Thread: Almost ready to make a move into a D4..... Again

Originally Posted by BenD4

Accessories was talking to the sales guy about were mats, roof rails, RAI, the front windows tinted etc. Dealer fitted options.

No ARB don't do a diff lock for the discover 4 any longer. Last I asked they don't do a bar either if you have surround cameras.

Hi Ben, my 2 c Is unless you are a hardcore 4wdriver you don't need or will miss not having the ediff.

I went through the same process and now have a 2012 D4 HSE bought new, but chose to spend the ediff money on things I knew I would use more regularly on the car than the ediff. Whilst some say its good for re-sale to be honest I think the model is what second handers will aim for before the options. eg I could afford an SE with Ediff and some options, or a HSE without e diff.

Secondly have I ever noticed I don't have the ediff? Never crossed my mind, and speaking to some other LR owners the non ediff cars are just as capable, its the more technical and hardcore stuff where the ediff makes it easier.

These cars are phenomenal on what they can achieve and their capability standard surpasses most 4wd's that are modded.

Purely my opinion to provide some perspective for your decision, Enjoy the process of getting the D4!

Cheers

Agree with jaybee. I did not order my car and yes would have got ediff if I did but in the end I bought a car at the right price pre- ordered on spec that had the options I knew I wanted but no ediff. I've never missed it I doubt I ever will. I got the car to use on holiday treks along rough sandy tracks and outback roads and its ability in those areas is great as is.

Thank you for sharing your experience Jay and James. Unfortunately the sale on the hilux fell through but I am still hopeful I can shift it in the next couple of months. When I do I will not let the lack of ediff stop me.

Cheers
Ben

Originally Posted by JayBee75

Secondly have I ever noticed I don't have the ediff? Never crossed my mind, and speaking to some other LR owners the non ediff cars are just as capable, its the more technical and hardcore stuff where the ediff makes it easier.

Not really a fair comparison, but going up Billy Goat Bluff on a Pajero with the standard traction aids, we needed to stop 3/4 way up to allow the brakes to cool down.

When we went up with the D4 with e-diff, no problems all the way through, no smell at all (there is a distinct smell of hot brakes with the Pajero, as it had to brake wheel that lost traction).

As the price for the e-diff was just $1100 more, I didn't see the point of not ticking that option, as it was a relatively small extra cost when you consider the cost of the HSE with options fitted.

Originally Posted by phl

Not really a fair comparison, but going up Billy Goat Bluff on a Pajero with the standard traction aids, we needed to stop 3/4 way up to allow the brakes to cool down.

When we went up with the D4 with e-diff, no problems all the way through, no smell at all (there is a distinct smell of hot brakes with the Pajero, as it had to brake wheel that lost traction).

As the price for the e-diff was just $1100 more, I didn't see the point of not ticking that option, as it was a relatively small extra cost when you consider the cost of the HSE with options fitted.

Hi Phl,
Have been up billy goat bluff in a Standard D4 no Ediff, did it with ease. The modded patrols got up as well but seemed to have to work for it.....

You are right for $1100 you would tick it, but I would suggest the amount of LR's sold on order vs, what's available, floor stock, demo's etc would be like 20-30% the rest is dictated by price and value. If you think of the amount of cars already on a dealers inventory or on the water there are always 'incentives' to take what they have, potentially minus a couple of things you want or do not want for that matter.

I wanted an SD with options. Ended up getting a HSE $10k cheaper than the SD with everything i really wanted except the Ediff and 8 speed. As much as I thought long and hard about those two things since getting the car i have never looked back.

I suppose all I am saying is if you can get a really good deal where the overall benefit outweighs the ediff, you are really not going to miss not having it, its not a priority as the car will outperform the driver for what most owners will put it through without the ediff.

Cheers
JB

I have an e-diff. I love it and would never buy a Disco without one. If you are going to take it off-road, it is the best option you can get and you'd be mad not to get one. It just makes everything so easy.

But this is the reality:

Originally Posted by JayBee75

I suppose all I am saying is if you can get a really good deal where the overall benefit outweighs the ediff, you are really not going to miss not having it, its not a priority as the car will outperform the driver for what most owners will put it through without the ediff.

It is interesting watching how it locks on the 4x4 info screen. Its not just an add-on for when traction is lost, but an integral part of the TR system. It often locks more aggressively then the centre diff, especially climbing hills. Truth is though, for the sort of stuff I do these days (stuff like Billy Goat Bluff), I don't need it.

Cheers,
Jon

My now-gone D2's rear brakes were often chattering on my 2km driveway whereas the D4 with its e-diff is silent unless stability control kicks in if the rear-end slips sideways from going too quickly. I don't like making the brakes and diff chatter and welcome the heavier duty diff too.

Originally Posted by JayBee75

You are right for $1100 you would tick it, but I would suggest the amount of LR's sold on order vs, what's available, floor stock, demo's etc would be like 20-30% the rest is dictated by price and value. If you think of the amount of cars already on a dealers inventory or on the water there are always 'incentives' to take what they have, potentially minus a couple of things you want or do not want for that matter.

The dealer supposedly sells every D4 they can get (no Jon, this was not from our friend, but someone else who was very helpful and seems to be a straight shooter); at the time the only surplus was RRS and the MY12, and as I wanted 8 speed, they were out.

But I was happy as it ended up over 15% less after Corporate Plan, discounts and mistakes in my favour for my HSE.