Bazross

Member
Hi guys .
I have a disco 2 and have recently bought a disco 3 .
All things considered the 3 is a much smoother civilised ride however it's not been without its issues a which I've sorted out now .
However I need to make a choice the 2 or the 3
And one of the things that will be a deciding factor is snow and ice driving but the time of year it is I cannot put it to the test .
The 2 I know performs well as I swapped out the old transfer box for one with diff locks this combined with the HDC is pretty damned good and manual so I have control
The three is an unknown to me all electronics as far as i can tell so my question is what are the 3 like in bad weather in particular going downhill in the snow and ice how does it cope in comparison to the old school manual with difflock etc .
Any advice taken on board guys as i need to be making a choice which to keep hold of soon .
Regards baz
 
I had 2 D2's, both TD5's and a manual then an auto. Both excellent cars, both had the CDL fitted in my ownership.

I was looking at D3's wanted a change, ended up with an L322 Rangie though.
What D3 do you have?
Personally, I think the D2's would be cheaper to maintain, parts, labour etc, no silly TDV6 cambelt on the D2's etc etc.

The two are worlds apart to drive as you say.

Off road, the D3's are superb, they have auto locking CDL's (some even have rear lockers too) they are pretty idiot proof too with the terrain response.
Between the two, It all comes down to tyres in the snow (as with any sinario really) If you have decent set, the D3 will go everywhere the D2 will and if you have the optional rear locker, the D3 will go places the D2 wouldn't. Hill decent in the D3 in low range in 1st gear should not be an issue, probably try and "run away" a little more than a manual D2 as you dont get as much engine braking with the auto, but the HDC should keep that under control for you,

The D3 relies heavily on electrics, which do and probably will go wrong, it's a landrover after all (that said the D2 Do have their fair share of issues too) personally if you can afford it and the potential repairs etc I would keep the D3 and out the D2.

HTH.
 
The d3 is the hse version .
Had a look and I dont think it's got rear difflocks.
So the question is coming down a steep hill in snow/ice in the D 3 what's the best settings and what's it actually like for control .
The d2 had no difflock when I got it so going down a hill in the snow I selected low box 2and gear and hill decent ...I didn't like it much I have to say it locked itself on the snow and started sliding enter the new transfer box with difflocks and it was awesome .
I'm guessing you have to let the D3 do it's own thing in that situation so how does it behave
 
I sold our d2 bought a d3.......keep the d3 I do also run a l322 4.4 lpg converted.

Did a full service on the d3 changed the belts and oil pump that's about it been all over x5 adults, x1 big dog and roof box in comfort
 
The d3 is the hse version .
Had a look and I dont think it's got rear difflocks.
So the question is coming down a steep hill in snow/ice in the D 3 what's the best settings and what's it actually like for control .
The d2 had no difflock when I got it so going down a hill in the snow I selected low box 2and gear and hill decent ...I didn't like it much I have to say it locked itself on the snow and started sliding enter the new transfer box with difflocks and it was awesome .
I'm guessing you have to let the D3 do it's own thing in that situation so how does it behave

hiya

don’t know how helpful this is, had my D3 down a hill in the snow, only selected HDC and controlled the speed of it through the steering wheel controls

Only comparison was driving series 2/3 in the snow , via low/ gears

was like night and day having the HDC, indeed the D3 had an optional rear locking diff

but of course still have the option in the D3 of using the low gears if desired, only thing CDL is electronically controlled
 
Is the handbrake still an expensive fix on the d3? I heard it was a £500 fix but I see on paddocks it's £50-£70 for a new set of gears.
 
When you say controls speed from steering wheel controls could you explain please.
And reading this and driving the bus it looks like a keeper its pleasurable compared to the tolirate of the d2
 
Having driven both i'd say the D3 is a much better car...

HOWEVER....

The L322 is around the same complexity, just as expensive to maintain and it is a "ahem" RANGE ROVER ;)

And drives a good deal better, interior quality is also one up ;)
 
So I'm warming to this bus but I have a moto which is if I cant fix it I ain't interested.
So I've looked into the cam belts and they seem ok to do but I see an oil pump is on the cards for replacement and I do have an oil leak at the rear of the engine so are there any jobs I'm going to struggle with without a ramp or pit or anything that will require a body off
 
Quite a few of the Jobs that "require" the body off...

Don't actually need the body coming off!!

I've done a few of the jobs, and while they are a pain in the veg..

They are all doable.
 
I like you attitude mate .
I like to do what and where I can myself and yeah some jobs are a mare but at least you know they are done and done correctly saying that its bloody tight in there
 
Space is your biggest enemy..

But if you're not adverse to modifying some tools and getting some scars, they can all be fixed at home with some perseverance.
At the old garage i worked at, the Techs got the ramps and the lowly apprentice "me" got the floor and some jackstands! LOL

so defo workable without fancy lifts ;)
 
Looks like I'm in it for the long haul now then
Can any one tell me a list of jobs that I need to do first .
Belts etc as I've no history eith it at all
Any info on the auto box as well may be handy
I have an oil leak from the rear of the engine high up any common issues that that may be
 
When you say controls speed from steering wheel controls could you explain please.
And reading this and driving the bus it looks like a keeper its pleasurable compared to the tolirate of the d2

hi

apologises I should have added, u can control the speed using the plus / minus cruise control buttons to control the speed of the descent , when HDC is selected , left hand side of the steering wheel

HDC is the yellow button

Ps, steering wheel is from a D4 , just retrofitted it to the D3

hope that helps
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Quite a few of the Jobs that "require" the body off...

Don't actually need the body coming off!!

I've done a few of the jobs, and while they are a pain in the veg..

They are all doable.

hi buddy

indeed, same with the D3 , when I first got it, I was told that many jobs needed the body to be lifted

never forget several garages telling me the rear belts were one that need the body to come off, yet watched a mechanic who knew what they were doing to change the rear belt in under 45 mins

same with other jobs ,where the body doesn’t need to come off , alas as u also say, some not so easy but doable
Turbo
Rear Belt ,but harder on the D4 as it’s timed , but not timed on the D3
Cross over pipe

agree ref the RR having a nicer interior, when I looked at a L322 it was very nice indeed, alas insurance was through the roof , was a 4.4 as well

ps, hope ur keeping safe and well
 

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