The D3 vs D2 New owner thread

[Sir WIll]

I know many of you have changed from a D2 to a D2 over the last couple of years and I have found it very interesting to drive both this weekend.

D2

I still adore the D2, its a much better looking car in a lower more classic kind of way. I also find it better to drive and more connected to the road.

The Recaro interior and especially front seats I find better than the D3, also as of now my D2 gearbox is smoothly and shifts better.

D3

Much better speaker system (Active Bose vs Active Bose), its not technically "Hi Fi" or accurate but does a very good job none the less.

The MMI is very good and the whole system is a clear step up and I like the way it works, I shall add an AMI and update the software at some point also.

The v8 is smoother and revs better than the D2 and economy is about the same but now I have 60bhp more. Power is good also and a great balance for the car, a little more torque helps a great deal.

The car rides better, grips more but without doubt is more detached and the steering wheel is not really connected to anything.

[tersono]

Hmm...

I loved my D2 (which was an early 4-speed version), but I must confess that I much prefer the D3 I'm driving now (including the looks, I have to say...). Better ride, slightly more grip, significantly better economy and the paddleshift is great fun

I find the gearbox smoother as well. Yes, I agree that the steering is marginally less direct, but it's still a big improvement on the Lexus I had for a while

[roberto]

I know many of you have changed from a D2 to a D2 over the last couple of years and I have found it very interesting to drive both this weekend.

[PsYcHe]

Wee typo Rob.. he's meaning his 'old' D2 to his 'new' D3

[Norretal]

I'm a month into D3 ownership and have to say the difference between my D2 and the D3 is massive. I realise it's partly because I've gone from a D2 PF with not a lot of spec to a D3 S8 but they're very different indeed. My D2 is a lovely car and has given me many years of pleasurable motoring but I wasn't prepared for the huge step up to the S8, I find it unfair to compare them.

The D2 has Bose which I always thought was excellent (way better than the Audi system in the wife's A4) but the B&O in the S8 is astounding, I knew it was good given all the mentions it gets on here, but the reality is difficult to explain, it's superb and I'd be reluctant to have a car without it now.

The D2 is powerful in its own right and can shift along with real finesse and I've surprised a few over the years when the big old girl leaves the boy racers in its dust on country roads but the S8 Is something else, the power at my disposal is taking some getting used to. I'm also still trying to get used to the throttle response, it's so sensitive I find myself taking off from standstill when I really don't intend to.

I really like all of the gadgets in the S8 and even after a month I'm still finding something new that I didn't realise it did, or has. Just thought I'd add my own thoughts on the differences between the two, both are fantastic cars but have distinct qualities and attributes that the other doesn't, I just count myself lucky to have experienced both.

[tintin]

Originally Posted by Norretal

both are fantastic cars but have distinct qualities and attributes that the other doesn't, I just count myself lucky to have experienced both.

That's the key point, I think. I waited 5 years to find the right D2 S8, can't imagine swapping it (except maybe for a D3 S8, which I confess, I've yet to drive...), and feel that I'll never drive a better car, but, to quote Mr Connery, "never say never"