Thread: D3 suspension

Umm, don't know much about D3s, but is the suspension thing the one that lowers itself automatically once you go over 40kms?

Cheers
Simon

Yeah,

But it lowered itself at 0kph and then wouldn't respond for about an hour.

I wouldn't have been so worried, except that it was on a boggy section of beach with an incoming tide.

It has four settings:

Access (on bump stops)
Normal
Off Road
Extended Mode (Not controllable by the driver. The car enters this if it bellys out).

Incidently, I was in extended mode when it decided to lower itself!

Caused a little bit of sweat to start accumulating on my brow!!

Landrover is going to hear all about it next week.

let us know how you go with Landrover. I am still a little nervy about the build quality and back up....but most likely will wait for the update model....

Owen,

The build quality is very good. Probably as good as my Suby.

As to the compressor problems that I am having, I'm not perturbed that something went wrong. There are a significant number of parts in a modern motor car and the laws of probability suggest that as the number of parts increases, the likelihood of one of the failing also increases.

It should be noted that, contrary to the expectations of the anti-landrover brigade, I am not having problems with electronics (which are solid state and very unlikey to break - unless one is stupid enough to attach a non-regulated item of after-market accessory that spikes the system). My problem is with a mechanical part.

I will admit, however, that I'm a little peeved with LR after the dealer informed me over the phone that there appeared to be a batch of compressors that were faulty. Why didn't they check numbers and do a recall?

Over the past few days, however, I have heard from others with different cars, who have experienced similar problems with being advised of known faulty parts, A bloke here in Esperance had a similar experience with a faulty towbar on his new Mercedes. MB knew about the problems, but failed to take action. I think it's a cost thing. They know most won't be driven off road, so most people won't find out.

As to waiting for the next-build. If one kept on waiting for all glitches to be ironed out, then one would never buy anything!!

Look at Toyota, the 100 series has developed a reputation for breaking cross members and for cracking the front diff at around 70,000km. And if Cruisers are so capable, then why do most owners who want to regularly go off road, change the entire suspension as soon as they get the car!

The 4wd magazines all parrot phrases such as 'wait and see if the build quality is improved' and 'we just don't trust all those electronics' simply because they don't want to believe that anything is better than a cruiser or a patrol. :wink:

Jamo,

I see you have a HSE. I am just interested on your thoughts on these vs a TDV6 RR Sport which on paper are a few $$ cheaper than your HSE.

Did you consider the RRS and if so what made you choose the D3 over the RRS?

I appreciate the cars are aimed at different markets but in reality both will spend most of their time on the road.

Thanks

Garry

Hello Garry,

I did consider the RRS, but chose the D3 because:

The D3 is bigger than the RRS. The RRS has no third row seats and has a smaller cargo area volume. This was a major factor for me.

The base RRS is also very slightly less well appointed with only a single CD and less airbags.

I took the RRS for a drive and it was very nice. IT feels smaller than the D3 and more sporty. It's aimed more at the X5 market and, whilst very capable, will probably see most of it's life on well heeled streets rather than the CSR.

As to the price, the D3 HSE TDV6 starts at $83,650 and the RRS starts at $85,000 (ignoring any specials currently being offerred). So on paper, the RRS is actually a tad more expensive.


Another factor for me was the likelihood of aftermarket accessroies being available, such as proper bullbars etc. As the D3 is likely to sell in higher volumes and more likely to be used off road, I reasoned that accessories would more readily be available. My car will spend approximately 40% of its life on currgated gravel roads and tracks and farms.

Mostly, however, I wanted the extra seats and the bigger load capacity.

Incidently, some on this forum have expressed displeasure at the D3's looks. All I can say is that some of the blokes here have expressed similar sentiments, but all of the women have loved it!. One friend even told her accountant husband that their newish Pajero was to be replaced by a D3 before the end of the FY because she wanted a sexier car!

Hope this helps. James

Thanks James

So to summarise - you bought it for its looks and to pick up the ladies - where the extra space has its advantages

Any offroad capability was a secondary issue.

Cheers

Garry

Alas! (or two) I don't think my wife would let them in!