ricric wrote:

I am beginning to realise just how ignorant I am of things mechanical and in particular car (esp. disco) technology. Can anyone suggest any good but not too complex reading that would help me to understand the basic car technology that goes into a new d3, or would that be that running before I can walk.

ricric wrote:

Well I realised how little I knew when I had to ask about 'torque lock up'. But really I'd like to start to fill in some basic gas and then move on up until I could reasonably understand about suspension, steering, etc etc.

I once had a garage which serviced and repaired a car, tie a note on saying "not to be touched by .." and then my name. I'm not trying to become a mechanic but it would be good to fill in my woeful lack of mechanical knowledge.

Well, you may be surprised to learn that many of the D3's attributes are not new technology, or even especially complex. Where the vehicle has moved the whole game forward is the way in which the systems are now all so integrated. You really don't need to both yourself too much about that, but if there are specific areas that you'd like to get your teeth into, then send my a PM and I will see what I can do to help.

By way of example, the air suspension system on the D3 is essentially no different from that on the P38 or latest Range Rover, or the back end of the air sprung D2s. It is very, very simple.......