Thread: What do you get after a D3?

Originally Posted by TerryO

Hey Garry,

hope you mind me asking but could you go into a bit more detail on how you found driving a Defender after a V8 D3?

cheers,
Terry

Hi Terry

For starters is was a climb to get in and there no handles on the roof to help my wife and with a sore arm she struggled but once in she was fine. It is high off the ground for a good reason

The driving position is by far more upright due to the shape of the body, i suppose it has to be so you get the full view all around and the seat is higher from memory, probably to give you the comfort sitting upright like i mentioned

I haven’t driven many cars or trucks, mostly Discovery’s so I can only compare it to be similar to a removal van I once drove moving house but nowhere near as clumsy, my last 3 cars have been V8 Discovery's so please don’t flog me for that comparison

The defender drives really well and once moving it is fast and fun to drive albeit a little noisy

The sound system is very poor after leaving the 13 speaker assortment my HSE has, however NOS on the forum has installed a speaker under the back seat of his 110 and is as good as the HSE's and louder

After writing this I feel I am comparing apples to oranges they are completly different animals and should be treated as such

The question is, is it good enough to part with my D3 and trade down as the wife puts it?

I think it is and it is a much simpler vehicle that will take you anywhere you point it with the minimum of fuss, so I am told as I have never taken one off road just tried to follow one that made some obstacles look easy that my D3 struggled with

Mully, I don’t want to hijack your thread and make it a defender one so I will edit this post if there are any more questions of me on the topic of defenders

Have you anymore thoughts on which one to go for?

G

I went through similar decision making process. I have had the D4 for 12 months now, upgrading from TD5 D2, and previously a two seater 300tdi Defender. Our choice after ruling out Japanese 4wds came down to Defender or 2.7ltr D4.

We chose the D4 for comfort and safety features. With three growing boys, soon to be teenagers we needed maximum space in the second row of seats and there is a big difference in the space and comfort between the two.

The full array of safety features in the D4 also weighed in our final decision.

Having said that, the Defender was definitely our number two choice and I would happily drive that around if the D4 was not an option.

Cheers, CHris

very small point (Desert Traveller), there is plenty of room under the bonnet of the D4 3.0l for an ARB air compressor (mounted in front of the battery) and a Optima Yellow Top 2nd battery mounted in the 2nd battery box (Opposite Lock in Mile End SA have done a number of these now for D4 owners and just move a few bits and pieces in the 2nd battery box - as plenty of others on this site have also done before).

cheers

Chris

Greets all, apologies for slow input as self employment can make things a bit TOO busy some times.. especially combined with a move to 17 acres.

Some really good input and feedback here and big thanks again to all... it is all very helpful.

My position now is pretty much to look at either trading or selling private the D3. Will be a very sad day I have to say and we will miss all those seats etc but the reality is that the trips away are going to be on hold for a while (already had to say no to Border Track and High Country ) so it makes sense to move it along while the value is still up and focus on the 300TDi for now.

Bit sad actually but will be making some calls to explore trade in for a Defender also... the deefers still look very cool I reckon and will be better use on the small acreage as well... did someone say tax advantage? Hope so...

Anyways, still keen to hear any input from you folk!
Cheers! Mick

Quick update after doing some vehicle shopping... mostly been looking at Navara & Colorado style options.

The D3 may end up being worth the effort of fixing as we go... everything else out there is a long way short of what the D3 offers but in fairness I've only been checking out the more working class style of truck. Just can't get keen about Pajeros and the like and Defenders just can't be found in yards which tells you something about them.. in a good way I think.

Will be doing some DIY homework on the issues that put me off the D3... may be a better option to fix the beast up! If it is cost effective by taking the time yourself, then the D3 may end up being the winner... again. Latest issue sounds like a wheel bearing!

Cheers.

What about a VW Amarok, saw one in the flesh the other day, very nice looking and much bigger than the other dualcabs on the market, can't hurt to look at one

Baz.

I looked at the Amarok the other day also, as I thought it would be closer to D3 than it is. From what i could find it seemed that everything standard on D3 was an option/accessory on Amarok.

Cheers

Dom

Originally Posted by dominicbeirne

I looked at the Amarok the other day also, as I thought it would be closer to D3 than it is. From what i could find it seemed that everything standard on D3 was an option/accessory on Amarok.

Cheers

Dom

The engines are chalk & cheese for towing & general performance.