Am I silly wanting a Disco 3 over a 4?

**twr7cx** · 8th November 2023, 10:47 PM

I'm looking to update the MY03 D2a Td5 HSE - it's not that there's anything wrong with it, after 13 years I still really really like it, but my kids are getting bigger, there stuff is getting bigger and the additional cargo room and back seats of the D3/4 platform would be much more suitable. Plus the safety factor - the step up in crash safety from a D2 to D3 is HUGE!

My old man and ex both have MY12 D4's with the 2.7 TDV6 and 6 speed autos. They're nice cars, brilliant at what they do, but they're a bit boring - too smooth, too quiet, too sorted in all the things that give a car a bit of character.
So I think I want a D3 rather. They're older, they've got higher mileage, I'll likely be replacing things a bit more often but they just seem to look more utilitarian with the black wheel arches and the interior style etc.
Bad move?

**Eric SDV6SE** · 9th November 2023, 12:31 AM

Imho, yes.

Go for the SCV6 D4 (if you can find one) petrol supercharged. The other option could be the RRS, they share a lot of common parts with Discos and are becoming cheaper to buy.

The D4 is soooo much better than the D3 in a lot of areas. If you want unrefined, go buy a new 79 series with manual wind up windows and an 80s interior, it will cost you 3x what a decent s'hand D4 or RRS will set you back

**Screamingkiw** · 9th November 2023, 05:13 AM

If you want a pavement princess then D4 but if you want it for off-road then I’d go the D3 and buy one with as much kit as you can. D4 has 19” wheels so you will need to buy expensive aftermarket 18” ones as D3 wheels don’t fit. I’ve had both and some things seem to be harder to work on than D3, eg replacing electric parking brake.

D4 feels more refined and modern and SDV6 is a lovely motor. D3 is cheaper and TDV6 can be replaced with a Territory motor if needed so overall is likely to be a lot cheaper and easier to maintain. A got a great deal on a D4 and am happy but if I did it again I would have got a cheap maintained D3 because I’m scratching mine up off road a creating a lot of depreciation.

**Tins** · 9th November 2023, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by Eric SDV6SE

If you want unrefined, go buy a new 79 series with manual wind up windows and an 80s interior,

He mentioned wanting safety...

**loanrangie** · 9th November 2023, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by Screamingkiw

If you want a pavement princess then D4 but if you want it for off-road then I’d go the D3 and buy one with as much kit as you can. D4 has 19” wheels so you will need to buy expensive aftermarket 18” ones as D3 wheels don’t fit. I’ve had both and some things seem to be harder to work on than D3, eg replacing electric parking brake.

D4 feels more refined and modern and SDV6 is a lovely motor. D3 is cheaper and TDV6 can be replaced with a Territory motor if needed so overall is likely to be a lot cheaper and easier to maintain. A got a great deal on a D4 and am happy but if I did it again I would have got a cheap maintained D3 because I’m scratching mine up off road a creating a lot of depreciation.

I agree, the D3 is the new (affordable) defender. Lots of off-road gear available and still easy to work on.

**Discodicky** · 9th November 2023, 12:48 PM

If I had not bought my D4 then I'd have looked for a (fairly rare?) D3 V8 petrol. Nice bit of kit and after all, unleaded is far cheaper than diesel! They say it's a nice engine.

**BradC** · 9th November 2023, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by Discodicky

If I had not bought my D4 then I'd have looked for a (fairly rare?) D3 V8 petrol. Nice bit of kit and after all, unleaded is far cheaper than diesel! They say it's a nice engine.

I test drove a couple while we were looking for our current D3. Wish I'd bought one because they were superb and far cheaper than the diesel for more up-spec features.

**Discodicky** · 9th November 2023, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by BradC

I test drove a couple while we were looking for our current D3. Wish I'd bought one because they were superb and far cheaper than the diesel for more up-spec features.

There is a Sydney one on Car Sales at $15k negotiable albeit with 315,000 klms. Looks noice.

**veebs** · 9th November 2023, 09:48 PM

A 2.7l D4 is basically a D3 anyway? Same running gear under it…

If the D3 you look at doesn’t run as smoothly as the D4s, keep looking I think

**scarry** · 10th November 2023, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by veebs

Same running gear under it…

If the D3 you look at doesn’t run as smoothly as the D4s, keep looking I think

One of the few similarities,heaps of other changes.

The 2.7 D4 is by far the most reliable TDV6/SDV6 out of all of them,and with a tune,doesn't disappoint.

Although the are getting on with age now.

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