Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: A fun place
Posts: 485
JMC: For a car that has the title OFF-ROADER of the year. For a car where LR it selves states it IS an off-roader, for a car that expensive: than NO I cannot except these issues
As I said before, I drove 3 years with a defender, saw much much more mud and had to work ten times harder than the DIII, only the DIII has seen the garage more than the defender.
The DIII was NOT bought as a TOY, but as an off-road "camper", the defender was both.
And for the comfort for the 2 kids, not for ours, as I couls drive with the defender 1500km and be as fit as with the DIII
Again, when the DIII runs, it great fun, but again, can you imagine these problems out of warranty ???
At least with a defender you can work on it your self in case of!
And, sorry to tell this, but apart from a defender, it might be the toyota they are working on: A 4x4 like the BJ, and with no electronics.
the DIII has the off-road capabilities, but it's not build to do itIn a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin. www.m-release.com
3rd Jun 2006 6:50 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
Sadly on this occasion Penguin I must say that I respect your view but disagree with it somewhat.
I think we would all recognise that the D3 wasn't built as a 110 or Defender replacement and therefore the differences relating to the technological aspects could never provide a comparison between the two.
You cannot seriously compare the D3 to the 110 in terms of levels of on road drivabiliy, comfort and equipment. So on that subject I'll stop there.
The 110 \ defender is a fine off-roader but then so is the D3, some would say even more so. The D3 physically drives off-road in a different way to the 110 and perhaps 'die-hards' of the past have difficulty with this. But..... mighty capable the D3 is.
As to the issue of reliability, you show me any manufacturer of any vehicle and they will have repair centres. Why?, because all manufacturers models suffer from faults ......period.
I can understand your frustration with the faults you have experienced, the D3 got off to a sticky start for some, and it's a shame that your dealer hasn't dealt with you in the manner you deserve. However, these faults do not appear to be unresolvable.
Your frustration seems to be that you would prefer to get your head under the bonnet and tinker with the mechanics yourself, perhaps even on the run. Sadly there aren't many vehicles that you can do this with nowadays, I would doubt that even the next Defender will allow too much of this.
If I were in your shoes I would admit that the D3 is a fine vehicle, but not for me. There is little point of endless comparisons back to the 110, clearly a 110 is what you want and for you own peace of mind I would recommend that this is what you get.....and soon.
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: A fun place
Posts: 485
within 2 years or 55.000 km
And yes, the DIII is a good car, but it's not well build to do what it can do.
I love the car when it's running, when
Compare it with connecting a 3.9 V8 engine to an original mini's transferbox.
As for the comfort of a defender.
Apart from the noise and the backseats (mmm ok and the sound system ) I get the same comfort.
Or maybe I'm not that demanding on comfort... In a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin. www.m-release.com
3rd Jun 2006 8:07 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
At least you'll still be in a Land Rover ...eh ! 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
3rd Jun 2006 8:12 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
Penguin wrote:
within 2 years or 55.000 km
mmm 69,200 km already and she's been mechanically perfect !
3rd Jun 2006 10:33 pm
Penguin
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: A fun place
Posts: 485
dickgriff wrote:
At least you'll still be in a Land Rover ...eh !
Once you go green, you wont go.. euh, must be an other colour In a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin. www.m-release.com
4th Jun 2006 8:53 am
tlt
Member Since: 02 Sep 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 262
for purpose
Hi;
Interesting posts. I would agree, with all views here for the most part. I own a D3, while my specific purpose would be off road abuse, if a Defender was available in the US I would have purchased that one. The D3 in my opinion is the "compromise" in the best of both worlds. It is not an extreme off roader, nor is it an extreme on roader. If I was to go on safari, I would want a defender.
With respect to some of the new fangled electronic gadgets, Nav and so on, I believe that some of that will find it's way to the Defender eventually. This will make the defender a better vehicle overall.
So, for the average on/off road needs, the D3 is a great choice I think. For someone that is accustomed to the extreme ruggednes of the defender, I can see that there are shortfalls. The really are 2 distinct vehicles for 2 distinct purposes. If given the choice, and money, I would most likely own one of each.
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