Thread: D4 - Is E-Diff with standard 19" tyres worthwhile?

Originally Posted by gghaggis

For that use, probably not. I took our new D4 out on its first training trip last weekend (which doesn't have the eDiff), after doing the course the week before in our Sport (which does have the eDiff). Identical 19" tyres. The D4 was every bit as polished on even quite challenging tracks.

If you tow heavy loads off-road, the stronger axles in the eDiff might be of some benefit.

Cheers,

Gordon

Gordon, could you post some comments about the differences between your RRS and the new Disco

Originally Posted by Nicky

Gordon, could you post some comments about the differences between your RRS and the new Disco

Hmm, well there is 5 years between them (2010 RRS 3.0 L TDV6 and 2015 D4 HSE 3.0 L SDV6), so not the same as comparing an equivalent year Sport with a D4. However, they both have the same rims and tyres, so that probably adds relevance to the comparison.

On-road the Disco is not as taut - flip-side being that it soaks up the bumps and irregularities much better. On corrugations it is more comfortable. The D4 is much quieter, despite the Sport having double-glazed front windows - perhaps that's a function of age, but I don't recall the Sport ever being that quiet. The D4 HSE seats are equivalent in comfort level to the Sport, but they also have the memory function which makes changing drivers a less argumentative experience.

The space in the top cubby box is pretty limited, as LR have gone and fitted the audio input jacks & charging there (as opposed to the earlier models' having them in the centre console lid). But other than that, I'd forgotten how many storage areas there are in the Disco compared to the Sport, and it's great to have the bottle-holders back in the doors.

The 8-speed and the slightly higher-tuned engine give it a pretty sprightly feel off the mark, and on our 0 ~ 80kph sprint the Disco gets there around 40m shorter than the Sport (with the 6 speed box). Fuel consumption is around 1.5 l/100 better on average, but the Sport has a roof rack that may contribute slightly.

Off road the single eDiff Disco didn't struggle any more than our 2 eDiff Sport, and that included a 47deg incline climb, some fairly rough wombat holes and a climb of the Rock Garden outside Sawyers Valley. It does lurch a little more from side-to-side than the Sport though.

All in all it's a very nice all-rounder with more space and slightly better performance. And of course, it smells like a new car

I still prefer the look of the 2010 Sport though - all the proportions just seem to be better matched. The shorter wheelbase and the (non-intuitively) reduced pitching off-road makes the Sport easier to position off-road, but the Disco will still follow it anywhere.

Cheers,

Gordon

Originally Posted by gghaggis

The D4 is much quieter, despite the Sport having double-glazed front windows - perhaps that's a function of age, but I don't recall the Sport ever being that quiet.

Interesting comment, Gordon. The one thing I noticed when you took me to look at a bull bar a few years ago was that the Sport was significantly more noisy and firmer riding than my similar age D4. I was quite surprised at the time.