D3/4 or RRS -which is better for offroad play + touring?

[gobrood]

Dear LROs,
Having just been barred/discouraged by 'er indoors from buying another Defender 90, I am being forced to consider and research a more comfortable 4X4. So- RRS or Disco? Are there any difference in the offroad capabilities of the two vehicles, which I understand have the same running gear? Is there the same availability of aftermarket mods for both vehicles (bulbar, toolbar, snorkel, rock sliders, wheel/tyre combination,wading depth, approach departure angles, rear bar spare wheel carrier, cargo barrier) etc. I know I can go on LR websites, but some personal experiences would be very helpful. Does the RRS have as much rear room as Disco?

Having come from tricked-up 80s Rangies and Defender 90s, I am a bit wary of softroaders, but I do understand the D3/4s are very capable. (I do prefer the look of the RRS though). Thanks in advance for any comments.
-robg

[AnD3rew]

Pretty much the same car from a basic capability perspective. Will probably find more standard accessories for the Disco but people have managed bull bars etc for RRS.

Probably the biggest difference is less room in the back.

[letherm]

Having come from tricked-up 80s Rangies and Defender 90s, I am a bit wary of softroaders, but I do understand the D3/4s are very capable.

D3/4s are definitely not soft roaders. Very capable vehicles but you need to retrain yourself as it needs a different mindset to drive. I had a Pajero before my D4 and it was like chalk and cheese. The D4 beats the Pajero hands down. Some sort of familiarisation course would be very advantageous so you understand how to get the best out of it. If you can't get to a course, Gordon's (GGHAGGIS) book is well worth getting and he gives a discount to members.


Martin

[scarry]

Both have very similar off road capability.

More aftermarket accessories are available for the D4,than the RRS.

The D4 has way more room inside.

The D4 may also have a better selection of tyres available,depending on what model you end up with.

[scomac]

gobrood,

After having lived with both vehicles, my opinion is that the D4 is better suited for off road/touring and a family. Not by much tho.

The D4 is a softer side and has more room as Scarry as said.

While I loved the RRS, I like the D4 better.

Cheers
Scott.

[nat_89]

I think there is a few people here who have done the exercise before choosing one, for me it was the D4 that won due to the awesome interior room the extra seats the fully flat interior floor its amazing what you can fit in there!! Also when purchasing new it was nearly $45k difference and we just couldn't justify that for less space and less seats although they hardly get used they are handy to have on the odd occasion. Mine gets little offroad use so i dont have any accessories fitted but as said above there is many more accessories for the D4 over the RRS. But it all comes down to what suits your needs.

[ozscott]

D3/4s are definitely not soft roaders. Very capable vehicles but you need to retrain yourself as it needs a different mindset to drive. I had a Pajero before my D4 and it was like chalk and cheese. The D4 beats the Pajero hands down. Some sort of familiarisation course would be very advantageous so you understand how to get the best out of it. If you can't get to a course, Gordon's (GGHAGGIS) book is well worth getting and he gives a discount to members.


Martin

Having driven Pajeros off road they run out of wheel travel and clearance in a heart beat. Its not unlike what a D4 would be WITHOUT all the bits that simulate live axle articulation and clearance...ie they run out of off road ability very quickly. I also dont like their slow steering and onroad noise. However their brakes are excellent and they are very well sorted reliability wise with little to go wrong given the lack of electrickery in the suspension etc.

Cheers

[carlschmid2002]

I think the only advantage the RRS has over the D3/4 is the engine choice. You can't get the supercharged V8 petrol or Twin turbo V8 diesel in the D3/4. I haven't driven either but I thought if I won lotto I would buy a Supercharged 5 litre V8 RRS and put all the good bits from my D3 and get some GOE 18 " rims. That is my dream car. (One of them anyway)

[gghaggis]

If you take the time to set them up properly, the RRS has a slight advantage offroad - it's more manoeuvrable due to shorter wheelbase. The D4 is a much better tourer though, more space and better EAS valving for distance travelling. So overall, the D4.

Cheers,

Gordon

[ozscott]

Is wheel travel, clearance and articulation the same on both Gordon?

Cheers