Thread: Disco 5 TD4 - any good for sand driving?

I don't have a TD4 but I gather that the power and torque of the engine is similar to a D4 2.7TDV6 (about 200kg heavier than a D5 TD4), which I had before. I've had that on sand in high range and was fine, in really soft sand or dunes I've always put my D4 in low range so can't comment. But if all you wanted to do is to take it onto a beach, I don't see you'd have any issues.

Ron

Originally Posted by IndusD4

I don't have a TD4 but I gather that the power and torque of the engine is similar to a D4 2.7TDV6 (about 200kg heavier than a D5 TD4), which I had before. I've had that on sand in high range and was fine, in really soft sand of dunes I've always put my D4 in low range so can't comment. But if all you wanted to do is to take it onto a beach, I don't see you'd have any issues.

Ron

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Yes, that's how I am seeing it as well. Besides Pajero and Prado also have similar power/torque output and of course much heavier. So, D5 TD4 might just be fine for moderate off-roading.

I wouldn’t worry terribly much about the capability of the lower specced engine in a D5. So far my D3 TDV6 has been very capable on sand and it weighs more than a D5. Also, don’t forget that the D5 comes with a later generation of more advanced Terrain Response setup than a D3. You won’t have any problems if you pick decent tyres initially, lower the pressures accordingly, turn off DSC, and use low range when required.

As for lack of power, it depends on what you are used to. I went from a 300Tdi D1 to a D3 as a daily driver so no issues for me! In your case, for moderate off-roading, and not towing a block of flats, the more powerful engines probably fall into the ‘nice to have, but not essential’ category.

Really sand driving is less power than ground clearance.

An Evoque is great on sand until the front crossmember bottoms out which it does on many tracks wirh ruts or a centre hump..

A D5 has excellent ground clearance so should be very good on the slow stuff especially if there is a centre hump.

Regards PhilipA