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"In reality that D3/4 platform is built like a brick ****house, way more than a Defender."
Having loved two Defenders in the past (TD5 and Puma) and currently owning a D1 and D3 (which I treat no differently), I can pretty much agree with this statement. As much as I love the Defenders and Series vehicles to bits, you would be hard pressed to replicate the following two links in one of those vehicles. Horses for courses.
Road Carnage Mtunzini N2
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I’m not sure where I sit either Marcus - I’m being a bit provocative really. I think they are both great vehicles and have loved owning both, but for different reasons. My 110 wagon has more space in the back than my D4 did, but it is harder to pack because of the shape and has a back seat that is only fit for hobbits - so a compromise.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chops
I do think the Discos are a bit underestimated in terms of their capability. Sure, the Defender makes a better farm truck but that’s about it. I also think the D3/4 is a lot more solidly built than a Defender, as I’m sure you’d agree having had both. The Defender is very solid in the chassis and suspension and probably the equal of the Disco, but that body is made of tissue paper.
I think a lot of people make the same mistake comparing the Disco with the LC200. The Cruiser is bigger, looks more solid and is more in line with what people think 4wds should look like. However, as we can see from Greg’s comparison the Disco can run rings around the Cruiser in many ways.
Where the Disco always wins for me is in its breadth of capability. The Defender is a dedicated off-road load hauler and does that extremely well. However, the Disco only loses out a little in terms of capability, yet can do so much more. The same can be said I think of the Cruiser. It’s a very capable off-road machine that’s been tarted up to look luxurious, but loses out to the Disco in every other aspect of it’s performance.
My towing experience has mostly been limited to car trailers, so I’m no expert. However, it has been with many vehicles, including the Defender, 70 series Cruisers and various Discos (no LC200 though). I’d have to say the D4 was the best tow vehicle I’ve used by a country mile.
Cheers,
Jon
And for touring,camping,city driving,remote area travel,i don't think you can beat the D4.
And as for towing,as said,its just fantastic.
Its also a very safe vehicle,and a great off road vehicle with a set of a/t tyres.
Part of the amazing fuel economy achieved from these later 8spd cars is down to transmission software and gearing. Latest trip we did towing the van was averaged out at 14.6666666/100 (🤣) , it was pretty hilly terrain too. Try doing THAT in the LC200 and you'd be up around mid to high 20'sQuote:
Originally Posted by Eevo
In the past 12 months I've driven off-road in a 200 series diesel, a 105 series petrol, and a D3 petrol EAS. The 200 performs better imo although to be fair the D3 wasn't a diesel. My choice though for an off-road rig would be the 105 due to its simplicity and ease of modification. The D3 would be last due its complexity.
no, we couldn’t get the women enthused about an all day drive to Walcott to camp the night with sandflies, so we only got as far as Wren Gorge and stayed at Bachsten Creek for four nights.Quote:
Originally Posted by roverrescue
Attachment 152147Attachment 152148Just did a 800km day from Broome to Newman via the Boreline road through Shay Gap and Marble Bar. Cuts nearly 300km off the trip. And we had the whole drive pretty much to ourselves, with brilliant scenery. Why more people ignore this route and stick to the coastal blacktop is a mystery to me. The Boreline and Marble Bar roads are well maintained 100kmh dirt. Bit wet yesterday though. Calling all mobile detailers, I’ve got a full day job for you.
Coming back over the border from the last little trip in April I miscalculated distance to next fuel vs fuel remaining. Made the call to go for it and locked the trans in 6th at 80km/hr pulling just 1300rpm, rather than doubling back to last fuel and wasting a couple of hours. Towing 2.1t of full-size dual axle caravan and fully loaded with family for a combined weight of well over 5 tonnes. Made it to the servo on range zero :) Gotta love a diesel V8. Even when it's relatively small. But I can't match your numbers. I averaged out at a real 17.1 ltrs/100kms of mixed towing. The 4.4SDV8 plus 8HP sounds really impressive. I do find mine is far too eager to go back gears and spin up, rather than digging in and using the torque. Equally holds gears too much when accelerating. I wonder if that can be reflashed?Quote:
Originally Posted by justinc
That 14.66 was calculated at the pump, too. My dash is 1.5 optimistic. I'm very very happy with ALL aspects of this vehicle. Not too many vehicles where you can have as much cake as you want and STILL eat it all...🤣Quote:
Originally Posted by DiscoClax
My display is somewhat pessimistic because of my bigger tyres. Shows bad numbers, but the reality isn't nearly so bad :) My odo is about 7.5% low compared to actual distance travelled. That offsets the usual optimistic reading and then some.Quote:
Originally Posted by justinc
