Member Since: 07 Apr 2014
Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire
Posts: 403
Discovery 3 off road ability
Hi I am looking at purchasing a discovery 3 in the near future. I currently have a defender 90 which I have modified 35 inch mud tyres winch snorkel etc. which I use for off roading but it a bit harsh on the road and I have had to use it more on the road lately hence my decision to change. But my question to you is will I loose much ability in the disco 3 from the defender I am expecting a bit of a compromise but is it much.
How much off roading do you guys n gals do and how do yours compare with defenders.
Thanks in advance.
7th Apr 2014 7:52 pm
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2919
Can't compare to a 90 but my D3 goes anywhere my 110 used to, and more besides.
However, both are/were working vehicles (typically over 3T loaded up) and not 'hard core' off road, but all on boggy riverbanks etc. For example, D3 will happily reverse down an old railway embankment we have at one site, and then drive up again with no fuss even when fully loaded. 110 used to have a 'heart in mouth' moment with tyres scrabbling etc.
I suspect that for serious off-road (ie bonnet under water etc) then the 90 will win through, but for me the upgrade in comfort is well worth the limitations of the D3 - perceived or otherwise.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)
7th Apr 2014 7:56 pm
Andy Foster
Member Since: 27 Dec 2009
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6551
Can't compare to a Defender but the D3 is awesome off road.
Just a few of us proving it.
Search YouTube as quite a few on here have posted vids on there
Having just completed the Mac4x4 challenge I can safely say the G4 went everywhere our modified D1 commercial would have.
In much more comfort aswell!
Quarries, forest tracks, mud, mountain tracks & rutted logging trails.......all taken in its stride...G4OC Secretary
N44RT Callsign NH89
7th Apr 2014 8:01 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73080
Cue a few random d3 offroading pics:
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7th Apr 2014 8:08 pm
biskit
Member Since: 23 Dec 2009
Location: in my Mancave.
Posts: 1376
I just get lots more bramble rash than the 90s. Mantec sump guard.
Prospeed tree slider/steps.
Flack duel battery system.
18"Compomotive/AT3 tyres
Brembo 4pot front brakes
7th Apr 2014 8:17 pm
galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
get yourselve over to landrover experience solihull..you will soon find out how good it is..and on road tyres....put dumper tyres on and yippee
7th Apr 2014 8:26 pm
Hairy Dan
Member Since: 19 Jan 2011
Location: Co. Durham
Posts: 12319
The D4's not so bad either
Click image to enlarge
Cheers Ian
--------------------
Club N.E.R.D.S
Kielder 4x4 Safari
Discoless
7th Apr 2014 8:55 pm
HughMartin
Member Since: 30 Mar 2008
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 751
And not a drop of water inside
Click image to enlarge
7th Apr 2014 8:57 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6400
base version sort of like Defender no TR but still managed everything:
G
7th Apr 2014 9:02 pm
Andy Foster
Member Since: 27 Dec 2009
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6551
Having fun in The Lakes
AndyD4 MY15 SE TECH
D3 gone but never forgotten.
7th Apr 2014 9:06 pm
Andy Foster
Member Since: 27 Dec 2009
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6551
And another.
AndyD4 MY15 SE TECH
D3 gone but never forgotten.
7th Apr 2014 9:13 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23823
The additional width of the D3/4 over the Defender is the main issue.
As a direct comparison between a D3 and the 2.4 110 Defender, I drove them both off road at Eastnor, both on the standard tyres that they come with. Managed to get the 110 stuck, so did the instructor, so we reversed out and took a detour. The D3 sailed through the same section.
It's certainly much more challenging off roading in a Defender. With correct use of the Disco trickery it does sometimes feel as if all you have to do is steer and use the brake and throttle. But that suits me fine.
On the Strata Florida and the more extreme rocky lanes in Wales, that I drove in myD3 in convoy with a couple of 90s the D3 was so much smoother and serene in comparison. The 90s would be bouncing and bucking all over the place, whilst the D3 just glided along.
With full underbody protection now easily available, I'd choose a D3 over a Defender every day. But then I just don't fit properly in a Defender.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
7th Apr 2014 9:39 pm
~Rich~
Member Since: 16 Mar 2009
Location: Sydney
Posts: 628
Or this trip video:
&list=UUmc50qQ5eXuB0i2R7_oFqlg&feature=share&index=4
Love it! Only a couple of hours drive from Sydney too.2014 SDV6 HSE White, LLAMS Height Controller, Tinted Glass, Tuff Ant Sliders and 18" steel wheels, Safari Snorkel, Rhino Rack Platform, ARB Air Compressor, Custom Drawer and storage unit -http://www.box.com/s/jem0ilac3cner2mexq64 UHF CB, 4x4 Intellegence RWC, 120ltr Long range tank, Rock Sliders and Compressor protection plate Beanie grill, De Tango.
7th Apr 2014 9:46 pm
TdV6Pete
Member Since: 10 Aug 2012
Location: Rutland
Posts: 415
A defender (90) with 35's and 'extreme' suspension is better off road. Its narrower, better breakover and approach/departcher angles and weighs sooo much less.
The D3 on grippy ground, like rocks is better due to the traction control, but in mud its weight lets it down, and on greenlanes, its width stops you at some gates. Also, unless you bobtail it, say good bye to the rear bumper (I made a guard for mine so it slides off abit easier, seems to work so far)
HOWEVER
I can travel 3-4 hrs to wales, doing 70+, with cruise control on, with my bum being warmed and talking to the person next to me. Once there, (and after waiting for the defender to catch up), I can do 99% of the lanes friends do in the defenders and do it in much more comfort.
If you like playing and modifying trucks too, you can fit lift rods, bigger tyres (33inch JUST) snorkels, ARB lockers etc, but it will cost abit more
I Love defenders, I have had 3. But I have never looked back after owning my D3 (apart from wondering why the defenders cant keep up on the road )2inch Lift, 33inch Cooper STTs, Wheel Spacers, Hidden Champion 9000lbs Winch with recovery points, Full Underbody Protection including Rear Bumper Guard, Rock Sliders, Snorkel, 4x4 screen enabled and Sat Nav on the move (thanks to Bodsy), Discreet LED roof lights, LED work light, BAS Re-map and EGR's blanked, V8 Brake upgrade with Grooved, Drilled and Slotted Brakes, Halo Fog Lamps, Roof Rack, 240V Inverter, CB radio and finally a Swing away wheel carrier with Hi-Lift mount...
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