge, no awnings, no slide out draws, no gps, no flash tyres (750 x 16) but we did have a safari roof!!. Spares comprised two spare wheels and a fan belt. Tools were rudimentary but included a shovel and an HF radio. We also had a compass and a few world war 11 era maps. The vehicle had duel fuel tanks and we had a couple of jerrycans of fuel and a couple of water.

Never had an issue (despite flooding around Birdsville) and our inexperience, everyone knew my dad and it was a great trip!

Did the same trip again with my dad in 1999 in my Td5. Not much had change except the pub at Betoota was closed (Simon the owner had died) and many property owners moved on. However the Birdsville track was no longer a track, we even saw a Suzuki vitara towing a hobbiecat heading north! Am sure you could drive a Lamborghini along it now, no challenge at all.

**justinc** · 26th November 2018, 06:29 AM

There is not a doubt that the d4 would do this trip with ease, driven to the conditions. The original question was also centered around the effect of the dust/mud/scratching on the immaculate D4. I totally agree, if you have a defender then take it in preference, if no defender then put aside some $$ for post trip detailing etc, main thing is get out there and enjoy this country!

**Zeros** · 26th November 2018, 07:40 AM

Of course plenty of people have also done all these journeys in 2WD’s over the decades. If you drive to the conditions you can take any vehicle. But it doesn’t take long for these vehicles to look pretty rough. Even 4x4s that drive these roads regularly start to look and feel worn pretty fast.

Whilst these desert ‘roads’ might be fast dirt much of the time, it only takes a bit of rain or an unscheduled side trip to change the scenario.

More importantly though, ‘fast dirt’ is often harder on a vehicle than rough and slow 4x4 country. Fast dirt is rocks, stones, potholes and corrugations. All have a constant impact on a vehicle especially at speed - even 80km/hr. Fast dirt can be deceptive and is something that is often underestimated.

It’s factors like constant high clearance, the strength of big chassis and live axles, GVM, robust undercarriage and simple interior which make the Defender a better option for these types of journey, especially over the long term. There are very few vehicles built for durability in this kind of constant harsh environment. Unfortunately whilst capable off road and super comfortable, the D4 is not one of them.

The simple durability of Defender v the complex luxury / airbags of the D4. It’s a tough call for the family, but I’d stil prefer to take my Defender on a trip like this.

It’s why I own two Defenders.
Landy 1 - 98 300Tdi 320,000km majority in northern and central Australia. Solid, reliable and durable in our roughest country over almost 20 years.
Landy 2 - 2014 Puma - Hardening him up to cope with these big journeys. He’s still far too shiny and earning his stripes. An example of desert ‘road’ impacts - his first foray a few years ago was a 5000km trip out to Coongee Lakes. The original shocks whilst generally good, were shot from rocky roads and corrugations after that trip. I upgraded to Koni Raids. ...And I travel light, decades of bush experience, I don’t tow, I take it easy and I’m a careful driver. But ‘fast dirt’ is simply hard on vehicles.

Thread: Touring decisions. Disco or Defender ???

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