Discovery 3 S (coils) - are they good off road?

Hi, I have a D3 2005 diesel coiler with a Dobinson 2inch lift and mainly do beach work and towing. Also had the ecu upgraded which made a huge difference to towing and around town drive ability. Love the car and had no issues on general 4wding or on road performance. My tyres are a bit limiting on the sand as they are the original 17s and don't bag out or elongate enough. The D3 is a heavy car and I am sure my next tyre and rim upgrade (bigger diameter) will help. I beach launch a heavy boat too so I shouldn't be too critical. Tips as in earlier posts are DSC off and I have the D4 mini plough. Regards Kevo

This would have been a pretty good buy for someone: 2007 D3 S with leather seats and rear aircon, and just over 113,000km. $22500. http://www.graysonline.com/lot/0002-...c'spr=true

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Originally Posted by Celtoid

What do you mean by 'Standard Height'? All Air Slung Discos ride lower than most Coil Slung 4WDs on the road.....handles better, safer! Off-road they are as good if not better than all, once they raise.


D3's and 4s are an evolution of the world beating D1s and 2s ..... so even with coils (a D3), why would they be compromised? They lack the advantages of air slung Disco's but are far from limited, I'd wager.

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I was searching for coiler D3 lifts given a current thread asking questions about what lifts were available and found this. I didnt see your reply Celtoid - last year. The reason they are compromised is that the air suspended D4/4 as I understand it is like the range rover that was released at the time of the D2 - they simulate live axle (see here for example - http://www.rangerovers.net/rrsuspension.html ) by pushing down the opposing wheel when one wheel on the same axle moves upwards. The coiler would not get this so its like a Pajero which is compromised off road compared to a live axle vehicle (D1, D2, Defender etc) or an air suspended D4/4.

Cheers

I'm sure that a coiled D3 with lift will be fine if that's what you can afford, but if you can stretch to an air D3, it is more flexible and the terrain response magic will be better.

Air suspension if you can afford it,no comparison in ride to coils:cool::cool::cool:
Then you have the terrain response programs to enhance its performance!!!!
ENJOY
Andrew

Coilers are fine off road once they have a 2" kit fitted, however add in some decent sized tyres and all of a sudden you have a very tall vehicle to get into or out of all the time. The air suspended models are a doddle, just lower the thing even if you have 32's fitted and it's easy to get in and out, just remember to raise it before driving off.

Having driven both the ride quality of a Coiler is pretty ordinary in comparison as well. If your towing a reasonable weight often and off road with a 2" raised Coiler then you could have issues with the rear springs sagging, you won't have that problem with a air model.

If on going maintenance and servicing costs are a consideration then a Coiler will be less over time. Personally I reckon the air suspended models are a far nicer bit of kit and worth the extra expense.

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Originally Posted by Kevo

Hi, I have a D3 2005 diesel coiler with a Dobinson 2inch lift and mainly do beach work and towing. Also had the ecu upgraded which made a huge difference to towing and around town drive ability. Love the car and had no issues on general 4wding or on road performance. My tyres are a bit limiting on the sand as they are the original 17s and don't bag out or elongate enough. The D3 is a heavy car and I am sure my next tyre and rim upgrade (bigger diameter) will help. I beach launch a heavy boat too so I shouldn't be too critical. Tips as in earlier posts are DSC off and I have the D4 mini plough. Regards Kevo

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Go with your standard D3 17s, I reckon your next set of tyres should be either 265/70/17(32") or 245/70/17(30.5")

I have D3 factory 17" rims on my D4, I'm going up in size also from 245/70/17 to 265/70/17 in MT51 Kumho Mud tyres, Kumho also do the AT51 in this size as well as the KL71, which I have had before, the AT51 is the replacement tyre for the KL71, if the AT51 is as good, they will be a bloody good tyre.

Don't worry about how tall the car will be, taller cars are easier to get in and out of anyway.

Baz.