Thread: Disco 3 or Toyota Prado

Originally Posted by roamer

Come on ...a new e diff and alternator, are major issues
no matter who paid for them.

Well the alternator can go anytime on any vehicle, the eDiff had the smallest whine and it was very hard to pickup.
My mechanic & myself decided we should try Allianz for a replacement while I still had the extended warranty.
I could of just of easily left it be and replaced the bearings latter on. A SA company sells the kit to rebuild eDiffs and it is known that some of the early D3's had an issue with a coating on the inside of the diff breaking down.

I had a 80 series Cruiser that overheated once while 4wding, replaced the radiator and found 6mths down the track that I had the smallest head gasket leak. This damaged both the head and the block, that was a big issue and expence on a 24 valve engine!

That is why I didn't think either of the D3 things being a major issue.

If you want a Prado for black top running then it will be OK but still not in the class of the D3.To make it a true off reader out of it you would have to spend around $15000 on mainly suspension.The D3 would need nothing as it quite capable on & off road without mods.But like all modern vehicles it needs servicing at the nominated intervals.All in all, a top vehicle look at all the awards it has won.The D4 has been named again as 4WDOTY for the eight year running by all the Australian Motoring Organisations (NRMA, RACQ, RACV, RAA, RAC and the NT).The D3, it's predecessor, won all before it too since it was released in Australia.
What further recommendations would you require?

John.

Prado can carry 180 litres of fuel can't it? That' a def plus.

Not that I'm here to argue for the Prado. They depress the hell out of me. People don't choose them, they end up with them. Bought by thousands of people who want something else if they're honest with themselves.

Had a Prado once long long ago. Never again will I buy Toyota. Ours spent more time at the dealer than in our garage. Needless to say it got sold for our D4. There really is no comparison, the 120 could carry more fuel but it needed to because when towing it drank the diesel like lolly water.
Im sure you will enjoy the D3 over the Prado.
Cheers
Steve

Originally Posted by Disco44

If you want a Prado for black top running then it will be OK but still not in the class of the D3.To make it a true off reader out of it you would have to spend around $15000 on mainly suspension.The D3 would need nothing as it quite capable on & off road without mods.But like all modern vehicles it needs servicing at the nominated intervals.All in all, a top vehicle look at all the awards it has won.The D4 has been named again as 4WDOTY for the eight year running by all the Australian Motoring Organisations (NRMA, RACQ, RACV, RAA, RAC and the NT).The D3, it's predecessor, won all before it too since it was released in Australia.
What further recommendations would you require?

John.

John he wants real world experience with a focus on reliability. He doesn't want to rely on motoring clubs etc having a hand picked (by the manufacturer) vehicle for a day or so... They don't have to live with it.

I don't believe a differential failure and alternator is minor. I doubt anyone in their 40's onwards would but I understand what the above poster was saying to justify his comments because in truth even the traditionally reliable brands such as Toyota and Nissan Patrol are no longer immune to problems and often a lot bigger ones than the LR ones.

Cheers.

I’ve spent heaps of time in a 120 Prado, I can’t believe people have this dilemma. They are so different to a D3/4/RRS or anything from EU for that matter it not funny. However I will admit that some people will prefer the Jap feel of the vehicles, LRs aren’t for everyone.

Go and drive them, it’s your $ and you have to live with it.

If you are going to service the car yourself, D3 parts are much cheaper than Toyota. There are plenty of LR specialty outlets selling bits and you have the UK shops. We also have AULRO which most will agree, despite the occasional tiff, are a very helpful bunch.

If you are going to rely on dealers to “service” this car, buy a Toyota.

Despite what the one eyed Toyota owners claim, they do have their issues too, however with better dealer support most of these are delt with.

I think the other thing that you need to be aware of is if travelling remotely and you have a failure you are going to be better off with the Prado as parts and servicing is more readily available in remote areas.

My D4 had a hissy fit about 3 hours from civilisation and the only solution was to tow it to the nearest LR dealer (5 hours away) which luckily for me was my normal dealer. If it had been a Toyota there was a dealer in a country town about an hour away....considering it was a code clearing exercise instead of ruining my weekend away I could have been back amongst it again within the day!

Having driven both the Prado, D3/4 however there is no comparision in terms of performance, handling and refinement - the Disco is streets ahead hence I won't part with it for anaything. I am just gonna get a Faultmate and EAS kit so I can in future at least get myself out of trouble...

A 'code clearing exercise' doesn't need to cost you more then five minutes in time and a one off investment of a few hundred dollars, simply buy a Faultmate or a Hawkeye and clear the codes yourself and basically you have a great diagnostic tool that will get you out of the 90% of small problems that seem to stop most folk who aren't prepared.

I never go anywhere without our Hawkeye which gives great peace of mind. Even if I bought a new Cruiser I would look round for a similar diagnostic tool to keep with the vehicle, no modern 4x4 should ever go bush without one of these smart tools in the glove box in my opinion.

Having a local Toyota dealer in most towns is good if it is a work day but if your away on a public holiday or it is a Sunday or your miles out in the bush a near buy local dealer isn't going to be of much help.

cheers,
Terry