Member Since: 22 Aug 2008
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 3145
LT
I agree with you, I've worked around land rovers all my Adult life, there's nothing I've not driven at some point in time,
If The D3 brakes were that good why didn't they fit them to the V8 ? Or why not fit them to the armoured variants ?
Of which I have and still continue to drive ! The newest armoured D4 I have driven hasn't got standard brakes either although the D4 brakes are adequate they don't measure up to stopping an up armoured variant.
Its interesting that the D4 brakes are the same diameter as the Brembos that folk are fitting and are finding adequate ?
The brakes on a standard D3 are adequate but they lack pedal feedback and inspire me with little confidence. As for towing where's character he has towed more than any one on here I reckon ? What does he think about the braking set up ?
And I also agree with giving people space and room and reading the road conditions, I can give folk as much room and space as they like and anticipate their actions, it's not anticipation you need when some ones driving the wrong way up the A1 at half 10 at night its a chrystal ball !Only dead fish go with the Flow !
27th Mar 2014 12:15 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50971
B16 KJR wrote:
Can I just ask DG, how much towing you do and how do you feel the D4 stops in comparison with the D3 say towing a 1800kg caravan ?
To use your favourite LR terminology I only tow "occasionally" ...I couldn't give you a comparison on a caravan tbh as I've never towed one. I'm sure that others could though 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
27th Mar 2014 12:42 pm
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2887
One detail which (I think) may have been overlooked here is that the original vehicles could also be supplied with 17" rims, with which only the 'standard' brakes would fit.
For reasons of preferred tyre choice I run a set of 17" rims and, thus far, have had no issues with stopping - despite running the car at over 3 tonne GVW most of the time, and towing trailers between 2 and 3.5 tonnes. Furthermore, I do live in quite a hilly part of the world!
I understand and appreciate that an upgrade would improve the braking performance, but thus far (in almost 50k of driving over past 18 months) the only 'interesting' moment was when the rear pipe burst and left us with no brakes at all Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
27th Mar 2014 1:10 pm
Dexter
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 1394
Hi, I regularly tow a 1850Kgs caravan and can say that my first D3 and both D4s that I've owned have all stopped the unit exceptionally well. The D4s have noticeably better braking overall and as Gareth mentioned seem to require less maintenance, my previous D4 got to 35k miles on the original pads and discs, towing for maybe 15% of that mileage.
Given the lower speeds, need for additional forward thinking and if the trailer brakes are functioning properly I don't really notice any need to increase the braking force when towing.
Hope this helps.
Dex
27th Mar 2014 1:22 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50971
waterbuoy wrote:
One detail which (I think) may have been overlooked here is that the original vehicles could also be supplied with 17" rims, with which only the 'standard' brakes would fit.
Good point on the 17" wheels WB ...I don't think the 18" wheels work with them either ...best thrown away by the sounds of it 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
27th Mar 2014 1:39 pm
B16 KJR
Member Since: 10 Jul 2006
Location: Rosyth, Fife
Posts: 3005
Quote:
To use your favourite LR terminology I only tow "occasionally" Laughing ...I couldn't give you a comparison on a caravan tbh as I've never towed one. I'm sure that others could though
Ahh, OK I just assumed your comments were based on your own actual experiences whilst towing, but if you have never towed a caravan then you obviously don't know how the standard D3 or D4 brakes felt in that situation.
Just for info the V8 discs fit onto the 18" wheels
Quote:
Given the lower speeds, need for additional forward thinking and if the trailer brakes are functioning properly I don't really notice any need to increase the braking force when towing.
Bearing in mind properly functioning overrun brakes still only consist of 2 drums. Cast your mind back to when cars had drum brakes all round, an 1800kg car would take some stopping, now take away 2 of those drums, and you can imagine how long it would take to stop.
Caravan and trailer overrun brake systems have never changed much since the 1950's whereas modern car brakes have progressed beyond anything that could have been dreamt of back then. So if you are towing a caravan equipped with a 1950's braking system with a modern car, there is no way the caravan can exert the same stopping power, so the caravan will always push the car during braking, the V8 set up just gives you a bit more confidence that you will be able to pull up in time in the event of something happening ahead,
Just out of curiosity, does the D4 V8 version have bigger brakes than the diesel version.
27th Mar 2014 2:41 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
For the D4 the 5.0L petrol and 3.0L diesel engines get 350mm (14.2 in) front discs, so a bit bigger than the D3 V8s.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 10 Jul 2006
Location: Rosyth, Fife
Posts: 3005
27th Mar 2014 3:28 pm
Dexter
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 1394
My caravan has 4 drum brakes, as would most vans of this weight.
My experience is that properly set up trailer over run brakes do work very well, I have often felt the caravan pulling the car back when braking rather than pushing it forward as you mention.
Dex
27th Mar 2014 4:23 pm
B16 KJR
Member Since: 10 Jul 2006
Location: Rosyth, Fife
Posts: 3005
My caravan is a single axle
I am surprised when you say you feel the car being pulled back by the car though, even with a twin axle 4 drum system, because if the van pulled back the car, the drawbar would be fully extended and the brakes should not be on at all. Perhaps a sticking shoe ?
27th Mar 2014 4:53 pm
flydive
Member Since: 21 Aug 2007
Location: Lugano
Posts: 1535
Well, according to this, there is a 4 metres difference at 100 Kp/h (see RRS TDV6 vs TDV8)
Member Since: 27 Nov 2012
Location: Southampton
Posts: 2648
In 2004 I bought a Kia Sorento (Tow car of the year ISTR), fantastic brakes!
In 2005 I bought my first Discovery 3, brakes were no where near as good as the Kia, never thought to look further to improve them, the car was just different.
Last year I did the V8 upgrade to my current D3, so much nicer, not really fussed why JLR did what they did, just happy with the upgrade - Like so many others that have done it.
The Brembo is a step further but happy with where I am at present.Paul Redding
+44 (0)23 8052 2774
Order Parts Online at www.advancedfactors.co.uk
27th Mar 2014 6:37 pm
A.J.M
Member Since: 31 Oct 2009
Location: Carluke
Posts: 2831
Without going into handbag's.
The comparison with the RRS for tdv6 vs Brembo stopping distance shows a lot.
I have upgraded disc's and pads for the front and for the rear so i would expect that distance to be greater still.
I'm more than happy with my brakes. I'm sure other's are happy with theirs. In loving memory of FA54WSK.
Rest well old friend, your work is done.
27th Mar 2014 7:46 pm
yogi972
Member Since: 05 Jun 2011
Location: Kineton
Posts: 3373
Oh and did I mention.....
27th Mar 2014 8:43 pm
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...I couldn't give you a comparison on a caravan tbh as I've never towed one. I'm sure that others could though 
