Member Since: 15 Oct 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 3
coil springs
I am a Defender owner planning to make the move to a Disco3. I notice that in OZ there is a choice of either air suspension or steel springs. Has anyone out there driven the steel spring version? There is only a $3450 difference in cost, so why the steel option?
For: steel springs don't crash after going through water! You can also get lifted springs easy enough from Kings for example. The springs also don't lower themselves when you go over 40km/h!
Against: Only 5 seats available - if that is important to you. (I have 4 kids, so it was very important for me!)
Cheers,
Rob
15th Oct 2007 4:01 am
PBob
Member Since: 11 Feb 2007
Location: Mudgee NSW
Posts: 167
Also, its probably a fair bet that resale wise the air is better. As it appears to now be a trouble free (I hope I haven't spoken too soon!) arrangement that works very well, this will be a major factor in holding resale values.
I have air, and find it great in hooking up the camper trailer and boat, also for paddock inspections of cattle. I was also told by a crew out at Innaminka, that the coil vehicles are just a little too low in some desert trips. However, that is for the coil boys to comment on rather than me.2006 HSE TDV6 Bonatti Grey, ECB bull bar, tropical roof, LG Next G car kit, Tom Tom GPS, UHF, Mitchell Bros tow bar, Kimberley Kamper Limited Edition camper trailer and 23 foot Haines Signature half cabin (Towed separately!)
15th Oct 2007 5:11 am
WayneD
Member Since: 11 Sep 2007
Location: Sydney Darwin ,Singapore, USA, UK and now country NSW
Posts: 531
In a recent trip out to Awaba training ground at Freemans Waterhole in NSW we had 3 Disco 3's two with air and one with springs. Two were S one with air. (Ask your dealer about having air fitted to a S if you dont want the exta seats). Performance wise the two vehicles with air handled the training course much better than the spring suspension. The latter continued to bottom out and made some pretty ordinary sounds as it scraped over obsticles.
Made me pretty happy that I went with the air, and I have not had any issues with the suspension.The vehicle has done the Gibb River Road, Sand Hills at Boat Harbour plus the quarry at Awaba (in the wet) and is set to do Moreton Island in next two weeks Take the road less traveled. Dual battery system.ORS drawers,LR cargo Barrier.ARB Bull bar,side protection bars,Mickey Thompson ATR's 17" rims, Rear wheel carrier, radiator guard TPMS Mitchell Bros Tow Hitch LR RAI Steel Rims , GME UHF, Off Road GPS, Llams (yet to be fitted)
One of the Australian motor mags did a comparison some time ago between the coiler D3 and the air sprung D3 and the air sprung D3 was far superior in articulation and clearance over the stock coiler.
From my experience with the air sprung D3 I'd never consider the coiler when you consider the money you think you save will go into buying lifted springs and fitting them and you never get the flexibility you have with the air springs such as self levelling, comfort and the option to get the e-Diff which you cannot option with a coiler D3. There is no after market rear locker that I've seen yet.
However on the other hand the coiler D3 owners will say go with ever reliable steel springs to avoid the dreaded low rider mode after a computer system failure. I can't disagree with the logic but it is a confidence thing with air suspension.
Chris2011 Discovery 4 (MY12) SDV6 HSE with General Grabber AT's, Traxide Aux Battery system, custom rear drawers and Autosafe half height cargo barrier
Gone - 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE
ARB Bull Bar, Warn 9.5XP Winch, IPF D/Lights, Cooper STT's, LR Raised Air Intake, Traxide aux battery system, custom drawers and half height Autosafe cargo barrier, Mitchell Bros 4x4 tow hitch
The springs also don't lower themselves when you go over 40km/h!
They also can't be raised at the flick of a switch!
I've never driven a coil sprung D3, but after having the air one I'd probably never go to anything else. Have a nice day!
2010 Cayenne Diesel with PASM & Off Road Pkg
2005 HSE D3 (Sold)
I love the concept of the adjustable height air suspension, and the ride and aticulation is great.
The coiler, with a Kings Springs replacement to get the right ride height, would still, I think, be a great, trouble free, option. But yes, all reports I've heard are that in standard mode, the coils have the car sitting too low for any off-road work.
You'll need to drive both before you choose.
cheers,
SimonD3 - Buckingham Blue, SE, TDV6, 06 model; chipped; underbody armour; Mickey Thompson ATZ 275/65-18 AND MAXXIS Bighorn muddies; rear wheel carrier from 4x4intelligence.com; iPOD aux connection! GME 3200 UHF - aerial mounted on wheel carrier ; LR roof rails/cross bars; Autosafe cargo barrier, Safari Snorkel; Traxide - aux battery; ARB bull bar with Tigerz11 winch; Lightforce 240 XGT driving lights (mitchell bros tow hitch to come)
15th Oct 2007 7:35 am
austen
Member Since: 15 Oct 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 3
Thanks for your input fellows. Looks like air is the way to go!
15th Oct 2007 11:13 pm
PierreJ
Member Since: 22 Aug 2007
Location: Perth, W.A.
Posts: 448
Hi Austen,
I think it is a much of a muchness. I have had Air sprung LR's and also migrated from a Defender to a D3. Having kitted out the Defender with OME's and Heavy Duty Coils, I wanted this option again.
Gordon (Disco4x4au IIRC) has done a mod to his D3 air sprung that looks like it works great, and gives the extra height, which i was looking for, but I chose coilers becaus I have always used my vehicles for overlanding. Less electronics = better reliability.
My suggestion is drive both, and if you could tell the difference between the two then choose. If you are like me, and could not tell the difference, look at what the vehicle will be used for. If for town driving, and the odd 4x4 trip consider air. If for hard working 4x4ing and overlanding trips go coilers.
King Spring 2" lift heavy duty coilers, cost $450 installed.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
PierreWhy is the fear of long words called hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia?
16th Oct 2007 4:15 am
austen
Member Since: 15 Oct 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 3
Thanks Pierre, you have summed it up very well.
Austen.
16th Oct 2007 4:49 am
PierreJ
Member Since: 22 Aug 2007
Location: Perth, W.A.
Posts: 448
Austen,
If you have not made up your mind yet, I am having the King Springs fitted on Friday. From an ex Defender Driver perspective, I will give you some feedback.
I can possibly also take some pics, and post them.
Regards,,
PierreWhy is the fear of long words called hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia?
22nd Oct 2007 6:49 am
nwoods
Member Since: 03 Apr 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 563
I have a lot of seat time in air sprung D3's, and personally own a coiler with the 65mm KingSpring lift.
My comments: the coiler is rock solid dependable, and if you like higher speeds off road, it works well (like on sand dunes or long straight dirt tracks)
HOWEVER, the ride is far inferior with coils verses air, and the lack of articulation is a serious impediment to true off road capability. Traction control goes a long way towards making up the difference, but there is no substitute for having wheels on the ground, and the air system has an amazing 13" of articulation and considerable height available in Super Extended mode.
Another thing to consider, is that the coiler does not have the Terrain Control ("easy button"). Terrain Control is useful in technical 4x4 driving because it allows you to tune the sensitivity of the traction control, transmission, and engine settings.
Here is my truck high sided with a lack of articulation. The air suspended models I was with cruised right through without issue.
Here is what Super Extended Mode looks like!
24th Oct 2007 12:37 am
PierreJ
Member Since: 22 Aug 2007
Location: Perth, W.A.
Posts: 448
Hi Nwoods,
What are the part numbers for the 65mm lift for the King Srings. The only ones I was qouted on were the 50mm or 2" lift kit. I was told by the local supplier, they could did not have higher.
Thanks,
PierreWhy is the fear of long words called hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia?
25th Oct 2007 4:01 am
nwoods
Member Since: 03 Apr 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 563
I don't have that information on hand any more. You'll have to email them, they were fairly response to my inquires a while ago. From thie online catelogue, the standard 35mm springs are KRFR-13 and KRRR-14. I know that the 65mm springs are designated their "HD" springs, so perhaps is KRFR-13HD ?
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; LR roof rails/cross bars; Autosafe cargo barrier, Safari Snorkel; Traxide - aux battery; ARB bull bar with Tigerz11 winch; Lightforce 240 XGT driving lights (mitchell bros tow hitch to come) 
