Advice required in regards to options

[ToXiCFiSH]

G’day all,

can I please have your thoughts in regards to the advanced off-road capability pack vs the active rear locking diff by itself?

I’m torn about the $3000+ for the full pack, including diff lock, vs the $1110 for the diff alone. Does the ATPC and TR2 really add that much off-road value over a rear diff lock by itself?

I’m in a position where I need to trim some fat out of my options list, and this is one area I can target. Yes, the vehicle will be used off-road, not hardcore muddling or anything best suited to full bar work and 35” mud terrains, but some decent, albeit softish exploration (it remains a daily driver for work purposes, so I can’t beat it to heck).

any input is appreciated, it’s down to the wire with choices. it is not a tow vehicle, so I’m opting for sd4 over sd6, and I don’t require 7 seats for just my partner and I and the two puppers. I do prefer ventilated (cooled) seats as previous leather vehicle had this, and when in and out the vehicle during summer, between multiple jobs, it adds benefit of not having sweat patches in unsightly places between client meetings. first world problem, I know.

I am leaning towards the driver assist pack, for general safety increases, but do not require tow assist. I definitely like the adaptive cruise with steering assist in stop and go traffic.

thoughts?

[gavinwibrow]

G’day all,

can I please have your thoughts in regards to the advanced off-road capability pack vs the active rear locking diff by itself?

I’m torn about the $3000+ for the full pack, including diff lock, vs the $1110 for the diff alone. Does the ATPC and TR2 really add that much off-road value over a rear diff lock by itself?

I’m in a position where I need to trim some fat out of my options list, and this is one area I can target. Yes, the vehicle will be used off-road, not hardcore muddling or anything best suited to full bar work and 35” mud terrains, but some decent, albeit softish exploration (it remains a daily driver for work purposes, so I can’t beat it to heck).

any input is appreciated, it’s down to the wire with choices. it is not a tow vehicle, so I’m opting for sd4 over sd6, and I don’t require 7 seats for just my partner and I and the two puppers. I do prefer ventilated (cooled) seats as previous leather vehicle had this, and when in and out the vehicle during summer, between multiple jobs, it adds benefit of not having sweat patches in unsightly places between client meetings. first world problem, I know.

I am leaning towards the driver assist pack, for general safety increases, but do not require tow assist. I definitely like the adaptive cruise with steering assist in stop and go traffic.

thoughts?

Never been a fan of leather seats, but then again I cover my material ones with quality sheepskins for 4 seasons comfort, so maybe a possible saving there?

[LRD414]

Based on what you’ve described for usage I would just option the rear e-diff. I haven’t driven the TR2 etc but do know that a rear diff is an excellent upgrade and I think will help forward progress in more situations than the TR2.

Cheers,
Scott

[IndusD4]

I just have the e-Diff on its own, just like on my previous D4. But if you say you aren't doing hardcore off road then I think you'll find you won't need it at all. I think the difference is that without the e-Diff, traction control might need to work the brakes harder in difficult situations. But both a vehicle with or without e-Diff will get you where you need to.

Ron

[Gregz]

Perhaps having the e-diff as opposed to not having it will give a larger audience when it comes time to sell at some point in the future, if that is of any consideration to the OP.

[WhiteD3]

Toxicfish,

You must be a dab hand at fishing?

IMHO...........

go the heat/cool seats. I have them and they are great.
go the 5 seat. I have the 7 as there was no choice at the time but the extra storage the 5 seat provides would be handy.
go the SD6. I find the SD4 is fine (mine if 500nm, yours won't be) but coming from a D4 SDV6 I miss that smooth and quiet power (torque) delivery.
go the safety tech. Its taken me some time to get used to it but now I have I couldn't be without it.

I had the eDiff in my D3 (for resale) but not in the two D4's I had. Unless you are hard core off road there's no need for it.

Cheers.

[Numb Thumbs]

G’day all,

can I please have your thoughts in regards to the advanced off-road capability pack vs the active rear locking diff by itself?

I’m torn about the $3000+ for the full pack, including diff lock, vs the $1110 for the diff alone. Does the ATPC and TR2 really add that much off-road value over a rear diff lock by itself?


thoughts?

Personally, I would - and did - go with the SDV6 over the four cylinder. The smooth, endless power/torque is fantastic.

On my Jeep I had the equivalent of ATPC. It is brilliant for difficult uphill/downhill/on the flat driving. You just set the speed you want to go and concentrate on steering. No issues with your right foot moving on the pedal and causing jerking. It just moves smoothly along. Cruise control for the bumpy stuff! I have the advanced off-road capability pack.

Cheers
Numb Thumbs

[ToXiCFiSH]

Toxicfish,

You must be a dab hand at fishing?


Cheers.

Haha, it’s an old nick-name; I enjoy fishing though, but I can’t claim to be any good at it 😋

Thanks for the advice all. In the end, for the km’s I’m doing I languished over it long and hard, and ended up ordering an SD4 (I did two overnight test drives, just to be sure I could live with the 4cylinder). I did like the power delivery of the 6, but, in my case, I would have had to take a 6 with the e-diff and nothing else to fit within budget. I’ve chosen the SD4 along with comfort and tech features in 5 seater config on an HSE and I’ll be happy with that. My last/current vehicle is white, so I opted for Eiger grey (I needed a change). I went the climate comfort pack [ventilated seats with Windsor leather, damn the MY20 requirement to have Windsor leather in order to have ventilated seating], the driver assist pack with the autonomous lane centering, adaptive headlights, advanced off-road pack and TPMS.

As stated, I really liked the 6cyl, and if we were towing, no question, but within budget, we chose extra creature comforts over the engine size as the price worked out about the same - barebones 6 or optioned 4cylinder. Look forward to seeing you on the trails (next year, when we take delivery of the build).
Cheers and thanks all!

[DiscoMick]

I doubt if the 6 is worth the extra cost over the 4 except in extreme conditions.
Our gutless 2.4 Puma Defender 110 has just dragged our two tonne camper trailer up a 30 degree slope (according to the sign) in low range second on the Daintree north of Cape Tribulation, so I assume the more powerful new Defender could do that more easily. Gearing is more important than grunt, I think.