The DII vs DI argument is invalid

[JohnGA]

To everyone out there comparing the LR3's criticisms to that of the DII that argument is complete BS. People say things like "Oh ya know DI owners said the same things about the DII"

Yea they said things like that but the DII was still very similar to the DI. It still had solid axles front and rear, and it was still more hardcore than pretty much every other stock vehicle out there.

The LR3 has fully independent suspension and a car-like chassis, it can't even support 16" wheels making it extremely difficult to find tires for it. It has it's spare tire inconveniently mounted under the rear, and you have to spend a fortune just to have electronics that will make it "mall ready". It has a lower center of gravity and is made for road driving. Get used to it, the Disco3 will never be able to match the DI and DII.

 

[frickjp]

While this may be entirely true, the LR3 launch was done in Quebec. It included a day of off-roading in LR3's. On Goodyear Wrangler HP tires. It is no modified Disco, but it is indeed a very capable off-road truck. It is far more solid than any previous Land Rover. It is a full unibody construction sitting on a frame that is true to LR heritage. With both opposite wheels suspended, and the other two corners hanging, all doors can be opened with a finger, and nary a squeek or rattle anywhere. I don't know if you realize this, but most of our soccer moms do not venture too far off road.
As far as the "mall ready" comment, I don't get it, but the HSE comes with everything you need.

 

[Silver]

Get used to it, the Disco3 will never be able to match the DI and DII.

Never match it in what? I would have to say that the LR3 drives better than any previous Discovery model, has a more comfortable interior, has more power with better MPG, and all the LR3's I've seen have seemed to have been very well put together.

 

[SCSL]

Never match it in what? I would have to say that the LR3 drives better than any previous Discovery model, has a more comfortable interior, has more power with better MPG, and all the LR3's I've seen have seemed to have been very well put together.

I think he's talking about off-road capability. And he's right.

But all I can say is that the LR3 is one of the things keeping LR in business. The more people who buy into the branch means a greater number of people, on a % basis, who get into wheeling,,, who keep the brand alive & parts (relatively speaking) less expensive,,, who keep the aftermarket in business,,,etc.

I feel strongly that we need to be good "ambassadors" of the brand,,, meaning that we don't get cliquey to the point where we alienate LR3 or non-wheeling DII drivers such that they think we're a bunch of jackasses & get turned off to the brand. Rather, I think we should be very outgoing in inviting newer owners to mild off-road trips, etc. Otherwise, we're just as bad as bunch of redneck Heepers. That might sound cheesey but that's what I think. I've never had a conversation w/ a new Disco owner that didn't involve me inviting them to run a fire road or something on a weekend.

 

[roverover]

There was a dead nuts stock LR3 at a trials event at Robesonia PA this spring and I must say I was quite impressed They travelled the whole course and 2 years ago I tried the same course in a stock D2 w/ tires and there where sections that I could bearly enter let alone complete

 

[frickjp]

Never underestimate a stock D2, either. We had a mild event and a couple of novices came. One with a Westminster D2 on Michelin Cross-Terrain's. A Defender with K/O's had to get a tow, when the Westminster went straight through...

 

[JohnGA]

Yea, I have no problem with the LR3 itself. It's a GREAT off-road performer stock. Stock, I'd take one over just about any other vehicle out there. It's without question one of the most versatile vehicles ever. The only thing is I'm just saying it will never be the easily modifiable truck that the discovery has been.

Also, you're right the LR3 will hopefully be succesful enough that LR will be able to put some money into developing a real defender for NA.

 

[Ted]

But all I can say is that the LR3 is one of the things keeping LR in business. The more people who buy into the branch means a greater number of people, on a % basis, who get into wheeling,,, .

I feel strongly that we need to be good "ambassadors" of the brand,,, meaning that we don't get cliquey to the point where we alienate LR3 or non-wheeling DII drivers such that they think we're a bunch of jackasses & get turned off to the brand. Rather, I think we should be very outgoing in inviting newer owners to mild off-road trips, etc. Otherwise, we're just as bad as bunch of redneck Heepers.

Very well said.

 

[Ho]

you are all wrong. mine is bigger.

 

[Ian95rrc]

But... milk still tastes better than orange juice.

 

[adi]

It just reminds me of a quote in one of the LR mags about the X5 vs lr3, something like... "the LR3 has about 90% of the capability of the X5 on road, but the X5 only has 15% capability of the LR3 offroad"

The D2 has 40% capability of the LR3 onroad, but the LR3 has 90% of the capability offroad.

 

[Asolo3j]

We are all used to easily finding lifts, tires, bumpers, sliders, racks, etc.... for our D1 and D2's to help make them better offroading machines. Give it some time and you will see the same stuff for the LR3.

 

[Rocky]

The ARB is a great start. That they have even made one is significant. But then the stock bumper isn't the prettiest thing going......

 

[rdoane]

to me the biggest downfall for the lr3 is the axles. the fact that they pass through the frame rails makes it almost impossible to lift the truck, and that is the most damning feature of the disco 3.

 

[garrett]

not to mention i just don't find the truck all that appealing outside or inside. there was a time when LR was a unique vehicle on and off road, but for now those times are gone. the inside looks like any other upscale mini van or SUV.
unless LR gets their shit together and follows Toyota's line with the FJ they will be alienating us as consumers.

 

[rdoane]

not to mention i just don't find the truck all that appealing outside or inside. there was a time when LR was a unique vehicle on and off road, but for now those times are gone. the inside looks like any other upscale mini van or SUV.
unless LR gets their shit together and follows Toyota's line with the FJ they will be alienating us as consumers.

the people on this board, unfortunatly, are not the target audience of LR. my faith in LR rests on the new defender.

 

[garrett]

the people on this board, unfortunatly, are not the target audience of LR. my faith in LR rests on the new defender.

most certainly is true. the target audience began to change with BMWs ownership of LR. from then on they have been watering down the off road ablity of the Disco and now LR3. it only makes sense when you put the numbers on paper to do what they have done with the Disco, but soon they will be playing catch up to Toyota and Jeep if they don't get something out there worthy to folks like us.

 

[discobird]

the people on this board, unfortunatly, are not the target audience of LR. my faith in LR rests on the new defender.

I second that.