I've heard recently that the ability of a Land Rovers are just a myth compared to other 4X4s but lots of people buy them so they can't be that bad? What do you think?
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what you heard was just a myth perhaps. I have one it works well, perhaps a little more fettling than an equivalent Japanese thing but it has character.
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I have an isuzu trooper 3.0td comercial and run it on BFG all terains.
The only real benefit of landrovers in my opinion is the selectable diff lock in the defender as oposed to the limited slip diff in the isuzu.
In my opinion 4x4 ability is dependent on the drivers ability and the choice of tyres. For me my Isuzu trooper provides me with the right amount of comfort (electric windows and mirrors) along with good off road and towing abilty coupled with a top motorway speed aproaching 100mph.
My vehicle is used on a daily basis towing atleast 1.5 tons on and off road.
Paul
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In just a few minutes i'll be setting off for a days trialling in a landrover and i can easily say that there isn't another 4x4 within half a mile of the landrover.
The only other vehicle that i can say is anywhere nearing a landie would be of all things a Suzuki SJ, they're not bad off road due to their light weight but they really do need a lot more grunt.
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Pinzgauer,
All the off roas ability of a landy but greatly increased payload and towing capacity.
Bit out of reach thou' for the majority of people, and definately lacking creature comfort.
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The Defender 90 is indubitably one of the most capable 4x4s "out of the box" for proper gulleys slopes holes and water. For shear axle articulation, suspension suppleness, approach and departure angle and ramp breakover. If you are looking at the whole package of ergonomics, perceived reliability and style take your pick of the others. The best thing about a defender is that if you do proper off road driving, it is hardier and more resilient than any other 4x4. Given a bit of love and care you can off road in a defender for 10 years and it will still look like it did when it was new. (that's not saying much for their finish when they are new by the way)
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Recently went (as a guest) on a 4x4 club outing at the invitation of a friend who has a new 110 Defender station wagon. I was absolutely staggered at where we went and what we (successfully) did with it. My friend is a brave guy but, as he said, 'that's what I bought it for'. As a journalist some years ago I was driven around an off-road course by an LR specialist driver but it was nothing compared to the recent experience. All the Shoguns etc managed to cope, with a struggle, but the Defender walked it all. And, I have to say, the Defender gives a nicer ride than another friend's series three Discovery!
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The Freelander is not so good off road but then it's a soft roader so one doesn't expect as much.
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It all depends what you want a 4 x 4 for.
I want something that will start on the button, not break down, is mechanically simple, is good on a variety of terrains, even when towing up to 3.5 tonnes, is not completely utilitarian, and will go from one end of the country to the other without too much strain, has 7 seats and above all, be an entry into 4 x 4 ownership.
Hence I chose the older discovery 200 TDi with reasonable mileage and a good service history.
I would say the older Discoveries are not as good on the road as the older Shoguns or pajeros, but they are reportedly better offroad. In addition, you know where you are for parts interchangeability on the Land Rovers (or at least I do).
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"parts interchangeability on the Land Rovers"
Guess that sums it up (living in the country) the local garage can fettle the Landie (yes and there are still doable DIY tasks on it), there are vast reserves of parts available by next day delivery and people who "understand" them more than you could ever do with some of the competition, oh and you can drive it in flood, snow and mud without worriyng about a rust prone scratch on its bodywork. They work in the everyday reality that is the British hinterland and they're worth something a few years down the line.
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"parts interchangeability on the Land Rovers" Guess that sums it up (living in the country) the local garage can fettle the Landie
surely you mean weld plates on the chassis!
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Probably ! Not had to do it yet though.
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I used to go trialling with my old petrol Land Rover 90.
I don't think most SUV type 4x4's could cope with what the Land Rovers could, although I'm sure more specialist machines like Hummers, Unimogs, Pinzgauers etc. obviously could.
By the way, I was following a recent Land Rover 90 ('02, I think) and I noticed its rear crossmember was brown with surface rust - on a vehicle that was otherwise in smart condition. Surely this lack of quality is inexcusable in today's marketplace.
Cheers, Sofa Spud
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By the way, I was following a recent Land Rover 90 ('02, I think) and I noticed its rear crossmember was brown with surface rust - on a vehicle that was otherwise in smart condition.
If it has bee used off road it doesn't take much of a knock to break open the paintwork and then it's exposed to air and water and so it will rot fairly quickly. If it's caught in time you can do something about it but if not it's a new crossmember
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I drive a '94 Range Rover and my neighbour a 2000 Mitsubishi Animal pick up. The Mitsubishi is crude by comparison. I didn't realise they still used leaf springs!and the horrible shiny Jap plastic interior with the Mickey Mouse altimeter and compass!
As for off road ability the Range Rover is in a different league. We off-road together regularly and the differences are startingly obvious. The main difference is axle articulation.
I agree the reliability is a bit iffy compared to the Japs but as far as I'm concerned that is the only advantage.
--
\"Nothing less than 8 cylinders will do\"
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I drive a '94 Range Rover and my neighbour a 2000 Mitsubishi Animal pick up. The Mitsubishi is crude by comparison. I didn't realise they still used leaf springs!
Remember that the L200 is a utility vehicle capable of carrying a huge (1000kg?) payload across rough terrain, hence the use of leaf springs.
The RR is a luxury 4X4 which probably cost more than twice as much when new, so no surprises about the different "quality" interiors.
Though the off-road ability is a little hampered by the limited axle articulation, L200/Hilux type pickups are still excellent offroad vehicles.
Finally, the reliability figures (pretty much any source) speak for themselves.
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>>If it has bee used off road it doesn't take much of a knock to break open the paintwork and then it's exposed to air and water and so it will rot fairly quickly. If it's caught in time you can do something about it but if not it's a new crossmember
Tell me about it! The rear crossmember on my late-departed 90 was just about holding together, but my 90 was 20 years old!
It's as if the X-member was designed as a mud trap - a forward -facing channel section beam with bits welded into it.
Cheers, Sofa Spud
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Theoretically our 90 is on the original chassis but there have been so many patches welded onto it over the years i don't think theres much original metal left!
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