Disappointed in the D5 / waiting for the Defender

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Originally Posted by Zeros

Strangely though, the most significant aspect of D5 off road capability - Terrain response 2 -is not available on the base model coil sprung Disco 5! I don't get it. ...when it's the base model that is most likely to be a vehicle used in the bush.

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That's because terrain response requires air suspension, it is an integral part of the system. This comment epitomises the lack of understanding of these vehicles by those that haven't owned or driven them (understandably).

As to discussion about the reliability of the air suspension being the end of the world - forget it. Yes, things can happen but there are plenty of options out there that can mitigate almost all risk associated with its failure. Same approach is taken with handling that risk as there is for a known risk on any other kind of vehicle. Just different spares, tools and troubleshooting skills that's all.

The capability of the D5's TR system will leave the D4 behind. The main shortfall of the D5 will be maneuverability, anyone going from a D3/4 to a D5 will find themselves doing 3 point turns where they never had to before. The D5 has the same turning circle as the L494 which is what I now have, I can't tell you how many times during the 1st few months of ownership I was fruitlessly wrenching on that steering wheel trying to get that extra half a turn so I could make the maneuver I used to do with ease in the D4.

And Mario, rest assured that anything the D4s suspension will do, the D5s will do plus more including extended modes. D5s wheel travel is more than the D4s too.

Personally, if I were to buy another new Land Rover it would be the next Defender especially if it was like the D4 with the ruggedness of the last Defender and plenty of room in the arches for bigger tyres.

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Originally Posted by Zeros

I don't, which is why I drive a Defender. But without the technology it's not really a Disco 5. So like the OP, wait for the Defender. But then it will probably have terrain response 2, wheels you can't get off road tyres for, and airbag suspension. So might as well buy a D5!

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The new defender has to have an option for EAS....I'm loving the air bags in the rear on mine, if I had the spare coin I would replace the front springs to air as well

Thanks for the insight SBD4 and Weeds. Obviously my previous post was a bit tongue in cheek. ...I really like the sound of air suspension in some ways and the fact that T2 requires it makes sense. Hopefully on the next Defender it will be super durable. Cheers

I understand TR also helps keep on check excessive load on trans and drive shafts. Not that it's impossible to break something as someone recently demonstrated.

Trucks have airbags and they never have electronic issues.

Manufacturers should just make driveshafts strong enough to handle lockers. Indeed some do already.

I have experience with steering angle sensor controlled tc/esp/abs, etc etc, and i would rather not have any of it.

For example, i was driving in lots of really slipperly mud a few months ago. In many circumstances, when i braked at very low speeds, the abs would cut in very quickly, suggesting that that particular ground was very slick, and yet if i stomped on the brake pedal the car would stop almost dead. The abs was making it difficult for me to accurately assess the level of grip. I have achieved the same results of traversing slippery ground in the past with much less confusion.

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Originally Posted by AndyG

My daughter is in the market, and almost bought a disco 5, however due to hubby pressure a BMW x3 40i is now top of the list. This is type of customer LR is chasing,
P.S am looking forward to borrowing the x3[emoji12]

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The Chinese built x3 is not even in the same league, shopping trolley at best.

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Originally Posted by SBD4

That's because terrain response requires air suspension, it is an integral part of the system. This comment epitomises the lack of understanding of these vehicles by those that haven't owned or driven them (understandably).

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Um... my Discovery Sport and the Freelanders which preceded it have Terrain Response but all run on coil springs.

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Originally Posted by TB

Um... my Discovery Sport and the Freelanders which preceded it have Terrain Response but all run on coil springs.

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yes, indeed it does, as does my wifes Evoque. "Terrain Response" is not "Terrain Response 2" and, Terrain Response in Disco Sport/Evoque is still quite a number of notches down in capability to even that installed in the now superseded D4. To clarify, the D5 S will have Terrain Response, it will be the same as that installed in the Disco Sport and Evoque which is minus "Rock Crawl" mode and low range. Terrain Response models with Air Suspension and low range includes Rock Crawl, Terrain Response 2 adds the capability of auto-selecting the correct mode required by sensing the current terrain conditions.

Hope that clears it up for you.

There is only 2 differences between base TR and TR2 - TR2 on the D5 has Auto and ATPC - all the rest are STANDARD

The D5 wont have low range? If so how low is the gearing in first and reverse?