Thread: Which is better Off Road a D3/4 or a late model Defender? ... Puma 110

I agree the new electronic traction aids do seem to need a bit of playing around to get the best out of them or at least some time attempting an obstacle for them to sort themselves out. The G-wagen with triple lockers was very impressive against all comers incl. the new Defender on a test I saw on Youtube in Spanish! Deefer didn't have a rear locker IIRC.

We have here a 1998 Discovery 1 V8i (stock standard with only 125,000km), MY03 Disco 2 Td5 HSE (extensively modified), two MY12 D4 2.7L TDV6. Despite all that the Mrs and I both miss our old MY11 Defender Puma (was stock standard with 70,000km on it and the clutch shudder when we sold it) - it was the noisiest of the low, the most uncomfortable (seating position squish etc.), worse fuel economy out of all the diesels despite being the smallest, lightest and 6 speed manual transmission, but it just had an X factor that made it fun to drive and the one you wanted to drive! The Disco's all make sense and are smart buys but they don't put the same smile.

As for what's better off road - well depends on what you want. The most capable 4WD can sometimes also be the most boring as there's no challenge left. A vehicle that soaks up all the bumps can be likewise if driving off road starts to feel smooth etc. Again, the Defender would be my choice even if it was beaten by capabilities...