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Home > General & Technical (L663) > Trying to decide between D5 D300 and 663 D300
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IRBails



Member Since: 25 Feb 2021
Location: Wollongong, NSW
Posts: 25

Australia 
Trying to decide between D5 D300 and 663 D300
I have a L494 SDV8 which tows my 3.3 ton off road caravan. The RRS is getting close to 200,000 k's , and I am considering another tow vehicle.

I do a bit of corrugated gravel but mainly blacktop roads. I like the 663, wife likes the interior of the D5.

When researching it seems there isn't a great deal of mechanical differences in the two vehicles. Many components seem to have the same part Numbers, which does make sense.

I haven't checked rear axle spec's as yet but an assuming these will be close. Spare wheel location better on the 663 but rear boot space better on the D5.

So this starts the journey of deciding which vehicle.

Must have for me is air suspension and some off road ability.
Post #1010930 11th Oct 2023 11:50pm
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Moo



Member Since: 01 Oct 2021
Location: Bath
Posts: 1051

Ukraine 
For practicality D5. Defender is good and super comfy, but the rear swinging door and small boot is frustrating.

I still miss my D4. Big Cry Eiger Grey MY23 D250 SE with bits. Known as Noddy.
Post #1010933 12th Oct 2023 12:50am
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malibu



Member Since: 11 Sep 2023
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 34

Australia 
Are you considering a 110 or 130. The 130 has restricted towing. The 110 boot is smaller than than the D5. I prefer the interior of the D5 and the exterior look of the 110. I prefer the spare wheel under neath, as I run bike racks with 4 bikes. I agree, they are both very similiar.
Post #1010934 12th Oct 2023 2:52am
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IRBails



Member Since: 25 Feb 2021
Location: Wollongong, NSW
Posts: 25

Australia 
Yes 110 wold be my choice, same as you like the look of the 663 but internally the D5 gets a plus especially the seats.
Post #1010935 12th Oct 2023 4:25am
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DFNDER



Member Since: 02 Oct 2023
Location: Perth WA
Posts: 62

Australia 
I've got a 110 MY23.5, mate has a MY22 "D5", we both came from D4's, I find the L663 as comfortable as the D4, and storage space better, yes the boot space on the L663 is a bit smaller, but when the seats are folded flat, it's cavernous compared to the D4, and aircraft hanger size compared to the "D5". I don't miss my D4 as much as my mate misses his D4.
Post #1010951 12th Oct 2023 9:20am
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Moo



Member Since: 01 Oct 2021
Location: Bath
Posts: 1051

Ukraine 
For me its the boot opening size, boot space length, the split tailgate and having access from both sides that I miss as well as the shelter the tail gate gives you.

My 110 is good and it carries lots of stuff, but I think the D5 would be better, but its not a car I particularly like, hence the 110. One thing that has transformed the boot space is the rack and door table. As for bikes, I carry two on the spare wheel.



Click image to enlarge




Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge
 Eiger Grey MY23 D250 SE with bits. Known as Noddy.
Post #1010960 12th Oct 2023 9:53am
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walfy



Member Since: 29 Aug 2007
Location: Frome
Posts: 2642

 
@Moo. so you fitted your rack then? I thought you were against it when we last spoke 110 D250 SE HT
110 USW SOLD
RRE HSE Dynamic Gone, wife killed it
VOLVO XC60 R Dynamic with some toys

Polaris RZR 900XP SOLD
Post #1010970 12th Oct 2023 10:28am
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malibu



Member Since: 11 Sep 2023
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 34

Australia 
I went the D5 for the 7 seats and larger boot and interior more like a RR. I feel trhe D5 is much more comfortable than my D4 and does everything better than the D4, other than the boot feels smaller. I think the 2021 and newer D5 look much nicer inside.

The end of the day the cars are very similar. It is really down to personal choice. For me the 110 looks more rugged inside and retro outside. The D5 is more luxury inside and dog ugly from the back, bit nice from the front.
Post #1010971 12th Oct 2023 10:31am
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XplusYplusZ



Member Since: 16 Aug 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 428

malibu wrote:
dog ugly from the back, bit nice from the front.

The Kim Kardashian of the 4x4 world!?

What really swung it for you in the end?
Post #1010985 12th Oct 2023 1:48pm
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Moo



Member Since: 01 Oct 2021
Location: Bath
Posts: 1051

Ukraine 
walfy wrote:
@Moo. so you fitted your rack then? I thought you were against it when we last spoke


Needs must. I had to use it but I'm going to take it off shortly and sell it. Let me know if your interested. Thumbs Up Eiger Grey MY23 D250 SE with bits. Known as Noddy.
Post #1010989 12th Oct 2023 2:00pm
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malibu



Member Since: 11 Sep 2023
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 34

Australia 
I am an old man, so I think what swung me was the interior. I would prefer the new RR sport, but it is only 5 seater. The 110 interior is not for me. Also they are not true 7 seater.
So all in all the D5 is more practical for me and I prefer the interior. I just have to close my eyes when I walk past the back of the car.
I can't beleive a company that has designed some of the best looking cars, can make one rear end so ugly.
Post #1011064 13th Oct 2023 2:44am
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zilch



Member Since: 11 Sep 2019
Location: Whitsundays & Sydney
Posts: 784

Australia 
We have a RRS from 2010 which we kept, but decided on going down the Defender route
as the main touring vehicle. One difference on the 663 is the underpinnings of the front are supposed
to be larger and far tougher on the Defender than the other LR models, no doubt a marketing ploy for
“off road durability” . We just completed an 8,000km 2 month trip around outback western QLD
and the NT, It towed effortlessly (exception being the P400 can be a thirsty beast, which the D300
will not suffer from as much), dragged between 3.1-3.3t depending on how many water tanks were full,
the Defender is a very good tow vehicle, I assume Ian you have seen some of David Moores YouTube
posts on his lap of Oz in their D300 with their Zone..



Click image to enlarge
 yet another pommie bar steward down under

MY20 110 P400 SE Defender
MY10 3.0 RR Sport
Post #1011120 13th Oct 2023 1:05pm
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mse



Member Since: 06 Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 5024

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Scotia Grey
Having had both, the discovery always seemed to make progress better - quicker and was a bit better MPG and the space inside was superior so although i like the defender, the discovery would win for me Mike
Post #1011361 16th Oct 2023 8:39am
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Will.I.AM



Member Since: 16 May 2013
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 340

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 130 Td5 HCPU Kaikoura Stone
having had D5, D3, RRS and D4 we currently have a L663 V8 110 (missus car) and my daily is a td5 130 (i have had the range of S3 SWB and most defender variants as my daily), i think its all down to what you want out of it. TBH if you want a comfortable car and one that has better practical space then a D5 is probably better, if you are like myself and prefer to drive without some creature comforts and have a defender becuase i love them, then a 110 is definately the option to go for. Defender 130 HCPU TD5
Post #1011376 16th Oct 2023 10:27am
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IRBails



Member Since: 25 Feb 2021
Location: Wollongong, NSW
Posts: 25

Australia 
zilch wrote:
We have a RRS from 2010 which we kept, but decided on going down the Defender route
as the main touring vehicle. One difference on the 663 is the underpinnings of the front are supposed
to be larger and far tougher on the Defender than the other LR models, no doubt a marketing ploy for
“off road durability” . We just completed an 8,000km 2 month trip around outback western QLD
and the NT, It towed effortlessly (exception being the P400 can be a thirsty beast, which the D300
will not suffer from as much), dragged between 3.1-3.3t depending on how many water tanks were full,
the Defender is a very good tow vehicle, I assume Ian you have seen some of David Moores YouTube
posts on his lap of Oz in their D300 with their Zone..



Click image to enlarge


Yes have watched also have zone towed by my SDV8
Post #1011526 17th Oct 2023 10:16am
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