Be aware that 2009 Oz spec S3 S all have air suspension.
Hi everyone,
I've just about given up on the idea of up powering my D2a to a 4.6 for towing duties, so I am starting to look at secondhand good late model D3's, mainly for towing a off road caravan with an all up weight of about 2.5 ton.
My first question is does a D3 S model without air suspension have the same tow ball weight capacity as a D3 with Air?
Which is 350kg I believe?
And I believe it isn't that straight forward with an S spec D3 with out air suspenson to stiffen up the rear end to tow a relatively heavy caravan? Not as easy as just using polyairs etc as you would on earlier Discos, is this correct?
Another thing apart from not having air suspension does a S spec D3 have any of the other computer enhanced traction control functions and hill decents like its more up market siblings?
Any assistance will be very much appreciated as once I have all the correct information then I will determine what model I buy. What ever model D3 I buy will still end up doing some off road duties as I'm not intending to buy a caravan to stay in caravan parks.
Cheers,
Terry
Be aware that 2009 Oz spec S3 S all have air suspension.
MY21.5 L405 D350 Vogue SE with 19s. Produce LLAMS for LR/RR, Jeep GC/Dodge Ram
VK2HFG and APRS W1 digi, RTK base station using LoRa
Thanks for that but unfortunately I have never seen a 09 D3 S model for sale second hand and chances are it would be close to the price of slightly older SE that would have the Air suspension fitted.
There are a couple of 07 S models around that I am considering as options and that is why I asked these questions.
cheers,
Terry
I gather that you don't want air suspension, rather than looking for a cheaper vehicle. If so, what are your concerns?
MY21.5 L405 D350 Vogue SE with 19s. Produce LLAMS for LR/RR, Jeep GC/Dodge Ram
VK2HFG and APRS W1 digi, RTK base station using LoRa
I have a D3 S model 2005. I have upgraded the suspentsion with Dobinson coils and gas shocks. I have towed a car trailor with a car on loaded at around 3000kg and no problem at all. we live in Toowoomba and regularly tow up the range. my son says it pulls like a bull terrier an more with the load. Th specs are the same as the air suspension model and so are all the traction devices, HDC, DSC, tracion control 6 airbags and brkes the same. All the SE has is airbag suspention trip computer and a few other cosmetic changes all the safety devices are the same including 3500kg towing capacity. Hope this helps.
Hi Graeme,
actually I'd really like a D3 with air suspension but a good SE TDV6 with low clicks which still has factory warrenty costs a bomb. That leaves me with the choice of either a late model TDV6 S model without air suspenion or a V8 with air. Thus the questions about S models.
cheers,
Terry
Hi Talltales,
thank you very much for this information it will help me greatly, I'm off to look at a couple of S models tomorrow hopefully I'll find a good one.
cheers,
Terry
No air suspension = no terrain response.
In my opinion air suspension makes the D3. I wouldn't consider one without it.
Hi BigJon,
you do make a extremely valid point and I would prefer airsuspension if possible, still it will be a case of finding the best compromise vehicle that will do the job for the right price and preferably have warranty.
cheers,
Terry
Don't forget that air suspension was an option on S models. This was my original target to keep costs down and help my conscience with an e-diff.
MY21.5 L405 D350 Vogue SE with 19s. Produce LLAMS for LR/RR, Jeep GC/Dodge Ram
VK2HFG and APRS W1 digi, RTK base station using LoRa
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