LR3 vs Defender? - Land Rover Forums

Pao · #1 12-10-2007, 11:57 PM

I've been trying to find out if the LR3 has better off-road capabilities than the Defender (with no mods added). I've been an off-road fan since I was little. My family has had many Defenders over the years which made me a fan of them. But lately I've been investigating about the LR3. I wanna buy a car for off-road next year, but I don't know which one to buy. Does anyone have any idea on which one is best for off-road? Has anyone tested and compared them both and could give me some useful information?

Thanks,

- Pao

Adz · #2 12-12-2007, 05:02 PM

Not seen a LR3 off-road yet, they're all a bit too 'shiny' still over here for any people to risk them.

Depends a lot on what sort of off road you're talking about too - deep fording in a modern, electric everything, rover is a recipe for disaster if you ask me, but a reasonably set up (read as snorkel and extended breather kit) diesel powered defender can go as deep as the driver can take, provided he doesn't mind getting wet, cold, muddy and short on air

I prefer to drive my cars, rather than let the car do the thinking for me - but then I'm slightly biased as my signature line will show

Cheers,

drzjoint · #3 01-11-2008, 01:12 PM

they are both awsome off road. you need to look at which one you can afford to break
you wont be able to do many repairs your self on the lr3 due to the electronics but when both are stock it is up to who is driving off road not the vehicle

Blippie · #4 02-19-2008, 02:00 PM

I've driven both off road at LR's testing track at Eastnor in the UK. The LR3 (Discovery 3 over here) is great off road, but the Defender is still more capable. However the defender is less comfortable and needs more driver skill.

The LR3 is point-and-shoot!

Cheers

Blippie

antichrist · #5 03-12-2008, 07:54 AM

The Defender is a much better base vechicle to start from.
The Discovery 3 relies on electrickery to get it's off-road ability. The Defender relies on driver skill and easily modified mechanical components.
If you're never far from a shop with tens of thousands of dollars worth of electronic test equipment, a Discovery 3 may suit.