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

Originally Posted by AndyG

From a comfort position in my 110 with premium leather more than ok on a 1100 km day run, but maybe this is invalid based on the STD defer assumption. I see a smick D4 is 115,000 vs maybe 60,00 on the LR configuration for a smick defer

I consider my Perentie Isri seats to be pretty good. However, then try the seats in a vogue. I wish I could find a lounge as good. Maybe I should go to the wreckers.

I suppose the comparison didn't mention comfort.

"In hindsight, had I known we'd end up with a camper trailer with plans to move up to a caravan instead of a bus, I'd have happily bought a D4.
My back sure lets me know I'm in the Defender".

Sorry to hear your back's no good in a Defender Chops. I love the upright seating position and seats of my Defender, especially off-road. So much better than anything else I've driven over the years for long drives too. Could easily do 1000km in a day. A Defender with a camper trailer sounds perfect to me for sometime down the track! But if the D6 is somehow more affordable then you never know.... hmm that's a long way down the track for me, but maybe not as far as i think!. I know one thing for sure though, it would be impossible to part with my Defender/s!
Best wishes

Originally Posted by DeanoH

An interesting discussion and a credit to the contributors that it's kept basically on topic, positive and without angst. Could you imagine this discussion on the D2 forum ?
The OP's original question was .................. which is better bush bashing a Disco or a Defender? (but only with an additional $5K spent on the D4 that cost $30K more than the Defender to start with), which is hardly a level playing field or a fair comparison.

The terms bush bashing, off roading and 4WDing mean different things to different people with bush bashing generally meaning severe off road/no road conditions, something which clearly fits the Defenders design criteria and capabilities. Only the most one eyed D4 aficionado would consider this to be the D4's raison d'etre .

If the D4 was intended to be a serious off road vehicle it wouldn't have 19" rims and highway licorice strap tyres as standard, it's simple as that. It's undoubtedly a very comfortable, well designed and capable high speed 'soft roader' but hardly a bush basher.

Deano.

Yes those who drag their knuckles have been on their best behavior whilst on our turf.I must say we have a 10 fold consumption of latte here the moment,cant be anybody else but the visitors
Andrew

Originally Posted by AndyG

From a comfort position in my 110 with premium leather more than ok on a 1100 km day run, but maybe this is invalid based on the STD defer assumption.
I see a smick D4 is 115,000 vs maybe 60,00 on the LR configuration for a smick defer

Mine was $80000 drive away,it is a pov pack with a dealer ordered factory package that makes it similar spec to an SE.
Andrew

Originally Posted by DeanoH

The terms bush bashing, off roading and 4WDing mean different things to different people with bush bashing generally meaning severe off road/no road conditions, something which clearly fits the Defenders design criteria and capabilities. Only the most one eyed D4 aficionado would consider this to be the D4's raison d'etre .

If the D4 was intended to be a serious off road vehicle it wouldn't have 19" rims and highway licorice strap tyres as standard, it's simple as that. It's undoubtedly a very comfortable, well designed and capable high speed 'soft roader' but hardly a bush basher.

Deano.

I disagree... Definitely not a soft roader.. Incredibly robust chassis and driveline. Only let down by the wheel combination.

The only difference I see as a rule is a mind set thing - which Gordon for example is an anomaly!

Most won't spend $50-60k and have an issue with taking a "wobbly panelled" Defender down a scratchy track, or to jump back in covered in mud...

Most Discovery owners aren't quite like Gordon, and the mind set of "scratching up" such a machine sends shivers down their spine.

Me, I've had my D4 on rock crawl tracks, down trails 6" narrower than the vehicle - have the trail stripes to show for it... And will go anywhere someone here wants to take their "stock" Defender (and then some)...

I would still have either (got both ) and have fond memories of my very modified Defender.

By the time you take a base Defender, tick a few boxes at the dealer (Leather etc) the divide is only in the realm of $15k from a lower spec D4.

If you then have to live with that vehicle day in, day out... And you've got that extra coin... And you still want to be able to go offroad with very similar capabilities as the Defender, then the Disco is a clear winner...

For a touring offroad scenario - a D4 with a 2t offroad van on the back made easy work of tracks after Melrose last year.
Did the towing Defender (Alien) have any issues? Not at all.. There was a noticeable difference in the pace each was comfortable at. And the D4 lends itself to going much quicker in comfort...

All went very well, all did a great job... All did their task of taking people off the main tracks and into the outback.

I'd suggest choosing the vehicle you want - life's too short to have something you don't enjoy.

Discovery, Defender, Range Rover - the spirit is the same, the soul is the same...

Mr Landy, yes my backs bad, but, I can sit in the Defender for hours and do it fairly regularly,,,, I'd just sooner do it a bit more comfortably. And I'm not about to ball at scratches
I too find the driving position excellent, as I did with the D1 and D2. My guess is, after driving the D4 for a short time although only in the city, it's position is excellent too.
The power was incredible, and so easy to take over the speed limit. Maybe in a couple of years we might get one, although I'll be working on the Mrs. To get her to think about it a bit harder. She's due for a new ride, it's a tad exy, but just maybe.
I love my Defender, it's just quirkie and of course, it shows its heritage.

Originally Posted by scarry

There is both under the carport here,and have been for a good few years

Completely different vehicles,but the D4 does it easier in real hard off road stuff.It just seems to walk up and over things.Very little if any wheel spin,where the deefer will spin the wheels,and sometimes lose forward motion,where on the same line the D4 has crawled through.

This also depends on driver ability,tyres,etc.The D4 you don't have to 'drive' the vehicle as much as you do in the Defender.

But there are places the D4 may get panel damage,where the Deefer won't,and water crossings,to me,are more riskier in the D4 than the Deefer.

And don't forget the D4 has off road height,and extended off road height,so ground clearance is good.The Defender may win out in approach and departure angles though,particularly if you have the 40mm lift.

The panel damage issue I always felt was a big limiting issue for most D4 owners .... but for me a Deefer at $50K+ would still be a concern for owners if it got bent ..... and if the prices are now over $90K .... well, even playing field in the panel front now. Or is it .... Deefer is probably cheaper to fix being non-monocoque?

I admit this is a bit off topic but for me it's another bloody good reason to own and drive such a safe and strong vehicle especially considering I transport my grand children and all the rest of the people in the world who are precious to me in it.

For those who think that the combined chassis / monocuque body of a D3/4/RRS isn't as strong as a Defenders have a look at these graphic pics and read the short report.
Then please tell what would you rather be in with your family if someone drives head on into you on a freeway at great speed, a Defender or a Disco 3/4?

DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - HORRIFIC ACCIDENT WITH A D3 G4 NO#1 IN AFRICA