Thread: When will you upgrade to a D3?

Originally Posted by Leo

The D3 is a totally different beast to previous discos. For anyone having doubts - take a test drive.

On-road and off, it leaves the d1 and d2 for dead. Most initial problems have been sorted and the D3 is much less likely to leave you stranded than the previous generation.

The only issue is the dealers.......

I don't agree;

In comparrison with a D1 or a D2 , On road yes , but Off Road definitely No , and I've seen many a time where one of our own club members has gotton stuck , D3 Doesn't posses the Ramp over Angle , approach angle , exit angles ,and he is a very experienced driver too , used to own a D2 before he drowned it , Also it doesn't have the travel because it 's not a Coil sprung / leaf Sprung Live Axle suspension set up. They are still pretty capable thou.

There's a member of DISCO3.CO.UK - Dedicated to Discovery 3 and LR3 Owners and Enthusiasts who's racked up 250000miles (400000km) towing a trailer aroung Europe (he delivers cars for a living) without much trouble. Ok, so not the outback, but 400000kms all the same.

I admit the early ones were dodgy but most issues have been sorted - suspension failures are rare nowadays. Well maintained electronics are not a problem these days and are here to stay - emissions regos and performance demands make this a certainty. I wouldn't get one without a full service history though. Some guys carry laptops with Testbook so you can reset everything and clear fault codes. Takes less space than a tool box. You can also do a 'hard reset' easily if need be.

I'm not one for blind brand loyalty and have looked at the competition but wasn't impressed. I was also swayed by the avaialbility of ARB bars, rear wheel carriers, long range fuel tanks etc which you can't get for the RRS. No doubt there will be more goodies for the LC200 but they don't make up for its shortcomings.

Re: the comments about coil springs - in a live axle set up, coil springs have their advantages but when you have fully independent suspension then cross-linked air suspension (only LR have this) is the best compromise.

Disco_owner: does your club member have off-road tyres and the rear locker? The only time I've seen a D3 suffer is when on road tyres or if it's the coil sprung version without terrain response, rear-locker and low clearance. Terrain response also requires a different approach compared to traditional driving.

Were the D1s and D2s stock or lifted and locked? The D3s angles are ok straight out the box (when in off-road height) and easily improved with ARB bars and modified sensor rods, for a 'lift' in all modes.

As some one mentioned earlier, the LC200 makes some things look easy where D1s and D2s have trouble. The D3 does the same for the cruiser - there was a test by 4x4i magazine with a RangeRover Vogue vs. LC200. Those two were more or less equal but the control vehicle, a D3, set targets that neither could match.

Have a look at the D3 section of this forum and go along for a test drive and make your own mind up. Also read the Aussie and African sections of DISCO3.CO.UK - Dedicated to Discovery 3 and LR3 Owners and Enthusiasts for people's experiences.

Originally Posted by Leo

As some one mentioned earlier, the LC200 makes some things look easy where D1s and D2s have trouble. The D3 does the same for the cruiser - there was a test by 4x4i magazine with a RangeRover Vogue vs. LC200. Those two were more or less equal but the control vehicle, a D3, set targets that neither could match.

I wouldnt even consider a LC200, have been in one for a day and it didnt realy impress me just felt like an over sized car, very soft and the bonnet is way to high, but the wagon is a whole different ball game its still a 4x4
and very capable offroad.

hmmmmmm.............






sort of like asking "when will you upgrade to a Ford Explorer ?" isn't it???

its not miles that knock electronics usually...its age. Before we get too excited about someone doing 400,000ks let see how they go 10 years on. If the D3 gives good reliability after 10 years and onwards - compared to say a D1 - I will go and start licking my hat reading for eating...

Hi,
I am very happy with the D2 and it will be in the family for many years to come. I have had test drives in D3'S and did not like them very much, along with the cold hard fact that you cannot get them fixed North of Perth.

BradM

if and when I get tired of my D1 I will go for a defender next time. I've owned 2 in the past and just think they are still the original and true Landy .Love that look I hope they never change it.

Originally Posted by Leo

There's a member of DISCO3.CO.UK - Dedicated to Discovery 3 and LR3 Owners and Enthusiasts who's racked up 250000miles (400000km) towing a trailer aroung Europe (he delivers cars for a living) without much trouble. Ok, so not the outback, but 400000kms all the same.

I admit the early ones were dodgy but most issues have been sorted - suspension failures are rare nowadays. Well maintained electronics are not a problem these days and are here to stay - emissions regos and performance demands make this a certainty. I wouldn't get one without a full service history though. Some guys carry laptops with Testbook so you can reset everything and clear fault codes. Takes less space than a tool box. You can also do a 'hard reset' easily if need be.

I'm not one for blind brand loyalty and have looked at the competition but wasn't impressed. I was also swayed by the avaialbility of ARB bars, rear wheel carriers, long range fuel tanks etc which you can't get for the RRS. No doubt there will be more goodies for the LC200 but they don't make up for its shortcomings.

Re: the comments about coil springs - in a live axle set up, coil springs have their advantages but when you have fully independent suspension then cross-linked air suspension (only LR have this) is the best compromise.

Disco_owner: does your club member have off-road tyres and the rear locker? The only time I've seen a D3 suffer is when on road tyres or if it's the coil sprung version without terrain response, rear-locker and low clearance. Terrain response also requires a different approach compared to traditional driving.

Were the D1s and D2s stock or lifted and locked? The D3s angles are ok straight out the box (when in off-road height) and easily improved with ARB bars and modified sensor rods, for a 'lift' in all modes.

As some one mentioned earlier, the LC200 makes some things look easy where D1s and D2s have trouble. The D3 does the same for the cruiser - there was a test by 4x4i magazine with a RangeRover Vogue vs. LC200. Those two were more or less equal but the control vehicle, a D3, set targets that neither could match.

Have a look at the D3 section of this forum and go along for a test drive and make your own mind up. Also read the Aussie and African sections of DISCO3.CO.UK - Dedicated to Discovery 3 and LR3 Owners and Enthusiasts for people's experiences.

I already have.