Help me choose - do i need active rear diff

**simoncs** · 7th September 2012, 04:28 PM

Hi guys,

Have sold my D3 HSE and now need to get a D4 - a nice dilemma to have I guess, but I am not sure what to do.

Ideally I was thinking of getting a 2nd hand D4 HSE with low km's, but I specifically wanted the active rear diff.
There don't seem to be any available at the moment. (and I am not the most patient person

)
This car will be setup for touring and we hope to do cape york, CSR etc all in good time, with a camper trailer. (will have a winch at some point too, which may help negate the rear diff? ).

Speaking to dealers - naturally they are trying to tempt me with a new car. That was never my intention, but pricing wise, because it is Sept/Oct MY13 are about to come out, and they are doing discounts. So new is not too far away to a used with less than 20k kms.

Again there are very limited options in HSE with rear diff.
As a couple of examples -
I could go Silver with blk interior, piano blk wood inserts, rear diff, elec steering wheel or

fuji white, blk interior, surround cameras, rear entertainment,elec steer wheel, full roof rails - BUT NO rear diff
for about the same money. (strangely)

Do I need the rear diff? I know how capable these cars are without, but have also got my D3 stuck before too, so stopped going 4wding until I got some protection for the car. My thoughts are that the rear diff just makes it that much easier, and so less likely to sustain damage?

So any thoughts on which option to go for? Can I live without rear diff?

thanks

Simon

**discotwinturbo** · 7th September 2012, 04:44 PM

Well if everyone was smart enough when they ordered their new D4 with an e-diff at such a small price.....then it would not have been a problem for the next owner, and for you it would have given you more to choose from.

I am really happy my e-diff. It really helps where I take my D4. I have battle scars, and it has not yet turned 12 months old.

I bought my D4 for touring and medium off roading (I went hard offroading in my patrol but had twin lockers, more lift and more body armour).....so it was the first option that I put on the list for what I now do.

You may have to purchase a winch if you can't find the right one.

Brett.....

**WhiteD3** · 7th September 2012, 04:59 PM

I ordered my D4 as the base model with leather, eDiff and Bixenons. For touring, off road and resale I think these are must haves. I can't tell you if the eDiff is worth it or not but I do some 4Wding and find the D4 fantastic.

Mind you the D3 I had was fantastic too and it didn't have an eDiff

**Desert Traveller** · 7th September 2012, 06:16 PM

The e-diff is a must if you really want explore your limits. The best value option available if you are into off roading.

**TerryO** · 7th September 2012, 06:27 PM

You answered your own question, you can't find one second hand with one so your now considering a new one.

When it comes time to sell you will be able to sell to either a person who wants to go off road or a city driver.

Plus they are real good off road as you would expect.

Cheers,
Terry

**CaverD3** · 7th September 2012, 07:27 PM

With the E-diff it does things esier and with less drama.
MY13 D4 will have the eight speed box and the D4 has better off road electronis especially sand mode.
You can get what you want then.
Look at an SE and upspec it may be the way to go.

**chuck** · 7th September 2012, 08:19 PM

I ended up getting a stock car without ediff for a $10k reduction against ordering a car with same specs but with ediff.

Did not have the 4 month wait.

I could have bought an ediff car but it did not have rear camera, hi ice or rear air - features that in reality will be used far more often than ediff.

BTW - is the 8 speed confirmed for MY13 cars?

My information is that it is nt confirmed and is more likely MY14 cars.

Off topic - the new rangie now comes standard with same 3.0litre SDV6 as D4.

**CaverD3** · 7th September 2012, 08:30 PM

I thought they would not give it to us in Oz as they didn't have to as we have not adopted the latest euro regs.
Embargo until 27th I think. But we are now getting rumours at least, that it will have the eight speed. We know they are getting rid of the 2.7L engine and they have re-jigged the production line, so it makes sense they will standardise the transmissions rather than have different ones for different markets.

**simoncs** · 8th September 2012, 06:42 AM

thanks all for the replies - perhaps ediff is the way to go. hmm now just need to see if i like the silver.

**Plane Fixer** · 8th September 2012, 04:03 PM

In central Australia on the Chambers Pillar road there was some large areas of sand and I noticed the ediff was locking and unlocking, yet felt seamless in operation. The D4 with ediff is more capable than a lot of more common vehicles.
Go one if possible. I was lucky to get the exact vehicle off the showroom floor at my local dealer so grabbed it without any second thought.
Since March I now have 28,000km on it as it is just so comfortable to drive.

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