Range Rover Sport

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by codprawn

I can get my knee under the sill of a Defender - no chance on a Disco of any description!!!

Is this a comment on ride height?

[willk]

Originally Posted by Leapy

Is this a comment on ride height?

No.

I think this is how one tightens the girthstrap on a Workhorse

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by willk

No.

I think this is how one tightens the girthstrap on a Workhorse

Yep. My mistake

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Leapy

The Range Rover Sport is simply a Disco 3/4 with a different body. It's a monocoque shell on top of a seperate chassis. It's the Range Rover (as launched by BMW) that's the monocoque with subframes.

I understand the various comments about live axles and wheel articulation...however, in modern 4X4 thinking there is more to wheel articulation and grip than just the brawn of live axles. Electronics play such a large part that when coupled with the flexibility of independant air springs all new avenues of ability are opened

Just picked up a 3 litre diesel auto Disco 4...a great step forward over the Disco 3. Acceleration is now strong, refinement is much better, fuel economy looks slightly better and the interior is in a completely different up market world. At the moment though I prefer the nose/grille treatment of the Disco 3. Lots of nice new features like reversing cameras too..makes trailer coupling much easier

I agree the fancy traction control etc makes a massive difference - it enables a Disco 3/4 to go a lot further on normal tyres but it just doesn't have the axle articulation. Look at the extreme rock crawlers in the USA - all beam axles. Keeping all 4 wheels on the ground is still a major benefit!!!
The Defender also has traction control along with beam axles as does the Disco 2 which means they are still the king for most situations.
I would say that in extreme condtions a Disco 2 is better than a 3/4 but on road of course there is no contest. Really didn't like the wallowy ride on the Disco 3 on motorways though - is the 4 much better?

And I know the Disco 4 has one of the best diesels around - will soon be available for RIBs!!!

[Nasher]

Originally Posted by Leapy

the interior is in a completely different up market world.

This is a real negative point for me.
Having looked around lately, the D3 interior was the only one I felt looked up to coping with the rough treatment it would get if the car was used as it should be.
I can't image muddy boots in a D4, it's now too close to a Range Rover for my liking, apart from the 7 seats of course.

Nasher.

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by codprawn

didn't like the wallowy ride on the Disco 3 on motorways though - is the 4 much better?

Absolutely spot on...Disco 3 was poor under some circumstances. The ride also produced a lot of 'head toss' on undulating roads and became very tiresome at times. Disco 4, again, is in a different league...some head toss still but much much reduced magnitude. Like all things, it's a compromise between off road and on road

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Nasher

This is a real negative point for me.
Having looked around lately, the D3 interior was the only one I felt looked up to coping with the rough treatment it would get if the car was used as it should be.
I can't image muddy boots in a D4, it's now too close to a Range Rover for my liking, apart from the 7 seats of course.

Nasher.

Don't agree Nasher, sorry. I think you're confusing style with ruggedness and durability: the three are not mutually exclusive...the lower trim is pretty much the same as D3 and appears just as tolerant to use and, importantly, abuse. The upper trim has been restyled with additional feature, better ergonomics and more interest. I can see no reason to avoid when using wellies, RIBs or anything else. My new D4 lasted 50 miles before the wellies (complete with inadvertent dog shit) ventured inside. It cleans up just like D3, no worries

[Knot Yet 2]

D3? D4? Im in the wrong job!!!
I sleep at night only because I can dream of a D3, let alone a D4!!!
if only KY would get a proper job!

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Leapy

Don't agree Nasher, sorry. I think you're confusing style with ruggedness and durability: the three are not mutually exclusive...the lower trim is pretty much the same as D3 and appears just as tolerant to use and, importantly, abuse. The upper trim has been restyled with additional feature, better ergonomics and more interest. I can see no reason to avoid when using wellies, RIBs or anything else. My new D4 lasted 50 miles before the wellies (complete with inadvertent dog shit) ventured inside. It cleans up just like D3, no worries

Nothing beats a Series III - you can jet wash the inside and drive off leaving the water to pour out of the back door!!!

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Nothing beats a Series III - you can jet wash the inside and drive off leaving the water to pour out of the back door!!!

Must agree...

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Nothing beats a Series III - you can jet wash the inside and drive off leaving the water to pour out of the back door!!!

Sod the sIII, give me Doggypaddle's SII anyday...

[Knot Yet 2]

All excellent choices my friends, but if you are asking for the best Land Rover for towing and driving up and down slips then you need to look at the Centaur.
After that, try a 101