Disco 4 HSE vs SE - opinions

I was looking at getting a SE with a number of options. When I did my shopping around (and I recommend shopping around) the dealer I bought mine from had a standard HSE. Unfortunately it didn't have the E-diff which I would have liked but had all the other options I wanted and it came to a good price. What I did was jumped on the Land Rover Aus website and built my car, then gave that list to the dealers and asked them to itemise the list with price and then did my sums after that. That way you might get the complete package in a basic HSE instead of waiting for an optioned SE. I originally wasn't fussed about the rear A/C but it is great for my little son who gets his own controls etc. It all depends on what options you want or would like. Mine only has 5000km on it so I haven't had it long but love it.

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Originally Posted by jammers

Appreciate comments, you've all touched in a key decision: ediff or not. Do you know of any good comparisons that try and quantify the difference?

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jammers,

I assume you are seeking feedback on the difference between vehicles fitted with an e-diff and those without. If so, I have done numerous 4wd trips with vehicles fitted with the e-diff and those without.

And to be honest, I could not easily tell you which have it and which do not.

For almost all 4wd situations you are likely to get in, the normal terrain response setting will get you through. Maybe the non e-diff models will scrabble around about more and need a second go but they will most likely proceed.

Now mine does have the e-diff and so far pretty much everything I have pointed my car up, I have climbed save one or two slippery climbs where I could find no traction at all.

As I continue to build confidence I find myself prepared to point the D3 up or down some more challenging tracks so the e-diff definitely makes things easier and gives greater confidence.

Every now and then a vehicle following me on a trip has not been able to make the section I have driven but this is probably as much due to tyres (selection and pressures), driver knowledge of the vehicle and settings and maybe a modicum of drive experience as much as the the e-diff (I think).

In saying this the e-diff is reasonably a cheap option (from memory around $1,000) and compared to other diff locking options (that at this stage can not be fitter to the D3 or D4) it is a bargain.

It will probably also add to the re-sale value as well which is always a hndy consideration.

IMHO if you plan to use the vehicle off road the e-diff is an inexpensive addition that an already brilliant off road vehicle even better.

Hope this helps.

George

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Originally Posted by jammers

Appreciate comments, you've all touched in a key decision: ediff or not. Do you know of any good comparisons that try and quantify the difference?

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GGHaggis on this forum is very involved and knowledgeable with/on the D3/4/RRS....sells after market gear and runs driver training.

He has reiterated that in the conditions he's seen the D4s perform in, the eDiff in a new D4 would only help in the most extreme driving conditions.

Maybe you could contact him for more precise data.

Cheers,

Kev.

PS For the money I'd get it if possible but wouldn't be too worried if you can't, is the point I'm making. My MY10 doesn't have it and it's still awesome offroad.

PPS And when I say new D4, I mean LR have continued to tweak the TC....so the newer D4s are 'more' capable than the old.....I doubt that there is much in it, but it's supposed to be the case.

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Originally Posted by jammers

Appreciate comments, you've all touched in a key decision: ediff or not. Do you know of any good comparisons that try and quantify the difference?

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Hi jammers, in my case it was a matter of spending another $1,050.00 on top of the $90 odd K purchase price to get the ediff, so it was a no brainer.
Despite what others say, I think that it helps on re-sale, as you can't add it later.

Cheers, Craig

All answers much appreciated (don't know how to 'thank' individual answers), is helping to clear up my decision. Didn't expect my humble question to elicit much response :D

Hi there,
I have the SE and really it's quite luxurious next to the Hilux I upgraded from.

I did miss my reversing camera for hooking up the float but have only had one minor mishap and now I know exactly when and where I need to be to be under the ball.

I have the standard stereo and little screen but hey I can't say that I bought the car for the touch screen etc etc.

I did make the choice of the 3lt TD as it was so much better than the 2.7 and so glad I did. I love the torque but also it's super to tow with. I tow up close to 3 tonne with my float, gear and horse (who is 700kg) but on a diet :-) The car does it's job perfectly.

I did write a list of things I could live without and things I could not...that coupled with the dollars that the items I thought I needed cost made it easier to make the choice.

As far as I can see if you do a list and work out what you need and what's nice to have it makes it far less painful to decide!

Happy trails!

I did the math this way:

Work out the features and options you feel are important.

Put the price for the cars you are comparing plus the price for the addition of the options from your list that are not included.

For me it came out pretty even between the SE and the HSE. Then there were "bonus extras" that came with the HSE which were not essential for me but what the heck they are free. (if you see what I mean).