Thread: Next tow vehicle after sdv6 D4

Originally Posted by DieselLSE

Yep. But not in the L663 so I believe.

I've been looking at this and found CCF reference:

- Disbale Seatbelt Reminder
MultiCAN-717 Front Belt Minder
Beltminder Fully OFF

Might try it if I get brave...

Originally Posted by scarry

After a year of looking etc we moved to another brand which has both the great tailgate set up,similar to D4,and as much if not possibly more room than the D4.
None of the LR offerings suited us for a number of other reasons,everyone has different needs.

My biggest frustration - all the R&D time since the D3, and we have gone backward in practicality. No question the phone integration, off road ability, engine, electronics etc are worlds apart - but the back seat layout (adult sized, fold flat and low etc), tailgate, under bonnet space has gone backward.

LR isn't alone in this, as I see the other brand you mention has also gone away from a split boot in their new model. Must be something that makes this layout a headache for manufacturers?

Originally Posted by veebs

LR isn't alone in this, as I see the other brand you mention has also gone away from a split boot in their new model. Must be something that makes this layout a headache for manufacturers?

A real nuisance as so many like it,it is great for camping,touring,etc,etc.

Gerry Mc Govern when asked at the launch of the D5 said they could never get the fit right,and they got full of rust.Ever seen a D3/4 tailgate full of rust and not fit right?Just a load of absolute BS.Maybe he is way out of date and thinking of the RRclassic?In fact the dust sealing of the D3/4 set up is excellent,so much for not fitting correctly.
Toyota were asked when the 300 turned up and there was no comment,except to say we did a survey and many like no tailgate so they can reach in the rear load carrying area easier.
For both brands i think it is easier and cheaper to go this way.Possibly lighter as well
And for LR,the D5 was also built to compete with BMW,Merc,and Volvo etc,so went the same way as the opposition.

When the LC300 appeared the missing tailgate was probably the biggest complaint on forums,followed by the downsizing of the fuel tank,although the aftermarket mobs have a good solution with spare still under the rear.

As for the rear door on the new Defender,many complain about it as well.
An option for a split tailgate would have been a great idea,but no such luck,probably too difficult to do.
Having the spare hanging off the rear,one would think a larger fuel tank would be the go,if not the 110, maybe the 130,anyway,as with the European trend,it is still smallish.

If anything the D3/4 is praised for the absolute lack of body flex, thanks to two chassis - I've never read about a door needing to be adjusted to close properly for example? So no, if it was working at factory, it's probably still working now.

There may be rust problems in countries with salty roads, but that rust extends well beyond the boot! A YouTube of anyone in England changing the LCA in these cars shows what a cruisy life they get in Aus

Yes - cheaper and easier, and so to have the single boot as the default option is all good. But charge me an extra $5k for a split tailgate and I'll bitch about it, then pay the money! Problem might come up with what to then do with the spare I guess.

Ironically, for city-based cars it's also useful - have you ever backed up to a wall, but still been able to open the boot due to the short distance the two halves extend from the car? Brilliant.

Sigh...

Completely agree on the cargo area and 3rd row seating, D3/4 set the benchmark and they should have kept that design into the Defender.
They should also have a split tailgate as an option although spare wheel location stuffed that up.

Originally Posted by DieselLSE

Interesting observations. Thanks for posting.
Theoretical question: If they were both current model vehicles (i.e. similar tech) and assuming they were priced similarly, would you prefer a D4 or a L663?
I agree with Ashes. I love the tailgate and pretty much everything else about the D4. All the daft bits (like 19" wheels, spare wheel location, lack of "camping mode" facility, seatbelt chime at farm gates etc.) can all be readily addressed and it allows for heaps of mods like bars, roof racks, second batteries, solar panels etc. without having to drill any holes.

I would buy a current model D4 if they still made them, would be awesome if theyd kept the same platform but fitted the ingenium engines into them. I love the L663 looks and tech, but the D4 just does it all so well.

Originally Posted by Eric SDV6SE

I would buy a current model D4 if they still made them, would be awesome if theyd kept the same platform but fitted the ingenium engines into them. I love the L663 looks and tech, but the D4 just does it all so well.

The Ingiboom as they’re affectionately known as in the 2L variety in the Sport. Even worse than the TDV6. Hope they’re better in the L663.

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

Hope they’re better in the L663.

They were just as bad,actually a disaster,same as D5.

The 2L came out with lots of chest beating about running huge boost,then they were detuned,then dropped in most models.

We can only hope the D300 is better.