Wednesday, Apr 25, 2012 at 16:16
Had the same issue 12 months ago on what to by.... in the end we bought a 200 series VX diesel.
Could not justify the high price for a 100 series that was all ready 5 years old and over 100,000 kilometres and had no benefits over the 200 series.
We went new because we wanted to fit the Lovell GVM upgrade before rego and also buying new we have a 6 years and 150,000 kilometre factory warranty just in case.
After owning our 200 series for a while you realise how out dated the 100 series is in capability, comfort, handling and performance.
This is our first auto 4x4 and I don't think I would go back to a manual 4x4 again..... there are some things I miss not having a manual but you can work around that, a manual would be good for 5% of our driving but an auto is better for 95%.
With the front solid axle vs independent argument there would only be the extreme high end stuff and I mean extreme where a solid axle would out perform the independent front end and again there are ways around it..... ours being a VX comes standard with the KDSS
suspension that gives about 4 to 5 inches extra travel bringing it close to a solid axled 4x4.
The difference what we have found between the two front ends is we can not hit stuff as fast or hard but that's why we have a 12,000 pound winch.... plus less chance of damaging the 4x4 if we go slow, I would rate diff locks over a solid axle anyday.
This gets back to the percentage thing an independent front end handles better, is smoother, doesn't shake and rattle the 4x4 as much and decreases driver and passenger fatigue..... why have some thing that's only going to benefit you in less then 2% of you 4x4ing and hinder you in 98% of driving.
As for the fuel
tank, I don't see a need for isolating tanks and chances are if your going to pick up bad fuel you will in most cases be filling both tanks at the one location.... if your worried about damaging one and loosing all you fuel; when was the last time you damaged a fuel
tank..... bit like people carrying two spares or a spare tyre on the (no rim) on the roof rack; again I can't remember when the last time was when I needed two spares.
There are things I don't like about the 200 series but it's
miles better then anything else that can do what it can do.
You will find the 200 series is a very capable 4x4 and will put your current ride to shame with the refinement and how easy it does things.
Traction control works a treat and enables you to walk up obstacles slowly causing less damage to the 4x4 and environment but still no substitute for diff lock when the going gets very very hard (remember winch).
If towing; a 200 series would be the way to go and I would probably stay clear of a 105 with a turbo if towing a heavy van (small gear box) over rough ground.
AnswerID:
484170
Follow Up By: zigdog - Wednesday, Apr 25, 2012 at 18:59
Wednesday, Apr 25, 2012 at 18:59
Discovery 4. Has more load space and more power than the rest along with the most comfortable ride you will ever experience outside a RR Vogue.
Seriously, do yourself a favour and
park any prejudices you think you may have and actually go drive one. You won't regret it.
I love
mine.
FollowupID:
759425
Follow Up By: Bush Wanderer - Wednesday, Apr 25, 2012 at 22:25
Wednesday, Apr 25, 2012 at 22:25
Zigdog,
Not quite as much power and torque as a 200....but pretty close.
I came from a 100 series so was biased to start with, but after I had both the 200 and the D4 for a week, the D4 was the better vehicle. D4 was slightly more expensive in the spec that I chose.
So far so good....eats my 100 offroad, has significantly better fuel economy, and lugs our 3.5 tonne trailer while sipping 17 litres per 100. The 200 when towing this trailer sat at 21. Wife loves the perceived smaller vehicle.....until I showed her the specs for the two cars. It just feels smaller, and much nimbler.
I have been converted.
But this is VERY off topic.
BW.
FollowupID:
759461
Follow Up By: olcoolone - Thursday, Apr 26, 2012 at 08:56
Thursday, Apr 26, 2012 at 08:56
If this post was titled "landcruiser 200 vs Landrover Discovery D4" I would say you comments are warranted BUT it's about Landcruiser 100 series vs 200 series.
Maybe we can also include the BMW X5 and the Merc AMG G Wagon..... and the Audi Q7..... LOL
Yes had a good look at a D4 and they are a great 4x4 just like the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overlander.
We are looking at the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overlander not to replace the 200 series but as a good allround town car.
The down side of the D4 and Jeep is the lack of the dealer network in areas outside the main capitals.
The D4 we were looking at came with 19 inch rims making it next to useless again once outside the main capitals....... the lower spec D4 you could go down to 17 inch rims, our Landcruiser can standard on 18 inch rims and for $100 a rim we went to Gen Toyota Steelies in 17x8.5.
The next thing was the lack of available GVM upgrades for the D4 (non existent) whereby with the 200 we went 500Kg over standard factory GVM.
Next on the list was availability of spare parts and I don't mean belts and filters, out of all the countries who manufacture vehicles that come through our workshop the the hardest and in most cases most expensive to order parts for are European vehicles.
And another thing was the size of aftermarket fuel tanks, with the Landcruiser we can carry an extra 100Lts over a D4 with long range tanks and in the outback when remote travelling this makes a hugh difference.
With the room side of things it comes down to usable room and not just volume, our 200 series has been converted to a two seater.
Maybe we should get back on topic about 100 vs 200.
FollowupID:
759480