Thread: D3 V's D4 - Off Road

Originally Posted by rmp

Any reason for asking or just interest?

No, just interested.

I did not think there would be a significant difference and certainly from my recollection no one to date has note an improvement in off road performance as a reason for an upgrade to the 3.0 D4. Certainly most seem to like the increased power of the D4 3.0 on road an if towing etc.

As expected the two key questions remain , 19in Vs 18 or perhaps 17in and the 2.7 V's 3.0.

George

Agreed, the difference between them offroad isn't enough to justify an ugprade and if you want more offroad performance, add better rubber and a better driver. The D4's allure is not just the one feature but more the whole package of refinements to the interior, engine, cabin, handling...everything just adds up to an improvement. Not to say the D3 is poor, not at all, just the D4 is better. I think most people upgrading are about ready for a new car anyway. I don't know of anyone who has looked at a D4 and then junked their D3 ahead of time because they were so desperate to get into one. Certainly I'm in no rush with my '08.

I do think for tourers who don't tow, go offroad and don't have unlimited $ the 2.7 makes a lot of sense over the 3.0.

Originally Posted by Disco4SE

Had a forum member tell me recently that his D4 2.7 went so much better than his D3 2.7. He was talking on road.
Not sure if LR made any improvements on the D3 engine????
Interesting to hear from others.
Cheers, Craig

I believe the D4 2.7 has better fuel economy than the D3 2.7. They must have done something

In sand and climbing ravines or rocks, the D4 is better than the D3, due to (as RMP said) tweaks to the Terrain Response. In rocks it's quite noticeable, where the D3 will lose the line a little, the D4 won't, and scrambles less. The difference is more pronounced if the D4 has the 3.0 ltr and the rear eLocker (vs a D3 2.7 ltr with rear eLocker).

The D4 3.0 ltr is a rocket in sand, even on the 19" rims. However, I've now had my 3.0 ltr (RRS) on 18" rims for the last two weeks, and the performance is better yet again - you could put what you like on a D3, it would never keep up

Cheers,

Gordon

Did someone say "rocks"!! I prefer my mapped, e-diff equipped D3 on 17" LT tyres, than a D4 3L on 19". One reason: sidewalls.

D4 2.7L on 17" tyres... ok, but I heard that they have the 3L crankshaft and are a bit more lazy.

As a side question - are there any LT 18" tyres available yet?

George - we need someone with a D4 to come along and do Mt Walker for comparison.

Originally Posted by DiscoWeb

No, just interested.

I did not think there would be a significant difference and certainly from my recollection no one to date has note an improvement in off road performance as a reason for an upgrade to the 3.0 D4. Certainly most seem to like the increased power of the D4 3.0 on road an if towing etc.

As expected the two key questions remain , 19in Vs 18 or perhaps 17in and the 2.7 V's 3.0.

George

Get the smallest diameter rim you can, ie 18s for the 3.0 and 17s for the 2.7 if you want to go offroad. Best tyre choice and performance.

Re 2.7 and 3.0 - as Gordon has 18s for the 3.0 the case for the 2.7 is less strong. Really it comes down to whether you want to spend the $10k or so for extra power that you don't absolutely need but is lovely to have. Personally I would love the 3.0 motor but I wouldn't pay the premium for it, but everyone has different priorities.

but everyone has different priorities.[/QUOTE]

Indeed Robert that is correct...

I had a heap of ideas about what colour I would like inside and out and options etc, but when I was looking at a massive waiting list I started looking at ex demo's.

I was lucky that I liked the Stornoway Grey with the black interior in the D4 SE that I bought but would have preferred white with the black interior.

If I had a choice again, that is still the colour selection I would make. Although the grey looks fantastic.......when clean.......

Mine had also been specced up for the show room...so more bits and bobs and gizmos.

I was placed with the decision of a X month wait and pay premium dollars or take what was on offer in the ex-demo range.....more gizmo's, less money and immediate delivery.

Over a year down the track,,,still wearing the Permagrin...

It's a bugger to keep clean but I like the sound system and intergreted gadgets (but would never buy the car for those). The car is fantastic on and off-road...the 3.0L defies the concept of diesel and a 2.6 ton truck!

On a side note.....I've used Rock Crawl on numerous occasions where I was getting very close to getting bogged in deep slippery mud, with the OEM's like racing slicks. It's like magic....no throttle required till on a slope...and just 'walks' out of everything I've been in. I guess all that low end torque helps.

Of course the Blinding Flash of the Obvious (BFO) is that fact that I still can't drive for pooh off-road, as the Rock Crawl is replicating what a calmer more experienced hand would do anyway.

A friend suggested that the selection should be called the CTFDM...meaning Calm TF Down Mode ...as that is precisely what it does.

Out of the super slippery stuff the 3.0L is superb...climbs gravel and rutted hills with no fuss at all....barely above idle required, meaning you can pick your lines etc.

That's my 2C.

Cheers,

Kev.