yep Greg, I'm thinking the same thing - I think the trouble I'll have will be aligning the desired timing of my purchase with available cars that meet my criteria. I probably would have jumped onto the 2013 Autobiography had it not been for the fact that it wasn't optioned with the active rear diff. Its about a $1500 option from memory but not sure how important it is in reality - getting mixed opinions about it.
From what I know about it - which isn't much - the cars are already so capable that an ediff isn't really necessary, unless you're doing really heavy off road stuff, or a lot of heavy towing off road.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozjet
I don't even know if mine is optioned with it or not, but in the limited amount of off-roading I;ve done in mine in the Kimberley, I certainly didn't have any traction problems, and I was towing a 1.5 ton camper.
I agree entirely with Greg's summation here..........I don't have the e-diff and have never needed it and I have had mine in ugly places from time to time.Quote:
Originally Posted by GregMilner
I have never considered the upgrade possibility as I don't like the Evoque/New Sport look of the new 405.........don't want the lean back roof although I guess one day I am going to have to confront that issue.
I have never had any issues mechanically with mine, nothing other than two windscreens and another one being fitted on Tuesday next week. Hassle with the size of the damn screen is it attracts rocks in the bush like a rock magnet! I spend time on haul roads on mine sites as well and the big trucks throw rocks all the time. Funny thing is I have no paint scratches on the front of the car at all but have been through three screens! At nearly $3k per screen, tick the "windscreen option" on your insurance policy!
Rgds
Grant
Thanks for the Windscreen tip Grant - I'll check my policy on that!!
cheers
Chris
Cost of windscreen noted. Thanks for that heads up. In regards the e-diff, my understanding was that it was going to provide for greater stability at speed (not necessarily warp speed), towing a reasonable load on gravel roads. My ultimate intention is to tow an off-road caravan around and through Oz on roads less travelled. I'm not thinking these roads are going to be super 4WD tracks - more like gazetted gravel "highways". (Duncan Hwy, Tanami Rd etc). I guess the biggest issues on these roads are corrugations and the pressure they put on tyres and shockies but probably more dangerous than that is the chance of getting a bit of a wobble up and going sideways...
Maybe the e-diff won't improve this at all??
Cheers
Dean
I saw the stabilty control light on my e-diff equipped 3.0 D4 at 80-90 kph whilst accelerating fairly quickly on a gravel road recently. I don't know that this implies anything about the e-diff though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozjet
The vast majority of LR products do all and more than their owners ask of them, without the e-diff fitted. If buying new - add it - it's $1100 option on a minimum $70k purchase (Base D4) so it's a no brainier; But, if second hand - having owned Discos with and without, I wouldnt worry about it; you will find the car will do everything you want anyway in all likelihood ! :D
btw - I recall the ediff isn't available on base - diesel 6 - L405's now, only on the V8's. At least you can fit (GOE) 18 inch wheels on the 6 tho!
...and I guess if I'm ridged about having an e-diff and i'm buying second hand I'm probably going to have to say no to a few cars before I find one with my exact preferences. It isn't like as a prospective second hand buyer of a 2013 SDV8 Autobiography I'm spoiled for choice. I've scoured the internet and there are exactly ZERO for sale right now. Hopefully they will become more available as time goes on. Pity I said no to the one for 206k that was for sale in Melbs about a month ago.
Have you accessed TOPIx yet? Free to register. Then, get the VIN from the advertisement / or the car itself and plug that into TOPIx.
It gives you a build sheet for the car - so you can see what options it has including whther the rear diff is "open" or "rear e-diff". (Dealers often leave out options - this way you know before you go see the car!).
I found it quite useful as there is always the risk that a car is advertsied without e-diff (when it actually has it!) - but TOPIx will tell you! :cool:
Home | TOPIx
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozjet
Dean,
I have towed this trailer which had a gross weight when absolutely full of around 3.5 tonnes and that includes loading it with display stuff and taking it to a mine site for an open display day and that meant gravel roads...........never occurred to me that I may have needed an e-diff! Only thought I ever had when towing it, and mostly it was the race trailer for my Porsche race car, was how the engine didn't know it was there and the brakes made equally short work of towing the thing! The trailer had brakes, obviously, and with three axles it was very stable but still, I never thought, "Crap! Wish I had an e-diff!" Maybe I'm missing the point but with the amount of electronics going on in the RR, I would avoid an unnecessary and questionable aid like the e-diff unless I was ordering new and then, I would always wonder if I just threw $1500 down the gurgler for no apparent reason??
I will probably be labelled a Philistine, but as good as the e-diff might be, I just wonder why I have never needed or wished for it. This from a guy who throws an LSD into every 4wd ute our company owns as they are useless without them!
Rgds
Grant